What Should A Good Probiotic Contain

Our Ranking And Reviews Of The 10 Best Probiotics Supplements For 2021

Everyone knows the health benefits of probiotics these days.

The hard part is figuring out exactly which probiotic supplement will work best for you

With hundreds of different brands out there in dozens of different forms such as capsules, tablets, powders, liquids, gums, shells, beads, and lozenges, how can you possibly know which one is right for you?

If thats the issue youre facing, youre going to be glad you found this site! Our probiotics experts continually rank, review and test just about every popular probiotic supplement on the market today.

Well tell you which ones we like and which ones wed avoid. Well tell you whats in them, how they work, how much they cost and what theyre best used for. In a nutshell, well tell you everything you need to know to find the best probiotic supplements for your particular situation.

So if youre looking to get all the health benefits that these provide, the following list of the best probiotics should point you in the right direction!

Beware Of The Internet

If you order products from the internet, make sure you know the company from which you are ordering.

There are scammers out there who are willing to send you fake products labeled as probiotics. At best, the ingredients could be harmless, like garlic powder. At worst, they could be laced with powerful herbs, prescription medications or illegal drugs. Some companies may simply take your money and disappear.

Which Probiotic Is Best For You

Probiotics may help:

• Relieve constipation. Probiotics can help soften stools so theyâre easier to move.

• Diarrhea. Good bacteria in probiotics combats the bad and may help make your bouts shorter.

• Improve IBS.Certain strains of probiotics work better than others for this condition. Ask your doctor which is right for you.

• Support brain health.Your gut is often called your âsecond brainâ because it makes some of the same neurotransmitters that regulate moods. When your gut is happy, you feel happy. When your gut is sluggish, your brain doesnât work as well.

• Improve heart health.Gut bacteria produces chemicals that affect your blood pressure.

• Boost immunity.Probiotics warn your immune system when bad bacteria may become a disease.

• Your General Health.Good gut bacteria affects the way you feel mentally and physically. It can prevent and even treat some diseases.

Many types of bacteria are probiotics. Each has its own benefits. Talk to your doctor about which one might help you the most.

• Lactobacillus youâll find this in yogurt and other fermented foods. Different strains can help with diarrhea and may help with people who canât digest lactose, the sugar in milk.

• Bifidobacterium is in some dairy products. It may help ease the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome and some other conditions.

• Saccharomyces boulardii is a yeast found in probiotics. It seems to help fight diarrhea and other digestive problems.

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Why Are You Taking A Probiotic

Before you take any probiotic supplements, you should answer the question of why you’re taking the supplement, to begin with. Many different reasons exist.

• Overcome other types of infections

Or, perhaps your reason is like so many others: they told you it was a good idea.

It truly is up to you as to why you are taking your probiotic supplements. As long as you are doing it to improve your health, it is a good reason.

Are Activia Probiotic Dailies Good For You

Yes! Each serving of Activia contains billions of our probiotic culture. Activia may help reduce the frequency of minor digestive discomfort when consumed twice a day for two weeks as part of a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle. Minor digestive discomfort includes bloating, gas, abdominal discomfort, and rumbling.

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Red Flag #: Does Your Probiotic Use Regular Vegetable Capsules

Veggie capsules sound good, right? Especially if youre a vegetarian. Unfortunately, theyre not really suitable for probiotics.

The contents of your stomach are naturally so acidic that a standard veggie capsule will quickly break down. Its probiotic bacteria are destroyed before they have a chance to reach your gut.

Studies have shown that regular vegetable capsules will only get around 4% of their bacteria past stomach acid.

There are more suitable alternatives. Look for probiotics that will actually get their bacteria to your gut. The only proven way to deliver probiotic bacteria past stomach acid is a technology named BIO-tract.

This new technology uses an ingenious and very effective method to get probiotics past your stomach acid.

Instead of the probiotics being poured into a capsule, they are freeze-dried and compressed into a tablet.

When the tablet is moistened by the fluids in your stomach, a gel matrix forms on the outside. This creates a protective layer that protects your probiotics from stomach acids and enables them to travel safely to your intestines.

Research has shown that BIO-tract delivers 60% of probiotic bacteria past stomach acid.

That’s 15 times more effective than veggie capsules at transporting probiotics through stomach acid. If you’re using regular vegetable capsules, you could be wasting your money.

Use the code PROBIOTIC to get 20% off our probiotic. The discount code works on and our website.

Can Probiotics Hurt Me

For most healthy people, probiotics dont cause any harm. They are generally considered safe and are often given a try to see if they could help with various medical conditions. Theres a lot of research around the topic of probiotics. Scientists are trying to determine when and how they should be used, as well as how effective they are. Talk to your healthcare provider before starting a probiotic supplement because there are some cases where you shouldnt be taking them. Its always best to have the conversation first before starting a new supplement.

