How to Choose the Best Probiotic for Better Digestion

The following article was written by Heinen’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Todd Pesek, MD.

There’s no argument that a whole food, plant-based diet is an important piece of the gut and immune health puzzle, but what’s equally important is that you are able to digest and absorb the various nutrients in that food!

This is where probiotics can help. Probiotics are foods or supplements containing live bacteria that add to the healthy bacteria normally present in your gut. They occur naturally in fermented foods like raw sauerkraut and yogurt, but you can also find them in supplement form.

Here are four tips to keep in mind when choosing a probiotic supplement.

1. Soil-Based and Fermented: Look for a fermented, soil-based probiotic that is stable at room temperature. Not only are soil-based probiotics part of our normal microbiome, they also form spores that can survive harsh conditions, like stomach acid and high temperatures.
2. Multiple Strains: To ensure microbial diversity, choose a probiotic with at least 10 different strains of bacteria, like Bacillus coagulans and Lactobacillus plantarum.
3. 30 Billion CFU’s: Choose a probiotic with a minimum of 30 billion colony-forming units per serving. These are shown as “CFU’s” on the bottle.
4. Prebiotic Ingredients: Look for the addition of prebiotic ingredients, like vegetables and mushrooms. Prebiotics act as fuel for beneficial bacteria and help support their growth.

Found in Heinen’s Wellness Department, Nutritional Roots probiotic is a high quality probiotic meeting all four of these criteria. It’s a vegan blend made with soil-based organisms that support improved cognitive function, better digestive function and immune system health.

Key Takeaway

A great start to a healthy gut includes regular supplementation with a high quality probiotic to promote the growth of friendly bacteria. Your best option is a soil-based probiotic containing a minimum of 10 diverse strains and at least 30 billion colony-forming units (CFUs).

Please check with your healthcare provider before beginning any new supplements.