These are some of the most frequently asked questions regarding the probiotics in general and our probiotic supplement.
- What are probiotics?
Probiotics are bacteria that may be beneficial in the body. Not all bacteria are bad. Commonly referred to as microflora, good and bad bacteria needs to be balanced for optimal health. Good bacteria, the kinds found in probiotic supplements and fermented foods, help synthesize key nutrients, help the body digest fiber, support immune function by stimulating it and keep bad bacteria at bay.
What are the natural sources of Probiotics?
Probiotics are found naturally in fermented foods like yogurt, sauerkraut, kefir, and miso.
- What do Probiotics do?
- Help convert digested foods into nutrients
- Help fight off bad bacteria
- Improves digestive, immune and overall health
- What to look for in a probiotic supplement?
The dosage, listed in Colony Forming Units (CFUs)
The number of strains, there are dozens of unique probiotic strains. Look for a source that provides multiple strains.
Prebiotics, fructooligosaccharides, or FOS for short, are prebiotic. FOS helps acidophilus, a probiotic, to flourish in the intestines and may help maintain a healthy balance of intestinal flora. Galactic-oligosaccharides, or GOS for short, is another common prebiotics.
Expiration Date, avoid products if potency is based upon time of manufacturing and not guaranteed through the expiration date
- Why GNC probiotics have prebiotics in their supplement, unlike other brands?
Prebiotics are nutrients that support the growth of probiotics. For optimal health, it is important to take both prebiotics and probiotics daily in your diet. This way, prebiotics will provide enough nourishment to probiotics to help them function efficiently.
FOS, or fructooligosaccharides, is a soluble fiber extracted from fruits and vegetables is also considered prebiotic, feeding good bacteria in the gut. FOS helps acidophilus, a probiotic, to flourish in the intestines and may help maintain a healthy balance of intestinal flora.
- How often should I consume probiotics?
A daily dose of probiotics is recommended in order to have a good intestinal environment. Probiotics are labile in nature, and hence gets disappeared along with its health benefits. Hence, needs to be replenished daily.
- Are probiotics suitable for children?
Yes, definitely suitable for children. In fact, the new-born baby gut is yet immature and thus breastfeeding or infant formula with probiotics can help in the development of baby’s immune system. GNC Probiotics come in the form of a capsule, and hence should be provided to children above the age of 5 years by parents only. Always consult your pediatrician before giving any supplement to your children.
- How long will it take before I notice that my health has improved from taking probiotics?
There are no exact recommendations for probiotic supplements, but according to Harvard Health Publications, daily use for one to two weeks may improve infectious or antibiotic-related diarrhea. Probiotics do not permanently adhere in the intestine, and hence daily consumption if required to maintain the effective amount. It is always advisable to consult your physician prior to taking any dietary supplement.
- Should I consume probiotics when I am on antibiotics?
The best time to start taking a probiotic supplement is during your antibiotic course. Antibiotics in the course of fighting with harmful bacteria’s will continue damaging the beneficial bacteria and hence more the reason for taking a probiotic supplement.
Don’t get confused! Antibiotics are there to cure you, but it is up to us to use them responsibly. Always take antibiotics when your physician is certain that your illness is bacterial and use up the entire prescription, even if you feel better and just combine it with probiotics.
- Is it safe for me to take probiotics if I am pregnant?
Consult your physician prior to using this product if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a medical condition. Discontinue use two weeks prior to surgery.
The limited research on probiotics use during pregnancy, mentions no association with probiotic use and miscarriages or malformations of any kind.
We will release Part – 2 versions of the article very soon, meanwhile, if you got any query further on GNC probiotic supplements – please feel free to connect with us on hello@guardian.in.
