Optimal Probiotic Purchasing Guide

“In terms of what to look for in a probiotic supplement, read the label so that you are assured you’re getting a viable number of organisms, that these things really (are) alive. You can buy a product that says this product has 30 billion cfus, colony forming units, at the time of manufacture. That doesn’t really tell you anything about its shelf life, it’s viability as a product six months later after you’ve bought it or after it’s been sitting at the health food store,” says Dr. David Perlmutter.

He goes on to say, “You really want to find a product in terms of its guarantee, it’s viable organisms. A fairly wide array of organisms is really important as well.”

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There are now some very powerful, very potent, wide spectrum probiotics supplements that are available in the health food store. Even more powerful are the ones we make ourselves from home brewed ferements. These probiotic foods will feed the good flora in the microbiome.

Kellyann Petrucci, ND, says, “We really are bags of bugs!”

Andreas Greuszecki is a Naturopathic Doctor who accesses labs reports at Doctor’s Data. She says, “Everything really does tie back to everything else in a big spiderweb. Pain sensitivity and toxic element exposure can be modulated by the bacterial exposure, can be modulated by the bacteria in our guts. It’s its own organ of living cells. It’s responsible for up to 25% of our transmethylation transactions every day. It’s an organ of detoxification in its own right. You may not be able to synthesize glutathione, the primary body antioxidant. You may not be able to synthesize enough taurine. Taurine is essential for keeping magnesium inside the cells.  It’s also essential for normal neurotransmission.”

Dr. Greuszecki says lactobacillus species determine inflammation pathways status. Lipopolysaccharides make bacteria, which, as a whole picture, protect us from Staph and Strep. When there is a damaged microbiome, these pathogens leak through the gut wall and enter the bloodstream where they cause inflammation of the central nervous system. This then causes symptoms such as confusion, slow reflexes, joint pain, fatigue, muscle pain, memory disturbances, struggles with motivation, anxiety and depression. 

When it comes to promoting health Greuszecki says, “Take care of the pet(s) in your gut,.”

Rebuilding the microbiome is best done with taking out the foods that do not build the cells, put in only low inflammation foods, that are in fact real foods, while rebuilding with probiotic foods and supplements. Probiotic foods are the optimal source since it is a food, as found in nature, with all the cofactors needed for absorption. Studies show the probiotic counts of home fermented foods dwarf store bought probiotics. 

When purchasing over the counter probiotics it is important to watch the ingredient list to be sure there are no ingredients listed which feed the pathogens in the gut. Often other ingredients are added to maintain shelf life, preserve color or assist in free flowing content of the product as well as other reasons. Be careful with ingredients like this one and this one. 

This list of probiotics are some of the top ranking, most effective ones. 

*Nourishing Plot is written by Becky Plotner, ND, traditional naturopath, CGP, D.PSc. who sees clients in Rossville, Georgia. She works as a Certified GAPS Practitioner who sees clients in her office, Skype and phone. She has been published in Wise Traditions, spoken at two Weston A. Price Conferences, Certified GAPS Practitioner Trainings, has been on many radio shows, television shows and writes for Nourishing Plot. Since her son was delivered from the effects of autism (Asperger’s syndrome), ADHD, bipolar disorder/manic depression, hypoglycemia and dyslexia, through food, she continued her education specializing in Leaky Gut and parasitology through Duke University, finishing with distinction. She is a Chapter Leader for The Weston A. Price Foundation. becky.nourishingplot@hotmail.com

“GAPS™ and Gut and Psychology Syndrome™ are the trademark and copyright of Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBride. The right of Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBride to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted by her in accordance with the Copyright, Patent and Designs Act 1988.