Align Probiotic Extra Strength
Price: $$$
Align is a physician-trusted brand that contains Bifidobacteriumlongum 35624, formerly known as Bifidobacterium infantis 35624, a probiotic strain that has been researched for its role in digestive health, including IBS symptoms .
Aligns Extra Strength probiotic label states that each capsule contains 5 billion live bacteria at the time of manufacturing and 50,000,000 CFUs up until the best by date.
As it doesnt require refrigeration, its a good option if you frequently travel or prefer not to worry about storing your probiotic supplement in the fridge.
Note that Align contains trace amounts of lactose, so it may not be appropriate for those with severe lactose intolerance.
Price: $
Bio-Kult contains 14 probiotic strains, including Lactobacillus acidophilus, Streptococcus thermophilus, and Bifidobacterium longum.
Each Bio-Kult capsule contains a minimum of 2 billion microorganisms, and Bio-Kult guarantees that the total bacteria count of their products is viable until the end of the products shelf life.
Each probiotic strain in Bio-Kult is microencapsulated and individually freeze-dried, which protects the probiotics from stomach acid and allows the product to be stored at room temperature.
Bio-Kult products are third-party tested by United Kingdom Accreditation Service accredited labs.
Bio-Kult is not appropriate for those with a severe allergy to milk proteins, but it is safe for those with lactose intolerance.
Best Probiotics For General Health
Some people may want to take a probiotic just for general health. They may not have a specific concern but know the benefits of a healthy gut.
For general health, probiotics may be helpful with reducing inflammation associated with aging and decreasing the risk of various chronic diseases.
The two most common genus in the human body are Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus.
A probiotic for general health should contain a variety of each of these. Also, choose a product with at least 10 billion CFUs.
Optimally, your probiotic should also contain some type of prebiotic, or food for the healthy bacteria. This helps ensure that the probiotics remain alive and are able to colonize the gut once they arrive.
The most common prebiotics are fructooligosaccharides , galactooligosaccharides , or trans-galactooligosaccharides, but other types of fiber can be used as well.
While probiotics are safe for most people, those that are immunocompromised should avoid taking them.
Some probiotics may also contain lactose, so be sure to check the label if you are lactose intolerant.
Here are a few specific product suggestions that meet my criteria:
Adding Probiotics To Your Diet
How do you decide whether to add probiotics to your diet? A first step is to talk with your doctor to make sure theyre right for you. Probiotics are generally considered safe to consume, unless you have a compromised immune system or youre seriously ill. Also, ask your doctor or pharmacist about dosage.
You may want to begin taking probiotics simply by adding some items with natural probiotics to your diet. You may want to keep a diary of what probiotics you introduce, and record over time whether you see any changes in your digestion or overall health. Some easily available food choices are:
- yogurt
If you want to take a probiotic dietary supplement, there are plenty of commercial products to choose from. Look for supplements that have:
- Live cultures: Check the expiration date on the label. To be effective, the probiotic should be live when you take it.
- Multiple bacteria strains: A combination of probiotics is usually more effective than a single one.
- Large enough quantities of bacteria to form colonies: This is measured in colony-forming units called CFUs.
Its important to remember that probiotics are considered to be dietary supplements, which are not regulated by the
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How Much Do The Best Probiotics Cost
Like virtually all supplements, pricing varies enormously from one brand to the next.
And also like most supplements, price isnt necessarily reflective of quality or effectiveness.
That said, were not usually huge fans of super-cheap probiotics.
They tend to be missing some of the things we like to see and arent always made of the best ingredients.
On the other hand, weve seen some very expensive probiotics that didnt work any better than their less expensive counterparts.
While we do go into this in our individual reviews of each product, we have noticed that many of the best probiotics fall within that $20-$30 range.
Thats definitely not cheap for a months supply, but its not exorbitant either.
There are some good products that go for less then this, and some that go for more. But in general, that price range seems to contain many of the better products weve tried.
Garden Of Life Raw Microbiome Ultimate Care 30 Capsules
Best: Overall
With 100 billion CFU and 34 strains of good bacteria, including both lactobacillus and bifidobacterium, one capsule a day of this supplement guarantees a high-potency dose of raw probiotics for gut health. The formula is created with Bulgarian yoghurt and wild kefir, and each pill contains 45mg of raw eastern European fruits and vegetables, including cherry, plum and carrot. The blend is classed as raw because it is made in conditions below 4C, which means the bacteria cultures arrive alive and stay that way until the expiry date. This supplement does contain milk, so it is not suitable for vegans or people who are lactose intolerant, but it is gluten-free.
Considering switching to a vegan diet? Check out our round-up of the 8 best vegan cookbooks for easy plant-based recipes
IndyBest product reviews are unbiased, independent advice you can trust. On some occasions, we earn revenue if you click the links and buy the products, but we never allow this to bias our coverage. The reviews are compiled through a mix of expert opinion and real-world testing.
