5 Tips on Choosing the
Right Probiotic

1. Check the Expiration Date

Let’s start with the basics. Make sure that your probiotic has an expiration date and that you haven’t passed it. Probiotics have a limited lifespan, so look for products that list their CFUs through the expiration date.

You also want to make sure that your probiotic can make it to your gut alive. Your stomach isn't necessarily the most welcoming host. It's very acidic by design (that's how it breaks down food!), but this environment can spell trouble for certain probiotic strains that aren't accustomed to the chaos.

You'll want to choose probiotic strains that are known to withstand the stomach's environment and reach your gut alive to do their duty.

Tip:
Look for an expiration date on your probiotic and ensure that it won’t expire before you’ve finished the whole bottle. That way, your gut can get all the good bacteria.

2. Diversity Matters

Think of each probiotic strain as a different member of a team, each with a unique skill set. Diverse skill sets make for a well-rounded and more resilient squad. Probiotics with multiple strains can offer diverse benefits and create a stronger, more resilient gut environment.

Tip:
If you're new to taking probiotics, start simple. You can always work your way up to a probiotic that offers multiple strains.

3. Look for Quantity and Quality

Probiotic supps proudly share their “CFUs” (Colony Forming Units). This tells you how many live cultures can form colonies in each serving. While a higher CFU generally means more beneficial bacteria can reach your gut, getting a clinically studied amount of quality strains also matters.

Tip:
It's not just a numbers game. Look for a probiotic with clinically studied strains in amounts that have been studied for their impact on real people.

4. Studied in Real People

Speaking of quality, you also want strains that are studied in humans, for the whole efficacy side of things. You want to make sure that the strains in your probiotic are actually shown to make a difference in the health of humans (not just test tubes in a lab). That’s in the definition of a probiotic, after all.

Tip:
Look for probiotics that list the full strain name; it should be three words long, for example, in Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG. The "GG" lets you know that the probiotic has been studied.

5. Your Wellness Goals

Whether you’re trying to get on a more consistent bathroom schedule, seeking immune system benefits, or looking for mood support, there’s a strain that’s right for you. And if you’re looking for all of the above, there’s a probiotic for that, too. - New Window*

Tip:
Make an informed decision based on what you’re hoping the probiotic (and those billions of microbes) can do for you. You can typically find this information on a supplement bottle and on a product's website.