1. Refrigeration: A probiotic product must be stored in refrigeration to ensure its potency of live beneficial bacterial strains. Bypass all products kept out on a store shelf.

2. Container: Probiotics are best stored in a dark glass container with a tin lid. The dark tint of the glass helps to prevent UV damage to probiotics from light exposure, and the glass and tin bottling are the best materials for sealing out humidity, which creeps in and decreases the potency of products stored in plastic bottles.

Now, check the label for the following information:

3. Expiration Dates: Check for 100% potency guarantee for each individual strain listed in CFUs (colony forming units). Listing CFUs in declaring potency is the only scientifically accepted method of describing potency of probiotic bacteria accurately. Unless the label and packaging clearly identifies an expiration date for each probiotic strain, the product does not pass the potency test. There is otherwise no way to guarantee that the probiotic strains assessed viable at the date of manufacture, will still be viable by the time you use the product.

4.Where (and by whom) was the product manufactured?: Most product labels do not state where they were manufactured, only that they were formulated FOR the listed brand name. This is because most companies subcontract out for manufacturing, often overseas to the lowest bidder! This can mean lapses in product integrity and safety standards. Look for products manufactured in the U.S. by the same company which bears its name on the label.

5. International cGMP certified : This represents the highest level of certification possible for a health supplement manufacturers- and it is audited by Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), which is signatory to the PIC/S (Pharmaceutical Inspection Convention/Scheme) based in Geneva, Switzerland. This certification ensures that products meet the highest standards possible for quality control of ingredients, practices and products.

Now, do a little research:

6. Read online reviews : Genuine and unbiased opinions of real people who have tried the product before you can help you make an informed decision about what is best for you.

7. Take a sufficient amount : Probiotics must be taken in high enough populations to have a profound impact on health. However, more CFU (colony forming units) doesn’t necessarily mean better – CFU amount should be the same as that shown to be effective in clinical studies.