How To Read A Probiotic Label

I don't know about you, but I once found the world of probiotics very confusing. There were unfamiliar words I wasn't sure how to pronounce, the facts label was overwhelming, and there were a thousand brands to choose from. Does this sounds familiar? Let's break down how to read a probiotic label in 3 easy steps.

1. When reading a probiotic label, you want to see three pieces of information: Genus, Species, and Strain. Written out this may look like Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM. Each body is different, so there is not a single suggestion on which strain-specific IDs to look for. However, check out the second image for brand recommendations.

2. Next to the ID as mentioned above, look for the CFU dosing (Colony Forming Unit). This is the number of viable bacteria in the product. 20-80 billion CFUs per capsule is great. You may rarely see AFU instead, this stands for Active Fluorescent Units and is a more precise measurement than CFUs.

3. Make sure the probiotics can reach the gut. Meaning, look for a probiotic with live cultures that are protected by an extended release capsule or enteric coating. This ensures the probiotic isn't destroyed by stomach acid and makes it to the gut successfully.

And there you have it!

In summary, when shopping for a probiotic look for:
1. Genus, Species, and Strain
2. CFUs of 20-80 billion
3. Live cultures with extended release capsule or enteric coating

Cheers to a happy gut! 🥂