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Are probiotics a waste of money?

digestion

Probiotics are infamous for their benefits to im^^une, digestive and mental health, and more. I get asked all the time: should I take one?
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I think 99.99% of probiotics on the market are either useless (or maybe even harmful). Here’s why:
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They contain random strains.
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This is most important. Our guts have 600-1,000 different strains of bacteria. There are only a few dozen strains available on the market. Different strains have different benefits, so supplementation needs to be targeted. Moreover, the native and more influential strains are usually the ones that make the most impact.
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They contain arbitrary, high-volume doses.
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Probiotic supplements have anywhere from 1-250 billion CFUs (colony-forming units). That said, our gut has 100 trillion. As you can see, even at the highest range, taking a probiotic supplement would be a drop in the bucket — especially if the strains aren’t targeted.
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Most of them have to be refrigerated.
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It’s rare to find a probiotic sitting on a shelf. My thought: if they can’t survive outside of the fridge, what do you think will happen when they hit our 98.6 degree body? Especially if they have to go through our stomach acid, which should be the same pH as battery acid?
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When looking to “balance” someone’s gut, probiotics are never the first thing on my list. In fact, I think prebiotics are much more important (more on that later). And no, I’m not talking about prebiotic supplements either.
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My favorite are spore-based probiotics. These spores have a protein-calcified shell that they can open and close, allowing them to withstand oxygen, UV light, heat (450 degrees F) and stomach acid, and make it through to where they can do their magic. They've been shown to reduce endotoxin and triglycerides between 40-50%.
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My favorite brands are
@microbiomelabs
@justthrivehealth (15% off code: Innate)
@mitolife (15% off code: INNATE)
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This post is not sponsored.
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Not medical advice.

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This is not medical advice. Always consult your healthcare professional before pursuing any changes to your personal healthcare regime.

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References

Ciorba, M.A. (2012). A Gastroenterologist's Guide to Probiotics. Retrieved from: https://www.cghjournal.org/article/S1542-3565%2812%2900369-2/fulltext.

Cooperman, T. (2020). Probiotic Supplements Review (Including Pet Probiotics). Retrieved from: https://www.consumerlab.com/reviews/probiotic-supplements/probiotics/.

Littlewood, K. (2015). Are probiotics essential for optimal gut health?. Retrieved from: https://balancedbodymind.com/blog/are-probiotics-essential-for-optimal-gut-health.

MitoLife Radio. (2019). 013 - Why Everything You Know About Probiotics is Wrong with Kiran Krishnan. Retrieved from: https://divinesuperconductor.libsyn.com/013-why-everything-you-know-about-probiotics-is-wrong-with-kiran-krishnan.

Oatman, M. (2013). Should You Take a Probiotic?. Retrieved from: https://www.motherjones.com/environment/2013/04/should-you-take-probiotics-supplement/.

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Remember: this post is for informational purposes only and may not be the best fit for you and your personal situation. It shall not be construed as medical advice. The information and education provided here is not intended or implied to supplement or replace professional medical treatment, advice, and/or diagnosis. Always check with your own physician or medical professional before trying or implementing any information read here. While the owner of this website tries to keep the information up to date, there may be things that are out-of-date and out of their control.