5 Things To Know Before Buying Probiotic Supplements (Advice from the Consumer Council)
Urban dwellers often experience massive work stress and develop unhealthy eating habits, leading to digestive problems such as bloating and constipation. Probiotics can be a remedy for these digestive disorders. They fight off infectious bacteria and supply essential nutrients that help restore your gut's natural balance and health.
Read on to learn about all you need to know about choosing the right probiotic supplements, explained with professional advice from the Hong Kong Consumer Council.
Table of Contents
5 Things To Know About Probiotics
1. There are More than a Hundred Types of Probiotic Products
Probiotics are live microorganisms in your body that maintain gut and intestinal health. They offer exceptional health benefits when consumed as supplements or in natural food like yogurt, pickles, and miso.
Currently, over a hundred probiotic supplements are available, but not all are beneficial for your health. According to the Consumer Council, the probiotic strains supported by the most scientific research are Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, respectively. They acidify the intestinal environment to suppress bacterial growth and relieve digestive discomfort and constipation. On top of that, lactobacillus helps break down sugar and produces lactic acid, whereas Bifidobacterium produces vitamin B complex, acetic acid, and lactic acid.
2. The Optimal Amount of Probiotics is 10-20 Billion Per Day
Adequate dosage is pivotal for the proper functioning of probiotics. Note that the pH value changes drastically at different stages of your alimentary canal — from the acidic stomach to the alkaline intestines; some probiotics fail to survive such harsh conditions and reach your gut alive. Worse still, they have to compete with the existing harmful bacteria and pathogens for nutrition, living space, and places on your intestinal wall for adhesion, which reduces their survival rate. Thus, the Consumer Council recommends an adequate dose of more than 10 billion CFUs to maintain the effectiveness of probiotics in your intestines.
3. Capsules Are More Effective than Tablets and Powders
Probiotic supplements are available in capsules, tablets, and powders. Tablets are made by compressing the powder into a round shape under high heat and pressure. However, most probiotics are unlikely to survive at a temperature higher than 60°C, which means tablets are generally not as effective. Probiotic powders are easily digested by gastric acid and bile juice and impact the product's effectiveness likewise. We thereby recommend capsules, which can protect the probiotics from being killed in the highly acidic environment of the stomach and increase their survival rate in the intestinal tract.
4. Side Effects of Probiotics
Some people may experience mild side effects after consuming probiotics, including bloating, abdominal pain, and diarrhea; some may suffer from more serious side effects, such as bacteremia, fungemia, or other infectious illnesses. If you have immune problems or serious illnesses, you should consult your doctor before using probiotic supplements.
5. Read the Ingredients of Probiotic Supplements
Probiotics taste sour, so manufacturers often add sucrose, juice powders, and various flavorings to offset the unpleasant tartness. They may even use additives such as artificial colors and regulators to make the supplements more palatable and appealing to the customers. Although these food additives are safe for consumption, they may still pose health risks in the long run. Hence, the Consumer Council suggests only purchasing probiotic products containing fructose and yogurt powder.
Recommended: Global Healing's Probiotic Supplements
It is best to consume more than 10 billion probiotics per dose daily, with few food additives, and in the form of capsules for maximal health effectiveness. Global Healing's probiotics are always at the top of our list. It is a prestigious American brand best known for its natural gut-healing supplements.
Floratrex® - Global Healing
Floratrex® contains 75 billion live active CFUs from 25 of the most beneficial strains of bacteria, including Lactobacillus Plantarum and Bifidobacterium. The potent formula is enhanced with prebiotics and the PreforPro® Bacteriophage Prebiotic — a patented blend of "bacteria eaters" that go after harmful microbes to promote intestinal balance.
Served in vegetable capsules, Floratrex® contains organic rice hulls without added dairy, soy, toxic additives, harsh chemicals, and GMOs, making it suitable for people with sensitive stomach symptoms such as constipation and diarrhea.
All probiotic products from Global Healing are vegan, natural, and gluten-free to cater to all different dietary requirements. Visit Global Healing’s website today to learn more about our products and shop our full range of high-quality supplements.
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