Different strains of even the same bacteria species can provide different beneficial effects, therefore it's critical for the labelled strain to be tested and shown in human studies to provide a health benefit. For example, Bifidobacterium infantis 35624 (BifantisTM) has been clinically proven for medically diagnosed Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) relief.
Misconception 2: More is better
Fact: Different probiotic strains have demonstrated efficacy at different optimal concentrations.
There is no minimum or maximum number of bacteria that must be taken in order to achieve a beneficial effect. Similarly, a combination of multiple bacteria strains is not necessarily better than a single strain. They must instead be compatible and synergistic.
With an increasing number of probiotics in the market, it's critical that pharmacists recommend the right probiotics with the right strain and right dosage to support specific health conditions or symptoms.
The above article was sent to subscribers in Pharmacy Daily's issue from 13 Feb 17
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