Meet the pros of gut health, helpful bacteria that keep your gut’s microbiome balanced for total body wellness from the inside out.

What are probiotics? 

• Probiotics are "friendly" bacteria that live in and on your body. They are most prolific in your digestive tract. Probiotics is an umbrella term for all the different beneficial bacteria, but each strain or type of bacteria offers its own unique benefits. The most well-known types of probiotics are Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium. 
• Many Bifidobacterium and Lactobacilli species are natural inhabitants of the gastrointestinal tract and urogenital tract. They derive their energy from fermenting prebiotics, carbohydrates and some sugars and in doing so contribute to a thriving microbiome.

How do probiotics help, and do they actually work?

• Probiotics offer valuable support for a healthy digestive tract, immune system, and many vital processes throughout the body. Probiotic supplements help support and maintain a healthy balance of bacteria in the GI tract by increasing the population of beneficial bacterial strains in the gut as well as using the gut-brain axis to encourage a more positive mood.

What are CFU count in probiotics?

• Probiotics are measured in colony forming units (CFU). CFU indicates an estimate of the number of viable (live) bacterial cells, typically measured in millions or billions, which are cultured or grown in or on a fermentation medium.

Is there a minimum number of strains I should look for?

• There is no research to support a minimum number of strains needed for health. However, scientists agree that a diverse microflora (having many different strains of bacteria in your gut) is associated with overall wellness.

Do different strains result in different health benefits?

• Yes, different probiotic strains have been studied for their ability to provide benefits in different areas including digestion, immune health and even mood. Our products were formulated taking this research into account. 

How do I choose a probiotic?

• Choosing a probiotic starts with understanding your wellness goals. Different probiotic strains are designed to support different needs, including digestion, immune health, regularity, and women’s wellness.
• It’s also important to look at the strains included and the CFU, which is the potency.  A good starter probiotic could have a few strains and 1-10 billion CFU. A quality formula with clinically studied strains is often more important than simply choosing the highest number on the label. You may also want to consider features like shelf stability or if refrigeration is required, dietary needs, or added prebiotics for extra digestive support.

What are prebiotics and postbiotics? What are those and how do they help?

• The easiest way to define prebiotics is to think of them as plant-based fiber material that nourishes beneficial probiotics to help them thrive. Prebiotics provide the sustenance needed for a vibrant probiotic culture in the gut, so providing sufficient prebiotics can mean better digestion, increased comfort and all-around enhanced digestive health.
• In the sequence of digestion, prebiotics and probiotics leave behind certain beneficial substances in the GI tract. These nutrients are called postbiotics and may be comprised of amino acids, certain peptides and vitamins. Short-chain fatty acids like butyrate, propionate and acetate are produced during fermentation and help with energy production, immune function, promoting a healthy gut barrier and more. Postbiotics promote a healthy bacterial balance within the gut and support intestinal integrity, particularly in the colon. Maintaining a healthy intestinal lining goes a long way toward bolstering your body’s immune defenses by providing a healthy barrier to help prevent toxins from entering the bloodstream.

What is the best probiotic?

• Probiotics can be very personal, but Swanson Vitamins offers several probiotics that are doctor formulated, doctor trusted, or feature clinically studied strains. 
• New to probiotics?  Try Swanson's Dr. Langer's Ultimate 16 Strain Probiotic.  It is our most popular probiotic with 3.2 billion CFU from 16 unique strains for comprehensive wellness. This is doctor formulated with more than four times more strains than other popular products. Supports digestive health, immune function, mood and more.
• Or try Swanson's doctor-trusted daily probiotics that are targeted for gender-specific needs. Women's Daily Probiotic + Prebiotic FOS is doctor trusted for digestive health* with added cranberry to support vaginal and urinary health.  Men's Daily Probiotic + Prebiotic FOS is doctor trusted for digestive health* with added saw palmetto to support urinary and prostate health