The Best Probiotics - How to Pick Them

By Mike Homisak

Most probiotic products fail to deliver their probiotic strains through the harsh acidity of the stomach

(pH 1.5-2.5) into the intestinal tract alive which means these products don't work!

It's typical for Lactobacillus probiotic species to lose 4 logs (99.99%) of their live CFU count in the

stomach, Bifidobacteria lose 2 logs or 99%. Enteric coatings using varnish-like or super glue substances

don't work for probiotics.

The only delivery technology that truly works is a process that incorporates sodium alginate from

seaweed into a Vcap containing probiotic strains. This process has been patented by Master

Supplements, Inc. and is utilized in the production of their advanced technology probiotics: Theralac®

and TruFlora(TM).

When a capsule of either of these products is swallowed, the outer Vcap dissolves in minutes and allows

an inner, buffered, gel-cap to form that stays intact until it reaches the small intestine where it dissolves

and releases the probiotics 100% alive. Don't settle for a probiotic that does not deliver.

It's important to select only the best probiotics, but how do you know which ones are the best? Actually

it's simple. The best probiotics are:

1. Guaranteed through expiration. Probiotics must be guaranteed to still contain the promised CFU on

their expiration date. Many Probiotic companies print the CFU available at the time of manufacture

which means they can arrive at the store dead. Remember: all probiotics need to "Arrive Alive".

2. Kept refrigerated and packaged in AMBER GLASS bottles. Probiotics are living microorganisms, and all

microorganisms are perishable. Harmful moisture and oxygen can leak through plastic bottles causing

the death of Probiotic Microorganisms. Only one probiotic company that I am aware uses not only the

above, but also a "Totally Inert Packaging" to prevent moisture and oxygen absorption even if it gets by

the glass amber bottle, as well as a "Nitrogen Flush" that ensures all oxygen is removed from the bottle

prior to packaging. This helps assure absolute purity and product stability.

3. Formulated at a minimum of 10 billion CFU (colony forming units) per dose. A more effective dose is

20-40 billion CFU. More important than sheer numbers is DELIVERY! It MUST have an acid proof delivery

system.

4. Acid-Proof Delivery System. Technology exists to provide an Acid Proof Delivery System to get over

95% of a probiotic supplements' contents deep into the intestinal tract. Probiotics MUST be formulated

to deliver their CFU through the acidic stomach so they arrive alive in the intestinal tract.

5. Formulated with Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium strains. The CFU of each strain must be

guaranteed separately. Three to five strains are enough, too many can create negative competition.

6. Report quality control testing (strength in CFU, activity and purity) online by lot number. Many

probiotics do not contain what they say on the label. Any reputable supplement company should

provide independent 3rd party lab results online, by lot number that provide proof of their guarantees.

One example of this can be found at: www.theralac.com/Quality.aspx All supplement companies should

do this, but most do not.

7. Properly stimulated once they reach the intestinal tract. Many Probiotics do not include a stimulant to

help them when they reach the intestinal tract. It's important to research which ones do this before

making a purchase.

8. Of human origin, not soil based. The problem with soil based organisms is that they are not naturally

found in the human body and not as compatible. Also, it is harder to remove impurities and unwanted

species of bacteria from soil based organisms. This can be a potential health issue for persons with

"Leaky Gut" since these non-native organisms can go systemic. It is worth the time and effort to be sure

your probiotic supplement is of human, not soli origin.

9. Effective and economical to use. You should feel them working to restore regularity in 2-7 days or

less. Also, you should be able to take the lowest dose possible to achieve optimum results. What good is

a low-priced probiotic if you have to take 6 pills a day? There are some available that if you take a

maintenance dose of only 2 pills a week, a bottle can last you 4 FULL MONTHS, so do your homework!

10. Guaranteed or your money back. If your probiotic company isn't offering you a 100% money back

guarantee, they may be afraid to. It's a sure sign that they don't have enough faith in their product to

stand behind it. If you're thinking of buying from a company that doesn't offer this guarantee. You might

want to reconsider.

Probiotics