Supplements with live cultures

This category contains food supplements with live micro-organisms (also known as probiotics). The most common belong to the genera Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium and Saccharomyces (a yeast). The amount is expressed in CFU (colony forming units): the number of live cells per serving. Here you will find multistrain formulas, single-strain products and high-CFU capsules, in capsule and powder form.

Which form suits you?

The overview below describes the forms solely by composition — not by an application or purpose.

What are supplements with live cultures?

Live cultures are micro-organisms — bacteria or yeasts — supplied in supplements in standardised numbers. The amount is stated on the label as CFU. Products typically provide between 1 and 100 billion CFU per serving. Quality products guarantee that number until the end of the shelf life, not just at the time of production.

Micro-organisms are named at three levels: genus (for example Lactobacillus), species (rhamnosus) and strain (a letter/number code, for example GG or GR-1). Two products with the same species name can contain different strains. Labels of quality products state the full strain designation.

Legal framework: why you will not find any effects described here

No health claims have been approved in the EU for this product group. EFSA applies criteria (specific strain, dosage and outcome) that have not been met so far. We therefore describe these products purely factually — composition, strains, CFU and form — and make no statements about what they would 'do'. These products are food supplements, not medicines. With a serious medical condition or medication use (in particular immunosuppressants): consult a doctor or pharmacist beforehand.

The forms at Plenthera

We describe the forms by composition, not by an application or purpose.

• Multistrain formulas — a combination of several strains of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, typically 5–25 billion CFU.
• High-CFU formulas — concentrated formulas, typically 50–100 billion CFU.
• Single-strain products — one defined, named strain.
• Formulas with Saccharomyces boulardii — based on a yeast (not a bacterium).
• Powder forms — including in adapted doses, for example for children.

How do you choose and store them?

• Decide on the basis of composition and strain designation which formula you are looking for; the strains are stated on the label.
• Follow the recommended daily dose on the label. Do not exceed the recommended daily dose.
• Acid-resistant capsules are designed so that the contents are released further along the gastrointestinal tract — a technical product feature.
• Not all products need to be refrigerated. Some strains require refrigeration, others are stable at room temperature ('shelf-stable'). Read the label.

Myths and misconceptions

Myth 1: "The more CFU, the better." A higher number is not by definition more relevant; what matters is that the CFU count is standardised and guaranteed until the best-before date.

Myth 2: "All formulas are the same." Products differ in strains, number of strains, CFU and form. The strain designation is stated on the label.

Myth 3: "Live cultures must always be refrigerated." Not always; modern formulas are often stable at room temperature. Read the label.

Combine with other categories

Neutral, related categories within our range, without any statement about an effect:

• Dietary fibre (including psyllium, inulin).
• Amino acids (including L-glutamine).
• Bone broth.

Frequently asked questions

What does CFU mean?

The number of live cells per serving. It is stated on the label.

What is the difference between a multistrain and a single-strain formula?

A multistrain formula contains several strains; a single-strain product one defined strain. Both state the strains on the label.

Do these supplements need to be refrigerated?

That varies per product. Read the label.

What does 'acid-resistant' mean?

A technical property of the capsule, designed to release the contents further along the gastrointestinal tract.

Why are no health benefits stated?

Because no EU health claims have been approved for this product group. We limit ourselves to factual product information.

Sources

• Hill C. et al., "The International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics consensus statement on the scope and appropriate use of the term probiotic", Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol (2014).
• EFSA — scientific opinions on this product group (no specific claims approved).

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