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The products featured in this article have been independently reviewed. When you buy something through the retail links on this page, we may earn commission at no cost to you, the reader. The Sports Illustrated editorial team is not involved in the creation of this content. Learn more here. In today’s hectic world you may feel stressed, eat processed foods to make mealtimes easier, or fall sick and need antibiotics. Unfortunately, this can hurt the good bacteria in your gut. Fortunately, taking a probiotic is one way to improve your gut health. It can feel like you need a biology degree and a firm understanding of Latin to figure out how to pick the best probiotic. With ingredients like Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium and acronyms like CFU,it's easy to get overwhelmed. So, we are breaking down the science and technical language and creating a guide to select the best probiotic. Please note that you should consult with your health care provider before starting probiotic supplements, especially if you are immunocompromised, had a recent illness or surgery, are currently taking antibiotics, or have been told to monitor your vitamin K intake. Your health care provider can also help you select which one is right for you and check for potential interactions with any prescription medicine you may be taking. Our Picks for the Best Probiotic Supplements for Gut Health, Bloating, IBS and More in 2022:
Metagenics Key infoStrain: Bifidobacterium lactis The Metagenics Ultra Flora Control probiotic supplement claims to help with weight loss when taken as part of a healthy diet and exercise regimen. “Probiotics are a tool in the toolbox; always [use them] in conjunction with a healthy diet,” says Greenwood. In a clinical study, B. lactis B420 consumption was shown to increase Lactobacillus and Akkermansia in the gut. Lactobacillus and Akkermansia strains are both associated with intestinal microbiomes of healthy, lean individuals. This probiotic can be taken once daily and has in-house and third-party testing on every lot. You can also enter the lot number of your product to view quality testing information. The Ultra Flora Control is non-GMO, gluten-free and vegetarian friendly. Pros:
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SI Readers: Use discount code SIUFC15 Buy Metagenics Ultra Flora Control Best Monthly Probiotic Subscription: Ritual Synbiotic+Ritual Key infoStrains: Ritual Synbiotic+ is a synbiotic product, meaning it contains a prebiotic and probiotic, but as a bonus, it also includes a postbiotic to optimize your gut health. Using a delayed-release capsule makes it more likely that the probiotic survives the stomach acid. The website claims to help with bloating, gas and diarrhea, and support the immune system and gut barrier function. It's recommended that you take this probiotic once daily, with or without food. The manufacturer says all products are third-party tested for quality, purity and strength. Additionally, all ingredients are made traceable, so you know where (geographically speaking) everything is sourced. Synbiotic+ is vegan and gluten-free. Pros:
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Buy Ritual Synbiotic+ Best Budget Probiotic: Renew Life® Adult 50+ ProbioticRenewLife Key infoStrains: Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG, Bifidobacterium lactis Bi-07, Bifidobacterium lactis HN019, Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM, Lactobacillus paracasei Lpc-37, Bifidobacterium infantis Bi-26, Lactobacillus acidophilus La-14, Bifidobacterium lactis BI-04, Lactobacillus brevis LBr-35,
Lactobacillus casei Lc-11, Lactobacillus lactis Li-23 andLactobacillus plantarum Lp-115 RenewLife 50+ probiotic is specially designed to counteract the changes to your gut bacteria that happen with age. “As you age, bifidobacteria decreases, so you need more of that,” says Greenwood, a key strain in this probiotic. The delayed-release capsule promotes regularity, supports digestive balance and immune and respiratory health in addition to being a budget-friendly supplement. It's recommended that you take one capsule daily with or without food. This probiotic is third-party tested and is non-GMO, gluten-, dairy- and soy-free. Pros:
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Buy RenewLife 50+ Probiotic Best Probiotic for Bloating: Align Probiotic 24/7 Digestive SupportKey infoStrains: Bifidobacterium
35624 Align's 24/7 Digestive Support probiotic is a great choice for those who suffer from excess bloating and are looking for a quick and simple fix to help alleviate discomfort associated with built up gases. This probiotic is easy to find since it's sold at several retailers and online, easy to store and easy to consume. You're guaranteed one billion CFUs per serving and Align is the only probiotic supplement that contains the patented Bifidobacterium 35624 pure-strain probiotic bacteria. While this probiotic is gluten-free, it does contain milk making it less than ideal for those allergic to dairy. Pros:
