Understanding CFUs and StrainsUpdated 3 months ago
What are CFUs?
CFU, an abbreviation for colony-forming unit, serves as the standard metric for quantifying the quantity of live strains in probiotic supplements. In the context of Biotic⁺, CFU denotes the count of active microorganisms present in each dose.
While higher CFU numbers suggest a greater potential impact, it's crucial to recognise that CFUs alone do not determine the effectiveness of a probiotic. Considerations such as the specific strains, scientific evidence supporting those strains, and the meticulous quality and care invested in the production process are equally significant factors when selecting a probiotic.
Our CFU Guarantee:
At Heights, we are committed to maintaining a minimum of 20 billion CFUs per dose of Biotic⁺, even after 18 months from the date of manufacture. To achieve this, we incorporate 65 billion CFUs during production and conduct rigorous testing to ensure the viability of at least 20 billion CFUs until the product's expiration. Our stringent production and distribution processes are designed to deliver Biotic⁺ to you in its freshest state, ensuring maximum potency.
What are strains? Why are they important when selecting a probiotic supplement?
In probiotics, there are 3 concepts to distinguish: the genus (e.g. Bifidobacterium), species (e.g. Bifidum) and strain (e.g. Rosell-71). You can recognise strains through numbers, letters, or names.
Each bacterial species and strain has specific and different health benefits. Bifidobacterium Bifidum, for example, is not the same as Bifidobacterium Longum, and within each species there can be thousands of different strains.
As proven benefits are connected to specific bacterial strains, it's important to identify strains when choosing a probiotic. Not just to verify that the included strains will actually have an impact (it’s worth checking whether they’re evidenced by clinical trials), but also to see if they'll deliver the benefit you're after.
Biotic⁺ contains 7 clinically studied strains, of which include proprietary strains, supporting gut, brain and immune health in one daily capsule.
Research from over 380 clinical studies informed the formulation of Biotic⁺, which contains some of the most documented probiotic strains in the world, including S. boulardii, L rhamnosus, and Cerebiome®.
It contains both yeasts and bacteria to facilitate dual-action impact, and includes a unique combination of strains that targets the gut-brain axis, to promote mental well-being as well as gut and immune health.
By encouraging the growth of certain strains in your microbiome, Biotic⁺ provides targeted support for the gut-brain axis to impact your mental health, as well as your digestive and immune systems.