Probiotics are live microorganisms that support a healthy gut, ease digestion and boost immunity. But if you’ve ever stood in front of a supplement shelf or browsed online for probiotics, you’ve likely noticed one number that seems to dominate every label: CFUs.
Short for “colony forming units,” CFUs measure the number of live bacteria in each dose. It’s not unusual to see products boasting up to 100 billion CFUs.
These must be better than products only containing 20 or 40 billion, right? The bigger number may seem more appealing, but more CFUs don’t automatically mean better results—or better value.
This article will help clear up the confusion around CFUs in probiotics.
We dug into the science to find out what CFU numbers really mean and what to look for when choosing a probiotic supplement.
You’ll also learn about a probiotic that’s formulated for real results and not just fancy numbers—Manna Liposomal Pre+Probiotic.
What are CFUs?
CFU stands for Colony Forming Unit, a term used to describe the number of live, active microorganisms in a probiotic supplement. When scientists test probiotics, they look at how many bacteria can form colonies—clusters of bacteria that grow and multiply. If a bacterium can form a colony, it means it’s alive and active. That’s important because only live bacteria can provide health benefits such as supporting digestion, balancing gut flora and strengthening the immune system. So, when you see a label that says “40 billion CFUs,” it means the supplement contains 40 billion live bacteria per serving (at the time of manufacture).
Does a Higher CFU Count Mean a Better Probiotic?
It makes sense to believe that a higher CFU count makes a better probiotic supplement. More live bacteria should mean more benefits, right? Not necessarily.
While a higher CFU number can be helpful in some cases, it doesn’t always translate to better gut health. Here’s why: Your digestive system is a tough environment. It’s filled with stomach acid, bile and enzymes that can destroy bacteria before they reach their destination.
A high CFU count may sound impressive, but without the right delivery method, many of those bacteria may never make it to where they’re needed. That means you could be swallowing billions of CFUs and still not getting the results you expect.
But the most important factor in probiotic quality and effectiveness may be CFU diversity. Your gut contains many different strains of bacteria, each of which plays a unique role. Some specialize in easing bloating and gas, while others help regulate bowel movements or support mental well-being. When a probiotic includes multiple strains, it’s better equipped to support a diverse microbiome and a balanced state of well-being.
That’s why experts recommend looking beyond the numbers. Instead of choosing the product with the highest CFUs, focus on finding a multi-strain formula that uses clinically studied bacteria and supports their survival and function in your gut.
What to Look for in a Probiotic Supplement
CFU count is important in a probiotic supplement—but so is strain diversity and delivery. So, how do you choose a probiotic that has everything you need? Here are a few things to keep in mind.
CFU Count
Having more CFUs isn’t always better, but you don’t want too few either. A product with enough live bacteria to be effective is typically in the range of 10 to 40 billion CFUs per serving.
Strain Diversity
Look for a probiotic that includes multiple well-studied strains, including strains that help target different parts of your digestive and immune systems. It’s helpful to know the benefits that each strain offers.
That way, you can look for a probiotic that supports your health needs. Here’s a quick breakdown of the benefits of a few of the most important strains.
- Lactobacillus acidophilus: Supports digestion and nutrient absorption
- Lactobacillus rhamnosus: Known for easing diarrhea and boosting immune health
- Bifidobacterium lactis: Helps reduce bloating and improve bowel regularity
- Bifidobacterium longum: Supports stress response and gut-brain communication
- Lactobacillus casei: Promotes gut balance and reduces occasional constipation
- Lactobacillus plantarum: Aids in controlling inflammation in the gut
- Bifidobacterium bifidum: Protects against harmful bacteria and supports immune function
- Streptococcus thermophilus: Helps break down lactose and ease digestion
When you combine a variety of strains, you get a multi-strain formula that covers a wide range of digestive and immune functions, such as Manna Liposomal Pre+Probiotic.
Delivery Method
Many probiotics don’t survive the harsh environment of your stomach. Supplements that use advanced delivery systems, like liposomal technology, protect the bacteria and ensure they reach your gut alive.
Liposomal delivery works by wrapping each tiny bacterium in a lipid bubble, protecting it from your stomach acid until it reaches your gut. Studies have found that liposomes significantly improve the stability and absorption of probiotics [1].