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Purchase Align Probiotic 24/7 Digestive Support Best Coated Probiotic Capsules: Jarrow Formulas Jarro-Dophilus EPSJarrow Key infoStrains: Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus R0011, Lactobacillus helveticus R0052, Pediococcus acidilactici R1001, Lacticaseibacillus casei R0215, Bifidobacterium longum BB536, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum R1012, Bifidobacterium breve R0070 and Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis R1058 Jarrow Formulas Jarro-Dophilus EPS (enhanced probiotic system) uses a unique ‘EnteroGuard’ coating to ensure that its proprietary blend of probiotics can survive the stomach acid and make it to the intestines. Their website claims the probiotic aids in supporting intestinal and immune health. According to Jarrow Formulas, their raw material suppliers and products are manufactured in cGMP-certified facilities. Take one capsule up to four times daily, preferably on an empty stomach. Pros:
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Buy Jarrow Formulas Jarrow-Dophilus EPS Best Refrigerated Probiotic Formula: Garden of Life Dr. Formulated Probiotics Once DailyGarden of Life Key infoStrains: Garden of Life Dr. Formulated Probiotics Once Daily is a probiotic with a prebiotic supplement that uses stomach acid-resistant strains that claim to support digestive health and regularity. The Garden of Life also claims to be the first supplement company to be certified carbon-free. Take once daily with or without food. You can also open the capsule, mix it with water or juice or put it on food. This probiotic is certified non-GMO and gluten-free. It is also dairy-free, soy-free and vegetarian. Pros:
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Buy Garden of Life Dr. Formulated Probiotics Once Daily Best USA-Made Probiotic: NOW Probiotic-10 25 BillionNow Key infoStrains:
Lactobacillus acidophilus (La-14), Bifidobacterium lactis (Bl-04),Lactobacillus plantarum (Lp-115), Lactobacillus casei (Lc-11),Lactobacillus rhamnosus (Lr-32), Lactobacillus paracasei (Lpc-37),Bifidobacterium breve (Bb-03), Streptocous thermophilus (St-21),Lactobacillus salivarius (Ls-33), and Bifidobacterium longum (BI-05) NOW is a US-based family-owned and operated company that started as a local health food store. The NOW probiotic pills support immune function and a healthy gut. According to the manufacturer, the product has an ‘A’ rating with the National Product Association (NPA), the first association to offer the GMP certification. The probiotic strains are also verified by ‘DNA-fingerprinting technology.’ Probiotic does not contain wheat, gluten, soy, milk, egg, fish, shellfish or tree nuts. You can take one capsule up to two times a day. Pros:
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Buy Now Probiotic-10 25 Billion Best Probiotic for IBS: Klaire Labs Ther-Biotic Pro IBS ReliefKlaire Labs Key infoStrains: Klaire Labs Ther-Biotic Pro IBS Relief is a medical food for managing IBS, including constipation, diarrhea and gas. Ther-Biotic contains Sunfiber, a low FODMAP prebiotic; FODMAP is short for 'fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides and polyols,' which are a group of sugars that cause digestive issues for some. Its medical food classification means that this product meets consumers' needs that cannot be met by just changing how they eat. It also means that this product should be used under the supervision of your healthcare provider. The products are encapsulated using a technology that protects the probiotics from stomach acid so they can reach the intestines. Klaire Labs is a cGMP manufacturing facility. Take once daily during the first part of a meal. This probiotic is hypoallergenic, non-GMO and vegetarian. Pros:
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Buy Klaire Labs Ther-Biotic Pro IBS Relief Best Targeted Release Probiotic Formula: Bio-K Plus Daily Care 50 Billion ProbioticBio-K Key infoStrains: Proprietary strains of Lactobacillus acidophilus CL1285, Lactobacillus casei LBC80R and Lactobacillus rhamnosus CLR2 The Bio-K Plus Daily Care 50 Billion Probiotic supplement claims to be great for the person who wants general support or needs a stronger alternative. Their targeted release capsule can withstand stomach acid, so the probiotic is safely delivered to your intestines. The Bio-K Plus formula is Health Canada approved and is vegan and free of hormones, antibiotics, pesticides, gluten and heavy metals. Take one capsule daily with or without food. Pros:
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Buy Bio-K Plus Daily Care 50 Billion Probiotic What Is a Probiotic?Probiotics are daily supplements that aid in gut health, digestion and in some cases, alleviate abdominal pain and bloating. Probiotics are comprised of good bacteria (which we all have in our bodies) and sometimes yeasts. Although you may be put off by the word "bacteria," it's important to remember that good bacteria is essential to healthy digestion and in some cases may support immunity. The most common types of bacteria found in probiotics are Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium. A probiotic can come in the form of a capsule, liquid or powder and is typically taken once daily. What Are CFUs?CFU is an abbreviation for 'colony-forming units' which is indicative of the amount of live probiotics per serving. Although it might seem counterintuitive, a higher CFU count doesn't necessarily mean a better quality probiotic. What really makes a difference is the type of strains included in the probiotic. Adjustment Periods and Side EffectsHow soon you see changes depends on why you are taking the probiotic. If you are taking a probiotic