How do you know which probiotic is the best? Personally, I have been relying on packaging to make my informative decision. If the pretty labels say “Probiotic” and the price is right, I am buying! I have done it for years, but it’s time to learn more about the “probiotic” game. I was able to ask Isabele Chevalier, Co-President of Bio-K+ International Inc on the topic.
Bio-K+ International Inc. is a biotechnology company founded in 1994. Bio-K+ International specializes in the production, marketing, and distribution of 100% probiotic products devoted to promoting health and ensuring the quality of life. The company distributes its products in natural food stores, pharmacies, and supermarkets across North America. For more information, please visit www.biokplus.com.
How Can Adults and Kids Benefit from Taking Probiotic
Probiotics provide a health benefit because they decrease the population of illness/disease-causing microorganisms. Essentially, they crowd out the bad bacteria and replace it with good bacteria. Here are some of the benefits associated with the intake of good bacteria or probiotics:
- Contribute to good digestive health
- Support natural defenses
- Promote the balance of intestinal flora
- Regulate intestinal functions
- Treat or prevent infectious diarrhea and help with re-hydration
- Alleviate symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome and Crohn’s disease
- Prevent travelers’ diarrhea
- Treat vaginal infections and decrease recurrence
How to Pick the Right Probiotic
Probiotics are full of living microorganisms and must remain so to be effective for quality control. Choose probiotics with scientifically documented strains. Make sure that the clinical trials have been conducted on the finished product, as it is sold in stores, and not just on the individual strains in the particular probiotic formulation. You should also note that the bacteria count is guaranteed at the expiration date of the product (not just production date).
Make certain that if you’re purchasing freeze-dried probiotic supplements like capsules, tablets, and powders, you choose one with an enteric coating so the probiotic will survive stomach acid and bile salts. If the probiotic is not enteric coated, the capsule and bacteria are likely to be destroyed before they have a chance to reach the intestine. This is generally less of a concern with fresh, cultured liquid probiotics.
As there still seems to be a lot of confusion about brands with “added probiotics,” consumers need to check labels. Make sure that the particular product contains enough probiotics to be effective and that it’s supported by published clinical studies to ensure its efficacy. As the industry is not regulated as well as perhaps it should be, manufacturers can add just a drop of probiotic, and make the claim of “added probiotics”. However, as we know, you need billions of bacteria to have the benefits of probiotics. We always advise reading the label to see how many CFU’s (colony forming units) the product contains, and if it’s guaranteed for the entire shelf life of the product. If you can’t find this information, there might not be any probiotic benefit.
How is Bio-K different from other probiotics?
Bio-K+ provides a unique and patented probiotic formula whose efficacy is supported by published clinical studies. Most of our products guarantee a minimum of 50 billion CFU right until the best before the date and we’re one of the few companies whose primary bacteria is acidophilus. Bio-K+ has been trusted by consumers and recommended by health professionals for well over a decade.
FTC Disclosure: I received the product(s) mentioned above free of charge by the company or PR representative in order to conduct an honest review. I was not compensated in any other way for this post. The thoughts, experiences, and opinions are entirely my own. I am not liable for any issues you may incur from use of said product(s).
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Interesting. I’ve never taken ProBioitics
I don’t think I could do a liquid one.. Pill works best for me!
I’ve tried a few myself, I could try a liquid one…eventually I should be able to find one that works!!
I’ve been looking for a good probiotic for the kids and me for a while now and haven’t found the “perfect” one. Thanks for the info! I never thought of liquid.
We are huge believers in Probitics here! They saved my youngest son’s life!
I find Vitamins to be a bit “smoke and mirrors” but a good explanation like this can really help to sort it all out! Thanks!
Interesting posts. I haven’t considering using them before.
They actually work really well!
I always take a probiotic but this is a new brand. I’ll have to check it out. Thanks.
I actually take a very large dose of probiotics each day in order to not feel really sick.
I am a caregiver for my 92 y father who uses a feeding tube due to the effects of a stroke. I started using Bio-K at the recomendation of one of his Dr’s and it has mad a huge difference in his life and mine. Being on a complete liquid diet was presenting lots of challenges but the addition of the Bio-K has helped to bring this back to a somewhat normal state. I tried several different brands prior to trying this product and none provided the resulta of the Bio-K. Even with very difficult medical challenges the Bio-K has worked wonderfully. Thanks Bio-K!
That is so good to hear
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My husband is 67 & has undergone 3 hip surgeries since June 2013. It took a little over 12 weeks of extremely strong antibiotics (Vancomycin, Cefapime, etc.) to rid the first two infections he had at the hip site before they finally placed the permanent hip prosthetic. Unfortunately, because of the over use of antibiotics, He wound up with other infections post surgery, and the most significant one is C-diff. Those of you familiar with C-diff know why I’m at this particular website. I went to our local health food store; told them our predicament, and they immediately took me to the Bio-K liquid product! I purchased a case. He just started it today (3/1/14). I’ll post after a few weeks to see where He stands. Ailments such as C-diff can be fatal, so proper treatment is essential. After two, two-week hospitalizations (back-to-back) He still came home with bowel problems & he doesn’t want to return to the hospital for dehydration due to the bowel problems, so I’ll do anything I can to keep him from having to go there. Let’s hope the probiotic products help.