There are a lot of different probiotics products out there, and a lot of different colony-forming units, or CFU probiotics labels. From the low millions to billions of CFUs per dose, you are sure to find a probiotic supplement that is right for you.
Here is some information on CFUs and their association with health benefits.
Probiotic Supplements: Good Bacteria For Your Gut, Stomach, And Intestines
There are many fermented foods, such as yogurt, sauerkraut, and many others, that contain good bacteria. However, for most people, these foods are an incomplete source of probiotics.
This is why a lot of people prefer to get their probiotics through probiotic supplements rather than food.
The gut, also known as the gastrointestinal tract, is home to trillions of bacteria. These microorganisms, also known as the gut flora, make up the gut microbiome.
This is the environment in which all these microbes live. It’s one part of the overall human microbiome.
Some microorganisms are beneficial, but others are bad bacteria that can cause serious stomach problems.
Probiotic supplements are designed to provide support to the good microbes. They may also provide other health benefits, such as immune system support. Your immune system helps protect you from developing many types of illnesses.1
How Many CFUs Of A Daily Probiotic Do You Need?
You’ll find a lot of probiotic products that have a wide range of CFUs. The CFU count will let you know much of the good bacteria you’re ingesting. Researchers examined several different dosages for several different strains of bacteria. Most studies have focused on dosages in the 1-20 billion CFU range.
Researchers believe that a dose of at least 5 billion CFUs per day for children, and 10 billion CFUs per day for adults, can provide significant health benefits.2 According to the researchers, there is no evidence that higher dosages will harm a user’s health.
Lactobacillus Strains Of Bacteria And Digestive Health
All complete probiotic products should contain members of the lactobacillus strain of friendly bacteria. Lactobacillus bacteria have been associated with several benefits when it comes to the stomach, large intestine, and other parts of the gut.
Here are just a few of these strains to look for:
- Lactobacillus rhamnosus
- Lactobacillus acidophilus
- Saccharomyces boulardii
- Bifidobacterium animalis
Seek Medical Advice
Feel free to speak to a doctor if you have any questions about probiotic supplements or any other type of dietary supplement. They will look at your specific medical situation to make sure it will be safe. Your doctor may also be able to recommend what CFU count will be right for your intestinal health.
Learn More:
7 Amazing Health Benefits of Sauerkraut (And a DIY Recipe!)
Cheese Can Improve Gut Health! (find out which types to eat)
Surprising Benefits of Probiotics for Dogs
Sources
1 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4006993/
2 https://www.aafp.org/afp/2008/1101/p1073.html