just to maintain your current health, you may not “feel” any changes, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t doing anything. Because probiotics are considered a dietary supplement, their side effects are usually minimal. You may feel slight stomach discomfort unless you are immunocompromised or very sick. Probiotics are “low risk, high yield, and for some people, it could help quite a bit,” says Greenwood. How to Choose the Best Probiotic for YouChoosing a probiotic can be tough since there are so many different types available on the market. We recommend figuring out what, if any, issue you'd like a probiotic to help with; for example, do you suffer from constant bloating and gas? Are you looking to alleviate IBS symptoms? Or maybe you simply want a probiotic supplement to provide some additional support when it comes to your gut health. Whatever the reason, there's likely a probiotic designed with your needs and symptom relief in mind. If you want to manage constipation, you might look for a probiotic that features a Lactobacillus acidophilus strain. Trying to manage IBS? Consider a probiotic that features Bifidobacterium lactis Bi-07. How we chose the probiotics on this listWe selected our top picks based on what strains they contain, what symptoms they help manage and their price points. We spent several hours researching which probiotics, prebiotics and postbiotics offered users relief, had the option to purchase as a subscription and avoided including common allergens in their ingredients. Probiotic FAQsWhat is the best probiotic for bloating and gas?The Align Probiotic 24/7 Digestive Support is a good choice if you suffer from frequent bloating and gas. This probiotic features 10 different bacteria strains including a strain called Bifidobacterium infantis 35624 which helps mitigate intestinal inflammation. What's the difference between a prebiotic and a probiotic?Probiotics are supplements that contain live bacteria strains and yeast aimed at improving the microflora (bacteria) in your body to maintain gut health. Prebiotics are food for the microflora in our bodies. Related Post: The Best Probiotics for Women in 2022 What is the best time of day to take probiotics?The answer to this question isn't so cut and dry because recommendations vary from probiotic to probiotic. For example, some directions recommend consuming a probiotic on an empty stomach while others say you should take the supplement with food. Then there's individual bacterial strains to consider — some, such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, have a higher survivability rate when taken before a meal. In fact, one study reports that probiotics consumed 30-minutes post meal survived in lower numbers than supplements taken before eating. For optimal results, you should focus on consistency in taking your probiotics and following the directions on the packaging over time of day. How long does it take for a probiotic to work?It depends. First, ensure you're taking the right kind of probiotic for your specific needs (are you looking for relief from diarrhea or bloating?) Certain strains (Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium) are good at helping with specific issues and conditions such as IBS symptoms. Depending on what issues you're targeting, how you follow the instructions on the probiotic packaging, the frequency with which you take your probiotic and the quality of the probiotic, you could begin to feel results as early as one to two weeks in but don't get discouraged if you don't immediately feel a difference — for some, it can take four to eight weeks. The Takeaway“Our gut doesn’t work in isolation,” says Williamson. When combined with a balanced diet and exercise, probiotics can improve your overall wellness journey. Picking the right probiotic for you is not just about the brand; it's selecting the right strain for you. You may need to check with your doctor before starting a probiotic regimen. “I think we are just dipping our toes into the world of probiotics [and we are] finding more out about it all of the time, I think there is a lot of potential [in probiotics],” says Williamson. Prices are accurate and items in stock at time of publishing. What probiotic Do most doctors recommend?A general recommendation is to choose probiotic products with at least 1 billion colony-forming units and containing the genus Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, Bacillus or Saccharomyces boulardii, some of the most researched probiotics.
What are the top three probiotics?What probiotic is best?. Lactobacilli. The best probiotics will contain one or more bacteria strains from the Lactobacillus species. ... . Bifidobacteria. The best probiotics will also contain one or more bacteria strains from Bifidobacterium species. ... . Streptococcus thermophilus.. What is the top 5 probiotics?Culturelle Digestive Daily.. Align Probiotic Extra Strength.. Bio-Kult.. Jarrow Formulas Jarro-Dophilus EPS.. Garden of Life Dr. Formulated Probiotics Once Daily 30 Billion CFUs.. NOW Probiotic-10 25 Billion.. Klaire Labs Ther-Biotic Pro IBS Relief.. Thorne FloraSport 20B.. Which probiotics are actually effective?Bacteria-fermented foods are good sources of probiotics, including:. Active-culture yogurts.. Cheese.. Kefir.. Kimchi.. Kombucha.. Sauerkraut.. |
What are the best probiotics to take
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