Best Probiotic Supplements For Men and Women

Top 10 Product Descriptions with reviews

Everyone has intestinal troubles at some point in their lives. Stress, anxiety, worry, and emotional and physical health come down to our stomachs. When we are out of balance, so too is our intestinal tracts and bacteria flora that live there. There are numerous probiotic wellness supplements to choose from, what are they and which are the best.

Some of the best probiotic supplements are listed below with indications, uses and their reviews.

1. Florastor Daily Probiotic Supplement For Men and Women

Florastor supplement help you maintain a healthy  digestive balance every day. Each capsule contains 

250mg of our unique probiotic strain, Saccharomyces boulardii lyo CNCM I-745. The probiotic cells in our unique strain  are larger and stronger than many other probiotics which  provides increased intestinal coverage and protection.

Florastor Daily Probiotic Supplement works differently from other probiotics. It helps Flush out bad bacteria and Boost the Good Bacteria and also Stimulates your  Immunity. All the benefits with the added immunity boosting Ingredients Vitamin C, D3, and Zinc. During their crucial first 1,000 days with FloralstorBaby Resistant to antibiotics, Thrives during antibiotic use.

Pros

  • Helps to flush out bad bacteria and improves the gut health
  • The formula helps to stimulate immune system
  •  Can be mixed into your favorite food or beverage for easy consumption

Cons

  • Takes a long time to show result

Analysis of 600+ reviews 

img-alt Analysis 61671 reviews for 32 products in the Probiotic Nutritional Supplements
img-alt   A total of 609 reviews for this product out of which, 113 reviews were received in the last 6 months.
img-alt The analysis indicates that around 73% reviews were positive while around 16% of reviews had negative sentiment.
 

Ranking and Score 

img-alt This product received a total score of 9.06 out of 10, based on review sentiments and user opinions related to 6 features: Overall satisfaction, Effectiveness, Taste,  Ingredients quality, Customer support Value for money.

Amazon Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars    53 ratings

2. Garden of Life: Whole Food Probiotic Supplement, Primal Defense Ultra Ultimate Probiotic Dietary Supplement for Digestive and Gut Health

Primal Defense is the only probiotic formula that contains a unique whole food blend with Homeostatic Soil Organisms (HSOs). The HSOs in Primal Defense are important probiotics you would get in abundance if your food came from soil untouched by pesticides, herbicides and other widely used chemicals. To replenish the valuable probiotics our pasteurized, irradiated and disinfected food no longer provides, Primal Defense includes 12 species of hardy beneficial microorganisms in the form of the HSO Probiotic Blend. Let the unique HSOs in Primal Defense take you to a new level of total health.

  • The leading whole food probiotic containing Homeostatic Soil Organisms (HSOs)
  • The HSO Probiotic Blend in Primal Defense® helps support the normal gastrointestinal balance of good and potentially harmful bacteria to help maintain a balanced, healthy internal environment
  • Contains probiotics that promote regular bowel function and help maintain an already healthy immune system—both of which are beneficial to overall health
  • Maximizes the benefits of a healthy diet by supporting normal absorption and assimilation of nutrients in the gut
  • Unlike other probiotics, the key probiotics in Primal Defense can thrive in the toughest digestive environments and are undeterred by stomach and bile acids
  • Select ingredients in Primal Defense are produced through the Garden of Life proprietary Poten-Zyme fermentation process to make nutrients more available to the body.    

    Analysis of 600+ reviews 

    img-alt Analysis 61671 reviews for 32 products in the Probiotic Nutritional Supplements
    img-alt A total of 999 reviews for this product out of which, 388 reviews were received in the last 6 months.
    img-alt The analysis indicates that around 83% reviews were positive while around 17% of reviews had negative sentiment.
     

    Ranking and Score 

    img-alt This product received a total score of 8.8 out of 10, based on review sentiments and user opinions related to 6 features: Overall satisfaction, Effectiveness, Taste,  Ingredients quality, Customer support Value for money.
    Amazon Rating: 4.8 out of 5 stars    1,929 ratings 

3. Nutrition Now PB 8 Probiotic Acidophilus For Life* Vegetarian Dietary Supplement for Men and Women

Nutrition Now PB 8 contains 14 billion cells in 8 probiotic strains. Of note, I like the inclusion of Lactobacillus acidophilus. This is a tried and true probiotic strain that has been researched quite a bit. The findings suggest that it may be used to help reduce stomach problems such as gas, bloating, constipation, and diarrhea.

