The Big Guide to Prebiotics, Probiotics, and Postbiotics

Table of Contents

Introduction
What is "The Gut"?
The History and Science of Probiotics
What are CFUs and How Many Do I Need?
Do You Need a Prebiotic, Probiotic, and Postbiotic? What about a Synbiotic?
Why do I need Supplements if I can Eat Fermented Foods for Probiotics?
Spore-Base Probiotics vs "Regular" Probiotics
How Can Probiotics Help?
What to Expect When I Start Taking Probiotics?
Adding Probiotics to Your Existing Supplement Routine
Taking a probiotic Plus a Multivitamin
Take a probiotic Plus an Enzyme Supplement
Shopping For Probiotics Based on Your Health Needs
Shelf-Stable vs Refrigerated Probiotics
Probiotics for Women
Probiotics for Pregnant Women
Probiotics for Men
Probiotics for Children to Adolesence
Probiotics for Seniors
Shopping for Probiotics Based on Age
Shopping for Vegan Approved Probiotics
Shopping Online for Supplements
How Can NBPure's Products Help?
References

Introduction

What do a quick scroll through social media, a flip through a health magazine, and your local grocery store have in common? Probiotics! Probiotic blends are trending and everyone from your neighbor to big commercial brands can’t help but rave about them. Many of our favorite items like orange juice, chocolate, and cream cheese now boast “SOURCE OF PROBIOTICS” on the packaging leading the every-day consumer to believe it’s a beneficial source of good-gut nutrients. Personally, I love the thought of obtaining probiotics from my favorite fro-yo, and for $10 a serving, my mind wants to believe I really am getting a tasty treat and a good source of nutrition.

Unfortunately, what most social media posts, magazines, big brands at local grocers, and my favorite fro-yo shop don’t boast about is that the number of added sugars and ingredients in our favorite products mitigate many of the health benefits of naturally occurring probiotics.

Fermented food rich in probiotics like kombucha, kimchi, sauerkraut, cheeses, and full-fat yogurts are some of the top sources of live cultures and potentially beneficial microbes. However, while many of the live cultures and probiotics in commercial foods can sustain shelf life, they don’t survive transit through the stomach into degradation through the small intestine to reach the distal gut.

Not only are commercial foods an unlikely source to fill all probiotic needs, but everyday lifestyles can cause disruption of the gut microbiome without intention:

Having to take antibiotics for an illness or infection
Frequently consuming processed foods and sugar
Frequently consuming alcohol - alcohol is antibacterial. Probiotics are bacteria. Alcohol is anti-probiotic so replenish yourself post-consumption. You’re welcome.
Eating a diet low in fermentable fiber
Exposure to toxins that can compromise the gut
Experiencing chronic stress

As human nature would have it, most of us check off multiple bullet points from that list. And that’s ok! Just be sure to replenish your body with what it needs by adding the right supplemental probiotics into your daily routine.

But where to begin?

Probiotic supplements have different strains, varying amounts of billions of colony-forming units (CFU), refrigerated vs shelf-stable, and even a long list of health benefits ranging from skin health to bowel movement efficiency. All of this can be confusing and concerning if you don’t know exactly what to look for.

Let’s start by first understanding what the gut is and why the health of the gut impacts the entire body.

What is “The Gut”?

The gut is a hollow tube that starts in the mouth and ends at the bum. It’s filled with bacterial beings also known as flora. Flora is a community of bacteria living and functioning together to make up a microbiome (another trendy term you might be seeing all over the internet these days, and for good cause).

The gut is essentially a habitat for microbiome bacteria that provide a vast range of health benefits:

Promote healthy bowel movements,
Protection against inflammation,
Help breakdown dietary fiber
Support immune system health by impacting our immune response,
Removable of bad bacteria,
Production of nutrients essential to digestive health

When the lining of the gut is worn and consistently stressed by environmental toxins, it becomes permeable. Gut permeability increases the risk of leaky gut. Leaky gut is when food and harmful bacteria break through the epithelial lining of the intestinal barrier and into the bloodstream causing inflammation.

Ideally, a high-fiber and low-sugar diet paired with probiotic supplements will work in sync to restore good gut bacteria and improve overall digestive health. There are many signs of a healthy happy gut that go beyond the digestion track – mental health, skin clarity, immune system support, hormone balancing, and improved sleep.

