{"id":129993,"date":"2024-10-01T01:26:27","date_gmt":"2024-10-01T05:26:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/eu.intelligentlabs.org\/how-to-choose-best-probiotics\/"},"modified":"2025-07-14T15:35:03","modified_gmt":"2025-07-14T15:35:03","slug":"how-to-choose-best-live-cultures","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/eu.intelligentlabs.org\/en-gb\/how-to-choose-best-live-cultures\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Pick a Live Cultures: 7 Key Factors to Consider"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

With so many live culture options<\/a><\/strong> out there, finding the right one can be overwhelming. The right live cultures can support gut health, digestion, and immunity,1<\/a><\/sup> but the wrong ones may leave you bloated and wasting money. So, how do you pick live cultures that work? Here are 7 key factors to consider.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. CFU Count: The strength in numbers<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

One of the first things to look for when choosing live cultures is the colony-forming units (CFUs)<\/strong>. This number tells you how many live, active bacteria are in each serving. However, not all brands make this easy to spot. Some companies require multiple capsules per serving, so always check the label closely to see how much you\u2019re really getting per capsule.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Typically, you want live cultures with billions of CFUs per serving<\/strong>. 2<\/a><\/sup> But strength alone isn\u2019t enough. It\u2019s also important to look at the types of bacteria (called strains) that are included.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. CFUs per Strain: More than just a hight count<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While a high CFU count is important, you also need to look at how many CFUs each bacterial strain<\/strong> has.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Live cultures work by repopulating your gut with beneficial bacteria, but if the strength per strain is too low, the bacteria won\u2019t be able to thrive in your gut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example, if a live culture supplement contains 10 different strains, you want each strain to have at least 5 billion CFUs to ensure they\u2019re effective. So, for a 10-strain supplement, a total CFU count of around 50 billion<\/strong> is a good benchmark (this is the CFU count in our Adult Live Cultures<\/a><\/strong>). This ensures that every strain is strong enough to make a real difference in your gut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Studies have shown that maintaining a diverse and well-populated gut flora is essential for health. 3<\/a><\/sup> 4<\/a><\/sup> Live cultures with insufficient CFUs per strain won\u2019t be able to accomplish that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Patented Strains: Why do they matter?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Not all live cultures are the same. Patented strains<\/strong><\/a> come with a wealth of research backing their effectiveness, meaning you know exactly what benefits they provide. Otherwise, they\u2019re more likely to be cheap, generic bacteria that may not offer the benefits you\u2019re hoping for. 5<\/a><\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, how can you tell if a live culture supplement contains patented strains?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Look for a number after the strain\u2019s name<\/strong>. For instance, the bacteria Lactobacillus acidophilus<\/em> is a common strain, but it\u2019s only when you see something like Lactobacillus acidophilus La-14<\/em> that you know you\u2019re dealing with a patented strain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That said, the strains we use in our live cultures<\/a><\/strong> are chosen for their ability to resist stomach acid and bile, so they can pass through your digestive system and reach the intestines, where they do the real work. Without these qualities, the bacteria may die before they can do any good.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

 4. Enteric coating or delayed-release capsules<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Even if you\u2019ve found live cultures with a high CFU count and patented strains, you need to make sure the bacteria can survive the trip to your gut. Enteric-coated<\/strong> or delayed-release capsules<\/strong> are designed to protect the live cultures from your stomach acid, ensuring they make it to your intestines intact. 6<\/a><\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Without this coating, the bacteria may dissolve in your stomach and never reach the intestines where they\u2019re most needed. Enteric or delayed-release capsules act as an extra layer of protection, increasing the chances that the live cultures survive the journey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Shelf Stability: No refrigeration needed<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Many live cultures on the market require refrigeration, but that could actually be a sign of lower-quality strains. High-quality live cultures are shelf-stable<\/strong>, meaning they don\u2019t need refrigeration to stay effective.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the big issues with live cultures that require refrigeration is that when they leave their manufacturing facility they won\u2019t be refrigerated during transportation, and during the time they spend hanging around in warehouses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This time period can be anywhere from a few weeks to a few months. During that time, their strength will be constantly weakening as the bacteria die off, and consequently, they will be far less effective. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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6. Prebiotics: Fuel for live cultures<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When choosing live cultures, don\u2019t forget to check if they contain fibre. Look at the ingredient list for common fibres like guar fiber or fructooligosaccharides (FOS).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fibre is essentially food for live cultures<\/strong>. It helps ensure that the live cultures are nourished while in the capsule, keeping them alive until you take them. Once in your gut, fibre continues to feed the live cultures, helping them thrive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Without fibre, the live cultures may struggle to survive long enough to be effective. A supplement that includes both fibre and live cultures is often called a “synbiotic” and provides a powerful one-two punch for gut health. 7<\/a><\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n