This strain may also help with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) symptoms, vaginal yeast infections, and certain allergies. Another strain that’s used is Lactobacillus casei. I’m actually not a fan of this particular strain.

Lactobacillus casei has been known to be aggressive in the body and overrun the good bacteria. This defeats the purpose of probiotics because we want good bacteria in our systems and we want them to survive!

However, this strain may be able to help with diarrhea and constipation.

Allergy Concerns

Nutrition Now PB 8 is very allergy friendly. The capsules contain NO soy, gluten, milk, wheat, eggs, peanuts, or tree nuts. The other ingredients used in the capsules include: gelatin (capsule), water, microcrystalline cellulose, inulin, magnesium stearate, and silica. One quick side note is that PB 8 also offers a vegetarian option for this probiotic line that’s free of gelatin or any other animal by-products.

Analysis of 300+ reviews 

img-alt Analysis 61671 reviews for 32 products in the Probiotic Nutritional Supplements
img-alt A total of 320 reviews for this product out of which, 136 reviews were received in the last 6 months.
img-alt The analysis indicates that around 85% reviews were positive while around 15% of reviews had negative sentiment.
 

Ranking and Score 

img-alt This product received a total score of 8.8 out of 10, based on review sentiments and user opinions related to 6 features: Overall satisfaction, Effectiveness, Taste,  Ingredients quality, Customer support Value for money.

Amazon Rating: 4.8 out of 5 stars    1,917 ratings  

4. Align Daily Probiotic Supplement

Align is a daily probiotic supplement that works naturally with your body to promote and support a healthy digestive system.* Take one capsule of Align at any time of the day, with or without food. With continued daily use, Align fortifies your digestive system 24/7 with healthy bacteria to help maintain digestive balance so that you can continue doing the things that you love.

Align contains the quality probiotic strain Bifidobacterium 35624, which can’t be found in any other probiotic. Align’s unique strain was developed by gastroenterologists and is backed by over 20 years of research. #1 doctor recommended probiotic. The bacteria are freeze-dried and do not require refrigeration, so it is okay to leave them in a location that makes it easier to remember to take them, such as a purse or desk. This product has been tested for accuracy and contains one billion live bacteria/colony-forming units when manufactured and provides an effective level of bacteria (ten million colony-forming units) until at least the best by date.

In a 2018 survey of gastroenterologists and general practitioners in Canada, Align was the number one probiotic choice for those who said that they recommended a specific brand of probiotic to their patients.

Align is a product with a very low side effect profile, with no significant difference in side effects between the product and placebo. It is also gluten-free and safe for those with celiac disease. However, both the capsule and chewable tablet contain milk protein and are therefore not safe for individuals with a milk allergy. Since Align only contains trace amounts of lactose, it may or may not be okay for those with lactose intolerance, depending on the individual. If you are interested in taking this product, please speak with your physician. And, if you choose to take Align – or any other probiotic – do not stop taking any medications prescribed by your physician without first consulting with your health care team.

Analysis of 150+ reviews 

img-alt Analysis 61671 reviews for 32 products in the Probiotic Nutritional Supplements
img-alt A total of 177 reviews for this product out of which, 61 reviews were received in the last 6 months.
img-alt The analysis indicates that around 100% reviews were positive while around 0% of reviews had negative sentiment.
 

Ranking and Score 

img-alt This product received a total score of 8.0 out of 10, based on review sentiments and user opinions related to 6 features: Overall satisfaction, Effectiveness, Taste,  Ingredients quality, Customer support Value for money.

Amazon Rating: 4.8 out of 5 stars   950 ratings 

5. Culturelle Health & Wellness Daily Probiotic Dietary Supplement

Culturelle product is carefully formulated with the most beneficial strains, backed by strong science and proven effective to work in harmony with the human body. The capsules contain the super-probiotic strain LGG. All the probiotic strains used in the products are clinically studied.