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Differentiating Between Probiotics And Prebiotics

Heres an easy way to keep probiotics and prebiotics straight when it comes to their function in the body: Probiotics are good bacteria that are introduced to the gut to grow and thrive, said Erin Palinski-Wade, a registered dietitian and author of the 2-Day Diabetes Diet. Prebiotics are essentially food for these good bacteria. This means they help stimulate and fuel the growth of probiotic bacteria already present in the body, acting like a fertilizer.

It is essential to have both prebiotics and probiotics to promote gut health, Palinksi-Wade added.

Probiotics help keep gut bacteria balanced by limiting the growth of bad bacteria, explained Alan Schwartzstein, a family physician practicing in Oregon, Wisconsin. Probiotics compete with these bad bacteria for prebiotic food and do not allow them to multiply and cause harm to us.

When there is a balanced amount of probiotics and prebiotics in the body, your digestive health is able to hum along.

This bacteria balance is also beneficial to your overall health, Palinski-Wade said. A good amount of probiotics in the body helps with vaginal health. A healthy gut contributes to a strong immune system, as well as good heart and brain health. Whats more, research published in Medicina has linked healthy bacteria in the gut with healthy body weight, lowering inflammation and stabilizing blood sugar levels.

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May Improve Symptoms Of Certain Gastrointestinal Diseases

Some of the most well-studied uses of probiotic supplements relate to the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases like irritable bowel syndrome and inflammatory bowel disease .

One review of 11 studies found that 7 of them reported that probiotic supplementation significantly improved symptoms like bloating and abdominal pain in IBS patients, compared with a placebo, while the remaining 4 studies did not find significant improvements.

The review also found that multi-strain probiotics used for at least 8 weeks seemed to be most effective at improving IBS symptoms .

Notably, Lactobacillus acidophilus was present in all of the multi-strain supplement studies that reported significantly improved symptoms .

Multi-strain probiotics may improve some symptoms in those with IBD, though they appear to be less effective for people with Crohns disease.

Evidence is currently limited, and well-designed studies are needed (

34 ).

While some people, including those with IBS and certain types of IBD, may benefit from specific strains of probiotics, in general, most healthy people who follow a nutritious diet and healthy lifestyle do not need to supplement with probiotics.

Plus, some researchers are concerned that the widespread use of probiotics may lead to antibiotic resistance and warn that many studies investigating the safety and efficacy of probiotics are of poor quality .

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Tips For Taking Probiotics Travel Tablets

To obtain the maximum benefits from your travel bug probiotic, you should begin taking probiotics before travel at least 2 weeks before your trip. Taking probiotics before traveling will give a good kickstart to encouraging increasing bacteria and supporting your immune system in defense against any bad bacteria it encounters on your trip.

Probiotics should then be continued all throughout your trip, as well as at least 2 weeks after arriving home.

In terms of how to travel with probiotics â the only thing you really need to know is NOT to buy probiotics that require refrigeration. Once upon a time, this was a little tricky â however, these days, you can get some excellent probiotics that donât require refrigeration. Also, always keep your probiotics in a cool, dark place.

Things To Look For In A Probiotic

Who out there hasnt left the probiotic aisle at the grocery store feeling even more confused than when they arrived? Ive definitely been there. With all of the different brand options, shiny marketing tools, fancy digestive enzyme and real foods blends added in. how are you supposed to know what to buy? And asking a store employee is a bit of a gamble too because its unlikely that they have the healthcare training necessary to make a recommendation that is safe and effective for you. SO. MUCH. TO. THINK. ABOUT!

Should I go with a refrigerated one?

Is the $60 one better than the $20 one?

How many CFUs do I need?

What should I look for in a supplement?

Probiotic supplements are tricky for a lot of reasons , and unfortunately that last question is a toughie too. This is because probiotics really should be personalized and targeted depending on your health needs. They are definitely not one-size-fits-all kind of deal. Different probiotics can have different effects. Some have been studied for their specific benefit in GI-related conditions, whereas others have been studied for their immune-modulating properties. And on top of that, right now research does not support that fact that everyone can benefit from taking a probiotic supplement.BUT! Theres good news. Those with certain medical conditions may benefit from taking a probiotic. So if taking a probiotic is indicated for you , here are the top 3 things to look for:

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Conditions Treated By Benefiber And Metamucil

Benefiber is approved by the Food and Drug Administration as a dietary fiber supplement. Due to its ability to add bulk to the stool, it is used off-label, or without FDA approval, as a laxative to treat constipation.

Metamucil is approved as a fiber dietary supplement and in the treatment of occasional constipation. Metamucils ability to build bulk in the stool helps produce bowel movements that are easier to pass. Metamucil is also indicated in the reduction of risk of coronary heart disease. This is due to its ability to bind fatty acids and remove them from the body, thereby decreasing LDL cholesterol. Metamucil is used off-label to help control blood sugar in patients with diabetes mellitus. One randomized, controlled trial showed that Metamucil may be beneficial in decreasing symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome as well.

