According to ConsumerLab.com, a national testing organization, “Probiotics tend to be expensive (averaging over $1/day and costing as much as $5/day), so it pays to compare prices on probiotics.” In addition, the testing organization found that 13 percent of the products recently tested contained only 56.8 percent to 65 percent of their listed amount of viable (living) probiotic organisms.

But thanks to the pioneering efforts of Dr. S.K. Dash and UAS Labs, the days of paying exorbitant prices for the highest-quality probiotic supplement are over. Dr. Dash, former director of South Dakota’s Food and Drug, is credited with reintroducing modern probiotics to the United States. As the founder and president of UAS Laboratories, Dr. Dash went on to commercially manufacture Lactobacillus acidophilus DDS®-1, one of the most proven, superior probiotic strains today, known for being able to colonize in the human gut and support digestive health. Since then, UAS Laboratories has developed premier DDS Probiotic formulas including Probioplus DDS; DDS Plus; DDS 100 Acidophilus; DDS Junior; Cran- Gyn DDS and ProbioGreen™, all of which contain the super strain L. acidophilus DDS-1. The probiotic strains, blends and supplements are dairy free and allergen free and acid and bile resistant. With the use of a proprietary technology, these DDS Probiotic supplements are room-temperature stable for two years. DDS Probiotics are now available in 47 countries around the world and have been shown to consistently meet or exceed label claims.

But ever conscious of the need to help people to achieve healthy lives and knowing that some of the best formulas can be pricey, Dr. Dash has been extremely concerned about the cost of probiotics. “I consider probiotics to be as important to take daily as a multivitamin,” he says. “With this in mind, I think everybody today should be able to afford to take a high-quality probiotic formula.”

As a result, he has formulated an affordable, extremely high-quality probiotic supplement called DDS Plus 3, based on the award-winning proven formula Probioplus DDS. The product contains four probiotic strains: Lactobacillus acidophilus DDS-1, Bifidobacterium longum, Bifidobacterium bifidum and Bifidobacterium lactis. Lactobacillus and bifidobacterium are not only fundamental probiotic strains, but they are also normal and safe inhabitants of the gastrointestinal tract. Like all DDS Probiotics, DDS Plus 3 also contains the prebiotic fructooligosaccharide (FOS), which ensures the probiotics optimize their colonization in the gastrointestinal tract. DDS Plus 3 provides a whopping dosage of 6 billion colony-forming units (CFUs) per gram and is positioned to be the most cost-effective premium probiotic in its class.

Finding a great affordable probiotic formula should not be difficult if you look for quality products like DDS Plus 3.

According to Dr. Dash, who helped to develop the quality control standards at the heart of the modern probiotic movement, many factors determine a quality probiotic supplement. Here’s what he says to look for:

• Probiotics must be manufactured in a good manufacturing practice (GMP)-certified facility.

• Each batch of the probiotics must be tested internally and by a thirdparty laboratory for potency, identity and pathogens.

• Probiotic products must be stable and meet the label guarantees until the expiration date.

• Probiotics should be human isolate in order to adhere to the human intestinal wall.

• Probiotics must be generally recognized as safe (GRAS).

• Probiotics must be acid- and bile-resistant, so they are well suited for intestinal survival.

• Probiotics should be nondairy, soy free, wheat free and gluten free and a non-genetically modified organism (non-GMO).

• Probiotics should have the ability to promote digestive health.

• Probiotics should have the ability to maintain natural immune defenses.

• Probiotics should have the ability to produce enzymes and B vitamins.

• Probiotics should have the ability to contribute to the good balance of intestinal flora.

• Probiotics should have the ability to create an unfavorable environment for pathogens.

• Probiotics must be stored at a temperature as recommended by the manufacturer to maintain viability.

• Probiotic food and supplement labels must contain the following information:

1. Genus, species and strain designation of the probiotics
2. Functionality of the strain(s)
3. Minimum viable numbers of each probiotic strain (CFU/g) at the end of the shelf life
4. A suggested serving size adequate for intended use
5. Total servings per container
6. Health claim(s) (if any) substantiated with scientific research and approved by the FDA
7. Storage condition requirements
8. Nutrition/supplement facts
9. Manufacturer’s name and address
10. Manufacturer’s lot number and expiration date