Culturelle advantage,” says the maker of Culturelle, a supplement containing probiotic (“good”) bacteria. One capsule daily is supposed to promote digestion, maintain regularity, support your immune system, and help you return to optimal health. An ad claims that Culturelle’s probiotic, Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG), has been clinically shown to improve digestive health and strengthen the immune system. Unlike a lot of probiotics, a Culturelle spokeswoman notes, LGG survives past the stomach and into the intestines, where it balances out  “bad” bacteria. Each capsule is guaranteed to contain 10 billion cells of LGG.

Because probiotics are considered a food and dietary supplement, not a medicine, the Food and Drug Administration doesn’t verify their claims. But many strains of probiotics have been studied extensively for their effect on irritable bowel syndrome, eczema, and diarrhea. We reviewed LGG studies, looking for evidence to support or refute Culturelle’s claims.

Research has also shown that LGG reaches the intestines and that 10 billion cells is an effective dose. A 2010 Consumer Reports survey is worth noting, too. Of respondents who reported using probiotics, 35 percent said that those they used  “helped a lot.”

More research may help clarify the proper dosage and strains for different conditions. Meanwhile, probiotics such as Culturelle aren’t useful to everyone, says probiotic expert Yehuda Ringel, M.D., a gastroenterologist and associate professor of medicine at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. “If you are a healthy person and keep a healthy way of life and healthy diet, you don’t need probiotics to help you get healthier.”

Analysis of 1500+ reviews 

img-alt Analysis 61671 reviews for 32 products in the Probiotic Nutritional Supplements
img-alt A total of 1512 reviews for this product out of which, 217 reviews were received in the last 6 months.
img-alt The analysis indicates that around 76% reviews were positive while around 17% of reviews had negative sentiment.
 

Ranking and Score 

img-alt This product received a total score of 6.41 out of 10, based on review sentiments and user opinions related to 6 features: Overall satisfaction, Effectiveness, Taste,  Ingredients quality, Customer support Value for money.

Amazon Rating: 4.7 out of 5 stars   576 ratings

6. NOW Supplements, Probiotic-10 100 Billion with 10 Probiotic Strains

NOW Probiotic-10 offers a balanced spectrum of live organisms consisting of acid-resistant probiotic bacterial strains that are known to naturally colonize the human GI tract. Probiotic bacteria are critical for healthy digestion, help maintain the integrity of the intestinal lining, support proper intestinal motility and participate in the detoxification process. This potent Probiotic-10 formula delivers 100 billion live organisms to help restore healthy flora following occasional but temporary disruptions to intestinal balance such as illness, and antibiotic treatment. Keep refrigerated to maintain potency.
NOW probiotics are STRAINED VERIFIED using our unique Ribo-printer DNA testing. NOW scientists utilize this powerful, cutting-edge tool to guarantee the identity, potency, and purity of the bacterial strains used in our probiotic products, as well as to help identify potential bacterial contaminants prior to production.

  • Helps support intestinal/gastrointestinal health and could promote a favorable gut flora
  • Mega-Potent 100 Billion active cells at Expiry
  • Ten live stains
  • Enhanced with FOS
  • Soy, Dairy and gluten-free, Non-GMO 
  • Vegetarian / Vegan
  • Premium formula for urgent care and  support
  • Strain Verified by NOW’s RiboPrinter testing equipment

Analysis of 200+ reviews 

img-alt Analysis 61671 reviews for 32 products in the Probiotic Nutritional Supplements
img-alt A total of 233 reviews for this product out of which, 76 reviews were received in the last 6 months.
img-alt The analysis indicates that around 73% reviews were positive while around 19% of reviews had negative sentiment.
 

Ranking and Score 

img-alt This product received a total score of 6.8 out of 10, based on review sentiments and user opinions related to 6 features: Overall satisfaction, Effectiveness, Taste,  Ingredients quality, Customer support Value for money.

Amazon Rating: 4.6 out of 5 stars    335 ratings

7. Raw Probiotics Ultimate Care 100 Billion CFU

Raw Probiotics is a unique line of high-potency, Raw, whole food probiotics that are age- and gender-specific. Unlike isolated strains of probiotics, Raw Probiotics offers all the benefits of a true “food” probiotic with a record-setting 30+ probiotic strains. So, it’s not just isolated bacteria in a pill; Raw Probiotics is a whole-food probiotic that emulates eating fermented food. Made with mainly Bulgarian yogurt concentrate, Wild European kefir grains and scobies, and concentrated clinically studied probiotics strains, Raw Probiotics is created below 40º F and 30% humidity so that what you see on the label is what you get in the bottle.

