If you’ve been researching probiotic supplements or capsules to help your gut health you may be wondering what the acronym CFU stands for and whether or not the higher the number is actually better. Well, we will answer these questions for you.
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What Does CFU Stand For? Is Higher Better?
When you start taking an interest in probiotic supplements, one of the first things you are likely to notice is “CFU” appears to be an important term.
But what does CFU mean and why should you care? This article will tell you what you need to know.
CFU stands for colony-forming units
What You Need to Know about CFU
CFU stands for colony-forming units. Basically, it’s telling you the number of viable bacteria that should present in the product in question, be it a pot of yogurt or a single probiotic pill.
“Viable” is the key word in that last sentence. To be viable, the bacteria needs to be alive. If the bacteria is dead, it cannot multiply or contribute to the gut microbiome.
Dead bacteria provides no benefits at all. Live bacteria is active. It can divide and form colonies.
When you are searching for a suitable probiotic product, you may notice some manufacturers place little stars next to their claims about CFU.
When you scroll down the page and find what the stars signify, you will likely find a statement that says the CFU refers to the bacteria count at the time of manufacture.
There’s a take-home point here. The CFU manufacturers appear to be promising may not be what customers actually get.
This is a cop-out statement. When you take a probiotic, the number of bacteria that were present in the past means nothing. If it’s a low-quality product, all the bacteria may be dead by the time you use it.
Reputable manufacturers often keep their supplements refrigerated. They generally use refrigerated courier services as well and tell customers to place the supplements in the refrigerator in their homes.
Other good manufacturers use special processes and/or dark bottles that help sustain the live bacteria count. 1MD have the balance just about right with their Complete Probiotics Platinum Supplement.
There’s a take-home point here. The CFU manufacturers appear to be promising may not be what customers actually get.
Is a High CFU Better?
Products that have a high CFU are not necessarily better than probiotics with a low CFU. Some probiotic strains are more beneficial than others.
Products that contain the best strains and have a low CFU are likely to better than ones that have a lot of live probiotic bacteria from less beneficial strains.
Choosing the right probiotic is not only about colony-forming units. You also need to focus on the reasons why you want to take a probiotic.
A lot of people take probiotic supplements every day. They use them as part of an ongoing health and wellness regimen. Often to maintain optimum digestive health and support their immune systems.
When people are taking probiotics on a daily basis in this way, a supplement that has a lower CFU can be a very good choice. Between 5-10 billion CFU should be about right.
In general, probiotic supplements that have higher CFUs are better options for using short-term. Probably to address minor, specific health problems.
If you are using a probiotic to treat a specific ailment, supplements that provide 15-45 billion CFU are likely to be more appropriate than ones that have less.
For instance, if you have been using antibiotics, the medication can disrupt your normal gut microbiome. The medication does not discriminate. It kills the good bacteria along with the bad.
Using a good-quality probiotic supplement that has a high CFU can be a good way to get your gut health back on track.
Probiotics with a high CFU can also be good for treating Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), eczema, and allergies.
Some probiotic strains may be useful for treating certain respiratory conditions as well. They have value in other areas as well. Arguably the most studied and popular is Acidophilus (Lactobacillus Acidophilus).
Colony-Forming Units – Considerations
If you have a severe health problem, rushing out to buy a probiotic supplement would be unwise. The smart thing to do is talk with a doctor first. Although a probiotic may help, a doctor is the best person to decide.
You may also want to think twice about using products that provide more than 45 billion CFU. The benefits of doing so remain unclear. As do the potential drawbacks.
Although probiotic supplements can offer many health benefits, some people experience side effects. Generally in the form of bloating, gas, and/or other minor stomach issues.
Side effects of this nature happen while the body is adjusting to the presence of extra bacteria. They are short-term and should disappear after the body becomes accustomed to the changes in gut flora.
However, taking a probiotic that is 45 billion+ CFU will increase the likelihood of side effects. It may also make the side effects worse.
Boasting about unusually high CFUs is often nothing more than a marketing ploy.
The manufacturers producing high colony-forming unit products may only be doing so in an effort to rope in less-informed customers instead of trying to provide superior benefits.
What’s the point of paying for products that deliver more bacteria than your gut is likely to need?
To Sum Up What Does CFU Stand For
CFU is only one consideration you need to look at when you are searching for the right probiotic. Although it has relevance, it’s not always the most important thing. A higher CFU does not make a superior product.
When you planning to use a probiotic every day to support optimum health and fitness, a product that provides 5-10 billion colony-forming units should be fine.
If you plan to use a probiotic for the short-term, to treat a specific ailment, such as eczema, you may be better off choosing a higher CFU. However, there is no evidence to suggests products that exceed 45 billion CFU offer additional benefits.
Choosing products that are 45 billion+ CFU will also increase the possibility of side effects.
When you are searching for a good probiotic, it’s also important to choose a reputable supplier.
It’s equally important to thoroughly read the product information. Is the manufacturer saying you will get a specific CFU or only referring to the colony forming units at the time of manufacture?
Becoming fully conversant with all the details of the product will also make you aware if there is a need to refrigerate it. The bacteria in your probiotic may require special care if it’s going to remain alive long enough to deliver optimum results.
FAQ’s
CFU stands for colony-forming units. Basically, it’s telling you the number of viable bacteria that should present in the product in question, be it a pot of yogurt or a single probiotic pill.
Products that have a high CFU are not necessarily better than probiotics with a low CFU. Some probiotic strains are more beneficial than others. Products that contain the best strains and have a low colony-forming units are likely to better than ones that have a lot of live probiotic bacteria from less beneficial strains.
