How We Rank The Best Probiotic Supplements For Gut Health
There is no exaggeration in saying that both probiotics and prebiotics industry includes a plethora of misinformation. The registered dietitian nutritionist focusing more on what the raw probiotics are and how they benefit humans.
Here in this guide, we have mentioned the prominent factors through which we ranked the probiotic supplements. Lets take a closer look!
How To Choose A Probiotic Thats Right For You
Okay so weve established that the opportunity to take advantage of the consumer is RIPE when it comes to supplements and probiotics specifically. But dont give up and throw in the probiotic towel yet. Lets dig into some tips on how to choose a probiotic thats legit and then Ill give my personal recommendation below.
According to Kristin Oja, DNP, FNP-C, IFCMP, there are four things you should consider:
How To Get Started With Probiotics
Think you want to give probiotics a shot? Here are Dr. Crescis take-aways to help you navigate them:
Probiotics are generally recognized as safe, but theyre typically not recommended if you have a compromised immune system. Ask your physician if probiotics are right for you.
It may take some trial and error to find the probiotic that works for you. If you notice no benefits from one product after a few weeks, try a different one with a different strain of bacteria.
Probiotics may cause bloating and gas, as well as changes in your stool patterns all indications that the product is working, Dr. Cresci says.
Prebiotic foods help your good bacteria flourish. Include beans, asparagus, onions, green bananas and other fermentable fiber sources in your diet.
This article originally appeared in Cleveland Clinic Mens Health Advisor.
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Make Sure Your Probiotic Contains At Least 15 Different Strains
You rarely want to take a single-strain probiotic unless you are directed to do so by a physician. A single-strain probiotic is not going to be as effective as a multi-strain probiotic and could actually skew the gut microbiome toward one type of bacteria, which could lead to a dysbiosis .2 Similar to CFUs, research does not support a certain number of strains of bacteria to be beneficial. Multi-strain probiotics will include two or more strains of bacteria, but two strains arent enough. We recommend looking for a probiotic that contains at least 15 different strains of bacteria.
Ixcela Biome Support includes 17 different strains of beneficial bacteria.
What Should I Look For In A Probiotic
Try not to be swayed by packaging or commercials. Before you decide what is the best probiotic for you, we recommend considering three factors:
- Strain: The individual bacteria strain determines the health benefits you should expect from the probiotic.
- Proof: Any claims about health benefits should be backed up by scientific studies on that product and the probiotic strain in it.
- Transparency: The packaging should provide you with clear information about the number of live microorganisms in each serving, the strains or specific strain in the product, the suggested daily serving size, the expiration date, any storage instructions, and corporate contact information in case you have any issues or questions.If you donât see this information readily available, try to look for a product which does provide it.
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The Power Of A Diverse Microbiome
At any rate, eating balanced amounts of both probiotics and prebiotics can help ensure that you have the right balance of bacteria to keep your gut microbiota healthy. And many factors, including the foods you eat, can impact the type of bacteria found in your digestive tract.
Generally speaking, a diverse microbiome is considered healthy. This is because the more species of bacteria you have, the more health benefits they may be able to contribute to. In fact, several studies show that elderly people possess a more diverse gut microbiota than younger adults. Between long-living Chinese, Japanese, and Italian people, all cohorts revealed diverse and balanced gut microbiota. Whereas, disturbed gut microbiotas with dysbiosis were observed in the elderly who suffer from different comorbidities.
How To Choose A Probiotic And Why It Matters
Whether or not to take a probiotic is almost as common a supplement question as taking a daily multivitamin. Its not surprising considering the mind-blowing rate at which science is confirming the powerful role our gut health plays in nearly every aspect of our health. The connection of our gut to our overall health now stretches beyond the fringe medicine and the wellness worlds, and far into conventional medicine and our daily life through everyday advertising. And as this conversations evolved, probiotics have taken center stage for their potential to support microbiome health and as youll see, for good reason.