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The Two Worlds Of The Best Probiotics And Prebiotics
The word probiotics is derived from Latin and Greek, and literally means for life. The way we get probiotics is from the dirt, unwashed food and fermented foods and drinks. The bacteria in the dirt are different than the bacteria in fermented food. We have put a lot of focus and research on the probiotic strains including lactobacilli and bifidobacterium, but have neglected many of those found in dirt. These are the ones we are exposed to as children when we stick our hands in the dirt and then our mouths.
Many people also havent heard of prebiotics. Prebiotics have been found to alter the neuroendocrine response, decreasing anxiety, and depression. Prebiotics are the fiber component of plants that help feed the probiotics and help them colonize.
Certain people have a lower prebiotic production in their body due to the FUT2 gene found in the Nutrition Genome Report, and therefore require more of these foods to help colonization. This is especially true when multiple rounds of antibiotics have been used. Therefore, prebiotics and probiotics are necessary for a happy, diverse microbiome.
Tiger Nuts are a food that have made a come back to the market from the Paleolithic age, a prebiotic that companies claim comprised 80% of our pre-human ancestors diet about two million years ago. Dandelion greens, kiwi, garlic, leeks, radicchio, garlic, artichokes, bananas, yacon syrup, asparagus, pistachios and chicory root are all examples of prebiotics.
Why Should I Take Ds
You are home to a community of trillions of microorganisms, including 38,000,000,000,000 bacteria that live in and on you. They perform critical functions like digesting food, managing inflammation, and synthesizing key vitamins, metabolites and neurotransmitters. This is the microbiome.
However, modern living disturbed the balance of this ecosystem. Antibiotic overuse combined with alcohol, sugar, tobacco, disrupted sleep, city-living, decreased breastfeeding, stress, poor diet, and other environmental factors, have depleted the diversity and richness of our microbiomes and impacted our health.
This goes beyond simple digestive issues. The first of its kind, our DS-01 includes clinically and scientifically studied probiotic strains that deliver core benefits to the gastrointestinal system which, in turn, influence systemic health.
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How To Take A Probiotic
If your doctor has suggested probiotics, follow their instructions. If you stop taking them, the good effects will end within a couple of weeks. If you have questions, it’s always a good idea to ask your doctor. Probiotic-rich foods, like yogurt, can become a part of a healthy diet, too.
Show Sources
Johns Hopkins Medicine: âThe Power of Gut Bacteria and Probiotics for Gut Health.â
Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology: âA Gastroenterologistâs Guide to Probiotics.â
The Best Probiotic And Prebiotic Supplements For 2021 Are:
- Best overall Garden of Life raw microbiome ultimate care: £31.59, Gardenoflife.co.uk
- Best for women Wellgard Vitaflora 20 billion CFU probiotics for women: £14.99, Wellgard.co.uk
- Best for kids So Perf Kids Peruvian cacao and coconut bars: £26.20, Soperf.com
- Best for taking probiotics with other vitamins Indi body: £45, Indisupplements.com
- Best for when on a course of antibiotics Bio-Kult boosted: £24.98, Boots.com
- Best for combining prebiotics and probiotics The Nue Co prebiotic + probiotic: £45, Thenueco.com
- Best for people with digestive system problems Inessa advanced biotic complex: £38.99, Inessawellness.com
- Best for people with allergies Performance Lab prebiotic, one month supply: £34, Performancelab.com
- Best for supporting mental wellbeing Kalla for relief, 30-day supply: £99, Kalla.com
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Who Should Buy Prebiotics
Prebiotics are a great addition to your supplementation routine if you are looking to improve the quality of your gut bacteria, or enhance the efficacy of a probiotic supplement that you already take. The benefits of better gut bacteria include improvements in symptoms from inflammatory bowel disorders, improvements in your immune system, weight loss, and even positive benefits to your mood.
Why are the benefits of prebiotics so varied? This has to do with the link between your gut bacteria and the function of both your immune system and the neurotransmitters that regulate your mood.
Much of your bodys immune system regulation is linked to your gut, and having a healthy and flourishing population of healthy bacteria in your gut upregulates your immune systems ability to fight off infections. On top of that, abnormal gut bacteria have been linked to autoimmune disorders such as Crohns disease.
The connection to mood may seem less obvious, but 90% of your bodys serotonin is actually produced in your gut. Additionally, abnormal gut bacteria populations have also been linked to mood disorders like clinical depression.
Buying prebiotics is a great idea if you want to address any of these health problems and think they might be linked to your gut bacteria.
Ranking The Best Probiotic Supplements Of 2021
Probiotic supplements provide a boost to the naturally-occurring beneficial bacteria that live inside your bodys digestive tract.
Taking a probiotic supplement every day is a fantastic way to improve your digestion, boost your gut health, improve your immune system, and reduce inflammation.
Want to find the best probiotics on the market? Our research team put together these rankings to find the cleanest and most effective probiotic supplements:
Research
For those whore serious about taking the most potent probiotic, 1MD Complete Probiotics is the best you can get.
No other probiotic supplement can compete with the 51 billion cultures and 11 unique strains with each serving.