Raw Probiotics Ultimate Care—the ultimate complementary probiotic. Many factors can compromise your body’s defenses, including the overuse of medications, stress, your environment and even normal aging, resulting in the loss of beneficial Bifidobacterium. Raw Probiotics Ultimate Care’s high Bifido formula includes the clinically studied Replenish Blend, making it your ultimate complementary probiotic to achieve balance—helping you repopulate your gastrointestinal tract with good bacteria. Raw means our probiotics are uncooked, untreated, unadulterated, with no binders or fillers and no carriers. 

Raw Probiotics from Garden of Life is an innovative line of Raw, whole food probiotic formulas that emulates eating fermented food. Inspired by the research of Dr. Eli Metchnikoff, the Father of Probios, these daily and targeted formulations are made with Bulgarian yogurt, Eastern European wild kefir, clinically studied probiotic strains, fruits, and vegetables plus protein-digesting enzymes. Available in both daily or condition-specific formula – Raw is never heated more than – n.n This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Analysis of 300+ reviews 

img-alt Analysis 61671 reviews for 32 products in the Probiotic Nutritional Supplements
img-alt A total of310 reviews for this product out of which, 70 reviews were received in the last 6 months.
img-alt The analysis indicates that around 53% reviews were positive while around 39% of reviews had negative sentiment.
 

Ranking and Score 

img-alt This product received a total score of 7.84 out of 10, based on review sentiments and user opinions related to 6 features: Overall satisfaction, Effectiveness, Taste,  Ingredients quality, Customer support Value for money.

Amazon Rating: 4.7 out of 5 stars    6338 ratings

8. Dr. Mercola Complete Probiotics 100 Billion CFU Dietary Supplement

Today more than ever, you need an effective way to help support a healthy balance of microbes in your gut. By nourishing your healthy microbiome, you support many key functions in your body including your digestion, absorption of nutrients, immune function, the actions of your genes, cellular health, a normal allergic response, mood, vaginal (for women) and urinary tract health.

Dr. Mercola’s Complete Probiotics (100 Billion CFU) offers many potential benefits:

  • 10 different probiotic strains help balance your microbiome
  • Helps protect against “bad” gut bacteria to support your immune health
  • Demonstrates high potency through independent laboratory tests
  • Helps support your digestive and colon health
  • Helps produce vitamins B12, folic acid, and vitamin B6
  • Contains valuable prebiotics for optimal probiotic performance
  • Helps lessen the effects of pesticide toxicity and mycotoxin exposure
  • Helps support cellular health
  • Is acid- and bile-resistant for maximum survival
  • Supports cholesterol levels already in a healthy, normal range
  • Helps promote normal stools
  • Packed in acid-resistant, delayed release patented hard capsules
  • Adapts naturally to the human body

In addition to their original Complete Probiotics product that supplies 70 billion CFU of 10 valuable strains of beneficial bacteria, there’s now an option for those who want a higher potency for even greater microbiome support: Complete Probiotics (100 Billion CFU).

Perhaps you’ve recently taken an antibiotic… you drink fluoridated water… or you wish your immune function was stronger. These are just some of the reasons why you might want a high-potency probiotic supplement.

Suitable for both short-term use and long-term maintenance, all of their Complete Probiotics flood your body with 10 strains of exceptional beneficial bacteria, including long-lasting L. acidophilus DDS-1, which supports your health in 13 different ways, L. rhamnosus, which has been shown to reduce pesticide toxicity, and L. plantarum, which has been shown to reduce the negative effects of mycotoxin exposure.

Dr. Mercola’s formula also contains Fructooligosaccharide (FOS) as a form of prebiotics to help the probiotic bacteria grow and flourish in your body.

Most importantly, their Complete Probiotics (100 Billion CFU) comes packed in patented DRcaps capsules to help protect the probiotics from stomach acid.

The first of their kind, these acid-resistant hard capsules are made of a vegetable substance that slows down capsule opening after swallowing, a real plus for fragile probiotic strains that work best in your intestine.

