Frequently Asked Questions About Probiotics

Q: How does an effective probiotic supplement work?

The gut is made up of trillions of different microbiota, both good and bad, which are responsible for our overall health. When there is an imbalance of these microbiota in the gut, your health will be impacted. You may suffer from fatigue, weight gain, digestive issues, and general sluggishness. An imbalance can also have a negative effect on your hair and skin health. An imbalance of the gut flora may be a result of age, genetics, medicine, or diet. By taking a probiotic supplement, you are introducing healthy bacteria back into the body which will help restore balance. This will positively influence your overall health.

The correct formula holds the key to success so look for a supplement that contains multiple strands of probiotics plus a prebiotic. As each strain of probiotic provides a different benefit, the more strains a supplement contains the better. An effective probiotic supplement should contain at least 10 strains from the genus Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, and Saccharomyces boulardii which are the most researched probiotic strains. Adding a prebiotic such as Fructooligosaccharides (FOS) helps the probiotics travel through the digestive tract for absorption in the gut. The formula should not just be filled with ingredients that only look good on the label, but rather with ingredients that have been clinically proven effective and are backed by scientific research for optimum results. 

Q: Do all probiotic formulas work?

Unfortunately, this is not always the case. There are many shady companies that just go along with the latest health supplement trends formulating supplements that contain incorrect ingredients and wrong potency or amounts. Often, they even add unnecessary inactive ingredients or cheap fillers, binders, hormones, artificial colorings and preservatives that can hinder the effects of the active ingredients. Do your homework and check the labels to make sure you are taking a quality product and not just some powder in a pill. Manufacturers who use patented blends of probiotics demonstrate a real commitment in ensuring they deliver a top quality effective product so look out for any product that contains such a blend.

Q: What are the important points to look out for?

• It should contain multiple strains of probiotics as each strain provides a different benefit. (If you can, find a product that contains a patented blend).
• It should contain a prebiotic to enhance the benefits of the probiotics. FOS is the most popularly favored prebiotic.
• It should provide a potency of at least 20 billion CFU. This is the culture count of the probiotics, so the higher the better. However, too high a count can also have negative effects.
• It should not contain any binders, fillers, additives, hormones, preservatives or artificial ingredients.
• It must be 100% pure, natural and with no unnecessary ingredients that could reduce the effectiveness of the product.
• It should be formulated using the same potency as found effective in clinical studies.
• It should come backed by a confident money-back guarantee.

Q: Are there any known side effects to look out for?

Of course, each product is different, so it is always wise to read the label thoroughly and follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully. Our research analyzed many natural ingredients and products that generally do not present any side effects if used correctly. However, as with any supplement, we recommend consulting with a doctor if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, have an existing medical condition or taking regular medication.

Q: What are the dosage instructions for probiotic supplements?

Again, this differs between products. Always read the label thoroughly and follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully, if you exceed the suggested dosage you could pose health risks to yourself. Generally, we found that most products suggest taking 2 capsules per day. Some people like to take the complete daily serving together at once, but we recommend spacing it out to achieve optimal benefits from the ingredients contained within the formula.

Q: How long before I start to see results?

Some consumers experience positive effects within as little as a week. Whilst, for others, it can take longer. Everybody is different. Results will vary depending on other factors such as the type of diet you consume, lifestyle choices and genetic disposition. There were many manufacturers that offered refunds should you not get the results that you are looking for. Such a guarantee shows the manufacturer’s confidence in its products and the results they predict you will achieve.

Q: What should I expect to pay for a good probiotic supplement?

The cost of products varies among manufacturers. Unfortunately, many are cheap, useless supplements that have been formulated without any science-based evidence behind them. Some of these companies are selling their products for over $100 per bottle, which is much too expensive. On average, the best supplements we found are selling between the $40-$50 price range. Often, when products appear cheaper, this is indicative of low quality or a low recommended daily serving, which will not bring the results you are looking for. Be aware. Read the labels.

Q: Which probiotic supplement is the best one to buy?

As each person’s experience of a product is different, it is difficult to say specifically which one is the best. That said, based on several factors, we did like Approved Science Probiotic. We found that from the 50+ products that we analyzed, Approved Science Probiotic had the best quality of ingredients, potency and strength, consumer feedback and the manufacturer’s customer service.

Of course, it is ultimately your choice. We hope that our research has gone some way in helping you make your choice. If you are looking for a well-researched product that brings effective results, we think that you can’t go far wrong with Approved Science Probiotic. It is an excellent quality product, with great reviews and is well priced.