What Does CFU Mean and Why It Matters in Your Probiotic

If you’ve ever picked up a probiotic and seen “10 billion CFU” or “100 billion CFU” splashed across the label, you’ve probably wondered what those numbers actually mean and if more is really better.

As a Clinical Naturopath, I’ve spent years helping patients with everything from bloating and IBS to skin inflammation, stress, and infertility. I’ve seen what works (and what doesn’t) when it comes to probiotics  and it almost always comes down to understanding one simple thing: CFU.

What CFU Actually Stands For

CFU means Colony Forming Units, a scientific way of counting the living, active microorganisms inside a probiotic capsule.

Each CFU represents one viable bacterial cell that’s capable of reproducing when it reaches the right environment, like your gut. Think of it like a tiny seed: when planted in healthy soil, it can grow, flourish and support your microbiome ecosystem.

So when a label says “24.5 billion CFU per capsule,” it means you’re taking 24.5 billion living, functional bacteria that can help maintain microbial balance.

Why CFU Actually Matters

In clinic, I can’t tell you how often I meet people taking probiotics that list impressive numbers but deliver little noticeable change. The reason? Dose and strain matter.

Every probiotic strain has been studied at a specific CFU dose to show measurable results — whether that’s easing bloating, supporting bowel regularity, calming skin inflammation, or improving mood balance.

That’s why every strain in Multi+ Probiotic is included at its clinically studied, therapeutic CFU dose not just added for show. 

When “More” Isn’t Better

Here’s something I’ve seen time and again: people use a probiotic with “20 strains” or “100 billion CFU,” assuming it must be stronger, but their symptoms stay the same.

Here’s why:

• When too many strains are added without clear purpose, each one ends up at a sub-therapeutic dose, far below what studies show to be effective.

• Strains can compete for resources in the gut, meaning not all will survive or thrive.

• Many of those extra strains haven’t been clinically validated, they’re often added just to inflate the CFU number on the label.
  

So no, more isn’t better. What matters is whether those billions are backed by science and included in meaningful amounts.

Why SolBiome Does It Differently

When I designed Multi+ Probiotic, I wanted to create the product I wished I could have prescribed to my patients — one that was simple, potent, and evidence-based.

Our formula contains only four clinically researched strains, each chosen for its role in supporting gut, skin, mood and immune health.

No unnecessary extras. No filler strains. Just the right ones, at the right CFU doses, to actually make a difference.

Every CFU in Multi+ has a purpose and every strain is there because it’s been proven to work.

The Gold Standard for Accuracy

In Australia, CFU is the TGA-recognised gold standard for measuring probiotic potency.

Each batch of Multi+ Probiotic is tested to confirm that the CFU count on the label matches the live, viable bacteria inside — right through to the end of shelf life.

That means what you see is exactly what you get. Clinically verified, stable, and effective.

A Note From Emily

"After years in clinical practice, I wanted to take everything I’d learned from treating gut health and turn it into a product I could wholeheartedly stand behind. Multi+ Probiotic was born from that experience — real patients, real results and the science to back it up.”

— Emily Carlstrom, Clinical Naturopath & Founder of SolBiome

Discover Multi+ Probiotic

A once-daily formula designed by a clinical naturopath to support gut, skin, mood and immune health — with clinically studied CFU doses and no unnecessary strains.