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Our dietitians rounded up probiotic supplements for a variety of needs. Culturelle is our pick as the best overall probiotic supplement, but read on for other options.
Best overall : Culturelle Digestive Daily Probiotic Capsules|Skip to review
Best for general gut health: Ritual Synbiotic+ |Skip to review
Best for bloating: Mindbodygreen Probiotic+|Skip to review
Best subscription: Seed DS-01 Daily Synbiotic|Skip to review
Best for weight loss: Garden of Life Dr. Formulated Probiotics Once Daily Capsules|Skip to review
Best probiotic for IBS-related symptoms: Klaire Labs Ther-Biotic Pro IBS Relief Capsules|Skip to review
Best for diarrhea: Florastor Daily Probiotic Capsules|Skip to review
Best for general GI discomfort: Align Extra Strength Probiotic Capsules|Skip to review
People may take probiotics to help reduce symptoms of certain medical conditions, bolster their immune health, improve depressive symptoms, and even promote weight loss.
Not everyone needs to take a probiotic supplement, but if you and your healthcare team decide that you may benefit from taking one, there are many excellent products on the market to choose from.
This article features our picks of the 9 best probiotic supplements on the market. It also explains what probiotic supplements are, who may benefit from taking one, and how to choose the right product for your needs.
Pricing guide
- $ = under $0.50 per serving
- $$ = $0.50–$1 per serving
- $$$ = over $1 per serving
Note that the dosage recommendations vary between 1 and 2 capsules or tablets, taken 1–2 times daily.
Thus, a product that you need to take fewer times per day may be comparatively cheaper despite having a higher price per count than a product you need to take multiple times per day.
Disclaimer: The probiotics tested below were provided for free by supplement manufacturers. Our opinions are ours alone and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by the brands.
Price per serving | Serving size | Third-party tested? | Refrigeration needed? | Good for | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Culturelle Digestive Daily | $$ | 1 capsule | no | no | • general digestive health • IBS symptoms • diarrhea |
Ritual Synbiotic+ | $$$ | 1 capsule | yes; for purity and potency | no | • general digestive health • IBS symptoms • subscription |
Mindbodygreen Probiotic+ | $$$ | 1 capsule | yes; for purity and potency | no | • immune health • digestive health |
Seed DS-01 Synbiotic | $$$ | 1 capsule | yes; for allergens, pesticides, and herbicides | no | eco-friendly subscription |
Garden of Life Dr. Formulated Probiotics | $$ | 1 capsule | yes; for purity and potency | yes | • weight loss • general digestive health |
Jarrow Formulas Jarro-Dophilus EPS | $ | 2 capsules | yes; for purity and potency | no | general digestive health |
Klaire Labs Ther-Biotic Pro IBS Relief | $$$ | 1 capsule | no | no | IBS symptoms |
Florastor Daily Probiotic | $$ | 2 capsules | unclear | no | diarrhea |
Align Extra Strength Probiotic | $$$ | 1 capsule | unclear | no | digestive health |
Before you decide you need a probiotic…
It’s not a good idea to take probiotics before consulting a healthcare professional. They can help you decide whether a probiotic supplement is appropriate and give brand and dosage recommendations.
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We selected the best probiotics using the following criteria:
- Vetting: All the products have been vetted to ensure that they meet Healthline’s medical and business standards, adhere to Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations on allowable health claims and labeling requirements, and are manufactured in facilities that adhere to current good manufacturing practices (CGMPs) established by the FDA.
- Credibility: The products we chose are made by medically credible companies that follow ethical, legal, and industry best standards and that provide objective measures of trust, including having supplements thoroughly tested for purity and potency, ideally by third-party organizations.
- Effective dose: With the exception of one product (which doesn’t use CFUs), all the supplements below contain at least 106 (1 million) CFUs per gram.
- Ingredients: We looked for products that are made from high quality ingredients and free of artificial additives and fillers.
- Personal needs: We included options to suit a variety of needs and preferences, whether you need a specific probiotic strain or you follow a gluten-free diet.
- Reviews: We included options that were either tested and recommended by editors at Healthline or that have overall positive reviews online.
Refresher on probiotics
The World Health Organization
Probiotics are also available in supplement form. These supplements contain
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Probiotic supplements have been linked to some health benefits. But while research on probiotics has increased significantly over the past 20 years, researchers are still learning about them and their health effects.