But, before you go grabbing just any probiotic supplements, let’s get back to the basics.

The History and Science of Probiotics

Bacteria have existed since the dawn of time. Humans lived and thrived in a mutually beneficial synergy with the earth – sleeping near the ground, eating both plants and animals that thrived from the earth, and getting our hands and bodies dirty. We were constantly exposed to these friendly bacterial bugs.

Fast forward to the seventeenth century when we first started looking at microbes in, and on the human body using a microscope. Luis Pasteur’s invention of the pasteurization process invoked a weariness toward bacteria in that they were all negative and make us sick.

Moving forward another few centuries, the Human Microbiome Project of 2007-2016 introduced the benefits and the necessity of bacteria in everyday human life. We now know that bacteria can be good and there are over 30,000 clinical studies related to linking probiotics to numerous health issues and highlighting the positive effects probiotics have on our overall health.

On average, it takes 17 years for research to translate into actual medical practice. New research also moves at a fast pace, with much of our current knowledge quickly becoming antiquated. Now, probiotics are a consistently-researched billion-dollar industry with all kinds of strains, technologies, and approaches to optimal gut health being at the forefront.

Currently, we know there are two main genera of probiotics – Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium. Some strains examined and formulated by researchers will obtain designation numbers such as DDS 1 or IVS-1 which typically undergo clinical testing and will be included in proprietary formulas.

Lactobacillus, or Lacto bacteria include species such as acidophilus, casie, fermentum, paracasei, rhamnosus, and plantarum, some of which may sound familiar to you.

Common forms of bifidobacterium include adolescentis, infantis, bifidum, breve and longum.

Some bacteria that are considered probiotics but are actually yeasts that include beta-glucan, and strains such as Saccharomyces Boulardii and Saccharomyces cerevisiae. These are typically indicated for immune health and diarrhea complaints.

What are CFU’s and How Many Do I Need?

Probiotics are classified in CFU’s, or colony-forming units, and relate to how bacteria establish themselves in our system. CFU’s are the amount of copies of bacterial strains, and the number of live bacteria within the product. When shopping for a probiotic supplement, you will always see a CFU count included on the nutrition label. So, if a label reads 500 billion CFU’s, it doesn’t mean there are 500 billion different types of bacteria. It means there are 500 billion live bacteria!

CFU formulas can range from 1 billion to 500 billion. Typically, the higher the CFU count, the more restorative and replenishing the bacteria can be for a compromised gut. A lower CFU count can be beneficial when working to maintain overall good gut health.

Some health conditions may call for more CFU’s to restore the gut microbiome. For instance, prolonged antibiotic usage can wipe out some of the good bacteria within the gut while it’s working to strip away the harmful bacteria associated with infection in the body. Utilizing a probiotic supplement with higher CFU’s after taking antibiotics can be incredibly beneficial to the regrowth of the gut microbiome and improve the immune system faster.

Strains vary from probiotic to probiotic, along with the number of strains included in a probiotic supplement. The most scientifically studied and most common strain found in probiotic supplements is L. acidophilus, which directly supports digestive health and alleviates symptoms of an irritated gut, like diarrhea. Other probiotics may include various strains of probiotics that promote different health benefits.

While having diversity is always good, sometimes consumers may rather choose more targeted strains that have been documented to support their symptoms of chronic health conditions best. One great example of this is Poobiotics, nbpure’s intentionally crafted prebiotic and probiotic supplement designed to tackle digestive health symptoms often relating to IBS.

Do You Need a Prebiotic, Probiotic, and Postbiotics? What about a Synbiotic?

We always recommend speaking to a healthcare provider who can direct you on which supplements can be a benefit to your existing diet and lifestyle.

Probiotics –

Probiotics are helpful bacteria inside of your lower intestinal tract that support your overall health - from digestion health, mental health, sleep health, and so much more. Probiotics fight harmful bacteria and regulate your immune system. Without a healthy and thriving probiotic microbiome system, your gut becomes unbalanced and holds onto unhealthy bacteria which can lead to significant health concerns and disease.

Adding a probiotic into your supplement routine can be as easy as taking a probiotic supplement capsule each day or eating foods with naturally occurring probiotic sources. Understanding which probiotic group (Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, etc.) is important because they do serve different purposes.

