Probiotics For Digestive Health
Healthy gut bacteria feed on fiber and some other prebiotic foods, so experts recommend that people eat a diet rich in high-fiber foods such as fruits and vegetables.
To improve digestion, choose probiotics known to support gut health, such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacteria species. The L. rhamnosus GG strain, in particular, has many protective factors that may benefit gut health, for example, inhibiting the growth of some salmonella bacteria.
Taking a probiotic supplement will not always benefit a persons digestive health and should not replace a healthy lifestyle. People should ensure they are:
- eating a healthy diet
support vaginal and digestive health. This product contains 1 billion CFU of L.acidophilus, L. rhamnosus, and L. plantarum.
The company claims that Probiotic Pearls may protect against UTIs.
This probiotic contains softgel capsules. They are free from gluten and sugar, and do not contain artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives. However, this product is not suitable for vegetarians.
What Are Probiotics And What Are Their Benefits
Probiotic bacteria work to keep the community of microorganisms in your gutand throughout the rest of your bodyin a healthy, balanced state. We get them primarily from eating fiber-rich foods, which promote the growth of friendly bacteria, as well as from fermented foods like kefir, tempeh, and sauerkraut. Supplements can also deliver them in concentrated form. As with other dietary supplements, probiotics dont need to be tested or approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration before hitting shelves.
The last several years have seen an explosion of research on the importance of the microbiome and the many health benefits associated with a balanced one. Probiotic supplements offer a way to help maintain this balance, says Roshini Rajapaksa, M.D., a gastroenterologist with NYU Langone Health. They might serve as a sort of insurance supporting your overall health, particularly if you dont eat a lot of fiber or fermented foods.
Probiotic supplements can restore the balance of good bacteria in the gut after taking antibiotics, says Frances Largeman-Roth, R.D.N., a New York City-based nutrition expert. Plus, a growing body of evidence suggests they play a role in improving digestion, promoting immune function, optimizing healthy blood sugar, and even fighting disorders like depression.
What Are The Signs You Need Probiotics
The need for probiotics manifests itself in different ways. Most of the time patients will experience discomfort or distress in their stomach or gut. Other times, they would feel bloated while some others might have constipation or other issues related to their digestive system.
Some people also experience other more serious problems like depression and mood swings, ulcers, skin conditions, respiratory issues among many other health ailments.
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Bio Schwartz Advanced Strength Probiotic
Though Bio Schwartz includes a huge amount of bacteria the choices of which ones to include are a little odd.
The staple bacteria lactobacillus acidophilus is there, but the other three are less common and less well-researched bacteria. The supplement also includes fructooligosaccharides to support the growth of the bacteria, but it doesnt document how much it actually includes in the supplement.
Benefits Of Probiotics For Older Adults
In addition to balancing good and bad bacteria, probiotics offer a number of benefits to older adults.
- They help reduce the frequency and duration of diarrhea.
- Some strains can help improve heart health.
- They can help relieve lactose intolerance the inability to digest sugar in dairy products.
- They can help relieve various food and skin allergies.
- They help reduce inflammation in the vagina due to an overgrowth of bacteria.
- They can improve unpleasant odor in exhaled breath.
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Amazon Brand Wag Probiotic Supplement Chews For Dogs
- Includes one bottle of 160 probiotic chews
- Contains prebiotics and probiotics to support digestion and intestinal well-being, and help maintain gut flora in the digestive tract
- Contains a source of live naturally occurring microorganisms
- No added wheat or corn no added artificial colors, dyes, or flavors
- Made in the USA with the finest ingredients from around the world
- Directions for use: Give 1 chew per 25lbs of body weight, daily
- Satisfaction Guarantee: Were proud of our products. If you arent satisfied, well refund you for any reason within a year of purchase. 1-877-485-0385
- An Amazon brand
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.
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Scientific Evidence Of Probiotics
Probiotics have existed for centuries as naturally occurring in yogurt, cheese, and other fermented dairy products. With technology improving, scientists and medical experts started making these probiotics’ cultures using bacterial strains to develop supplements. These cultures are nurtured in a modern laboratory using friendly bacteria that are safe for human consumption.
Probiotic dosages are referred to as Colony Forming Units, mostly termed as CFUs. The higher the CFU, the longer the shelf life and the higher the quality of the probiotic. However, the mode of delivery affects a probiotic’s effectiveness regardless of the CFUs. A well-coated probiotic with fewer CFUs may do more work than a poorly coated probiotic with more CFUs.
