Choosing the right probiotic

If you're new to probiotics, this one's for you.

Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that live in our gut. They play a crucial role in maintaining overall health, with gut-health coming into focus over the last couple of years. With the increasing popularity of probiotic supplements, it's a good idea to understand how to choose the right one for your needs.

Understanding Probiotics

Probiotics are live microorganisms that, when taken in the right amount, can benefit the health of the host (you and me). They can be found in fermented foods like yogurt and kefir, as well as in supplements.

Key Factors to Consider

When selecting a probiotic supplement, consider the following factors:

1. Strain-Specific Benefits: Different strains of probiotics have varying effects on specific health conditions. Research the strains in your chosen supplement to ensure they align with your goals. MB40 is the hero ingredient in our product, Ground Defense. It's specific 'superpower' is it's ability to reduce staph (staphylococcus aureus) by up to 95% (Piewngam, 2023).
2. Colony-Forming Units (CFUs): The number of CFUs indicates the concentration of live bacteria in the supplement. A higher CFU count isn't always better! There's plenty of products on the market that will overcompensate by adding 50-100 billion CFU in the hopes that a fraction of them survive. Our proprietary blend thrives in the acidic stomach environment - so we don't need to add filler microorganisms. 
3. Probiotic Blend or Single Strain: Some supplements contain a blend of multiple probiotic strains, while others offer a single strain. Consider your specific health needs to determine which option is best. 
4. Enteric Coating: An enteric coating helps protect the probiotics from stomach acid, ensuring they reach the intestines where they can colonise. You can read the science stuff here, but we use veggie caps (vegetable cellulose).
5. Dosage: Most probiotics can be taken daily, others may require specific dosing schedules. For Ground Defense to be most effective, we recommend taking it with breakfast and dinner, every day for at least 60 days. 
6. Allergens: If you have allergies or sensitivities, check out our article on what's in Ground Defense to see if it's for you.

Why Ground Defense?

Ground Defense is made by fighters, for fighters. We know what it's like to have your training camp interrupted because of a gnarly staph infection or a garden-variety stomach bug. Improving your gut health with a probiotic that's been proven effective with staph-reduction is a no-brainer.