Those with the following conditions can benefit from probiotics:

Chronic constipation, diarrhea, or difficulty having bowel movements
Bloating, gas, and digestive discomfort
Inflammation (contributes to heart disease, stroke, or other life-threatening conditions)
Obesity
Frequent urinary tract infections (UTI’s)
Diabetes (Type 1 and Type 2)
Gastronintestinal disorders (irritable bowel syndrome, ulcerative colitis, etc.)

If you eat a well-balanced and high-fiber diet, these good bacteria may already be present in your gut. However, adding in a probiotic may help improve your overall health, boost your immune system, and relieve occasional bloating. There should be little harm to introducing additional probiotics into your routine.

Prebiotics

Prebiotics assist probiotics! Think of prebiotics like fuel for your car – you need fuel to start the car and keep the car running smoothly from point A to B. Prebiotics are undigestible plant-based fibers that help probiotics flourish, and without prebiotics, probiotics would die off.

While prebiotic supplements are available and becoming trendier each year, those with healthy diets likely consume enough prebiotics (fibers) from whole foods, fruits, and vegetables. Diets lacking these foods create a definite need for prebiotics within the body.

A few foods with high prebiotic counts include

Fresh fruits and veggies
Onions, garlic, and leeks
Nuts and edible seeds
Legumes (beans, lentils, peas, etc.)
Whole grains like oatmeal

Adding a prebiotic supplement can help boost the quality of your gut microbiome, increase probiotic efficiency, and improve metabolic health.

Postbiotics

Postbiotics are produced by probiotics after consuming prebiotics (fiber) and are tied to helping prevent colic, improve allergies, and help those prone to constipation and diarrhea.

Postbiotics are created through the process of probiotics fermenting fibers in our gut and creating what is known as postbiotic metabolites. These postbiotic metabolites include vitamins such as vitamin K, B complex vitamins, amino acids, and peptides. Also included are anti-inflammatory fatty acids like butyrate, which helps digest prebiotics (fiber) to fuel probiotics (good gut bacteria), so promoting its production is a win-win.

These byproducts of probiotics living within our microbiome contribute to the vast amount of health benefits probiotics can provide.

Though not required, adding a postbiotic to your probiotic intake can have wonderful benefits and give probiotics an additional boost. Supplementing directly with postbiotics is ideal for those with an inability to tolerate probiotics.

Synbiotics

Synbiotics are a combination that delivers both prebiotics and probiotics, like Poobiotics from NBPure. This can be incredibly convenient and helpful to those looking to add biotic supplements into their routine, and do not wish to take so many capsules.

Synbiotics can also be created by combining food pairings:

Plain full-fat yogurt with mixed-in fruit
Kimchi or unpasteurized sauerkraut made with onions and garlic
Leafy greens salad with seeds, nuts and miso dressing

Why do I Need Supplements if I Can Eat Fermented Foods for Probiotics?

Keeping in mind that bacteria in some probiotic fortified foods (fermented foods) may not survive the intestinal transit process. Due to this, it can be hard to know exactly what, and how much you are getting. A brand will usually indicate there are living cultures within as well as the exact probiotic strains featured in their fermented products; however, they are usually not marketed like probiotic supplements which give you a count of how many CFU’s are you are consuming.

Probiotic strains found in fermented foods:

Enterococcus
Lactobacillus
Lactococcus
Leuconostoc
Pediococcus
Weissella

Probiotic strains found in legume-based fermented foods:

Bacillus coagulans
Bacillus subtilis
Lactobacillus sporogenes

Probiotic strains found in cheese:

Bifidobacterium lactis (exclusive to cheese)
Lactobacillus acidophilus
Lactobacillus paracasei

Probiotic strains found in fermented meats and fish:

Arthrobacter
Hafnia

Several genera with hundreds of species of yeasts have been isolated from fermented food, alcoholic beversage and non-food mixed amylolytic starters which mostly include Candida, Debaryomyces, Geotrichum, Hansenula, Kluyveromyces, Pichia, Rhodotorula, Saccharomyces, Saccharomycopsis, Schizosaccharomyces, Torulopsis, Wickerhamomyces, and Zygosaccharomyces. Species of Actinomucor, Amylomyces, Aspergillus, Monascus, Mucor, Neurospora, Penicillium, Rhizopus, and Ustilago have been found in many fermented foods common in Asian cuisine.

We weren’t kidding when we said there are hundreds of strains of different bacteria species!