There are no bioengineered ingredients in their formula. And it’s perfect for travel because their Complete Probiotics (100 Billion CFU) requires no refrigeration.

Analysis of 400+ reviews 

img-alt Analysis 61671 reviews for 32 products in the Probiotic Nutritional Supplements
img-alt A total of 491 reviews for this product out of which, 52 reviews were received in the last 6 months.
img-alt The analysis indicates that around 69% reviews were positive while around 25% of reviews had negative sentiment.
 

Ranking and Score 

img-alt This product received a total score of 8.19 out of 10, based on review sentiments and user opinions related to 6 features: Overall satisfaction, Effectiveness, Taste,  Ingredients quality, Customer support Value for money.

Amazon Rating: 4.7 out of 5 stars    969 ratings

9. Renew Life Adult Probiotic – Ultimate Flora Ultimate Care Probiotic Supplement

Ultimate Flora Ultimate Care Probiotic 100 Billion is a high-potency formula with 12 scientifically studied Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus strains designed to re-establish digestive balance and help prevent occasional gas and bloating. When taken regularly, it also helps promote digestive and immune health so you feel better, lighter and more energized.

• Ultimate Flora Probiotic: Probiotics supplement with 100 billion cultures to support your digestive and immune health as well as restore intestinal flora balance

• Probiotics For Adults: Ultimate Flora Probiotic Ultimate Care is designed with a potent formula of 12 probiotic strains to help digestive balance and promote digestive and immune health for adults

• Daily Support: When taken regularly, Ultimate Flora Probiotic can also help support digestive system balance and relieve occasional digestive discomfort.

• Immune Health: Support your immune health with Ultimate Flora Probiotic so you feel better, lighter and more energized

• 100 Billion: Designed with 100 billion live cultures from 12 probiotic strains, each dairy and gluten free, vegetable capsule is formulated for targeted delivery 

Analysis of 2000+ reviews 

img-alt Analysis 61671 reviews for 32 products in the Probiotic Nutritional Supplements
img-alt A total of 2126 reviews for this product out of which, 153 reviews were received in the last 6 months.
img-alt The analysis indicates that around 61% reviews were positive while around 29% of reviews had negative sentiment.
 

Ranking and Score 

img-alt This product received a total score of 8.31 out of 10, based on review sentiments and user opinions related to 6 features: Overall satisfaction, Effectiveness, Taste,  Ingredients quality, Customer support Value for money.

Amazon Rating: 4.7 out of 5 stars    475 ratings

10. Onnit Total Gut Health – Complete Probiotics & Digestive Enzyme Supplement

Total Gut Health packets offer digestive enzymes, probiotics, prebiotics, and other nutrients that help support a healthy digestive system and gut microbiome, allowing you to get more out of the good food you eat- and pay a smaller price for the bad stuff.︎

Features

  • Includes 2 boxes of Total Gut Health, for a total of 30 packets.
  • EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO OPTIMIZE YOUR GUT HEALTH in one simple packet, including digestive enzymes, prebiotics,
  •  probiotics, and betaine HCl. Total Gut Health protects against all your digestion woes, including bloating, gas, indigestion, irritable bowel syndrome, leaky gut, and constipation. Simply take before your next meal and enjoy all the comforts of optimized digestion. Slip a packet in your pocket if you’re eating out or traveling.
  • BREAK DOWN FOOD & ABSORB NUTRIENTS. The total gut pack is designed to support the GI system with all the tools necessary to enhance nutrient absorption and support the cultivation of a healthy microbiome. New research is shedding light on the connection between the gut biome and optimal brain and immune function, suggesting that healthy digestion actually improves focus, mental clarity, and mood.
  • 5 STRAINS OF PROBIOTICS selected for both their acid resistant qualities and positive effect on the gut. While yogurt, kombucha, and even kimchi are beneficial, they’re limited to only 1 – 2 probiotic strains and offer fewer colony forming units. TGH fills this gap and even includes prebiotics to fuel the probiotic colonies, allowing good bacteria to thrive where the body needs it the most. Also includes probiotic yeast Saccharomyces Boulardii (SB), which supports healthy gut flora.
  • DIGESTIVE ENZYMES & HCI optimize digestion. Digestive enzymes help breakdown fats, starch, fiber, carbs, protein, lactose, and cellulose that aid the gastrointestinal tract with turning food into absorbable nutrients. Powerful general enzymes like serratiopeptidase help break down even the most stubborn macronutrients. Betaine HCl supports stomach acid to keep the stomach ‘hot’, ensuring smooth digestion and protecting against undesirable organisms.