The problem is like all other supplements not all probiotic supplements are created equal. What you choose to take can either be incredibly health supportive, or largely ineffective based on which strains of probiotics are included, whether or not the brand is reliable, and other factors. This article will help you clear the confusion and point you to how to choose reliable products so you can feel confident in the choice youre making for your microbiome.
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Don’t Waste Your Money Choose A Probiotic That Actually Works
Choosing the best probiotic for you is simply a matter of knowing what to look for. Dont automatically pick up the first one you see, the cheapest one, or the one your friend recommended.
The right probiotic supplement will boost your immunity, support healthy digestion, improve nutrient absorption, and boost your energy levels.
Look carefully at all the ingredients. Find one with a high CFU count, lots of probiotic strains, and a delivery system that will get those bacteria to your gut.
If you want a probiotic that fits all these criteria, our probiotic is just for you.
Our Balance ONE Probiotic has 15 billion CFUs of bacteria, 12 potent strains, and no harmful fillers or additives. Most importantly, it uses the BIO-tract delivery system to get those bacteria where they’re needed.
You can find it on , or on balanceone.com. Shipping within the US will be free, and you can rest assured that you’re buying a high-quality, made-in-the-USA probiotic.
Remember: Use the discount code PROBIOTIC to get 20% off our probiotic. It works on and our website.
Katie Stone, ND
Supplements Are A Self
Supplements are not required to be approved by the FDA before being sold or marketed. Supplement companies are responsible for having evidence that their products are safe, and the label claims are truthful and not misleading . This is an innocent until proven guilty model that works in favor of the supplement companies, not consumers.
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Best Probiotic For: Immunity
To boost the immune system, B. Lactis is a promising choice. One study had participants taking either a probiotic or a placebo for six weeks. At the end of this period, researchers measured antibody levels and found greater increases in antibodies of the B. lactis group than in placebo participants, concluding that this probiotic may help improve immune function . In addition, a 2009 study found that supplementation of the strain B. lactis DN-173 led to self-reported improvements in digestive comfort .
Are Some Strains Better Than Others
Many probiotics contain mixtures of two or more individual strains of bacteria or yeasts. They may also contain prebiotics, which are compounds that the probiotics can feed on. If a formula contains both probiotics and prebiotics, it is called a synbiotic.
Products most often contain Lactobacillus or Bifidobacterium species, although many other species exist. Different strains of the same species of probiotics can act in different ways, according to some research .
Some people take probiotics for maintaining everyday health. When using a probiotic for a specific health concern, people should speak to a healthcare professional about the best strategy. This is because show that different probiotics and dosages are effective for different conditions and situations.
Read on to learn more about the best probiotics for specific uses.
People can take probiotics in supplement form or in the form of foods and beverages such as yogurt and drinks that have live cultures added to them.
Fermented foods also naturally contain beneficial bacteria. Examples of fermented foods include:
- miso
- kimchi
- kombucha
Probiotic manufacturers measure amounts of bacteria in colony-forming units . Supplements can vary, with some commonly having a CFU of billions. Foods with added probiotics often contain lower numbers of bacteria. Generally, people might take higher-CFU products for specific conditions and a lower-CFU product for general health maintenance.
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Does Everyone Need To Supplement With A Probiotic
Not at all, if your diet is rich in lacto-fermented foods and you enjoy gut and hormonal health. But if for some reason you dont enjoy or tolerate fermented foods, youre working to repair your gut, or you have a condition which is known to be benefitted by a probiotic supplement, this is a simple way to enhance your healing process. I almost always include a probiotic while working on repairing the gut.
The Future Of Probiotics
Top researchers at Stanford University have a vision of what is to come for probiotics.
Theyre trying to gain knowledge of how bacteria communicate with our bodies which can lead to the improved use of probiotics.
Knowledge of what specific microbes are capable of will lead to better-targeted studies, which will lead to more accurate recommendations of strains.
