Be mindful that many health-promoting products (such as protein bars and powders, greens powders, and supplements) include probiotics in their formulation. Be leery of consuming several products that contain probiotics simultaneously—you don’t want to overdo it. Our team of registered dietitians reviews and evaluates every single supplement we recommend according to our dietary supplement methodology. From there, a registered dietitian on our Medical Expert Board reviews each article for scientific accuracy.
If you’re in the market for probiotics, you may be overwhelmed by the many options available. Probiotics are live bacteria and yeasts that are good for your digestive system. They can help balance the friendly bacteria in your digestive tract and improve overall gut health.
Choosing the best probiotics
TruBiotics contains two of the most popular and studied strains – Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium animalis — both used to help the digestive tract and improve the body’s fight against infections. The capsules do not contain gluten, soy or animal-based gelatin; however, they do contain dairy. When you take them in supplement form, the aim is to help these beneficial strains eliminate or balance out the bad, restoring a happy microbiome in the process. Probiotics can help with irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS, as well as gastrointestinal issues, eczema, yeast infections and lactose intolerance. A good supplement has time-release technology and delivers a dose of prebiotics—fibers 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.
A supplement will typically provide a higher dose of probiotics than food sources will. Some probiotics work better with food, and others on an empty stomach. These products are all available over the counter (OTC), in grocery stores, drug stores and health and wellness stores. They come as dietary supplements (capsules, liquids or powders) or as topical lotions or creams for different uses. Your healthcare provider can help you select a good one to try for your needs. Probiotic products contain select, beneficial types of microbes to add to the populations already living in your body.
It is third-party tested for ingredient purity, lack of heavy metals, and pesticides, and is NSF Sport Certified, meaning it’s tested for banned substances for athletic competitions. Note that the dosage of this product is measured in AFUs instead of CFUs. AFUs—or Active-Fluorescent Units—measure live and active microbes more precisely using fluorescent markers.
For most people in good health, experts say probiotics won’t cause any issues. If you do get side effects, they’re usually very mild, like a little more gas than usual. After a round of antibiotics, it might be a good idea to take probiotics for 30-days or so to help regrow some of the beneficial bacteria killed off by the medication. Generally, most supplements contain between 5–20 billion, with some providing more.
When selecting a probiotic supplement, it’s important to consider the strain of bacteria included, as well as the quantity of colony-forming units (CFUs). Look for products that contain Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium strains, which are known for their beneficial effects on digestion.
Top probiotic brands
An imbalance in your gut microbiome is believed to contribute to a number of health problems — and not just gastrointestinal issues, but immune dysfunction and infections as well. The microbe balance can be disrupted by diet, emotional and physical stress, and use of antibiotics, which destroy the good bacteria along with the bad. When it comes to supplements, one of the most common reasons to take a probiotic is because you are experiencing digestive issues, says Keri Gans, M.S., R.D., registered dietitian and author of The Small Change Diet. Probiotics are helpful for bowel regularity, particularly for loose or runny stools, adds Prest. They are not medicines and are not intended to treat, diagnose, mitigate, prevent, or cure diseases.
Our nutrition pros point out the 2-in-1 nested capsule optimizes delivery of 100% of the probiotic starting dose to your colon. The supplement requires no refrigeration thanks to the probiotic outer capsule, which serves as a barrier to oxygen, moisture and heat. Many targeted probiotics may also come with additional ingredients, particularly prebiotics, vitamins, minerals and plant extracts. How well the microbes survive is key to their effectiveness, so the best probiotics will ensure the microbes reach the gut largely intact.
Some of the top probiotic brands on the market include **Culturelle**, **Renew Life Ultimate Flora**, and **Garden of Life Dr. Formulated**. These brands offer a variety of probiotic supplements designed to support different aspects of gut health.
Ultimately, the best probiotics for you will depend on your individual needs and preferences. It’s always a good idea to consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new supplement regimen.