Analysis of 300+ reviews 

img-alt Analysis 61671 reviews for 32 products in the Probiotic Nutritional Supplements
img-alt A total of 344 reviews for this product out of which, 81 reviews were received in the last 6 months.
img-alt The analysis indicates that around 63% reviews were positive while around 27% of reviews had negative sentiment.
 

Ranking and Score 

img-alt This product received a total score of 8.12 out of 10, based on review sentiments and user opinions related to 6 features: Overall satisfaction, Effectiveness, Taste,  Ingredients quality, Customer support Value for money.

Amazon Rating: 4.7 out of 5 stars    393 ratings

HOW THE BEST PROBIOTICS WERE RATED

All probiotic companies boast of their products having the same beneficial properties, but the following factors were considered when ranking these probiotics.

Number of CFUs: Some probiotics contained only 1 billion CFUs, while others had up to 50 billion CFUs. CFUs do not determine the quality of a probiotic. Still, from their use, the higher the number of CFUs a probiotic has, the longer its shelf life, quality, and effectiveness.

Quality of Strains: Strain quality differs from one probiotic to another as some probiotics use one bacterial strain. In contrast, others use more than one to increase the efficiency of the strains on the products. Some brands use cheaper bacterial strains, which lower the probiotic quality as good quality probiotics are always more expensive.

Diversity of strains: Some probiotics use at most two strains that do not lower the product’s quality, but different strains have different properties. Incorporating more strains in a probiotic will improve its quality and uses. Some strains may have specific functions, while others have generalized functions, which may work better when the strains are put together.

Transparency & Reputation: More probiotic companies are formulated daily, and some of these companies praise their products for earning quick money. They do this for their business growth and not to promote good health. We considered the reputation of these companies and their reputations to determine which probiotics were legit.

Delivery System: Probiotics are manufactured in forms to ensure they reach their destination and successfully do their work. Good probiotic companies may make their products in the form of fat balls or capsules that won’t dissolve until they reach the gut.

Advertised Benefits: probiotic companies may exaggerate their usefulness to get a market. How a probiotic supplement is advertised was also considered in the ranking. A good probiotic company would be straightforward about its products’ benefits without lying since they believe in their product.

Doctor formulated: Some probiotics are made by medical professionals while others are made by commercial companies claiming to know about health without medical qualification. The probiotics prioritized here were by professional doctors.

Price and Value: Most probiotic companies use similar ingredients, but some companies set ridiculous prices on these products, making them unavailable to most consumers. We reviewed good quality probiotics that went for an affordable price of fewer than 80 dollars per package.

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.

Poor lifestyle choices such as alcohol, smoking cigarettes, abusing hard and soft drugs like marijuana, cocaine, and morphine, among other drugs, intoxicate the body resulting in your useful bacteria getting killed, leading to a non-uniformity of the digestive tract enzymes and bacteria.

Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, and Saccharomyces bourladii have been extensively studied over the years and found to have several benefits to the digestive system when used as strains in probiotic supplements. They have been used as single strains for specific nutrient needs or used with other strains to improve the Probiotic’s quality, increase its uses and prolong shelf life.

Benefits of probiotic supplements according to a National Health Interview Survey Review are as follows:

o   Aid in maintaining a balanced and healthy microbiome to promote the good functioning of intestinal bacteria.

o   They help revive and rejuvenate the body’s natural microorganisms after an attack of an illness or toxins from harmful substances.

o   Produce substances that improve your digestive tract’s functions in the form of colonies that grow and metabolize to cover the intestinal wall’s inner lining.

o   Boost the body’s immune function to fight against diseases as most disease-causing organisms enter the body through the gastrointestinal system.

o   Reduce oxidative stress by releasing useful antioxidants into the body that help protect the body from free radicals.

Other conditions found to have improved after probiotic supplements intake include indigestion, constipation, colic in babies, inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome, ulcerative colitis, H pylori, Sepsis in infants, diarrhea caused by cancer treatment, acne, allergies and even asthma.

