Probiotics explained: CFUs, strains, prebiotics and digestive enzymes
By Melt Daily ·
Gut health products have a vocabulary of their own: CFUs, strains, prebiotics, enzymes. Once you know the handful of terms, the labels get much easier. Here is the plain-English version, plus how our two gut strips, SETTLE and FLORA, differ.
What a probiotic is
Probiotics are live microorganisms, mostly bacteria and some yeasts, that are intended to provide a benefit when taken in adequate amounts. Your gut is already home to trillions of microbes, often called the gut microbiome. Probiotic supplements add specific types to that mix.
What CFU means
CFU stands for colony-forming units. It is an estimate of how many live, active microbes are in a serving. Both SETTLE and FLORA contain 10 billion CFU per strip. A higher CFU number is not automatically better; the specific strain and whether it survives the trip through your digestive system matter too.
Strains are like first and last names
Probiotics are named by genus and species, like Bacillus coagulans or Bifidobacterium lactis. Different species, and even different strains within a species, behave differently. That is why reading the specific name on a label tells you much more than the word probiotic alone.
Bacillus coagulans (in SETTLE)
Bacillus coagulans is a spore-forming probiotic. Spores are a protective, dormant form, which helps the bacteria hold up to heat, storage and stomach acid. That durability is one reason it is a good fit for a shelf-stable strip. SETTLE contains 10 billion CFU of Bacillus coagulans.
Bifidobacterium lactis (in FLORA)
Bifidobacterium lactis is one of the most widely used probiotic species. Bifidobacteria are naturally common residents of the human gut and are found in some yogurts and fermented foods. FLORA contains 10 billion CFU of Bifidobacterium lactis.
Prebiotics: food for good bacteria
A prebiotic is a type of fiber that your own gut bacteria can use as food. FLORA includes 50 mg of polydextrose, a soluble fiber used as a prebiotic. Pairing a probiotic with a prebiotic in one product is sometimes called a synbiotic.
Digestive enzymes (in SETTLE)
Digestive enzymes help break food down into pieces your body can absorb. SETTLE includes three that work on protein: protease (10 mg), papain from papaya (15 mg) and bromelain from pineapple (15 mg). If you are allergic to papaya or pineapple, skip SETTLE.
SETTLE vs. FLORA
| SETTLE | FLORA | |
|---|---|---|
| Probiotic | Bacillus coagulans, 10 billion CFU | Bifidobacterium lactis, 10 billion CFU |
| Extras | Protease, papain, bromelain enzymes | Polydextrose prebiotic fiber, 50 mg |
| Flavor | Mixed berry | Mixed berry |
| Labeled to support | Healthy gut flora and normal digestion* | Normal metabolism and digestive well-being* |
Choose SETTLE if you like the idea of enzymes alongside a hardy, spore-forming probiotic. Choose FLORA if you prefer a Bifidobacterium with built-in prebiotic fiber. The two use different strains, so some people rotate between them.
Good to know
- Some people notice mild gas or bloating in the first days of a new probiotic. It usually settles as you adjust.
- Food matters too: fiber-rich foods and fermented foods like yogurt, kefir, kimchi and sauerkraut are all part of a gut-friendly diet.
- If you have a weakened immune system, a serious illness, or ongoing digestive symptoms, talk with your doctor before taking a probiotic.
If you are pregnant, nursing, taking any medication or managing a health condition, check with your doctor or pharmacist before adding a supplement.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
