Before You Buy Probiotics
What to look for (and what to avoid)
TL;DR
Match strains to your goal (Lactobacillus for digestion, Bifidobacterium for immune). 10-30 billion CFU is plenty. Shelf-stable strains are fine. Strain matters more than CFU count.
Quick Checklist
What to Look For
Marketing. 10-30B works fine. More can cause bloating.
L. acidophilus is useless info. Which STRAIN matters.
Hiding what you're actually getting.
Half could be dead by the time you take it.
Dead probiotics don't work.
Shows they know what they're doing.
What you see is what you get.
Actual research, not guesswork.
More survive stomach acid.
Forms Ranked
| Form | Score | Best For | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shelf-stable capsules | 9/10 | Convenience, travel | Modern strains don't need refrigeration |
| Refrigerated capsules | 9/10 | Some strains | Necessary for certain sensitive strains |
| Spore-based | 8/10 | Gut repair | Bacillus strains, very stable |
| Powder | 7/10 | Mixing in drinks | Flexible dosing |
| Gummies | 5/10 | Kids, taste preferences | Lower CFU, sugar content |
Dosing Guide
Is Probiotics For You?
You Might Need It If...
- After antibiotic use (rebuilding gut)
- People with IBS or digestive issues
- Those with frequent infections
- Anyone wanting immune support
- People on processed food diets
You Probably Don't Need It If...
- People eating fermented foods daily (yogurt, kimchi)
- Those with compromised immune systems (SIBO, etc)
- Anyone doing fine without them
Common Mistakes
Strain matters more. 10B of the right strain beats 100B of random ones.
The Bottom Line
Match strains to your goals. 10-30 billion CFU is enough. Specific strain names (with numbers) = quality product. CFU at expiration, not manufacture. Strain selection matters more than anything.
Learn More About Probiotics
More Buying Guides
About this information: Our analysis of Probiotics is based on peer-reviewed research from PubMed, ClinicalTrials.gov, and NIH databases. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. Supplements are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
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