Reviewed by Ross Pelton, RPh, PhD, CCN, Scientific Director, Essential Formulas

From boutique fitness studios in Uptown and the Park Cities to running and cycling groups around White Rock Lake, Dallas has an active community that takes wellness seriously. People compare protein sources, study ingredient labels and invest in products that support their goals. Yet when choosing a probiotic, many still rely on one familiar number: the CFU count.

Colony-forming units, or CFUs, estimate the number of viable microorganisms in a probiotic. Although that information can be useful, a larger number does not automatically indicate a better or more thoughtfully formulated product. The strains included, supporting ingredients and manufacturing process deserve consideration, too.

Before adding a probiotic to your wellness routine, look beyond the biggest number on the package and ask four important questions.

Does the label identify the strains? Different probiotic strains have distinct characteristics. A label that provides meaningful strain information offers greater insight than one that promotes billions without explaining what is included.

How was the formula produced? Some probiotics consist primarily of isolated microorganisms placed into a capsule. Others are developed through fermentation, during which beneficial bacteria interact with food ingredients and create additional compounds known as postbiotic metabolites. Understanding how a product is made can help you make a more informed comparison.

Does it provide more than probiotics alone? Prebiotics provide nourishment for beneficial bacteria, probiotics are live microorganisms, and postbiotic metabolites are compounds produced by bacteria during fermentation. A formulation that brings these components together offers a multifaceted approach to supporting the intestinal environment.

Will it work with an active schedule? Just as consistency matters more than a single workout, a wellness product should be practical enough to use regularly. For people moving between early workouts, the office, travel and weekend activities, storage requirements and portability matter. A shelf-stable probiotic can be especially convenient when refrigeration is not practical.

Dr. Ohhira’s Probiotics® Original Formula takes a fermentation-focused approach. It is created through a three-year natural fermentation process using 13 strains of beneficial bacteria and a variety of fruits, vegetables, mushrooms and seaweeds. The resulting whole-food ferment provides prebiotics, live probiotic cultures and naturally occurring postbiotic metabolites in a shelf-stable capsule that requires no refrigeration.

A probiotic is not a substitute for nutritious food or an established wellness routine. It can, however, serve as one part of a broader strategy for supporting digestive health. When comparing formulas, consider the complete product rather than allowing one prominent number to make the decision for you.

This October, apply the same discernment to digestive support that you bring to your training, nutrition and other wellness choices. Look beyond the billions and consider the strains, supporting ingredients, manufacturing process and practicality of the formula.

Discover the Dr. Ohhira Difference at DrOhhirasProbiotics.com. Use code FITNESS for 15% off.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.