How To Choose Quality Probiotics

by | Aug 1, 2019 | ARTICLES, Blog posts, Nutrition and Wellness | 1 comment

Why do people buy expensive smartphones and fancy purses, yet go really cheap and low quality when it comes to supplements? If you’re having digestive issues, you need a high quality probiotic, so today I’m going to show you how to choose one. 

It’s important to invest in your health with the best quality supplements, and I don’t want you to get ripped off buying junk that’s marketed as a “miracle.” I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, if you’re not getting lab-tested supplements, you’re just paying for expensive pee and poo.

In my practice as a functional medicine physician and intuitive master coach, I go beyond supplements. Why? Because they’re a relatively small piece of the big picture. 

We need to dive deeper into the emotional and spiritual root of digestive issues to really heal. 

At the same time, probiotics can be game-changing. 

That’s why today I’m going to cover the three things to look for when you’re shopping for probiotics, and the top emotional-spiritual challenges my clients dealing with digestive issues almost always have. 

The first thing to know is that probiotics are not just probiotics. There are dozens of different strains and strengths, and what you need depends on your condition. 

There are maintenance-level probiotics you can take every day, and there are acute rescue probiotics you can take if you’re dealing with a serious illness, or recovering from a course of antibiotics. You can only use rescue probiotics for a short period of time. 

Whether you’re taking a daily probiotic or using probiotics to treat an intense condition, you want to be looking for at least one billion CFUs (colony forming units) in the dose. That’s the minimum. 

Now let’s get into the three steps to choose a quality probiotic that will give you the results you’re looking for…

  • Know which strain you need. A strain is not just the species of bacteria; there’s usually letters and numbers behind it too. If you’re having dental issues, there’s a specific bacteria strain you want to take, because the bacteria in your mouth is unique.

    A urinary tract infection or a digestive condition requires an entirely different type of probiotic. There are strains that have been studied to work for different health issues, so use a source like PubMed to get clear on what you need for your condition.
  • Find a trusted source. I caution people against randomly buying supplements on the Internet, especially from the big retailer websites. Those products are rarely lab-tested.

    If you want to go that route, try to buy directly from the manufacturer’s store on a site like Amazon. The problem is that a lot of the best sources don’t sell via third parties.

    Solution: If you contact a healthcare practitioner who works in functional medicine they can set you up with an account where you can order directly from a great company. That way you know you’re getting the best quality products available.
  • Get specific and clinical. When you’re comparing probiotics, make sure the exact manufacture and strain has been examined in clinical research in a peer-reviewed journal. You should be able to go online and vet your probiotic on PubMed, or another high-caliber medical journal.

    If possible, you want your probiotics to have the NSF (National Sanitation Foundation) stamp of approval. That means they’ve been tested independently, they’re the most effective and efficient supplement available, and they do what they say they’re going to do.

    Some supplements have been studied in trusted peer-reviewed journals but don’t have the NSF stamp, and they’re still a good choice. Ultimately, I’d love for you to be taking a supplement that’s lab-tested, peer-reviewed, AND NSF-approved. 

If I can’t verify that a supplement has been lab tested and is explicitly designed for the condition I’m looking to treat – or if the source is questionable – I’m not going to buy it or recommend it. 

Most of the supplements out there are junk, but with a little education you can easily spot subpar products and choose better brands.   

You also need to know that the best probiotics are usually expensive, and this can bring up resistance.

We’ll spend hundreds of dollars on a fancy dinner, then skimp on our health. It’s time to decide that you’re worth it. Part of loving and caring for yourself is prioritizing your well-being. You deserve to feel your best. 

Going beyond labels, lab tests, and cost, perhaps the most important thing to note is this: If your digestive tract is broken, no probiotic can help you.

Probiotics are step three in my digestive repair protocol. They’ll never be able to fix chronic issues unless you address the underlying cause.

My programs always include advanced coaching and intuitive guidance on the spiritual and emotional side of health. 

My clients dealing with digestive issues are usually feeling stuck in their lives, unsettled, or overburdened… and it shows up as constipation, diarrhea, anxiety, and/or brain fog. 

If you know your digestive tract isn’t working properly and you want to heal on a physical, emotional, and spiritual level, sign up for a Reboot Your Wellness Breakthrough Session today. 

Here’s the thing: Regular doctors are not trained on supplements… or spirituality and emotions. When you study functional and integrative medicine you’re taught to address health holistically, from supplements to stuck emotions, so that your clients get permanent results. 

Are you currently struggling with digestive issues? 

Do you take a high-quality probiotic, and do you have the physical, emotional, and spiritual support you need in your life? 

Post a comment below, I’d love to hear where you’re at and what you need. 

1 Comment

  1. Scott Gebhardt, D.O.

    What are the top 5 probiotic manufacturers that you recommend? I get asked this all of the time and my favorite company is no more

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