LymeNet Flash: Probiotics, potency of shelf vs. refrig.

This is topic Probiotics, potency of shelf vs. refrig. in forum Medical Questions at LymeNet Flash.

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Posted by ivebinlymed2 (Member # 7330) on :

Just called local health food store. Lady there says that Naturopath is recommending shelved probiotics, says they have a higher potency than refrigerated ones.

Anyone out there know the real truth? This contradicts everything I have heard about probiotics. I always thought it was important to buy them from the refrigerated section of the store, that it insures live cultures.

Help. Anyone heard this new news? Thanks in advance.

Posted by johnnyb (Member # 7645) on :

I've heard the same. Refrigerated seems to be more potent and active, but the capsules / wafers are more convenient, and easier to take with you. My LLMD said to make sure I keep up on the probiotics while taking ABX.

- JB

Posted by sofy (Member # 5721) on :

We are all different but Ive tried a ton of different brands from each category and the best for me has been Primal Defense which is a shelf product.

I was on abx for over a year and this and watching my diet kept my tummy in good shape.

In one week of starting my bloated tummy went flat and the white on my tongue went to pink.

I started with one per day and worked up to 4 per day while on abx. Im on a abx holiday now so am taking 2 per day.

Posted by hiker53 (Member # 6046) on :

The local health store which sells both shelf and refrigerated probiotics told me that over a month or 2 period there was only a 2% difference in potency between shelf and refrigerated ones.

What happens if if you refrigerate the shelf ones? Does it hurt them?

Posted by ivebinlymed2 (Member # 7330) on :

Hi, everyone. I just got back from the health food store. This different store had the same brand that we had been using. It was on the shelf, but recommends refrigeration after openning.

The brand we have been using is FloraMore by ReNew Life. Since we have been using it and no problems I figured I would stick with it.

Hiker, refrigeration must help maintain potency if the bottle says to refrigerate after openning, right?

I will say that since ours recommends refrigeration it has a little moisture absorbing packet inside to prevent the capsules from sticking together. If I was going to refrigerate I would make sure the bottle has one so you don't have a clump of capsules!

Johnny, a little thermos works great for putting a little ice in and our baggy of capsules. I figure the bottle is dark for a reason as well, so when I have to refrigerate a baggy I place it inside of a paper bag or enclose it in something dark.

I think that the light from the refrigerator could kill the active bacteria. I am not sure about my theory?

Maybe I am just paraniod, but I really want my daughter's probiotics to work. Leaky gut is a scary sounding thing to me! I am sure a few could tell us what it is like.