How Align Probiotics Work

How Align Probiotics Work

Your gut has trillions of bacteria in it. Some are good, and some are not so good. Simply put, probiotics are strains of good bacteria that you add to your gut for a specific health benefit.

Since each probiotic strain is different and may provide a different health benefit, the easiest way to make sure you know what benefit to expect is to take a dietary supplement with a clearly listed strain on the package, like Align. Match the strain to your desired health benefit so you have peace of mind that you found the right probiotic to try.

Many fermented foods like kimchi, kefir, and yogurt also have live cultures in them While many of these live cultures in foods do not actually provide strains with research-backed health benefits, some do.

What does a probiotic do?

Very simply, probiotics add good bacteria in your gut. The trillions of bacteria in your gut are collectively called the gut microbiome. They’re vital to your overall health, and you can help them thrive with the proper care. Your gut microbiome can change when your diet or routine changes. Traveling, eating foods you wouldn’t typically eat, stress, and some medications may change the balance of your healthy gut microbiome. If any of these are happening in your life, your digestive system could be thrown off.

Your gut microbiome is delicate. One of the best things you can do to help keep it running smoothly is to supplement the good bacteria so they can continue to grow and thrive. That’s where probiotics like Align come in. They’re like reinforcements for your gut, helping your microbiome stay balanced with the good bacteria it needs to run at its best.

What is a probiotic strain?

Let’s use an analogy: a strain of bacteria is like a breed of dog. Saying “dog” is technically true to describe both a Chihuahua and a Great Dane, but they’re very different animals because they’re very different breeds. In the same way, there is a big difference between strains of bacteria.

Not all strains have been tested by scientists or doctors. In fact, lots of foods and drinks that claim probiotic benefits have no research on their strain(s) to back up those claims, or they don’t tell you what strains are in the product, making it impossible to predict what it will do for you. Supplements like Align clearly label the probiotic strain and quantity on their packaging, so you don’t have to guess what you’re going to get.

It’s not about the most probiotics. It’s about the best probiotic for you.

You might hear common misconceptions that just eating yogurt or sauerkraut can give you the probiotic benefits you want. It might be tempting to try them all. But you don’t need to make every meal a probiotic meal. Improving your gut microbiome with probiotics isn’t about taking all the probiotics you can find. It’s about taking the probiotics that have been proven to help with the specific benefits you want.

How do I pick the best probiotic?

Different foods, drinks, and supplements offer different probiotic benefits. Why? It all depends on the strain(s) of bacteria. No one probiotic is right for every person. According to the International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP), there are five criteria to consider when choosing a probiotic supplement, with strain being the most important.

What Do I Need to Know about how Align Probiotics work?

Align has more than twenty years of research to support its effectiveness for your gut health. Align 24/7 Digestive Support*§ contains the probiotic bacteria Bifidobacterium 35624, which was originally developed by gastroenterologists over 20 years ago.

Bifidobacterium 35624 has been shown to help in three main ways:

  • Naturally helps with occasional abdominal discomfort, gas, and bloating*.
  • Helps promote and support a healthy digestive system*.
  • Maintains digestive balance*.

In addition, it’s manufactured in a top-tier facility with the highest of standards. Align uses DNA verification during manufacturing to confirm that each product contains exactly what the label says. We combine that with packaging engineered to guarantee the bacteria is alive and asleep when it arrives, ready to work when it gets to your gut microbiota. In 2008, when gastroenterologists in the United States were asked what brand of probiotic they recommend,‡ they picked Align. Every year since then, they have continued to pick Align Probiotics more than any other probiotic brand.

How long do probiotics take to work?

Probiotics are never an instant fix. Like a multivitamin, you might not always feel them working even though they are adding good bacteria to your gut. It is different for every person because each microbiome is different.

Typically, Align users notice it working after the first 2-4 weeks of daily use. Like so many things, they need time and consistency to have a real impact. At Align, we stand behind our products. We are so confident in them that we believe in letting you try them with the same level of confidence. That’s why offer a Money Back Guarantee, so you can love Align or your money back.

If you’re not seeing the results you want after about 30 days, you may also want to talk to your doctor or gastroenterologist to consider trying a different probiotic strain.

Sources (Accessed May 2020)