In the world of probiotics, one of the most common questions is: How many millions or billions of bacteria do I really need? The short answer is: it depends. But if you're looking for a real and sustained effect, the number of CFUs (Colony Forming Units) is a decisive factor.

What are UFCs and why do they matter?

CFUs indicate how many live bacteria are in a probiotic and how many of them are capable of reproducing and colonizing the gut. It's not just about how many bacteria are present when the product is manufactured, but also how many reach the gut alive and able to act .

A low-CFU probiotic may be helpful for daily maintenance, but if you're looking for a deeper impact—on microbiota balance, digestive comfort, or immune function—a higher, sustained dose is required.

How many UFCs are considered effective?

Most clinical studies use doses of at least 10 billion (10^10) CFUs per day . However, for broader benefits, some formulas have shown greater efficacy when reaching 100 billion or even 200 billion CFUs daily , especially when combining multiple strains with complementary functions.

Is more always better?

Not necessarily. Effectiveness also depends on other key factors:

• Strain diversity : Different bacteria perform different functions. A balanced mixture has more potential than a single strain in large quantities.
• Synergy with prebiotics : ingredients such as inulin or FOS feed the probiotics and enhance their action.
• Protective technology : Without gastric acid-resistant capsules, many bacteria cannot survive their passage through the stomach.

What if the product has many strains but few CFUs?

It may sound good in theory, but if the total dose is low, it's unlikely to colonize the gut or significantly influence the microbiota. The key is to balance diversity with real potency .

Your microbiota needs strength and precision

Choosing a probiotic with a high concentration and well-documented strains is like hiring a full team of experts instead of just one. More live, well-selected, and protected bacteria means more capacity to work in your body.

A combination of 30 high-dose strains (200 billion CFU), with delayed release and integrated prebiotics, can make a real difference to your well-being. Try Sevens Nutrition's Probiotic Complex , a formula developed to meet these criteria exactly.