Remember, if you do not eat fermented foods daily you likely want to supplement with a probiotic. Especially if you are having gut related health complaints, or simply want to keep your immune system and gut health boosted. Having control over how much and exactly which strains of bacteria you consume has beneficial impacts on long-term health. You can pinpoint your body’s exact needs without eating a ton of cheeses, yogurts, and raw meats, especially if you lead a vegetarian or vegan lifestyle.

Spore-Base Probiotics vs “Regular” Probiotics

Some types of probiotics are derived from spores and are considered SBO probiotic, or soil-based organisms. These organisms have strong resistance to stomach acid due to the presence of protective endospores. New technologies are enhancing these strains to become more resistant to stomach acids, improving their overall effectiveness inside of our bodies. Spore-based probiotics have not been proven to be any more or less effective than regular probiotics, just a different strain.

For those who are sensitive to lacto acids (or lacto bacteria) it’s good to note that spore-based bacteria do not produce such acids and should be easy to digest without triggering allergens. Of course, always consult with your primary care provider or nutritionist prior to consuming spore-based probiotics if you do have lactic allergies. Organic acid testing is always a great idea to have conducted prior to consuming new supplements to enhance or normalize our metabolic functions so you can have clarity to issues of gut dysbiosis, should they be present.

Different types of organisms may provide different types of benefits, and spore-based probiotics may still produce pathogens that may be risky for immune compromised individuals to consume. We are still learning more about these strains though they are most comparables to the natural bacteria from the dirt our ancestors evolved closely with.

Some common spore strains include:

Bacillus indicus (HU36)
Bacillus coagulans (SC-208)
Bacillus clausii (SC-109)
Bacillus subtilis (HU58)
Bacillus lichenformis (SL-307)
Bacillus megaterium (EM144)

How Can Probiotics Help?

Thousands of years ago, Hippocrates claimed “all health begins in the gut.” Today, we’re more certain than ever that he was correct. From your digestive health, immune health, mental health, and even skin health, the gut controls your entire body and its ability to function properly.

According to the International Probiotics Association, the following health conditions may be impacted by the bacteria in our gut microbiome:

Asthma
Allergies
Ulcers
Urinary tract infections
Vulvovaginal candidiasis
Dermatitis
Type 1 diabetes mellitus
Heart disease
Obesity

We have come to learn that some health conditions understood to be caused by dysbiosis in the microbiome may benefit from a longer term protocol utilizing probiotics. These include:

Inflammatory bowel diseases such as
- IBS
- IBS-C (constipation)
- Crohn's
- Ulcerative colitis
Diverticulosis
Leaky Gut
Antibiotic Associated Diarrhea
SIBO
Traveller's diarrhea
Acne
Yeast Infection

If you have any of these conditions, it is best to work with a health specialist or primary care provider who can help determine if probiotics are right for you.

They will also be able to suggest which strains to take that will best serve your body’s needs. Generally, L. acidophilus is the most well studied probiotic for cases of diarrhea and helps heal the lining of the gut, and it’s a great place to start. Some even experience relief from symptoms such as gas or bloating within just hours of taking it!

It is suggested to try a probiotic for at least two weeks to give the beneficial bacteria an opportunity to establish themselves to begin providing us with health benefits.

What to Expect When I Start Taking Probiotics?

Initially, some gas, bloating, and changes in bowel movements may occur but this can mean your body is adjusting to the shift in gut flora. You know your body best! If something is out of the norm, painful, or just doesn’t feel right, cease use and reach out to your health care provider.

These symptoms typically subsist after a few days. By one to two weeks, positive changes in bowel movements and improved digestion can occur. Over 1-3 months, relief from allergies, less frequent urinary tract infections or yeast infections, and better recovery from seasonal sickness may occur.

Keep in mind, for some more chronic health issues, a longer protocol using probiotics may be indicated so continuous use may be necessary to restore one's microbiome. Supplements are often only as good as how often we remember to take, and stick with them!

You may have heard or read that probiotics produce lactic acid that can cause brain fog though there is no consensus on this. In fact this paper was published refuting these claims. It’s true, lactobacillus probiotic species can produce lactic acid within us in the form of l-lactate, they have not been shown to be able to produce the type of lactic acid (d-lactate) that can cause acidosis issues in some people. Each person has a different experience when introducing new products - especially new organisms! - into their bodies. Keep in mind, lactic acid can also provide health benefits! Everything in balance and moderation, like anything else in life!

