At Binto, we love a good probiotic. Those little friendly bacteria can do wonders for your body, supporting a healthy immune system, managing hormones, boosting your mood, and assisting with healthy digestion.
That being said, there are a LOT of options when it comes to choosing a probiotic. Today we will break down what factors you should be considering when making your selection, and the questions to keep in mind when evaluating an ingredients label. Let's dive in!
Psst! Need a little more background information first? You can click here for everything you need to know about the benefits of probiotics. To check out Binto's probiotic, click here.
Does the probiotic contain a prebiotic?
This is one of the first questions you should investigate. Did you know that bacteria get hungry too? Prebiotics are food for your probiotic. Without enough food, probiotics don't have the energy they need to do their job. Long story short? For your probiotic to work, you need prebiotics too.
You can add more prebiotics to your diet with a variety of foods including onions, garlic, asparagus, and leeks. On the other hand, if you rely more on supplementation, you may need to purchase a prebiotic supplement to go with your probiotic. At Binto, our probiotic contains built in prebiotic fiber so you don't have to worry about this.
Is the probiotic formulated for women?
Not all bacteria is created equally, and not all digestive tracts are either. In fact, women need a more specialized combination of healthy bacteria to support our hormonal function, vaginal health, and mood. Unfortunately, like most over the counter products, conventional probiotics you might find in a Walgreens or CVS are dosed for men.
At Binto, our products are specifically made by women, for women, to help our community get all the goodness they need to support their body.
What bacteria strains does the probiotic contain?
Again, not all bacteria is created equally. Not only do different strains work in your body to support different functions, but your body actually relies on a healthy mix of strains to cover all the bases. Here's what to keep an eye out for on your ingredients label:
For your gut health:
Lactobacillus reuteri: Supports a healthy digestive system
Lacidophilus: Great at breaking down lactose found in dairy products; reduces cholesterol levels and balances blood sugar
Bifidobacterium breve & B. longum: Other naturally occurring bacteria that help keep your gut healthy
For your vaginal health:
Rhamnosus & L. acidophilus: Can help prevent bacterial vaginosis
L. reuteri & L. paracasei: Known for halting development of vaginal yeast infections
B. breve, B. bifidum & B. longum: Antimicrobial properties
For your skin:
L. reuteri: Helps keep skin clear
L. casei & L. plantarum: Can help protect against bad bacteria that cause skin flare ups
B. longum: Can strengthen skin's natural barrier
For your mood:
L. rhamnosus: Aims to balance mood swings; can lessen symptoms of anxiety and depression
B. longum: Helps relieve stress and improve cognition
Does the probiotic have a protective casing?
For your probiotic to be effective, it has to get to your gut. Generally speaking, the journey to your intestines is a long and treacherous one. Your probiotic has to make it through your stomach acid unscathed in order to really get put to good use. In order to do this, it needs a proper protective casing
This is why we recommend probiotics in capsule form here at Binto. Specifically, our probiotic has a vegetable cellulose casing, which helps it get past your stomach in one piece, without adding any unhealthy fillers or preservatives.
If your probiotic does not have a protective casing, odds are it isn't making it past your stomach and therefore not doing you any good.
Now, let's take a look at the options…
To get started with your Binto routine, click here. Remember, you can add to or modify your supplement routine at any time. Want to add a probiotic to your Binto pack? Just shoot a message to one of our healthcare providers in the chat.