Another review on probiotics’ benefits found out that probiotics improved the immune, gastrointestinal, and female reproductive systems.

The 2012 NIH review paper on health benefits of probiotic stated that the desirable properties of probiotics are:

●      Tolerate Acid and bile tolerance in the gut.

●     Adhesion to mucosal and epithelial surfaces to improve gut health.

●     Antimicrobial activity against harmful bacteria.

●     Tolerate Bile salt hydrolase activity in the intestines.

These properties were the key determinants of the usefulness and effectiveness of probiotics to the body.

Harvard Health had similar results on probiotic bacteria’s effects on over diarrhea, irritable bowel syndrome, colic, urinary tract and vaginal infections, and stomach ulcers, among other conditions. It also concluded that probiotics’ effectiveness differs from one another and that some probiotic strains had more benefits than others.

Some probiotics have immense health benefits while others have insignificant benefits, and they don’t have an advanced protocol of being released into the market after manufacture. It makes assessing the exact benefits of specific probiotics difficult. It is very important to choose a good probiotic that works for you, of good quality, is made of good quality strains, has immense benefits, and is cost-effective.

Side effects related to Probiotics

Most people who use probiotics do not experience side effects, and even if they do, the effects are usually not diverse.

The harmful effects of probiotics can also emerge due to people suffering from chronic illnesses such as cancer, diabetes, liver cirrhosis, high blood pressure, neonates, asthmatic patients, stomach ulcers. These special groups of people should consult with their doctors before using the supplements to know whether they can reduce their dosages to accommodate their conditions.

Supplements could also cause harm if they are consumed after expiry, poor storage conditions that could tamper with the quality of the bacterial strain, such as storing in poorly ventilated areas, storing above or below recommended temperature or in damp areas.

Poorly coated probiotic supplements may also cause more harm than good as viable counts of bacteria, when exposed to a poor environment, tend to die faster than multiply.

According to a CDC review paper, some of these effects may include:

●     The stomach is temporarily bloating with gas after ingesting the probiotic supplement.

●     How the bowel constipates, and users get excessive thirst from ingesting yeast-based probiotics.

However, these side effects are temporary and are said to subside as more probiotics are taken, and the body adjusts. Some studies suggest that people who experience these side effects may reduce the dosage until the body adapts to the dosage. Still, if the side effects persist, consumers should stop taking the probiotic dosage.

The recommended dosage for probiotics

There is no specific recommended dosage for taking probiotics as they have varying strains and CFUs, which influence their body effectiveness.

In general, Probiotic contain between 1 to 100 billion Colony Forming Units in a single serving with 2 to 15 strains of bacteria in these servings. The probiotics come with their own recommended dose, which you can follow to get your purchase results.

FAQs about Probiotics

Q: What are Probiotics?

A: These are bacteria found in the intestinal tract that help improve the digestive and immune function plus other benefits to the body.

Q: Why do I need probiotics?

A: Probiotics help enhance gastrointestinal function, balance digestive enzymes, and relieve other complications like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, UTIs, diarrhea, ulcerative colitis, H. Pylori, colic in babies, runny bowels, among others.

Q: Are probiotics alive?

A: Probiotics are live microorganisms containing colony-forming units made from live bacteria in manufacturing laboratories. They work best when alive, but they still decompose to improve the body’s immune and digestive functions once they die.

Q: What’s the difference between probiotics and prebiotics?

A: Probiotics and prebiotics play different roles in the body as prebiotics act as precursors to probiotics. Precursors are ingredients like fiber that work to facilitate probiotics, improving the general digestive and immune function.

Q: What do probiotics do in the digestive tract?

A: Some form of Colony Forming Units that grow and metabolize to enhance the immune function. Others help maintain the uniformity of bacteria present in the gastrointestinal tract.

Q: Are probiotics still helpful if they die while in the stomach?

A: Only about 10% of probiotic bacteria reach the gut when still alive. This small percentage helps the bacteria form Colony Forming Units, which will grow and metabolize to perform their required functions.

Q: Are probiotics useful for weight loss?

A: Probiotics indirectly help with weight loss as they improve digestion, metabolic is increased, meaning more calories are broken, which prevents the storage of excessive fat in the muscles.

Q: Which foods contain the most probiotic bacteria?

