The word “probiotic” seems to be popping up more and more in nutrition discussions, as well as on food labels at the grocery store. It’s placed alongside enormous numbers, like 10 billion or even 100 billion. But what does it all mean? What exactly is a probiotic, and why would I want it in my body? Get all the answers by reading on to learn about this type of bacteria we can’t get enough of.
What Is a Probiotic?
A probiotic is a live microorganism, or bacteria, that can provide numerous benefits for our bodies. So, we’re supposed to be eating bacteria? That’s right. The fact is, our bodies naturally carry nearly 100 trillion bacteria (that’s about 5 pounds) in our intestines. Probiotics are the good bacteria that maintain healthy digestion and absorption of nutrients, so adding more of that good bacteria to our systems is going to help us stay healthy and nourished.
You’ll see many probiotic labels include wording such as “100 billion CFUs” (CFUs stands for colony forming units). CFUs are how many bacteria in probiotics are able to divide and form colonies – meaning they’re alive. The more live probiotics that make it to your gut, the better. However, the claims of 50 billion CFUs or more are likely inaccurate since, in most cases, many don’t survive the journey to the shelves at the store, much less to your stomach. You’ll learn more about why that is next.
Types of Probiotics
There are two main types of probiotics:
- Spore-forming probiotics, such as Bacillus subtilis
- And non-spore-forming probiotics, such as Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria
Each type and strain of probiotic performs a different role in the body with different benefits. Most foods and dietary supplements offer the non-spore-forming type of probiotic. These bacteria need a specific temperature range in order to survive. That’s why the journey to your local shop’s shelf might be costly in terms of the number of CFUs that are still alive; a hot delivery truck would do some real damage.
Spore-forming probiotics are a diverse group of hardy bacteria that form endospores to protect themselves in a wider range of environments. It is the spore-forming probiotics that are more adaptable to changes in temperature as well as to the gut’s acidic environment. This means you don’t have to refrigerate spore-forming probiotics or worry about mixing them with hot food or drinks.
So, which type of probiotic is best? The answer is that both are good for your body. However, given the fact that the probiotics in most foods and dietary supplements are non-spore-forming, it may be best to make a more concerted effort to get the spore-forming variety as well. That’s where East Park Research comes in. We’ve done extensive research on how to get the most live bacteria to your gut – and came up with the option you see here. This top-rated probiotic is unique in that it contains 10 billion highly effective bacillus subtilis probiotics, the spore-forming type that is most likely to survive the journey to your gut where it can work its magic.
Benefits of Probiotics
The effects of probiotics on the body are still being studied, but there are a number of benefits we do know about that may make a big difference in many people’s lives. The list includes but is not limited to the following:
- Assists in digestion by maintaining the balance in intestinal microbiota
- Aids in nutrient absorption
- Strengthens the immune system
- Promotes a healthy GI tract
- Supports normal fat metabolism
- Promotes urinary tract health
- Improvements in brain health & memory
The body is a wondrous thing and can do incredible things when given quality nourishment and support. Probiotics can make a huge difference in your body’s health with as little as a capsule a day. Make a daily probiotic a part of your routine – your gut will thank you!
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