Can You Refrigerate Probiotics? Is It Really Safe?

Acidophilus and other probiotics have repeatedly demonstrated that they support the gastrointestinal health of the human body and these have become key elements of their health and general well-being. If we consider that many of our daily, common and critical ailments begin in the digestive system we can consider that the use of probiotics is totally valid and are key elements for our health. We must also consider that thanks to these have reduced the number of people suffering from gastrointestinal health and reduction of good batteries in the body.

What Are Probiotics?

Probiotics are live microbial food supplements that have a beneficial effect on health when ingested in the appropriate amounts.

Some effects of probiotics are not yet clear, however, research shows that they have an important role to improve digestion and gastrointestinal health, as well as helping to regulate and stimulate the immune system.

In clearer terms, probiotics are a type of living bacteria that actually benefits your health when taken in appropriate amounts. These friendly bacteria, located in the gastrointestinal tract, come in different forms. In the digestive system, there are more than 400 different bacteria living in the human gastrointestinal tract, the most common forms of intestinal probiotics are Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium.

These bacteria are agents that balance unfriendly and pathogenic bacteria found in the stomach such as Candida or E. coli. When the “good” are not many, a number of health problems arising from the presence of bacteria, are presented as digestive discomfort, headaches, lethargy, irritability, Candidiasis (an overpopulation of the bacterium Candida albicans), and even the anxiety.

Probiotics Require Refrigeration?

A company in the United States has been responsible for conducting studies of probiotics and other medicines for health and nutrition and has concluded that adequate refrigeration is essential for many probiotics, not only before selling but also after being sold. In studies conducted several years ago, they discovered that 85% of probiotics contained far fewer organisms than the levels mentioned, and years later only 17% showed scant results from living organisms, which means that storage conditions probably improved and refrigeration applied by different manufacturers and transporters.

Several probiotics do not require refrigeration because they usually come in blister packs or are lyophilized to stay out of moisture. However, you should always take care not to expose yourself to temperatures higher than the environment where they are. Probiotics with yeast and bacteria formed by spores, such as Bacillus coagulants, do not need to be refrigerated.

To avoid inconvenience and be sure if a probiotic is required or not refrigerated, check the label of the supplement, some of them contain the information on whether or not it should be refrigerated, in case you do not say so, ask the doctor or pharmacist. If you are shopping online, be sure to demand that you ship at night or in refrigerated transport in order to minimize exposure to excessive heat that may damage the supplement. It is also recommended to be present at the time of delivery so as not to leave the product exposed to the sun producing its damage. But definitely, it is recommended to refrigerate them to keep them for longer and with their active supplements.