Probiotic product checklist

Heat has a negative impact on probiotic bacteria.

Most probiotic strains, such as Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, and Streptococcus, are heat-sensitive and require cold storage for optimal survival during storage. 

However, there are formulations that allow room temperature storage for limited periods for the the following strains: 
Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium bifidum, Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Saccharomyces boulardii.
 

Storage above 25°C will typically degrade most probiotic strains.
 

Certain spore-forming probiotics however don’t require cold storage and can survive various environmental challenges, including stomach acid. These include:

• Bacillus coagulans

• Bacillus clausii

• Bacillus subtilis

• Clostridium butyricum

Bacillus strains, in particular, can withstand temperatures up to 70°C, tolerate stomach acid, and remain extremely stable.

Probiotics can be effectively protected from humidity by packaging them in aluminum foil or in bottles with integrated desiccants.

• It is preferable that the packaging is not transparent, as sunlight could negatively impact the probiotic product.
   

• High-quality, moisture-resistant packaging is essential for probiotic-containing products to ensure their stability and effectiveness.

• Despite the wide variety of probiotics available, clinical trials are typically conducted only for individual bacterial strains to demonstrate their specific beneficial effects.

• A product containing a mixture of many bacterial strains usually does not produce effects that are the sum of all the strains in the mixture. Moreover, mixed-strain products are rarely subjected to clinical testing due to the high cost involved.

• Different bacterial strains in a single product can either complement or interfere with each other.

When clinical testing is lacking, the selection of an appropriate mix of bacterial strains often relies on expert opinion.

In general, making an informed choice involves understanding your specific probiotic needs, identifying a suitable strain, and opting for a single-strain or a product with a limited number of strains.

• Certain vitamins and minerals can be reactive, potentially adversely affecting the stability or colonization of probiotics.
   

• For individuals with brewer's yeast intolerance, it's important to note that some probiotic formulations introduce B-group vitamins derived from concentrated brewer's yeast. 
  
  Once again - read the label carefully!