Where Can I Purchase Probiotics?

If you are experiencing occasional diarrhea or other digestive discomforts, you may have asked yourself, where can I purchase probiotics?

The first place to think about purchasing probiotics is at the grocery store. Yogurt, buttermilk and other cultured milk products are natural, rich sources of probiotics. Check the dairy and health food aisles for products that contain probiotic live active cultures. Make sure they are “live and active.” If a product is produced with probiotic bacteria, and pasteurized afterward, the cultures die. Dead bacteria don't provide any health benefits.

More convenient for most people, probiotics are also available in supplement form, usually a capsule, tablet or powder. The easiest way to shop for probiotic supplements is online.

The Internet has many options, when you wonder, where can I purchase probiotics? You're not limited to the specific brands your local store carries. When purchasing online, supplements can discretely be shipped directly to your home. This is great for people that don't live close to areas with health food stores. Online shopping is also more convenient for people with busy schedules.

Health food stores often stock a good variety of probiotics. They usually carry specialty products also. Outside of the normal dairy sources such as yogurt and kefir, these stores may carry non-dairy probiotic yogurts, fruit beverages and health bars infused with probiotic cultures.

Health food stores often have knowledgeable staff to answer consumer questions. Most major supermarkets often carry probiotic supplements also. However, the supermarket employees may not know much about the products being sold. Your questions may go unanswered.

No matter where you purchase probiotic supplements, use caution when you ask yourself where can I purchase probiotics? Beneficial bacteria can be harvested in many different forms. Look for probiotic supplements that are certified organic. Cheaper sources have been known to use animal by-products to culture the bacteria, increasing the chances that your supplement could be manufactured with fecal matter. Organic sources use plant based cultures. This ensures that the bacterium is of the highest quality.

A single dose of probiotics should contain a minimum of 10 billion live bacteria. You should look for cultures that contain multiple strains of probiotics. A quality probiotic supplement should also provide nutrients for the bacteria to feed off of, such as inulin, a prebiotic, to ensure their longevity.

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