Dr. David Kahana, a renowned gastrointestinal doctor, says, When my patients ask me what probiotic is best, I recommend 1MDs Complete Probiotics Platinum. Complete Probiotics Platinum has 11 different strains and guarantees 50 billion live cultures per capsule. It also contains an effective dosage of Nutraflora prebiotic fiber that will ensure these cultures get the fuel they need to really make a difference in your gut.
Why is this important?
Because several probiotic products only have 2-3 different strains, and consuming probiotics with a diverse collective of good bacteria strains offers a better bacterial balance for your gut.
All natural, no artificial sweeteners, no artificial coloring, no artificial preservatives and 100% GMO-free.
Made in the USA and in an FDA-approved facility.
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How To Choose The Best Probiotic Supplement
Seek out the right bacteria. General-use supplements should contain well-researched strains Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, and Saccharomyces boulardii have been studied the most, Dr. Rajapaksa says. If youre trying to address a specific health concern, seek out a probiotic thats been studied for that issue. Ask your doctor about strains that have been shown to be particularly helpful. Plus, be sure youre getting enough: Theres no official recommendation for how many CFUs, or colony-forming units, you need, but most supplements contain between five and 10 billion per dose.
Look for a few key extras. A good supplement has time-release technology and delivers a dose of prebioticsfibers that act as food for probiotic bacteria. The time-release technology ensures the probiotic reaches your intestine and the prebiotic component aids in absorption, says Dr. Rajapaksa. Another important extra is third-party certification seek out a seal of approval from groups like Consumer Lab, NSF International, or the U.S. Pharmacopeial Convention , which ensures the product has been tested for quality, purity, potency, and ingredients.
Now that youre an expert on the best probiotic supplements, here are a few that come recommended by experts and reviewers alike.
Culturelle Daily Probiotic Digestive Health Capsules
Culturelle Daily Probiotic comes in capsule form. Each serving contains 10 billion lactobacillus sporogenes and 5 mg of plant-derived calcium.
It also helps promote healthy intestinal flora, prevent occasional diarrhea due to antibiotic use or mild cases of irritable bowel syndrome, maintain general well-being, relieve occasional constipation, and improve overall health.
Image courtesy Hyperbiotics
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Vitauthority Sbo Probiotics + Greens: Best For Inflammation
Vitauthority SBO Probiotics + Greens is a probiotic supplement that may energize and enhance ones digestion and immunity. With regular consumption, this supplement may contribute to the bodys overall metabolism through its composition of organic superfoods.
Vitauthority SBO Probiotics + Greens are U.S.-based, have a cGMP-regulated manufacturing facility, and adhere to international production standards.
Each wellness pill is packed with SBOs that organically may help bowel movement and functional improvement in the abdominal region.
With its nutraceutical goodness composed of non-chemical ingredients, the likes of broccoli, kale, spinach, and organic spirulina, each capsule is bursting with immunity-boosting minerals and multivitamins.
In addition, this supplement may help fight inflammation issues through its antioxidative properties. Therefore, it may revitalize cells of the skin and regulate gut health.
How We Made Our Selections
To pick the probiotics for this list, I evaluated each brand based on the following factors:
- Brand Reputation: Does the brand have a good reputation in the industry? Are the products made in a certified Good Manufacturing Practices facility?
- Professional Involvement: Are there healthcare professionals involved with the brand?
- Intended Use: Is there research to support using the strains in the probiotic for a specific health condition?
- Supported by Research: Is the brand committed to research? Is the product designed with the latest research in mind?
- Price: Is the price of the product comparable to other similar products?
Taking all of these aspects into consideration, below is a list of product suggestions that match my criteria. The products are organized by specific health concerns.
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For Gastrointestinal Issues: Vsl#3
This is a very powerful probiotic and medical food that is really good for anyone suffering from ulcerative colitis or other serious gastrointestinal disorder, says Kendra Worrell, RDN, director of nutrition and food services at Santa Clara Valley Medical Center in San Jose, California. VSL#3 has also been shown to reduce urinary oxalateand high oxalates can lead to calcium-oxalate kidney stones. VSL#3 is one of the most expensive probiotics on the market and is likely worth it if youre trying to improve a gastrointestinal disorder. However, its not necessary for the average person trying to maintain gut health.
Our Research On Probiotic Supplement Brands
Your time and money is valuable and we dont want you to waste either one. So we did the research on most of the top probiotic supplements available.
We studied each product to determine which consistently had not only the right ingredients, but also the right proportions. We disqualified the ones with unnecessary, synthetic fillers and those whose contents differed drastically from pill to pill.
But we didnt stop there. After all, numbers and percentages are only part of the story. We went on to seek out real customers who had used the products we tested. We asked them for testimonials and compared them with our notes, and then compiled this information to give you a list of the best products on the market.
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Natures Bounty Ultra Probiotic 10
The ubiquitous and trusted Natures Bounty brand delivers when it comes to probiotics. Their Probiotic 10 supplement contains 20 billion colony forming units and, as the name suggests, ten different strains of bacteria.
The capsules are vegetarian, and there arent any extraneous ingredients included either, so this ones a very solid choice.
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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