Adding Probiotics to Your Existing Supplement Routine

Let’s start by understanding how probiotics can interact with some of the most popular supplements taken for gut health such as multivitamins and digestive enzymes.

Taking a Probiotic Plus a Multivitamin

It’s true, many vitamins and minerals like B vitamins, zinc, and magnesium help us with breaking down our food and we gain energy from it, while other vitamins such as vitamin C assist with immune health. These vitamins alone are a great start but may not be everything you need for optimal health. If your system is depleted of good bacteria, a multivitamin alone will not be enough to strengthen your entire system and the use of a probiotic can greatly assist in developing new good gut bacteria. Remember, the quality of bacteria within your gut microbiome impacts the overall health of your body, not just your digestive tract. The healthier your gut, the healthier you are all over, and multivitamins cannot deliver efficiently without good gut bacteria.

Conversely, certain probiotic species make postbiotic metabolites that benefit our health, but they, too, cannot deliver the same results as a multivitamin. Taking them in conjunction is likely favorable.

If your multivitamin includes probiotics, identify the strain included so you know which health benefits you are receiving. Taking additional probiotic supplements to target different health concerns on top of the strain included in your multivitamin can provide added health benefits and support your body in several different ways. This can include vaginal health, immunity, or relief from symptoms of irritable bowel disorders. Take a look at your multivitamin’s label to see if it does indeed include probiotics and how they may support your health goals.

Taking a Probiotic Plus an Enzyme Supplement

Probiotics and enzymes are similar in that they both aid in the breakdown of nutrients such as fiber, but they are not the same thing. Enzymes are protein catalysts that help initiate biochemical reactions in our body. When our body lacks natural production of enzymes and probiotics it can cause major digestive stress, therefore taking enzyme and probiotic supplements in conjunction can greatly improve your digestive tract.

Together, whether naturally or supplementally, enzymes and probiotics work toward a common goal of improving gut health. Products such as Enzybiotic feature both of these together and are exceptionally target for indigestion, upset stomach, and diarrhea.

Shopping for Probiotics Based on Your Health Needs

Supplements produced in a cGMP certified, FDA approved facility ensure best practice when it comes to purity and quality of production. Depending on the probiotic’s intended use, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration might not regulate it as a dietary supplement, a food ingredient, or a drug. Many probiotics are dietary supplements, which are not required to have an FDA approval prior to being marketed.

Companies often perform stringent quality assurance testing and third-party testing on all raw materials prior to production, as well as on all finished products. Having these tests can add peace of mind to consumers who want to know they’re consuming high-quality ingredients that deliver results for their health needs.

You also need to consider the intended us of the product, which strains will best serve your needs, and how many units are necessary for your health goals.

Shelf-Stable VS Refrigerated Probiotics

Be realistic about how the probiotic needs to be stored and what your lifestyle is like. If you are frequently on the go, then a shelf stable variety best meets that need. If a probiotic product says it needs to be refrigerated, and if you find it outside of refrigeration - red flag!

As to the question of if probiotics must be refrigerated, this depends on the product. Some liquid preparations of probiotics such as liquid acidophilus or coconut kefir must indeed be refrigerated to keep the bacteria alive. Other probiotic capsules are commonly kept in the refrigerator because they feature strains that are sensitive to heat. Though refrigerated may not always be better because we really have to trust these products never got below temp during shipment or in storage! The bacteria may die off if exposed to heat or light, not to mention moisture from humidity can damage any good supplement!

Now, we have the technology to freeze dry these bacteria so they become activated by our natural digestion process. This technology makes these probiotics shelf stable and can enable them to survive our stomach acid. Most Bacillus strains are very hardy and survive harsh conditions with high acidity and little oxygen well. It’s like they were made to want to survive our stomach acid and live! This is why it is important to choose brands that indicate with well supported evidence that the bacteria they utilize can survive the digestion process. This may either be through enteric coated capsules, or by using patented probiotics formulated to survive stomach acid.

Shelf stable probiotics are convenient and ideal because they allow us to travel and take our supplements on the go with us, opposed to refrigerated ones.

