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With so many probiotic products available, understanding what you're looking at on the package can make comparing your options a little easier. Terms like CFU, serving size, storage instructions, and certifications can provide important information about a probiotic and how it is intended to be used.
Here are some key areas to consider the next time you're reading a probiotic label.
Colony-Forming Units (CFUs)
One of the first numbers you'll likely notice on a probiotic package is the CFU count. CFU stands for colony-forming unit, a measurement used to estimate the number of viable microorganisms in a probiotic product.
Probiotic products can vary considerably in potency, from millions or billions of CFUs to hundreds of billions. While a higher CFU count means a product contains more viable microorganisms, more isn't automatically better. The appropriate potency depends on factors such as the probiotic formulation, how it has been studied, and its intended use.
For higher-potency probiotics, the number of viable microorganisms can be particularly relevant because probiotic bacteria must survive several challenges before reaching their intended destination in the gastrointestinal tract. However, potency should be considered alongside the specific strains and clinical evidence supporting the formulation, rather than CFU count alone.
When Does the CFU Count Apply?
There's another detail that's easy to overlook: when was that CFU count measured or guaranteed?
A manufacturer may state a CFU count based on the amount present at the time of manufacture, while another may guarantee that amount through the product's expiration date. Because probiotics contain living microorganisms, viability can decline over time and may be affected by environmental conditions.
When comparing products, look for language explaining whether the stated potency applies at manufacture or throughout the product's shelf life.
Visbiome® guarantees its stated potency through the expiration date when stored as directed. This means the CFU count listed on the package reflects the potency you can expect through the end of the product's labeled shelf life—not simply the amount present when it left the manufacturing facility
Serving Size
A large CFU number on the front of a package doesn't tell the whole story. It's also important to determine how much product provides that amount.
For example, a package advertising a particular CFU count might provide that amount in:
- One capsule
- Multiple capsules
- One powder packet
- Multiple packets
Check the serving size and suggested daily intake to understand how the advertised potency corresponds to the amount of product you would actually use.
This is especially helpful when comparing different formats. Capsules and powder packets can contain different amounts of a probiotic formulation, so comparing the CFU number without considering the serving size may not provide an apples-to-apples comparison.
Always follow the suggested daily intake provided with the product or the instructions given by your healthcare provider.
Storage Instructions
Because probiotics contain living microorganisms, how they're stored and transported matters.
Some probiotic products are marketed as shelf stable, but it's important to understand what that designation means. Shelf stability under recommended storage conditions doesn't necessarily tell you how a product responds to prolonged exposure to elevated temperatures, such as those that can occur during shipping, in a warehouse, or inside a delivery vehicle.
Heat can reduce the viability of certain probiotic microorganisms over time. The degree to which a probiotic is affected depends on the strains, formulation, temperature, duration of exposure, packaging, and other factors.
When comparing probiotics, check the package for storage instructions and consider how the manufacturer handles the product before it reaches your home, not just how you're instructed to store it afterward.
Why Visbiome Is Stored & Shipped Cold
Visbiome is a high-potency probiotic containing live bacteria. To help maintain the viability and potency of these microorganisms, Visbiome products are refrigerated during storage and shipped in an insulated container with ice packs and a temperature sensor.
Once received, Visbiome should be refrigerated and stored according to the instructions on the package. However, the product can remain at room temperature for up to one week without adversely affecting potency, providing some flexibility during travel or other short periods when refrigeration may not be available.
Quality & Purity
The bacteria and CFU count aren't the only things worth reviewing. Take a look at the rest of the package to better understand what's in the product and how its quality is evaluated.
Read the Ingredient List
Review both the active formulation and the other ingredients used in the finished product. Depending on the probiotic, these may include ingredients used in the capsule, powder, manufacturing process, or finished formulation.
Ingredient lists can be particularly helpful when comparing products or when you're trying to avoid a specific ingredient.
Check for Independent Certifications
Third-party certifications can provide another layer of information about product quality. Look for certifications from established organizations and understand what the particular certification actually evaluates, since different programs assess different aspects of a product.
For example, all Visbiome products have earned Clean Label Project Certification, which involves independent testing for certain contaminants and other quality benchmarks.
A certification shouldn't be viewed as a substitute for clinical research, but it can provide additional information when evaluating how a product is made and tested.
Look for Clinical Research
Beyond potency and quality certifications, consider whether a probiotic is supported by clinical research on the specific formulation. Probiotic products can differ significantly in their strains, combinations, and potency, so research on one probiotic formulation may not necessarily apply to another.
Look for products backed by published clinical studies that evaluate the formulation itself. The proprietary De Simone Formulation® found in Visbiome has been the subject of more than 100 human clinical studies across more than 25 years of research.
Clinical research provides an additional level of information to consider when comparing probiotic products and evaluating the evidence behind their formulations.
Consider the Whole Picture
When choosing a probiotic, it's important to look beyond any single claim or feature. Potency, serving size, storage and handling, ingredients, quality certifications, and clinical research can all provide valuable information when evaluating a product. Considering these factors together can help give you a more complete picture when comparing your options.
