A probiotic capsule is different from an ordinary vitamin tablet in one crucial respect: the microorganisms are supposed to be alive.
That makes storage and shelf life more important than many consumers realise.
CFU at manufacture is not necessarily CFU at expiry
The NIH advises consumers to look for probiotic products that state the number of colony-forming units at the end of shelf life, rather than merely the number present when the product was manufactured. Living microorganisms can gradually lose viability with time.
Temperature, moisture, oxygen exposure, processing and packaging can all influence survival. This is one reason probiotic formulation and packaging technology matter.
Not every probiotic belongs in the refrigerator
Some formulations require refrigeration. Others are specifically designed to remain stable at room temperature. The sensible approach is to follow the storage conditions validated for that particular product rather than assuming that every probiotic should be chilled.
Research on expired probiotic products illustrates the point: some old products still contain living organisms, but many no longer contain viable counts close to their original claims.
When comparing probiotics, don’t only ask “How many billion?” Also ask: “How many are expected to still be alive when I actually take it?”
Continue reading
- Why the Biggest CFU Number Isn’t Necessarily the Best Probiotic
- Women’s Probiotics: Why Feminine Balance Is About More Than Digestion
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