Always read the label if you’re unsure if a probiotic should be refrigerated or not. Also keep in mind that probiotic potency declines over time so past expiration, you may not be getting as much probiotic goodness as you might think. Some companies will indicate the amount of CFU’s during time of manufacture on the label. Spore based probiotics may last beyond their expiration date due to the nature of these bacteria. In general like with any other supplement, shelf stable probiotics are best kept in a cool, dark place out of heat and light! Capsules are also optional for those who dislike pills - you can mix the powder into yogurt, oatmeal, or a beverage of choice.

Probiotics for Women

Aside from the common strains such as L. acidophilus that are great for overall digestive and immune health, women may wish to consider probiotic bacteria that have been documented to help promote vaginal health.

The following strains have been indicated to support a healthy female system:

Lactobacillus acidophilus
Lactobacillus plantarum
Lactobacillus reuteri
Lactobacillus gasseri
Lactobacillus crispatus
Lactobacillus jensenii
Bifidobacterium longum ssp. Infantis
Bifidobacterium animalis ssp. Lactis

These strains have been documented to help fight off bacteria that can cause urinary tract infection or overgrowth of harmful bacteria that leads to vaginosis or chronic yeast infections.

Probiotics for Pregnant Women

It is generally recognized as safe for women to consume probiotics during pregnancy in fact, they are now commonly found in prenatal supplements. Recent research shows that probiotic consumption may help promote a healthy gut microbiome not only for the mother, but for the developing baby as well.

Pregnant women are often advised to turn to probiotics in the case of constipation or digestive discomfort. Keep in mind that we are always learning more about which strains are safe during pregnancy and not so safe. The American Pregnancy Association has a great fact sheet on probiotic use during pregnancy so you can make the best call for you and your family.

Probiotics for Men

Men experience chronic health concerns with symptoms of gas, bloating, poor digestion, constipation, or diarrhea just like anyone else. While there is no solid research on strains providing relief for health issues specific to men, men can still benefit from using probiotics to improve their gut health.

There is some belief that strains such as L acidophilus may help support prostate health. When we are digesting our food better, absorbing postbiotics, producing more nutrients, less prone to infection, and not be gassy and bloated, we become more energized, feel healthier and allow our bodies function better. When that’s happening, we feel like we can take on any day with confidence.

The probiotic products we offer here at NBPure can be perfect for supporting your daily gut health needs and hopefully, your overall health!

Probiotics for Children to Adolescence

It is now believed that the gut microbiome begins development in utero. What a woman consumes while carrying a child can affect the gut environment of the developing child. Basically, her gut flora can become the child’s. So if she must take antibiotics, for instance, in the case of a c-section delivery, or due to infection during pregnancy, it can be a good idea to consider supplementing with probiotics, and providing the newborn infant with probiotics as well.

Breastmilk can be a good source of natural bacteria, but this may not be available to all mothers. In this case, probiotic supplementation can be a great idea. It is even said that probiotic supplementation may be helpful in the case of colic or eczema, which can be common in babies.

There is general consensus that one of the best probiotic strains for infancy is Lactobacillus longum ssp inftantis as it has been studied to support the development of the microbiome during this crucial stage of a child’s development

As a child grows up, they may not need to take probiotics if they experience generally good health, however probiotic supplementation may be considered in the case of allergies, antibiotic usage, chronic gut discomfort and infection, or you find they get sick with seasonal illness frequently. A child may also not require a dosage as big as an adult, so consider dosing by body weight and when in doubt, always consult your pediatrician or pharmacist for more direction!

Keep in mind exposure to bacteria may not be right for a child who is premature or immunocompromised. Always check with the child’s pediatrician to make sure probiotics are right for them.

Probiotics for Seniors

Compromised immune health, frequent diarrhea, allergic responses, and inflammation throughout the body, particularly in the gut can be detrimental to any one at any age, especially to those 65 and older who are more sensitive to illness. The following strains may be considered to support health goals for seniors:

In general, humans produce less natural digestive enzymes as we age, especially if we begin taking medications that can inhibit acid production. If you are serious about better gut health, it may be worth it to consider supplementing with Digestive Enzymes in addition to probiotics to aid digestion and nutrient absorption! Breaking our food down properly is key, and many older people are prone to nutrient deficiency.

Shopping for Probiotics Based on Age

Probiotic CFU count can vary based on one’s diet, lifestyle, and health constitution. Unlike other micro and macronutrients, there are no recommended daily intakes or allowances for probiotics. We lean on the NIH database a lot here at NBPure, and they have not put forth recommendations by age for probiotics, though this is not to negate the benefits of probiotics. It simply seems probiotic requirements can vary on a case by case basis even though there is general consensus that they can be beneficial to our health.

