Finding the Perfect Probiotic

With Lisa Petty, MA, ROHP

Change how you think about probiotics

While your digestive tract offers up about 250 square metres of living space for bacteria, it’s not the only place they call home, and the impact they have on your health extends far beyond the gut. For example, changes in the gut microbiome influence the stress response, mood, sleep and long-term memory for emotional stimuli. Bacterial overgrowth may lead to increased intestinal permeability, which can disrupt normal neuroendocrine regulation and lead to low grade systemic inflammation. Low grade inflammation, in turn, has been recently associated to the genesis and severity of symptoms of major depressive disorder.1  There might also be a link between intestinal bacteria, leaky gut and low-grade inflammation induced by a high-fat diet that leads to insulin resistance. Insulin resistance is part of metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes. Fortunately, a meta-review of randomized control trials found that Bifidobacterium longum, Bifidobacterium breve, Bifidobacterium infantis, Lactobacillus helveticus, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus plantarum, and Lactobacillus casei were able to improve anxiety, depression, and behaviours related to memory in animal studies. 

Probiotics may also influence cholesterol. Researchers found that a blend containing Bifidobacterium longum, Bifidobacterium lactis, and Bifidobacterium breve as well as Lactobacillus reuteri and Lactobacillus plantarum has the potential to reduce serum total cholesterol, triglycerides, and LDL-cholesterol (the unhealthy cholesterol) in animals.

Obviously, diverse species of probiotics confer different benefits. But what if the species listed on the label don’t match what’s in the capsule?

Choosing the Perfect Probiotics

Progressive Perfect Probiotics is the world’s first TRU-ID certified probiotic family. TRU-ID is a breakthrough, independent DNA certification program founded on research from the University of Guelph. Just as DNA is used to understand the origins and unique traits of humans, the DNA in our probiotics undergoes rigorous analysis to verify the identity of the species listed on the label. Once the results are independently verified as correct, our probiotics qualify to proudly display a Certified Authentic TRU-ID logo.

It has never been easier to be enjoy the benefits of a one-a-day, high potency, multi-human-strain probiotic formula that is tailored to your individual needs, whether you are concerned about digestive issues, urogenital health or general health and well-being. Plus, with Perfect Probiotics, you can be confident that you’re getting what you paid for.

1 Rao, M., & Gershon, M. D. (2016). The bowel and beyond: the enteric nervous system in neurological disorders. Nature Reviews Gastroenterology & Hepatology, (9), 517. https://doi.org/10.1038/nrgastro.2016.107

In association with:

Lisa Petty, MA, ROHP

Lisa Petty is a nutrition and health expert for television, radio and print, an international speaker, award nominated journalist and award-winning author who believes that healthy living is simple – although it often isn’t easy. Lisa has shared her unique perspective with thousands of people through her workshops, lectures, coaching, media appearances and throughout her extensive writing. She has written nearly 200 articles for major health publications, and is author of Living Beauty: Feel Great, Look Fabulous & Live Well, a modern guide to feeling younger at any age. Lisa is currently pursuing her PhD in Applied Health Sciences with a focus on women’s aging.