Smart Probiotic Strategy

To navigate the probiotic market, use a few simple rules:

• Food first — fermented foods like yogurt, kefir, kimchi, and sauerkraut deliver probiotics along with extra nutrients and prebiotics
• Check the strain — look for the full strain name (e.g., Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG), not just the species
• Verify the CFU count — colony-forming units should reach the billions and be guaranteed at expiration, not at manufacture

The industry has outpaced the science, so be skeptical of broad claims and lean on a diverse, fiber-rich diet as your base.