Probiotics for Healthy Microbiome

Oct 30, 2024

Dr. Alexsia Priolo, ND
Dr. Alexsia Priolo is a Naturopathic Doctor who has a clinical practice in Toronto, Ontario where she sees clients in-person and virtually throughout the province. She supports women in the perinatal journey, and firmly believes that we can make positive impacts to our future health, starting in pregnancy.

She completed her Honours Bachelor of Science in Biology at York University, followed by a Doctor of Naturopathy from the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine. She is a member of both the provincial and national associations of naturopathic doctors (OAND and CAND).

Benefits of Probiotic Supplements for Healthy Microbiome

Feeling down after a rough bout of stomach trouble? Are you feeling stressed or frustrated with how digestive issues have impacted your physical and mental health?

Probiotic supplements may be the answer you are looking for! The benefits of probiotic supplements are many. They not only restore good bacteria and other helpful microbes in your stomach and help improve digestion but also boost your body’s immunity.

If you’re confused about which products you should choose to get probiotic supplement benefits, here’s a short, easy guide:

Look for Dose and CFUs (Colony Forming Units)

Probiotic supplements often include live, active bacterial cultures and this is usually mentioned on the packaging, as shown here. Usually, the dosage is mentioned in terms of billion CFUs. You may consult a dietician to know exactly how much dosage in terms of CFUs you need, based on your health and medical history.

Information on the bacterial strains used in the supplements

Our Probiotic supplements commonly include strains of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, both of which are well-known for supporting digestive health and boosting the immune system. However, some products may also contain other strains like Saccharomyces boulardii, which is often used in treating irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, and ulcerative colitis, or Lactobacillus rhamnosus, known for promoting gut health and preventing infections. Since different strains may have varied effects, such as targeting specific digestive issues or providing general immune support, you should consult a healthcare professional if you're unsure which one is right for you.

Non-medicinal Ingredients

Our probiotic supplements contain various non-medicinal ingredients like maltodextrin, cellulose, purified water, fructooligosaccharides (FOS), inulin, magnesium stearate, silica, ascorbic acid, etc. They're commonly used and generally safe, but if you're worried about allergies, it’s a good idea to check with your doctor or dietician.

Suggested Usage & Cautions

Though we provide a recommended usage for each of our Probiotic supplements, you should ideally choose a product and its usage based on your medical history after consulting your doctor. Please review our 'Cautions' section, where we list symptoms that may require discontinuing product use and seeking medical advice. Additionally, please check the conditions under which usage is not recommended, e.g. if you have conditions like AIDS, lymphoma, or are under long-term corticosteroid medication.