The Myth:
"The best probiotics are kept in the fridge."
Research says:
Of the 10 most researched probiotic supplements worldwide, only 1 requires refrigeration.
Probiotics can be deemed to be the ‘best’ by a number of different criteria, but the most impressive standard of quality is considered to be a clinical trial conducted using gold standard techniques. It is quite a challenge to sift through all the available (and ever growing) research and reliably pinpoint the most researched probiotics in the world, but the top 10 are certainly amongst the following strains and supplements: L. rhamnosus GG1, S. boulardii2, L. plantarum 299v3, B. infantis 356244, L. reuteri DSM 179385, B. lactis BB-12®6, L. acidophilus NCFM®6, L. acidophilus La-56; also the combination of L. reuteri RC-14® and L. rhamnosus GR-1®6, and the probiotic formulation known as VSL#37. These strains are commercially available on the world market, and if we look at the finished products, (eg. L. plantarum GG is most widely available as the American product Culturelle, S. boulardii is most widely available as Florastor, and so on), then we see that of these probiotic supplements only VSL#3 is recommended to be stored in the fridge*.
There are a few reasons why refrigeration is less of a requirement these days. These include improvements in freeze drying techniques8 and discovery of strains which are naturally more robust within themselves, due to intensive investment in research and development into probiotics.
Whilst some good quality probiotics may be kept in the fridge, it is clear that this storage method does not render a probiotic superior, nor denote the best.
*Some of the other strains may require refrigeration after opening depending on format, packaging, and the heat/humidity in local environment. Contact manufacturer for guidance.
Look out for:
A well researched probiotic range, regardless of its recommended storage.
Further Reading
Health professionals can read research on Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1® and Lactobacillus reuteri RC-14® and more about Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM®
This myth has been busted by Megan Crowch, BSc (Hons) Physiology, Herbal Medicine Diploma (IRH practicing member).
You might also be interested in:
The Research Myth
The Antibiotic Myth
The Strain Myth
The Survival Myth
The Numbers Myth
The Cure-All Myth
The Billions Myth
The Food Myth