According to the National Health Interview Survey in 2012, at least 4million adults in the US had used Probiotic within the past 30days during the survey. Over the years, the number has increased immensely as more people discover these probiotics and new companies are developed more rapidly as technology improves.
Most digestive tract issue such as diarrhea, indigestion, bloating gas, stomach discomfort may be due to poorly balanced bacteria in the stomach. Antibiotics destroy both useful and harmful bacteria when taken that’s why most doctors recommend taking a probiotic after a complete antibiotic dosage.
Benefits of probiotic supplements according to a National Health Interview Survey Review are as follows:
What To Look For In A Probiotic
Since over-the-counter probiotics are supplements and not regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as drugs, its important to look for third-party certification. Third-party testing can ensure the product actually contains what it says it does, and that its free of harmful ingredients like heavy metals. Resources like ConsumerLab.com and Labdoor.com can provide information on a supplements certifications and testing.
And, as mentioned above, a probiotics health benefits are strain-specific. Speak with your doctor about which strain is best for you and your needs.
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Garden Of Life Whole Food Probiotic Supplement
Clean is healthy, which the manufacturers of this supplement believe in. The supplements contain only clean and organic food ingredients that easily trace back to the seed. Additionally, there is no presence of GMOs or synthetic and bioengineered ingredients to ensure that you get everything organic when you take this supplement.
These probiotics come in a number of 216 supplements in one bottle. They are the only shelf-stable probiotics made genuinely using food blends and contain Homeostatic soil organisms.
Bowel Movements
These supplements can be a great addition to their daily life intake for constipated people since they promote healthy, regular, and comfortable bowel movements. They relieve constipation and support the digestive system like no other.
Vegetarian
The supplements are gluten-free and vegetarian. They promote a healthy and balanced internal environment and dont cause any allergic reactions for people allergic to gluten.
Immune Support
These dietary supplements contain 15 billion CFUs and use thirteen different beneficial strains that provide immune support and health. The supplements are soy-free, promoting normal digestion for even dairy products.
Pros
- Capsules are huge in size.
Where to Buy Garden of Life Whole Food Probiotic Supplement
Amazon USA
Buying Guide For Best Probiotics Supplement For Dogs
Buying Guide for Best Probiotics Supplement For Dogs:
1. Age of your dog:
The age of your dog is an important consideration when purchasing a probiotics supplement for them. Puppies are still developing and have immature digestive systems, so they may not be able to properly digest probiotics supplements. Dogs over 7 years old may also not absorb probiotics as well as younger dogs.
2. Dogs diet:
The diet of your dog is also important to consider when purchasing a probiotics supplement. If your dog only eats processed foods, they may not get enough beneficial bacteria from their diet to benefit from a probiotics supplement. However, if your dog eats a lot of fresh, unprocessed foods, then a probiotics supplement may not be necessary.
3. Dogs health:
If your dog is already healthy, a probiotics supplement may not be necessary. However, if your dog has a medical condition such as diarrhea, a probiotics supplement may help to improve their health.
4. Type of probiotics supplement:
Not all probiotics supplements are the same. Some probiotics are isolated strains of bacteria, while others are blends of different strains of bacteria.
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Culturelle Digestive Daily Probiotic
Price: $
This supplement coontains Lactobacillius rhamnosus GG, a strain of probiotic that has been shown to combat several symptoms of IBS, including diarrhea.
In fact, according to one study, Lactobacillius rhamnosus GG was nearly as effective as a low FODMAP diet in reducing the severity of IBS symptoms in 123 people .
It also contains inulin, which can help improve the composition of the gut microbiome to support digestive health .
Culturelle is certified through NSF International, a third-party organization that evaluates supplements for safety and quality. Each product lot is also inspected and produced in accordance with cGMPs.
Phillips Colon Health Daily Probiotic
Image Courtesy ofWalmart
Finding the perfect probiotic shouldnt have to be a monumental challenge. Hundreds of companies offer probiotic supplements in stores and online throughout the country. The only problem is finding the right probiotic for you and your health needs. Bayer, one of the oldest medication producers in the world, has a proven track record of producing quality health supplements and medicines.
One of the larger brands, Phillips, has been trusted with providing quality health supplements for decades. As such, we were pleased to have the opportunity to test out this particular health supplement for a two-week period.
During that time several members of our team took home some bottles and integrated them into our daily routines. The small capsules were easy to take as-is, though one of our reviewers made a point of sprinkling it on her morning cup of yogurt.