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Vaginal Probiotics Encourage A Healthy Vaginal Microbiome

The two-strain probiotic containing Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1® and Lactobacillus reuteri RC-14® was effective at reducing pathogenic load, modulating host immunity, and maintaining a normal healthy vaginal flora.The probiotic increased levels of Lactobacilli bacteria which are needed to maintain a healthy vaginal microbiome, and displaced less beneficial strains, thus reducing overall dysbiosis within the urinary tract. A good probiotic supplement will encourage other beneficial species and strains to thrive and influence the microbiome as a whole rather than just topping up existing bacterial populations or dominating the microbiome with one or two strains. Learn more about the research behind Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1®and Lactobacillus reuteri RC-14® on the Probiotics Database.

It’s more important to have fewer high-quality strains that are specific to your condition, than lots of different strains

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Are Probiotics Useful For Weight Loss

Yes, probiotics are helpful for weight loss and they improve metabolic functions. The human gut contains trillions of bacteria. If you have a healthy gut then these organisms will maintain your body and help to fight against dangerous organisms such as E. coli or salmonella this helps to lose weight by increasing metabolism which in turn reduces fat storage.

Can I Take Probiotics With Fiber Supplements

People know of the connection between the fiber and GI tract. They typically think of fibers as a bulking agent. But theres the energy side that is often overlooked. The prebiotic fibers serve as a source of fuel for the beneficial bacteria.

Why is that critical? The intestines are possibly one of the metabolically active organs in the body! When you think of other metabolically active organs, for example the brain and heart, it is important to think of the gut with the same level of importance.

If youve been wondering, Should I take fiber and probiotics together? the answer is frequently yes. Many of the fibers from an unrefined diet will be ideal for the growth environment for your probiotics. To provide the ideal environment for growth of the beneficial bacteria, including Floradapt probiotics, remember to include some soluble prebiotic fibers into your diet.

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Garden Of Life Colon Daily Care 40 Billion Cfu

This well-known brand of probiotic boasts 40 Billion CFU per capsule with 16 strains of probiotic bacteria. This includes B. lactis HN019, a strain proven to help promote bowel regularity and help relieve bloating. It also has the nice feature of a desiccant-lined bottle technology to support the shelf life of the probiotics, and its allergen-free.

The only concern with this probiotic is that it does not use an effective method to deliver its bacteria past stomach acid, so its hard to say whether those 40 billion probiotic bacteria are guaranteed to reach the intestines.

Check out Garden of Life Colon Daily Care 40 Billion CFU here.

Should I Give Probiotics To My Kids

Probiotics can be beneficial for both adults and kids. If your child has an illness that requires an antibiotic medication for treatment, taking a probiotic can help shorten symptoms. Probiotics can also be used to help relieve constipation, acid reflux, diarrhea, gas and eczema in children.

Introducing probiotics into your childs diet through food is typically a safe way to give them probiotics. Foods like yogurt and cottage cheese are often part of a balanced diet and can add in good bacteria without much risk.

There are commercially available probiotic supplements specifically designed for infants and children. However, it is important to talk to your childs pediatrician before giving them any probiotic supplement or changing the childs diet to include probiotic-rich foods.

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What Side Effects Can Probiotic Supplements Give You

Most of the probiotic supplements are safe to use. You can have a few side effects if you are taking some medications or have some chronic conditions such as Crohns disease, ulcerative colitis, diabetes, etc.

You should consult with your doctor before taking a probiotic supplement if you have any types of chronic illness or are on medications. If you are taking antibiotics then wait for a few hours before taking probiotic supplements to avoid the side effects.

Some common symptoms of those who have negative reactions to probiotics supplements are as follows:

• Diarrhea
• Rash or hives
• Itching

If you are not tolerating any particular supplement, stop taking it immediately. Start with small doses after consulting your doctor and slowly increase to the recommended dosage.

Why You Need Probiotics

You need probiotics to keep your body balanced.

When you get sick, good bacteria fight off the increased amount of bad bacteria to keep your levels as close to neutral as possible.

One of the most significant benefits of probiotics is that they ease symptoms of digestive issues, such as:

• Irritable bowel syndrome

Here are seven foods high in probiotics:

1. Yogurt

Yogurt is made by culturing milk with bacteria that produce lactic acid, such as Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus, although more strains can also be added. If yogurt is heat-treated, it loses its probiotic contents.

2. Buttermilk

Several different fermented dairy products are referred to as buttermilk, but the only kind that contains live probiotic cultures is the liquid that remains after butter is produced. Many types of buttermilk you would find in the grocery store do not actually contain live probiotics, so make sure to read the label closely.

3. Sourdough Bread

This kind of bread is traditionally made with fermented flour that contains healthy bacteria. However, not all brands use this method .

4. Cottage Cheese

Because cottage cheese is not aged or heated, it maintains a high amount of probiotics. Other cheeses that often contain probiotics include:

• Swiss
• Gruyère

5. Tempeh

Tempeh is a soy-based food that provides numerous health benefits. In addition to probiotics, tempeh provides an excellent source of fiber, protein, and iron.

6. Sauerkraut

7. Miso Soup

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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.