Getting to the guts of it

How Do I Choose the right probiotic?

Navigating the huge wall of supplements in a Pharmacy can be a little overwhelming. With so many probiotics on the market to choose from, how do you choose the right one? Inner Health have developed the PRO quality checklist, in accordance with the ISAPP (International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics) criteria for quality probiotics.

PRO - Quality Guarantee

Protected - are the bacteria live and strong?

Probiotics require careful and correct storage to survive as they are impacted by temperature fluctuations and moisture. For probiotics to be alive upon consumption they must remain dormant inside the capsule and protected by either a refrigerator or moisture-protection technology.

Refrigeration protects probiotics from warmth and moisture as it provides a stable temperature of 4°C to 8°C and low humidity.

Alternatively, our Activ-VialTM packaging & ProtectAir™ moisture defence system keeps the probiotic bacteria alive and full strength at 25°C.

Researched - is the probiotic strain tested and researched?

Not all probiotics are the same. Different strains, even within the same genus and species, are shown to benefit completely different conditions (see Figure. 1 below) with some strains having little to no proven health benefits in humans. For this reason, it is important to choose a probiotic formula which contains strains that have been researched alone and in combination with each other and at the appropriate strength.

IH Diagram

Optimised - does the formula contain the optimal strength and combination?

Research indicates that the dose is just as important as the strain of probiotic - if too little is given the probiotic may be ineffective, whereas too much may give you an unexpected result. A number of recent clinical studies have investigated the effect of various strengths of commonly prescribed probiotic strains and found that there can be marked differences in clinical outcomes depending on the doses used.

When you choose Inner Health probiotics you can rest assured all probiotics are protected, researched & optimised.

A Dose of good bacteria everyday

Your gut bacteria support functions of your gut, including helping with digestion and nutrient absorption. This said, it is important to maintain a healthy balance of ‘good’ and ‘bad’ bacteria in the gut for optimal wellbeing. Probiotics containing two scientifically studied strains, Lactobacillus acidophilus (NCFM®) and Bifidobacterium lactis (Bi-07) at a researched dose, when taken daily may maintain the balance of good bacteria, support digestive function, a healthy immune system and general wellbeing.

What about an option for children?

Inner Health Kids is a dairy free probiotic available as a powder for convenient dosing. It contains Lactobacillus acidophilus (NCFM®) and Bifidobacterium lactis (Bi-07) in addition to featuring Lactobacillus rhamnosus (LGG®). The combination of these specific strains may help promote the growth of healthy bacteria within the digestive system; and if your child is taking a course of antibiotics, look to Inner Health Kids as it may also assist in maintaining the levels of good bacteria that may have been disrupted.

Wind, pain and undesirable loo habits

Do you suffer from medically diagnosed Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)? If so, you’re not alone as this condition affects 1 in 5 Australians. While the underlying cause of IBS is unknown, it can be triggered by various factors, including stress, infection, certain medications and food intolerances. The probiotic strain Lactobacillus plantarum 299v has been shown to help reduce the symptoms of medically diagnosed IBS. Inner Health IBS Support features this strain and may be taken at a 1 a day dose to help maintain normal bowel function, promote healthy digestion and, of course, help reduce symptoms of medically diagnosed IBS. For more severe symptoms it can be taken twice a day.

Love Your Gut! Dietary Suggestions for Healthy Tums

There is an array of dietary habits that can be adopted to support healthy gut balance, including:

  • Avoiding eating on the run - take time to chew and digest your food;
  • Sipping apple cider vinegar or 1-2 teaspoons of lemon juice diluted in water approximately 10-15 minutes before food to help get your digestive juices flowing;
  • Incorporating bitter foods into your meals to stimulate digestion, such as rocket, dandelion greens, endives and broccoli;
  • Consuming an adequate amount of fibre to assist with healthy digestion – the recommended daily intake of fibre is 30 g, which can be achieved with approximately 2 cups of vegetables and 2 pieces of fruit;
  • Staying hydrated to assist with regular bowel movements;
  • Consuming whole probiotic foods, such as sauerkraut, kimchi, kombucha or miso, and;
  • Avoiding food and drink items that you know irritate or upsets your stomach or bowel.

These suggestions, along with Inner Health probiotics may help to maintain a healthy gut and help improve your general wellbeing.

Gastroenterological Society of Australia (GESA). Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). [Online]. 2010. Available from: http://www.gesa.org.au/consumer.asp?id=16 [Cited 03/09/15].