ConsumerLab Issues Statement on Probiotic Quality

Studies have shown that probiotic supplements have been found beneficial for treatment of vaginal yeast infections, irritable bowel syndrome, diarrhea caused by viral illnesses or antibiotic therapy, upper respiratory viral infections, facial acne and even high blood pressure. Probiotics are otherwise known as the “friendly” bacteria of the bowel. They can be purchased in yogurts, powders, miso, beverages or capsules.

However beneficial, not all probiotics are equal. According to a recent ConsumerLab report many brands don’t contain the bacteria cited on their label. The products may contain as little as 7 to 58 percent of the amount of viable organisms mentioned on the label. “It’s really shocking how many products really don’t have what they claim on their labels,” says Tod Copperman, the president of ConsumerLab.

What’s more, the amount of living cells (the bacteria must be alive to be effective) varied widely amongst the different probiotic products ranging from less than one hundred million to over 10 billion cells per dose. Because probiotic are not standardized, Mary Ellen Sanders, a probiotics exepert unaffiliated with ConsumerLab, states that, “The best products on the market are the ones that have been tested in human studies and have been shown to have a benefit.”

According to ConsumerLab, the highest quality probiotics they tested included Advocare Probiotic Restore, GNC Nature Brand Best Super Acidophilus and Jarrow Formulas Jarro-Dophilus.

The products with the lowest bacterial content were Nature’s Secret Ultimate Probiotics (13% viable bacteria), Swiss Natural Sources “5” Strain Dophilus (13% viable bacteria) and Dr. D Chocolate-Flavored (Pediatric) Probiotics (7% viable bacteria).

For the full ConsumerLab report, click here.