Probiotics have become the latest Health Mantra; the latest health industry Buzz
Word, and why not? After all, which other natural products promise as many health benefits
the way Probiotics do? They have been known to provide relief from serious diseases like
colon cancer to aggravating conditions like acne.
Probiotics are more popular than
ever, with increased consumer information available. The problem is that there are hundreds of
Probiotic Supplements out there. Pills, powders, liquids, freeze-dried vs. live culture, different
strains, the list goes on and on; so then, how are you to select the right supplement? One that is
both safe and effective for you?
Read the reviews of over 30 Probiotic
Products
Well, in an effort to sort out the confusion this
article outlines a few basic rules for choosing Probiotic
supplements.
The P's and Q's of Probiotics
According to a new set of guidelines called "The P's and Q's of Probiotics," unveiled by the
International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP), there are five criteria
that consumers should consider when selecting Probiotic supplements:
- Probiotic
strain
- Clinical proof
- Packaging
- Quality
- Quantity
Probiotic Strain
Probiotics come in many varieties and not all
of them are beneficial or suitable for all diseases. Each variety plays a specific role in
differing diseases, making the right strain selection of paramount importance when choosing a
supplement. Hence, you should ascertain the genus, species, and then the strain of the supplement
you intend to use.
Difference of Option
There are
differing opinions on whether single-strain varieties are better than those with multiple
strains of bacteria. Some doctors claim that the more strains the better, others think that
it is possible that many strains may clash amongst themselves, resulting in decreasing their
effectiveness.
Clinical Proof
Make sure that the Probiotic supplement has been through plenty of scientific studies and is
supported by clinical evidence, stating the correct amount and strain of Probiotic in it. Reliable
probiotic supplements will always be supported by clinical trials and these trials should be
available for you to examine whenever you want.
Packaging
Probiotics tend to
loose their potency if they are not properly packaged. Probiotic supplements come in many
forms:
- Powder
- Capsules
- Caplets
- Pills
- Liquid
Which form is best?
This is an
ongoing debate among manufacturers and medical researchers. Delivery mechanism of the
probiotics to the digestive system is all important. The best probiotic supplements can
survive the hostile environment that the gut provides and are able to get established in your
digestive tract and be much more effective. Since probiotics are not regulated by the FDA it
is up to the manufacturer to make sure they're safe, and that they live up to their promises.
To be truly therapeutic a single Probiotic supplement dose should deliver at least 1 billion
bacteria per gram.
The main test of a probiotic is
whether it works for you. Often it is necessary to try several brands, or different strains until
you find one that provides the benefits you seek.
Read the reviews of over 30 Probiotic Products
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