Stanford researchers also hope to see more use of synbiotics, which seems to be the best way we know of now to colonize probiotics.
The research could lead to increasing their populations and capacity to help their human hosts.
Finally, despite the thousands of studies that have been published in recent decades, there are no established health claims for probiotics, which hinders clinicians from recommending them.
This is likely because the studies are not robust enough to substantiate claims. More high-quality, sizable studies are needed to move forward.
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Why Is Picking A Probiotic So Confusing
Now, its not my style to buy a one-way ticket to Negative Town, but when it comes to supplements its all about being discerning, making good decisions and avoiding being taken advantage of.
And why would we be taken advantage of? Well to start off, the dietary supplements market is projected to hit a valuation of U.S. $349.4 billion by 2026 and the 2012 National Health Interview Survey showed that about 4 million U.S. adults had used probiotics or prebiotics in the past 30 days .
Long story short, with all that money on the table there is bound to becorruption, lies and sneaky marketing tactics.
Now, this doesnt overshadow the fact that probiotics can help with overall wellness. Kristin Oja, DNP, FNP-C, IFCMP, and founder of STAT Wellness explains, pro and biotics literally means for life. She says, They are the beneficial bacteria that promote a healthy digestive tract, help with serotonin levels , metabolism, contribute to a healthy immune system, and better-looking skin.
They have even shown promise for a variety of conditions, including the prevention of antibiotic-associated diarrhea, prevention of necrotizing enterocolitis and sepsis in premature infants, treatment of infant colic, treatment of periodontal disease, and induction or maintenance of remission in ulcerative colitis .
The key to finding a great probiotic, however, requires making informed decisions, label reading, brand transparency and science. But Im getting ahead of myself.
Finally A Nutritionist Shares How To Choose The Right Probiotic For You
Plus, the 11 brands she always recommends!
Probioticsjust another health trend? Given that probiotics can be found in most places that sell packaged food , you may think theyre just a fad. After all, theyre everywhere. From bottled drinks to granola bars to infant formula, probiotics are being added to food and beauty products left and right. Spoiler alert: The wellness industry is onto something. But Im here to tell you its so much more than just a craze. Probiotics replenish your bodys good bacteria, a facet of wellbeing well always need. The big question is: how to choose a probiotic. But first, lets start with the basics.
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Getting Probiotics In Your Food
Don’t get tricked
Lots of our favorite foods depend on the fermentation process but dont necessarily contain probiotics, like cheese, bread, olives, and even chocolate. The key? The bacteria are removed or killed by the end of their processing. Opt for foods like yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, kimchi, kombucha, some pickles, and tempeh, all of which retain bacteria into the final product. It’s best to incorporate a combination of these in your diet, as they all have different fermentation signatures and therefore offer unique benefits.
Keep in mind that there are even varieties of these foods which rip off their signature tangy flavor with acids like vinegar instead of the real microbial deal. To avoid these bootlegs, look for words like contains live active cultures, naturally fermented, or the name of a bacterial strain on labels and in ingredient lists. And if its a liquid like kombucha or pickling liquid, look for bubbles it means there are indeed gas-creating bacteria inside.
Enjoy a treat
If you and lactose dont have a good relationship, you may be more tolerant of fermented milk products like yogurt, kefir, and even some hard cheeses . The probiotics in these foods break down lactose for energy, which means theres less left behind for you to deal with. Bacteria also produce vitamin b12 as a byproduct of this process, so yogurt has more b12 than milk per ounce.
Bonus: probiotics vs. prebiotics
Best Prebiotic Fiber: Synogut
This high-grade dietary supplement is proficient in supporting digestive health while providing other health benefits. On the contrary, this supplement includes beneficial bacteria to fight against harmful gut bacteria. Sounds good, right?
What about the ingredients? Well, it includes effective and natural ingredients that can promote healthy digestion. The supplements include Glucomannan, Apple pectin, Lactobacillus Acidophilus, Aloe Vera, Prune, Black walnut, and Bentonite clay that works ideally with a gut-healing specific diet.
