Understanding which probiotic to choose can be quite the challenge for many individuals. With an overwhelming amount of research to sift through and a plethora of probiotic options flooding the market, it's no surprise that consumers often find themselves in a state of confusion.
In this blog, we'll debunk some common misconceptions surrounding probiotics, helping you navigate the process of selecting a high-quality probiotic that's right for your health needs.
Myth #1: More Cells Mean Better Results
It's a widespread misconception that a probiotic boasting a higher cell count is inherently superior. However, in microbiological terms, quantity doesn't always equate to quality. Simply having 50 billion CFUs in a probiotic doesn't guarantee effectiveness if these cells fail to survive the journey through the digestive tract.
Studies have shown that many commercially available probiotics, even those with exceedingly high CFU counts, struggle to withstand digestion. At Cura Nutrition, they prioritize Bacillus spore strains known for their resilience, ensuring they survive and thrive in the gut.
Myth #2: Quantity of Strains Equals Better Results
Contrary to popular belief, the number of strains in a probiotic isn't necessarily indicative of its efficacy. Quality reigns supreme over quantity when it comes to probiotic strains. Rather than opting for a probiotic with numerous strains, which may contain lower-quality bacteria, consider a product with 3-4 Bacillus spore strains backed by scientific research.
Myth #3: What You See on the Label Is What You Get
Unfortunately, probiotic labels don't always accurately reflect the contents within the capsule. Research conducted at the University of California revealed discrepancies between label information and actual contents in many probiotic products. To ensure safety and efficacy, always inquire about post-manufacture DNA verification from the nutritional supplement company.
Myth #4: Refrigeration Is Necessary for Quality
The notion that refrigerated probiotics are superior is unfounded. In reality, probiotics requiring refrigeration may indicate vulnerability to temperature and stomach acidity. At Cura Nutrition, our Bacillus spore-based probiotics are designed to withstand room temperature and acidic environments, ensuring viability throughout the digestive process.
Myth #5: Probiotics Should Be Taken on an Empty Stomach
Contrary to popular belief, taking probiotics on an empty stomach isn't always beneficial. While some argue it reduces stomach acid, aiding probiotic survival, it's preferable to take probiotics with food. Cura Sporebiotics, for example, contain Bacillus spores that thrive in the gut, assisting in food digestion.
Myth #6: Fermented Foods Suffice for Gut Health
While fermented foods contain natural probiotics, they often lack the therapeutic dose necessary to support gut health. Moreover, the type and strain of bacteria in fermented foods can vary, making it challenging to ascertain efficacy. Incorporating fermented foods into your diet alongside high-quality probiotics, such as Cura Sporebiotics, can enhance microbiome diversity and support digestive health.
References:
Marzorati M, Abbeele PVD, Bubeck SS, Bayne T, Krishnan K, Young A, Mehta D, DeSouza A. Bacillus subtilis HU58 and Bacillus coagulans SC208 Probiotics Reduced the Effects of Antibiotic-Induced Gut Microbiome Dysbiosis in An M-SHIME® Model. Microorganisms. 2020 Jul 11;8(7):1028. doi: 10.3390/microorganisms8071028. PMID: 32664604; PMCID: PMC7409217.
Yossef S, Clark F, Bubeck SS, Abernethy J, Bayne T, Krishnan K, Young A. An Oral Formulation of the Probiotic, Bacillus subtilis HU58, Was Safe and Well Tolerated in a Pilot Study of Patients with Hepatic Encephalopathy. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2020 Jun 30;2020:1463108. doi: 10.1155/2020/1463108. PMID: 32714397; PMCID: PMC7345602.
Campbell AW, Sinatra D, Zhang Z, Sinatra ST. Efficacy of Spore Forming Bacilli Supplementation in Patients with Mild to Moderate Elevation of Triglycerides: A 12 week, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo Controlled Trial. Integr Med (Encinitas). 2020 Apr;19(2):22-27. PMID: 33041703; PMCID: PMC7482325.
Patel, S. & Gupta, R. S. Y. 2020. A phylogenomic and comparative genomic framework for resolving the polyphyly of the genus Bacillus: Proposal for six new genera of Bacillus species, Peribacillus gen. nov., Cytobacillus gen. nov., Mesobacillus gen. nov., Neobacillus gen. nov., Metabacillus gen. nov. and Alkalihalobacillus gen. nov. International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology 70, 406–438.
Gupta, R. S., Patel, S., Saini, N. & Chen, S. 2020. Robust demarcation of 17 distinct Bacillus species clades, proposed as novel Bacillaceae genera, by phylogenomics and comparative genomic analyses: description of Robertmurraya kyonggiensis sp. nov. and proposal for an emended genus Bacillus limiting it only to the members of the Subtilis and Cereus clades of species. International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology 70, 5753–5798.
De Clerck, E. et al. Polyphasic Characterization of Bacillus coagulans Strains, Illustrating Heterogeneity within this Species, and Emended Description of the Species. Systematic and Applied Microbiology 27, 50–60 (2004).
Blog provided by Cura Nutrition.
