CFU is an acronym used in microbiology which stands for “colony-forming unit.” This is a measurement of viable cells, which in the case of probiotics, means it has the ability to divide and form a colony. Without this identification, there is no way to know what a product actually contains. This is different then a direct count, which adds together all bacterial cells, both viable and dead.
Bogus Alert #1:
If a probiotic product uses any other term to quantify the number of bacteria present in the product (such as by weight), this is a bogus product.
Reason: you may have a product with an impressive amount of dead bacteria, but no evidence of viable bacteria present in the product.
If a product does supply a CFU number, the next step is to identify exactly what is being quantified.
Bogus Alert #2:
If you see a product with only one total CFU number listed with multiple bacterial strains, this is a bogus product.
Reason: Each bacterial strain needs to be listed with its own CFU. Ensuring that a desirable strain remains viable throughout shelf life can be difficult, so many companies instead use “filler” bacteria which have better rates of survival to boost CFU counts, but do not offer the same desired therapeutic benefits. For example, you could buy a product with a high total CFU, but if it contains 95% bacteria with no scientific value, and only 5% valuable strains, you have wasted your money!
Bogus Alert #3
Probiotics must be made with a special survivability technology to ensure efficacy of the product. If a product contains only neutral carriers such as maltodextrin and microcrystalline cellulose, this is a bogus product.
Reason: Probiotics require micro-enrobing technology to protect them during the passage through the stomach’s acidic environment. One industry insider alleges that only 5-10% of strains in a number of tested brands actually survive passage through the stomach! Based on my forty years of research and dedication, oil matrix survivability technology is the best way to protect the selected probiotic strains. Another technology (less effective than the oil matrix but much better than neutral carriers) is the inclusion of the intrinsic supernatant; this is the “home environment” of the cultured medium included with the bacteria. Both processes serve to substantially improve survivability.
Stay tuned for the next topic in my series to help you spot a bogus probiotic product…
Hi Natasha- I was looking for a way to connect with you on your website but didn’t see an email address and so I am leaving a comment in the hopes that you will read it and respond. I am wondering what your thoughts are on using probiotics to treat a colicky infant that is 2 weeks old and cries a lot with pain when she has a bowel movement or gas. I have heard that Bio- Gaia has been used successfully and researched to improve colic in infants and is very safe. Thoughts on this??? Thank you, C.
Dr. Mercola’s probiotic is one of the best, if not the best, on the market and it doesn’t need to be refrigerated.