7. Third-party testing for quality assurance<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

How can you be sure you\u2019re getting what\u2019s promised on the label? Look for live cultures that undergo third-party testing<\/strong>. Independent testing ensures that the product contains the strains and CFU counts advertised, and that the bacteria are alive and viable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A study found that many commercial live culture supplements didn\u2019t contain all the promised strains, and some even had harmful bacteria! Out of 890 isolated bacteria strains, less than half met the criteria for live cultures, with only 420 strains qualifying. 8<\/a><\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re investing in live cultures for your health, make sure the company is transparent about its testing process. This step helps ensure you\u2019re getting the potency and strains you\u2019re paying for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Final Thoughts on How to Pick Live Cultures<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Picking the right live cultures doesn\u2019t have to be complicated, but it\u2019s important to know what to look for. By focusing on CFU count, patented strains, shelf stability, fibre, and third-party testing, you can feel confident that you\u2019re selecting live cultures that will work for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re looking for live cultures that check all these boxes, explore our range of Adult Live Cultures with Fibre<\/a><\/strong>, Women\u2019s Live Cultures<\/a><\/strong>, and Kids\u2019 Live Cultures<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\ud83d\udcac Something on your mind? Share your thoughts in the comments. We love hearing from curious minds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udce9 And while you\u2019re here, join our newsletter for more smart stuff (and secret perks)!<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n

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References:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n