A generally healthy person eating a whole foods diet can benefit from maintaining minimal amounts through food or supplementation, and can keep probiotics on hand for relief whenever acute sickness like diarrhea arises. An infant may need more if their flora have been compromised but if not, one may also use probiotics for improved immune health and less susceptibility to allergies or food intolerances.

Probiotics can be safe for all ages and what to take and how much really truly varies based on your health needs.

Shopping for Vegan Approved Probiotics

Veganism requires certain dietary restrictions and supplements, much like food, can often contain animal byproducts. Check labels carefully as some strains of probiotics do contain animal, gluten, or soy ingredients. NBPure’s probiotic products are proudly vegan and gluten free. Just look for their Pure Vegan logo when shopping!

Shopping on Online for Supplements

If you are shopping on Amazon, be vigilant as some products can unfortunately be sold by unauthorized retailers where product quality cannot be guaranteed. Good thing nbpure has an official store on Amazon where you can ensure the products are being purchased directly from us.

There are a lot of other great trusted online supplement stores dedicated to quality such as Vitacost and iHerb.

If you are weary about purchasing supplements online, you can purchase probiotics from great retailers of fine supplements such as Vitamin Shoppe, GNC, Sprouts, Whole Foods, Natural Grocers and more.

How Can NBPure’s Products Help?

Our Daily Multi Fiber, Enzybiotic, and Poobiotics products all feature well-studied probiotics targeted for supporting overall health. They feature the following strains:

Lactobacillus acidophilus DDS-1: may help alleviate abdominal discomfort, increase stool consistency, and improve regularity.
Bifidobacterium longum: May help reduce acute diarrhea and help regulate a healthy inflammatory response
Bifidobacterium bifidum: may help improve immune system inflammatory responses, and aid healthy skin
Bifidobacterium lactis: may help with regularity, reduce acute diarrhea, and reduce side effects of certain medications

Our Enzybiotic supports gut health by providing an easy source of prebiotics, probiotics and digestive enzymes. It is great to have on hand in times of upset stomach, diarrhea, and when extra help digesting our food and assimilating nutrients is needed. It features these unique strains in addition to the lacto and bifido bacteria featured in Daily Multi Fiber:

SEBiotic (Bacillus coagulans or L. sporogenes) may help promote intestinal homeostasis, recovery from diarrhea and constipation, and may help promote intestinal barrier function & immune modulation
Streptococcus thermophilus may help vegans get the benefits of dairy product bacteria which includes helping to digest a larger variety of foods and compete with harmful bacteria for resources

Poobiotics even features designated strains with clinical research backing support for IBS symptoms and enhanced immune response!

Bifidobacterium bifidum UABb-10™: may help improve symptoms of IBS, including constipation, abdominal pain, bloating, belching, flatulence, and diarrhea. May also help contribute to a healthy microbiome balance.
Bifidobacterium lactis UABIa-12™: like bifidum, lactis may help improve the symptoms of IBS. It may also be particularly useful at promoting a healthy inflammatory response in the intestines.
Bifidobacterium longum iVE-15®: may help support a healthy microbiome balance by creating an environment unfavorable to harmful bacteria. Longum may also support healthy immune system responses.
Bifidobacterium adolescentis iVS-1®: may help support digestive health and promote healthy gut barrier integrity, which is important to overall immune and metabolic health.

Plus, they all contain prebiotics to help further support your microbiome! Our digestive health products are a great place to start because we did the research for you and chose only the best, most researched probiotic strains and the fibers they like to chow down on for your gut and immune health needs!

WOW, that was a lot to digest! The main takeaway is, probiotics are generally recognized as safe to consume for most people of all ages, and the consensus seems to be that they are beneficial to us, especially if we are healing from chronic health conditions. They are important from the prenatal stage all the way up to our golden, senior years! We might consider replenishing with probiotics if we have undergone antibiotic treatment, and consume alcohol frequently (it’s antibacterial!), or eat a diet high in sugars and processed foods. They can be great to have on hand should digestive distress ever occur. If we eat a diverse fiber-rich diet with all our macro and micronutrients, eat and/or supplement with probiotics it is no doubt we will set ourselves up for gut health success for years to come!