We were all quite pleased with the end result. The probiotic helped us decrease instances of bloating and gas while making our trips to the restroom more regular.
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Florastor Daily Probiotic Supplement
Price: $$$
With 10 billion CFU of probiotics packed into each serving, this supplement from Florastor is a great option to help manage symptoms of IBS.
Its formulated with Saccharomyces Boulardii, a specific strain of bacteria that has been studied for its ability to prevent diarrhea and preserve and restore the function of the intestinal barrier .
According to the companys website, Florastor adheres to strict standards for quality control and manufactures products in a cGMP facility. This Daily Probiotic also has an A- rating from Labdoor.com .
Who Should Buy Probiotics
Probiotics are most important for people who may have a disrupted or deficient gut microbiome. Probiotics are commonly recommended following a course of antibiotics, for example.
While antibiotic drugs can be very effective against infectious bacteria, they also lay waste to the healthy bacteria present in your stomach and intestines, paradoxically leaving you vulnerable to health disruptions in the future.
Taking a probiotic supplement after a course of antibiotics can help rectify this imbalance. Probiotics are also very helpful in many people who have intestinal problems like Crohns disease, ulcerative colitis, or irritable bowel syndrome .
The mechanisms behind many of these intestinal problems are unknown, but appear to be linked both to your immune system function and your levels of probiotic bacteria.
Not only are gut bacteria populations different between people with intestinal problems and health people, but modifying the gut bacteria in people with irritable bowel syndrome or Crohns disease can lead to improvements in symptoms, which strongly suggests gut bacteria is linked to the problem.
Beyond people with these health problems, there is increasing recognition that even healthy people can have a disrupted gut biome as a result of their diet.
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Smart Belly Adult Daily
This formula contains a selection of 7 well-researched lactobacillus and bifidobacterium strains, as well as a prebiotic. The CFU is 7 billion, which is less than ideal, but it does use the patented Bio-tract delivery system so that the majority of those probiotic bacteria will survive stomach acid. Its allergy-free and requires no refrigeration.
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.
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Best Probiotics For Constipation
When choosing a probiotic for constipation its important that it contains clinically researched strains that help alleviate the condition.
When I say help, I mean they should at least
- Increase the frequency of bowel movements
- Shorten the transit times
Without doubt the two most effective probiotic species are Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus.
However, its the strain that makes the difference and not all strains are created equal.
Certain strains are better at dealing with the symptoms of chronic constipation than others..
And the best probiotic supplements for constipation should contain at least one of these strains.
Below is a list of clinically researched bacterial strains that are shown to have a beneficial effect on constipation.
Pure Encapsulations Probiotic Gi Top Shelf Supplements To Support The Integrity Of The Intestines
Pure Encapsulations has been in this business for the past 30-years. They have one of the best premium supplements for human health. The company doesnt just create a product they use ingredients backed by scientific evidence to prove that their products are worth it. All their suppliers are reliable and provide natural ingredients free from chemicals and additives.
You can grab consumer products or choose products for your patients on their website. Products for patients do not come as blends but contain solo ingredients. You can combine these according to the results you want to achieve. This works great if you have a deficiency of specific minerals, vitamins, or acids and want to overcome it.
The holy grail of Pure Encapsulations consumer products is Probiotic G.I., available in 30 or 60 capsules per bottle. The main benefit of this product is to improve the immunity system. Also, it can enhance your digestive system and provide your body with more energy via food.
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Number Of Live Organisms Per Dosage
Inside our guts, we have trillions of live bacteria â both good and bad. So if we are going to take a probiotic supplement, we want to ensure we are taking one thatâs actually going to make a difference.
Given we have a trillion live bacteria in our guts, you can imagine that 100 million is hardly going to make a difference. So when it comes to quality probiotics, youâre going to want one that has billions of bacteria per dose.
The number of live organisms per dose is referred to as colony-forming units . Generally, you will want probiotics with at least 1 billion to 100 billion CFU per dose. In fact, I would recommend nothing short of around 20 million CFU.
If youâre after probiotics in India, for example, or somewhere you think your gut is really going to be tested, then itâs worth paying extra for a probiotic with a super high CFU, like around at least 50 billion.
Of course, you can take multiple tablets to reach the correct dosage you want to ingest â but just keep this in mind when purchasing the probiotics. Probiotic A with 60 tablets for $10 might sound cheap compared to probiotic B with 30 tablets for $25, but if you need to take 3 tablets from probiotic A for the same dose as probiotic B, then itâs actually more expensive.