How does it work?
Do you know this high-end supplement includes fiber? Thats beneficial in the easy transport of food within the digestive tract. And guess what? The supplement aids you in getting rid of irregular bowels. It also includes multiple types of probiotics that are effective in balancing gut health.
Are you aware that digestive and gut health are correlated? Commonly, people who have irregular gut composition suffer from bloating and other problems. Unbalanced gut health results in mood swings and weak immunity, but SynoGut aims to help people in this aspect.
It supplies the body with sufficient pre and probiotics to promote gut balance. Every capsule has the potential to eliminate discomfort within the stomach.
Pros
Cons
- You will get the product through the official website
- Effects may vary from person to person
Price
Here is the price guide
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Are More Probiotic Strains Better
This is another numbers game. A strain is the individual bacterium within a species. For example, most people think that acidophilus is one bacterium, or strainbut its a species, like human beings are.
So, there are many different strains of acidophilus some great, some less so. The strains should be listed with their full name on the label, such as Lactobacillus acidophilus CL1285.
Youll often see the very lazy argument that since your own gut flora is super diverse, a single strain couldnt possibly workand that more strains means a more diverse product that will work better. But nope. There are single strain products that are excellent, and multi-strain products that are garbage. Just give the good bacteria in a high enough dosage, and theyll do their job.
Another potential issue with multi-strain probiotics is that since bacteria compete with each other, if the probiotic hasnt been properly tested, you could be buying a ten strain product that in reality, has one or two strains that outcompete all the restand youre really not getting what you paid for.
Instead, focus on ensuring that the probiotic actually works, which you can verify by using the criteria I just talked about above.
Product Purity And Design
Lastly, we have done a ranking on the standard for manufacturing and product purity. For instance, we check whether FDA approves the concerned supplement or not. Thats a valuable thing. Taking probiotics with the correct manufacturing is one of our essential priorities.
Moreover, we consider many probiotic supplements that feature the kind of bacterial strains and the dosage.
And guess what? Many products also include probiotics ingredients that are beneficial to keep the live bacteria in your gut healthy.
Therefore, we ranked these probiotic supplements on the abovementioned factors to help people achieve better health and immune function. All these factors are somehow related and are equally essential when buying a supplement.
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How Long Should I Take Probiotics
Generally, there is no set amount of time you have to take probiotics. It depends on the desired benefit you are seeking. Most probiotics on the market today recommend dosing one or more times a day.We recommend people take them every day to ensure a continued presence in your digestive tract and maintain the health benefits they offer. If you take a break in your consumption of probiotics, you may notice that the health benefits taper off over the course of 1 â 4 weeks. This may be due to your bodyâs microbiome returning to its normal state after you stopped supplementing it with a probiotic.
Red Flag #: Does Your Probiotic Contain Less Than 5bn Cfus
Probiotics contain a certain amount of living bacteria per dose. Each living bacterium is referred to as a colony-forming unit . Clinical trials have shown successful results with supplements containing a minimum of 10 billion CFU and up to 100 billion.
Because some bacteria will always die during the journey from the mouth to the intestines, its important to take a probiotic supplement that contains as many bacteria as possible. The more the better.
A good probiotic should contain at least 5 billion CFUs per dose in order to provide maximum benefit.
Note that the delivery mechanism is very important here too.
For example, 5bn CFUs in a BIO-tract tablet might deliver more probiotics to your gut than 75 billion CFUs in a regular veggie capsule. If you buy a probiotic with BIO-tract, it doesn’t need to contain a huge CFU count.
Solution: Buy a probiotic that contains at least 5 billion CFUs. Anything less is unlikely to be effective. Our probiotic contains 15 billion CFUs, which is the equivalent of 225 billion CFUs in a vegetable capsule.
Use the code PROBIOTIC to get 20% off our probiotic. The discount code works on and our website.
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