True Health Unlimited, LLC Tested and True: Probiotics

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Probiotics are one of Consumer Reports “11 supplements to consider”* as they have been shown to likely be safe for most people and equally likely to be effective in appropriate doses for certain conditions. Probiotic products contain helpful, viable, and safe bacteria and/or yeasts that assist in balancing the levels of indigenous microorganisms in the human body.

Claims and Purported Use

Generally speaking, the normal human gastrointestinal tract contains hundreds of different species of bacteria, referred to as intestinal flora. The right balance of bacteria types is what promotes digestive health. When the normal balance of these bacteria is altered by sickness or antibiotic treatment, the most common effect is diarrhea. Probiotics are possibly effective for preventing diarrhea while taking the antibiotics by restoring the balance of the intestinal flora to its optimal mix. Additionally, probiotics may also produce substances that inhibit disease-causing bacteria via nutrient competition and stimulate the body’s own immune system.

TESTED & TRUE

Align Digestive Care Probiotic

Culturelle Probiotic Natural Health & Wellness

Florastor Probiotic

Garden of Life Raw Enzymes, Women, Vegetarian Capsules

Jarrow Formulas Jarro-Dophilus EPS Vegetarian Capsules

Nature’s Bounty Natural Acidophilus

Nutrition Now PB8, Probiotic

Selected Potential Side Effects

Gas. People with poor immune function should check with his or her physician prior to taking a probiotic.

Selected Drug Interactions

Might cause infection in people taking immunosuppressant drugs.

Suggested Dosage

The recommended dosage for probiotic supplements varies by strain and use. The typical amount is usually around 1 billion to 10 billion cells (of CFUs) per day. On a label, they will appear as 1 x 10⁹ or 10⁹ for one billion units and 1 x 10¹⁰or 10¹⁰for ten billion units.