  1. National Institutes of Health. \u201cProbiotics.\u201d\u00a0Nih.gov<\/em>, 3 Nov. 2023, ods.od.nih.gov\/factsheets\/Probiotics-HealthProfessional\/. \u21a9\ufe0e<\/a><\/li>
  2. Kechagia, Maria, et al. \u201cHealth Benefits of Probiotics: A Review.\u201d\u00a0ISRN Nutrition<\/em>, vol. 2013, no. 1, 2 Jan. 2013, pp. 1\u20137, https:\/\/doi.org\/10.5402\/2013\/481651. \u21a9\ufe0e<\/a><\/li>
  3. Lozupone, Catherine A., et al. \u201cDiversity, Stability and Resilience of the Human Gut Microbiota.\u201d\u00a0Nature<\/em>, vol. 489, no. 7415, 13 Sept. 2012, pp. 220\u2013230, https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1038\/nature11550. \u21a9\ufe0e<\/a><\/li>
  4. Hills, Ronald D., et al. \u201cGut Microbiome: Profound Implications for Diet and Disease.\u201d\u00a0Nutrients<\/em>, vol. 11, no. 7, 16 July 2019, p. 1613, https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/nu11071613. \u21a9\ufe0e<\/a><\/li>
  5. Fijan, Sabina. \u201cMicroorganisms with Claimed Probiotic Properties: An Overview of Recent Literature.\u201d\u00a0International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health<\/em>, vol. 11, no. 5, 5 May 2014, pp. 4745\u20134767, https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/ijerph110504745. \u21a9\ufe0e<\/a><\/li>
  6. Govender, Mershen, et al. \u201cA Review of the Advancements in Probiotic Delivery: Conventional vs. Non-Conventional Formulations for Intestinal Flora Supplementation.\u201d\u00a0AAPS PharmSciTech<\/em>, vol. 15, no. 1, 25 Sept. 2013, pp. 29\u201343, https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1208\/s12249-013-0027-1. \u21a9\ufe0e<\/a><\/li>
  7. Pandey, Kavita. R., et al. \u201cProbiotics, Prebiotics and Synbiotics- a Review.\u201d\u00a0Journal of Food Science and Technology<\/em>, vol. 52, no. 12, 22 July 2015, pp. 7577\u20137587, https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/s13197-015-1921-1. \u21a9\ufe0e<\/a><\/li>
  8. Marinova, Viktoria Yonkova, et al. \u201cMicrobiological Quality of Probiotic Dietary Supplements.\u201d\u00a0Biotechnology & Biotechnological Equipment<\/em>, vol. 33, no. 1, 1 Jan. 2019, pp. 834\u2013841, https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1080\/13102818.2019.1621208. \u21a9\ufe0e<\/a><\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n
    \n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    With so many live culture options out there, finding the right one can be overwhelming. The right live cultures can support gut health, digestion, and immunity,1 but the wrong ones may leave you bloated and wasting money. So, how do you pick live cultures that work? Here are 7 key factors to consider. 1. CFU…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":129995,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_kad_blocks_custom_css":"","_kad_blocks_head_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_body_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_footer_custom_js":"","_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"_kad_post_classname":"","footnotes":"[{\"content\":\"National Institutes of Health. \u201cProbiotics.\u201d\u00a0Nih.gov<\/em>, 3 Nov. 2023, ods.od.nih.gov\/factsheets\/Probiotics-HealthProfessional\/.\",\"id\":\"6181e510-ad32-47ff-9ca8-121a24eb5dd5\"},{\"content\":\"Kechagia, Maria, et al. \u201cHealth Benefits of Probiotics: A Review.\u201d\u00a0ISRN Nutrition<\/em>, vol. 2013, no. 1, 2 Jan. 2013, pp. 1\u20137, https:\/\/doi.org\/10.5402\/2013\/481651.\",\"id\":\"64914444-42cb-4c48-9613-e5e214c7e517\"},{\"content\":\"Lozupone, Catherine A., et al. \u201cDiversity, Stability and Resilience of the Human Gut Microbiota.\u201d\u00a0Nature<\/em>, vol. 489, no. 7415, 13 Sept. 2012, pp. 220\u2013230, https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1038\/nature11550.\",\"id\":\"9c8447a3-d63d-48ca-8db1-7c2691e66b27\"},{\"content\":\"Hills, Ronald D., et al. \u201cGut Microbiome: Profound Implications for Diet and Disease.\u201d\u00a0Nutrients<\/em>, vol. 11, no. 7, 16 July 2019, p. 1613, https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/nu11071613.\",\"id\":\"a38457e1-9189-4e6d-acc5-b3f5c7c6dfda\"},{\"content\":\"Fijan, Sabina. \u201cMicroorganisms with Claimed Probiotic Properties: An Overview of Recent Literature.\u201d\u00a0International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health<\/em>, vol. 11, no. 5, 5 May 2014, pp. 4745\u20134767, https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/ijerph110504745.\",\"id\":\"e7cd684d-f924-4f1e-be8a-9c1c3497d7e3\"},{\"content\":\"Govender, Mershen, et al. \u201cA Review of the Advancements in Probiotic Delivery: Conventional vs. Non-Conventional Formulations for Intestinal Flora Supplementation.\u201d\u00a0AAPS PharmSciTech<\/em>, vol. 15, no. 1, 25 Sept. 2013, pp. 29\u201343, https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1208\/s12249-013-0027-1.\",\"id\":\"202d8046-805e-4c18-88bb-b2ed6a74fb3e\"},{\"content\":\"Pandey, Kavita. R., et al. \u201cProbiotics, Prebiotics and Synbiotics- a Review.\u201d\u00a0Journal of Food Science and Technology<\/em>, vol. 52, no. 12, 22 July 2015, pp. 7577\u20137587, https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/s13197-015-1921-1.\",\"id\":\"dae67449-9a98-45ec-a464-3faf4bc21d3f\"},{\"content\":\"Marinova, Viktoria Yonkova, et al. \u201cMicrobiological Quality of Probiotic Dietary Supplements.\u201d\u00a0Biotechnology & Biotechnological Equipment<\/em>, vol. 33, no. 1, 1 Jan. 2019, pp. 834\u2013841, https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1080\/13102818.2019.1621208.\",\"id\":\"41d3a078-14de-46ab-a2dd-161ca571de0e\"}]"},"categories":[713],"tags":[702,716],"coauthors":[1024,1020],"class_list":["post-129993","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-live-cultures","tag-live-cultures","tag-womens-live-cultures"],"taxonomy_info":{"category":[{"value":713,"label":"Live Cultures"}],"post_tag":[{"value":702,"label":"Live Cultures"},{"value":716,"label":"Women's Live 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