Potential benefits include:
- May improve symptoms of IBS:
Research suggests that probiotics, especially multistrain products containing Lactobacillus acidophilus, may help improve symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), such as bloating and abdominal pain. - May help with diarrhea: Studies indicate that probiotics may help improve multiple types of diarrhea, including
infectious diarrhea,antibiotic-associated diarrhea, andtraveler’s diarrhea. Certain strains, includingLactobacillus rhamnosus GG andSaccharomyces boulardii , seem to be particularly effective for treating diarrhea in children and adults. - May help with constipation: Some probiotics, such as Bifidobacterium lactis, may help improve constipation. However,
study results vary , with some showing no improvements in constipation with probiotics. - May help reduce UTI frequency: Some
studies show that taking probiotics Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1 and Lactobacillus reuteri RC-14 may help reduce urinary tract infections (UTIs) in women. However, study results areconflicting . - May promote immune health: Evidence supports the role of probiotic supplements in
maintaining immune health. Several studies suggest that probiotics may enhance immune function incertain populations , but more research is needed. - May benefit metabolic health and weight management: Alterations in gut bacteria may contribute to obesity and metabolic issues, and some studies show that probiotic supplements may promote weight loss.
Research in this area is ongoing. - May improve cardiovascular risk factors: Probiotic supplements may help reduce blood lipid levels in some
people , which maydecrease the risk of heart disease. However, evidence is limited at this time. - May help treat certain mood and emotional disorders: Studies suggest that certain probiotics may help reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety, but more high quality studies are needed before strong conclusions can be made.
What are CFUs?
Probiotics are generally measured in colony-forming units (CFUs). These units represent the number of viable bacteria per dose.
Products labeled “1 x 109 CFU” contain 1 billion viable or live bacteria per dose. Most supplements contain
For beneficial effects, probiotics must be taken in quite large doses. Researchers suggest that probiotics must contain at least 106 (1 million) viable CFUs per gram to be able to survive digestion and exert positive effects in the body.
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If you’re interested in taking a probiotic supplement, it’s important to first determine whether a probiotic supplement is necessary for your specific health needs.
If you’re instructed to take a probiotic, please consider the following:
- Probiotic strains: Probiotics are not one-size-fits-all remedies, and certain probiotic strains are much more effective for certain medical conditions and symptoms than others. Look for supplements with specific strains based on your needs.
- Intended use: The effectiveness of probiotic supplements is not only strain-specific but also disease-specific, meaning the correct strain and dose must be
appropriate for the condition or symptom you intend to treat. - Brand: Manufacturing processes, shelf life, and formulation type can
significantly affect a probiotic supplement’s effectiveness. Therefore, it’s essential to buy probiotics from established, physician-trusted brands. - Storage requirements: Some probiotics require refrigeration. Check the product label for proper storage instructions. In general, probiotics are sensitive to heat. Thus, if they don’t require refrigeration, you’ll want to store them in a cool, dry area.
- CFUs: The product quality matters. It’s important to look for probiotics that contain at least 106 (1 million) CFUs per gram, as research suggests that this is the minimum amount needed to exert positive effects in the body.
Also keep in mind that because probiotics are quite vulnerable to factors such as temperature change and storage time, many may no longer be viable by the time you purchase them.
For this reason, the
Contrary to popular belief, probiotic supplements are not necessary or appropriate for most people. You’ll need more than probiotics…you maybe don’t need them at all!
Not only can they be expensive, but they may lead to
Plus, probiotic supplements could
While some people, including those with IBS and certain types of inflammatory bowel disease (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 take probiotic supplements.
What’s more, some researchers are
For these reasons, it’s not a good idea to take probiotics before consulting a healthcare professional. They can help you decide whether a probiotic supplement is appropriate and give brand and dosage recommendations.
None of these stand out to you?
Read these articles to see if we have a pick that suits your needs:
- Best Probiotics for IBS
- Best Probiotics for Women
- Best Probiotics for Men
- Best Probiotics to Support Weight Loss
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If you’re experiencing gastrointestinal symptoms such as abdominal pain, bloating, cramping, diarrhea, and constipation; have received a diagnosis of IBD or IBS; or are concerned about your vaginal health, you may benefit from a probiotic.
But it’s a good idea to schedule an appointment with a healthcare professional first, because your symptoms could be related to a condition that requires a specific treatment or medication.
Additionally, taking a probiotic can do
Because probiotics are strain-, disease-, and symptom-specific, no single probiotic is more effective overall than others. An effective probiotic supplement contains one or more probiotic strains that have been clinically shown to help with the symptoms you’re experiencing.
Still, some brands are considered to offer higher quality probiotic supplements, including Culturelle, Seed, and Jarrow Formulas.
Because research on the safety and effectiveness of probiotics in people without existing health conditions is still inconclusive, it’s best to talk with a healthcare professional before starting a daily probiotic.
Probiotic supplements may be helpful for people with certain conditions, such as IBS, constipation, and UTIs.
However, probiotics aren’t necessary for everyone, and the effectiveness of probiotic supplements depends on the strain, dosage, and condition being treated.
Finally, there are many other ways to take care of your gut microbiome and overall health that don’t involve dietary supplements, including following a nutrient-dense diet, managing your stress levels, and maintaining a moderate weight.