A: Most fermented dairy products have many CFUs of probiotic bacteria such as yogurt, sauerkraut, kefir, and kimchi. Some cheese types, fermented sausages and soy fermented foods and cereals also have probiotic bacteria.

Q: What is the best probiotic supplement?

A: Any of the mention probiotic supplements above is one of the best probiotic supplements as in 2021 with backed evidence of their benefits.

Q: Do probiotics help my immune system?

A: Probiotics cannot overdose as they don’t have adverse contraindications when taken in excess. But it is safer to follow the recommended dose to avoid unnecessary complications. A healthy digestive system means an improved immune system as most microorganisms that affect the immune function are found in the digestive tract.

Q: How many CFUs are good for a probiotic?

A: Probiotics may contain CFUs between 1 billion to 100 billion units. But these Colony Forming Units do not detect a probiotic’s effectiveness since this is influenced by the mode it is delivered to the body and the quality of strains found in the probiotic. Any number of colony-forming units above 1 billion units makes a good probiotic as long as it has a good delivery system and high-quality bacteria strains.

FINAL VERDICT ON BEST PROBIOTICS

Probiotic supplements have immense benefits to the digestive system. They balance the bacteria present and form colony-forming units that then grow and work to keep a standard metabolic environment conducive to other useful bacteria. Although there is no specific dosage for all probiotics, different probiotic supplements have their specific prescriptions to be followed for the best results.

The number of CFUs does not determine how useful a probiotic supplement is. These are directly influenced by how a probiotic is made to ensure it reaches the gastrointestinal tract with the highest survival CFUs. The quality of bacterial strains also affects how effective a probiotic will be as some companies use cheap strains of low quality, which affects a product’s effectiveness.

Many companies have ventured into probiotic production, but we recommended purchasing probiotics made by doctors as they have higher effectiveness because experts make them.

Probiotics have little to no side effects, but pregnant and lactating mothers should consult with their physician before using these products. They work hand in hand with prebiotics, although they perform different functions. Other benefits of probiotics include reduced bloating and occasional gas buildup. It reduces constipation after meals, faster metabolism of nutrients helps elevate weight loss, enhances better sleep at night, helps ease menopausal effects, eases colic in babies, and enhances the general immune function of your body.

These lists help you understand which and why you should purchase probiotics for regular use according to your needs. A probiotic’s shelf life also helps determine its potency as good quality probiotics have longer shelf lives than poor quality probiotics. Generally, fermented products usually have a longer shelf life than their original products.

The final verdict on probiotics is that they have endless benefits to our bodies, and scientists, health workers, and researchers should explore deeper their unique uses, not just general uses as they are in the current market. Probiotics are safe to use as dietary supplements by people from all age groups at all times

RECOMMENDATIONS ON PROBIOTICS

Probiotic supplements work by balancing useful microorganisms in the intestines, keeping them healthy, and their usefulness has helped them gain popularity among men and women over the years. The microorganisms can be taken for good digestive health and improved immune health and boost the body’s energy levels. In recent years, some have started using probiotics for weight loss. Probiotics have superior health benefits to the body as it improves overall digestive health and other general body functions like metabolism.

Many probiotic supplements are said to have similar functions. Some probiotics work differently as various probiotics target the body’s gut immune function, energy levels, weight loss, and general body health.

Why should you purchase probiotic supplements? Who are probiotic supplements meant to help? Are probiotic supplements affordable? What are the benefits of probiotic supplements? Do probiotic supplements have side effects? These are some of the questions you might ask yourself before purchasing a probiotic product. They can be purchased as dietary supplements or prescribed by the doctor.

Food and drug commissions should formulate more protocols to ensure that probiotics are examined further so that only those qualified in the market can be sold.

Purchase probiotics from well-known companies with a good reputation and good reviews.

Reviews for online purchases of probiotics could help guide what to purchase online besides these reviews, and consumers could use that for guidance.

Purchasing doctor-manufactured probiotics could help minimize getting conned by buying fake products from business-oriented firms.

Laws and bills should be put in place to govern probiotic sales to ensure quality products only.

Further studies should be done on probiotics to discover more of their uses and then categorize them as per their specialization.

Researchers should do more studies on probiotics to determine further uses, functionality, determine specific dosages meant for specific uses and create space for more product formulation.