{"id":13065,"date":"2022-12-18T10:19:14","date_gmt":"2022-12-18T15:19:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gncholdings.wpengine.com\/learn\/beauty\/what-are-probiotics-a-quick-guide-to-finding-balance\/"},"modified":"2026-01-14T16:05:42","modified_gmt":"2026-01-14T21:05:42","slug":"what-are-probiotics","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.gnc.com\/learn\/wellness\/what-are-probiotics.html","title":{"rendered":"What are Probiotics? A Quick Guide To Finding Balance"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"13065\" class=\"elementor elementor-13065\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-64e6695 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"64e6695\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-b7c96da\" data-id=\"b7c96da\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-82e3f77 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"82e3f77\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.21.0 - 30-04-2024 *\/\n.elementor-widget-text-editor.elementor-drop-cap-view-stacked .elementor-drop-cap{background-color:#69727d;color:#fff}.elementor-widget-text-editor.elementor-drop-cap-view-framed .elementor-drop-cap{color:#69727d;border:3px solid;background-color:transparent}.elementor-widget-text-editor:not(.elementor-drop-cap-view-default) .elementor-drop-cap{margin-top:8px}.elementor-widget-text-editor:not(.elementor-drop-cap-view-default) .elementor-drop-cap-letter{width:1em;height:1em}.elementor-widget-text-editor .elementor-drop-cap{float:left;text-align:center;line-height:1;font-size:50px}.elementor-widget-text-editor .elementor-drop-cap-letter{display:inline-block}<\/style>\t\t\t\t<p>When it comes to your health you probably have the best intentions, but then life gets in the way. If you\u2019ve been noshing on nachos more than probiotic foods like kombucha and \u2019kraut, you might be feeling a bit\u2026off. One way to make sure you have the essentials nailed is with a probiotic supplement. You&#8217;ve probably heard of probiotics, but do you know what they are? Here\u2019s just about everything you need to know about probiotics so you can find the best <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gnc.com\/digestion\/probiotics\/\">probiotic supplement<\/a> for you.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-6560c85 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"6560c85\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-8ee0104\" data-id=\"8ee0104\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-00fc05d elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"00fc05d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><strong>Related Reading<\/strong>: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gnc.com\/learn\/wellness\/probiotic-vs-prebiotic.html\">PROBIOTICS AND PREBIOTICS: WHAT\u2019S THE DIFFERENCE?<\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-5445b66 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"5445b66\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-723243a\" data-id=\"723243a\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4f1d01b elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"4f1d01b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.21.0 - 30-04-2024 *\/\n.elementor-heading-title{padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title[class*=elementor-size-]>a{color:inherit;font-size:inherit;line-height:inherit}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-small{font-size:15px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-medium{font-size:19px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-large{font-size:29px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-xl{font-size:39px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-xxl{font-size:59px}<\/style><h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">What are Probiotics?<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-1d3bc96 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"1d3bc96\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-6f12f01\" data-id=\"6f12f01\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f44c498 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"f44c498\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Probiotics are live microorganisms that can provide some health benefits when taken in sufficient amounts. They are often referred to as \u201cgood bacteria\u201d because of their role in promoting a healthy gut. In recent years, these good bacteria have gained significant importance due to their emerging role in supporting overall health.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-1d3dbd9 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"1d3dbd9\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-b1e3feb\" data-id=\"b1e3feb\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b3f2184 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"b3f2184\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Why Take Probiotics?<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-de62bcb elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"de62bcb\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-6e2a632\" data-id=\"6e2a632\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cb664d2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"cb664d2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>To truly understand why you would take a probiotic supplement, you have to first understand the bacteria in our body. Large numbers of microorganisms live on and inside our bodies. Some of the bacteria can be helpful (the good bacteria) and some not helpful. Its preferable to have more helpful than unhelpful bacteria. That\u2019s where probiotics may be beneficial. Many of the microorganisms in probiotic products are the same as or similar to the beneficial microorganisms that are found in our bodies.<\/p><p>As the research on the importance of gut health grows, so does the popularity of probiotics. Dietary supplementation with friendly microbe strains in the form of a probiotic supplement may help replenish healthy bacteria in the gut. Probiotics may also support immune health, aid digestion and nutrient absorption and produce certain vitamins.<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gnc.com\/digestion\/probiotics\/\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-15666\" src=\"https:\/\/www.gnc.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Screenshot-96.png\" alt=\"probiotics\" width=\"790\" height=\"328\" \/><\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-1f5abcf elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"1f5abcf\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-d701240\" data-id=\"d701240\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0b23913 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"0b23913\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">How to Choose the Right Probiotic Supplement?<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-86c4870 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"86c4870\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-992d114\" data-id=\"992d114\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ecff6f2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ecff6f2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Probiotic supplements are recommended for more than just daily digestive support. Emerging research shows that certain strains may have benefits beyond digestive health. Probiotic supplements are currently being investigated in the context of oral and vaginal health, immune health, mood, cholesterol levels, weight management, sports performance, beauty and more. The right probiotic for you will depend on your goal.<\/p><p>Probiotics are identified by first the genus name (i.e. Lactobacillus), followed by a species name (i.e. acidophilus), and lastly a strain name (i.e. CUL 60). There are hundreds of probiotics strains in the human body. A strain is an identification of bacterial specificity that distinguishes one strain from another. Strain names are important because the data supporting one strain\u2013or blend of strains\u2013does not necessarily support another.<\/p><p>If your purpose in shopping for a probiotic supplement is to help a specific need, you\u2019ll want to make sure that strain was studied to support those specific results. Whereas other probiotic products may contain a blend of strains that have been studied for general digestive health and may be recommended for daily gut support.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-da4e71c elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"da4e71c\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-5ed464d\" data-id=\"5ed464d\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-63dc03d elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"63dc03d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">What Are the Best Probiotic Supplements?<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-23ab9d3f elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"23ab9d3f\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-1474132c\" data-id=\"1474132c\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-218cc9a6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"218cc9a6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>A variety of factors affect the ability of a particular probiotic to make its way to the colon and potentially have a beneficial effect. A probiotic supplement must first survive production and storage. Heat pasteurization and temperature extremes during storage can destroy these microorganisms. Probiotics must also be capable of surviving the low pH of the stomach and reach the colon where some may adhere to the intestinal cells. A specialized freeze-drying process is necessary to ensure that the healthy bacteria found in your probiotic bottle survive the travel to and through your digestive tract.<\/p><p>You won\u2019t be able to identify a high-quality probiotic supplement from looking at the strain alone\u2014you\u2019ll want to shop for probiotic supplements that have been clinically studied to provide daily support and guarantee the potency.<\/p><p>Life\u2019s about balance. Feel confident you\u2019ve got the essentials covered with a GNC probiotic. GNC supplements are scientifically formulated, quality-checked and real-life approved.<\/p><p>Get started here to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gnc.com\/learning-center\/probiotics-learn-more.html\">find the best probiotic<\/a> for you.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Probiotics are live microorganisms that are that have gained significant importance for their potential health benefits. Learn how probiotics can help your immune system, digestion system and more at GNC.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":27,"featured_media":14395,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"default","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"default","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"set","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[2171,1272],"tags":[1273],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v22.6 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>What are Probiotics? A Quick Guide To Finding Balance | GNC<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Learn all about probiotics and why its important to find that balance between every day live and improving your gut health.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gnc.com\/learn\/wellness\/what-are-probiotics.html\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"What are Probiotics? 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