Recent years have shown that gut health is essential for overall well-being. Besides healthy digestion and life comfort, the gut microbiome is responsible for metabolism and strengthening the immune system. The core part of the gut microbiome is probiotics. At once, today, few people can boast a healthy microbiome; stress, bad or irregular nutrition, and broken healthy habits lead to its devastation. That’s why regular microbiome support is a must.
Such support can be provided in the most convenient way – probiotic capsules. This intake form preserves all probiotics and releases them in a timely manner in the intestine. Let’s talk about what probiotics are and which health benefits they offer when taken regularly.
What Are Probiotics and Why Do We Need Them?
Probiotics are live microorganisms that provide considerable health benefits when consumed in adequate amounts and regularly. These microorganisms are mostly live bacteria and yeasts. Our microbiome is inhabited by billions of bacteria and fungi. Some of them are harmful, contributing to faster food decomposition and rotting, stimulating gas production, bloating and gut discomfort. At once, among all these microorganisms, some useful bacteria and yeasts maintain healthy fermentation and contribute to faster nutrient absorption and breakdown.
These harmful and useful microorganisms live in a dynamic balance, and if this balance is broken, you feel discomfort, your body doesn’t get all the nutrients it needs, and multiple digestive health issues can occur. That’s what probiotics can help you with. They retain the balance and keep the microbiome living and active.
What Are Probiotic Capsules?
The capsule form of capsules for health-supporting probiotics is the best for fast relief. They are made of soluble gelatin or cellulose coating, filled with a powdered or granulated mix of live probiotics. In the digestive system, the capsule dissolves safely and releases its contents in the intestine. There, live bacteria and yeasts inhabit the local ecosystem and provide the balance you need.
At once, capsule probiotics differ by the strain and the number of CFUs.
Understanding Probiotic Strains and CFU Counts
Different strains of probiotic bacteria provide different effects to the digestive system.
- The Lactobacillus family lives mostly in the small intestine and produces lactic acid, which controls the pH levels in the gut and keeps harmful pathogens at bay.
- The Bifidobacterium family are large intestine protectors from harmful inhabitants and the most effective fiber fermentation agents.
- Sole-based and spore-forming strains create a protective spore shell to survive. They reduce bowel inflammation and help digest lactose.
- Probiotic yeasts. It is antibiotic-resistant and provides stomach stress relief when you take antibiotics.
At once, the amount of probiotics you take matters. It is measured in CFUs, and you can decide on the effects of a certain strain by its CFU number:
- For daily maintenance and overall wellness, 1-5 billion CFUs are feasible.
- For targeted digestive support, 10-20 billion CFUs are best.
- For acute treatment of illnesses like IBS, digestive dysfunction, or antibiotic treatment support, 30 to 50 billion CFUs are required.
Therefore, when choosing a probiotic supplement, considering the number of CFUs is the first-line decision.
How to Choose Probiotic Capsules
After deciding on the CFU number for your current wellness goals, you have to select a proper strain. We mentioned the strain families above, so take this information as a tip. Besides, you can decide on the intake method. Of course, probiotic capsules are the best ones due to the combo of the ease of consumption and the speed of release. However, for patients who have swallowing difficulties, and for daily support, you can get an alternative in the form of yogurt products, kefir, or today’s superfood kombucha drinks. Yet, for intensive treatment and support, they should be strengthened by capsules or tablets.
How to Store Probiotic Supplements
One of the most crucial problems related to probiotic consumption is their storage. For safe use, you have to keep your probiotic products in a cool and dark place, tightly closed, and out of reach of kids and pets.
Probiotic products are surely useful for our digestion. They support the digestive system when we are exposed to stress or break healthy eating habits, when we take antibiotic treatment, and when we experience various digestive dysfunctions. However, when you decide on their intake, you need to choose a strain properly and to decide on the necessary amount of CFUs to get a pronounced effect.
