How can I identify a probiotic?
A probiotic must contain live and active cultures. Typically, probiotics can be taken in supplemental form or added to products able to ferment such as yogurt, which is a common source of beneficial bacteria. However, different brands of yogurt can vary greatly in their bacterial composition and potency. Some (particularly frozen) yogurts do not contain any live bacteria. Similarly, through processing and other disruptive factors, supplements can contain probiotics that have long since died and are no longer useable and beneficial to the body. To ensure that you are getting the best form of probiotics, they should be active and traceable to their original bacterial strains, such as kefir – a bundle of ten live active cultures.