Prebiotics
Probiotics are living things, so they need food to survive. Plant fibers called prebiotics feed your probiotics and help them thrive once they’re in your body.
A supplement formula that includes prebiotics gives your gut bacteria the extra support they need to grow and stay active. It’s a little bit like watering a plant after you’ve put it in the soil. Prebiotics give your gut bacteria nutrients to survive and thrive.
Your Personal Health Needs
Everyone’s gut is different. If you have a medical condition, food intolerance, or are taking other medications, you may need a specialized probiotic formula.
If you’re taking probiotics for something specific or if you have a history of gut issues, talk with your healthcare provider before starting a probiotic supplement.
Introducing Manna Liposomal Pre+Probiotic
If you’re looking for a probiotic supplement that considers all of the factors above, look no further than Manna Liposomal Pre+Probiotic. Our probiotic supplement was formulated by scientists for maximum strain diversity, bioavailability and efficacy.
Each serving contains 40 billion CFUs from eight clinically studied probiotic strains. In addition to probiotics, the formula includes 300 mg of inulin—a natural prebiotic fiber that feeds the beneficial bacteria and helps them thrive once inside your gut.
At Manna, we formulate and manufacture our probiotic supplement at our GMPc facility in California. We use special packaging to ensure the sensitive CFUs survive on our shelves and yours. And, our Nanofuse® Liposomal technology protects each bacterium as it travels through your digestive tract.
This unique delivery method helps you benefit from billions more healthy bacteria with each dose. At Manna, our scientists understand that probiotics are about more than numbers. Manna Liposomal Pre+Probiotic offers a well-rounded approach to gut health.
Achieve a Diverse Gut Microbiome with A Balanced Probiotic
Probiotic supplements are great for your gut—but they’re also trending. That means some companies are making products that are more hype than substance.
Super high CFU counts can look appealing on a label, but they might not be effective, especially if the healthy bacteria all die before reaching your gut. The science is clear that a diverse probiotic supplement with prebiotics and liposomal delivery is the way to go for better digestion, immune support and overall well-being.
That’s what Manna scientists created in Manna Liposomal Pre+Probiotic.
While Manna’s supplements can help fill in the gaps in your gut health routine, it’s important to remember that no single product can replace the need for good daily habits. To get the most out of your probiotic routine, it’s important to nourish your gut in other ways, too. That means eating more whole foods that naturally support a healthy microbiome—like yogurt, kimchi, garlic, onions and fiber-rich fruits and vegetables.
These foods contain live cultures or prebiotic fibers that help good bacteria thrive. You should also avoid foods that can harm your gut. Highly processed snacks, sugary drinks, refined carbs and artificial sweeteners can disrupt the balance of bacteria in your digestive system.
Achieving optimal gut health is all about consistency and giving your gut the tools it needs to stay balanced. Choosing a high-quality, multi-strain probiotic with a reliable delivery system—like Manna Liposomal Pre+Probiotic—is a smart step in the right direction.
FAQ
CFUs—short for Colony Forming Units—tell you how many live, active bacteria are in a probiotic. More simply, they measure the “good bugs” that can actually grow and benefit your gut. Only live bacteria can support digestion, immunity, and overall gut balance, so CFUs are an important number to understand.
Not necessarily. A bigger CFU number looks impressive, but without proper delivery, most of those bacteria won’t survive your stomach acid. What matters more is how well the probiotics are protected (like with liposomal delivery) and whether the formula includes a diverse mix of strains for full-body benefits.
For most people, a probiotic with 10 to 40 billion CFUs per serving is plenty. Going higher isn’t always better—especially if the strains can’t survive digestion. It’s smarter to focus on quality, diversity, and how well the bacteria are delivered to your gut.
Your gut is home to a wide variety of bacteria, each playing a unique role. Some strains ease bloating, others support immunity or gut-brain health. That’s why a multi-strain probiotic gives you more complete support, helping your microbiome stay balanced and resilient.
Great question. Many probiotics don’t make it past the harsh environment of your stomach. Look for supplements that use advanced delivery methods, like liposomal technology, which shields the bacteria so they can safely reach your gut where they actually work.
Think of prebiotics as food for your probiotics. These plant fibers help the good bacteria grow and thrive once they’re in your gut. A probiotic that also includes prebiotics is giving your microbiome a helpful boost—kind of like watering a plant after you’ve planted it.
Source:
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40176707/
