Probiotics are supplied as freeze dried micro-organisms. Freeze drying causes the probiotics to be ina state of "suspended animation" where their metabolism is effectively "suspended"! However, eventually over-time the probiotic will loose viability. Correct storage conditions have a profound effect upon maintaining viability and keeping the product "fresh".
At 70degF viability decreases 10-15% per month. Above 80degF, the loss is more than doubled. Non-refrigeration for a short period of time will not produce a significant reduction in number of organisms - however long term storage conditions are something you should want to know about!
The optimal storage condition is 2-4degC (36-39degF). This is why we keep all of our probiotics in refrigerated conditions. All Jarrow probiotics are cold-shipped to use by air shipment. We ship them out to you cold and for an additional fee we include a cold gel pack to help keep your probiotics cold during shipping. Once you receive your probiotics, you should continue to keep them in an air tight container in your refrigerator.
Factors other than temperature
The next most important factor to keeping your probiotic viable is humidity. Your probiotics are factory sealed at a low humidity. The internal contents of the closed container will stay at the same low humidity until opened. Once opened the hydroscopic nature of the freeze dried product will try and absorb water from the air. This adsorbed water causes deteriation of the probiotic. Therefore the lid on the container should be replaced as soon as possible.
Enteric coating
One effective means of ensuring your probiotic is fresh is to form the freez dried probiotic in tablet form and enteric coat the tablet at the point of manufacture. Blister packaging the enteric coated probiotic adds a further moisture barrier. The enteric coating serves a further purpose in providing protection to the probiotic as it passes through the realtively low pH conditions in the stomach and higher pH in the small intestine. Jarro-Dophilus EPS is the leading
product in its field.
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