Probiotics are among the most popular dietary supplements and sales of them continue to skyrocket each year. 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 11 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. Probiotics are generally measured in colony forming units CFUs. These units represent the number of viable bacteria per dose.

Most supplements contain 1—10 billion CFUs per dose, but some contain much larger amounts. For beneficial effects, probiotics must be taken in quite large doses. Researchers suggest that probiotics must contain at least 10 6 1 million viable CFUs per gram to be able to survive digestion and exert positive effects in the body.

Our opinions are ours alone and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by the brands. 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.

Probiotics are found naturally in certain foods , such as kimchi and fermented yogurt. They are also found in your gut, where they participate in a variety of important bodily processes , such as vitamin production, mood regulation, digestion, and immune function. Probiotics are also available in supplement form.

These supplements contain high doses of either a single probiotic strain or multiple probiotic strains. 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.

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. This indicates that a product contains a therapeutic number of CFUs after the product is purchased.

Contrary to popular belief, probiotic supplements are not necessary or appropriate for most people. Plus, probiotic supplements could lead to excessive immune stimulation and infection among people with weakened immune systems.

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.

They can help you decide whether a probiotic supplement is appropriate and give brand and dosage recommendations. Research suggests that probiotics must contain at least 10 6 1 million viable CFUs per gram to have a clinically significant effect.

Additionally, the most-studied and most-used strains of probiotics are Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium. However, probiotic supplements are strain- and disease-specific, so the most effective strain will depend on the condition or issue that the supplement is meant to improve.

Because probiotics are strain-, disease-, and symptom-specific, no single probiotic is more effective overall than others. Still, some brands are considered to offer higher quality probiotic supplements, including Culturelle, Seed, and Jarrow Formulas. acidophilus, L. rhamnosus, L.

reuteri and Bifidobacterium species. To maximize probiotic benefits, Haque recommends considering high CFUs around 40 billion or more , multiple strains greater than two , and products from reputable manufacturers.

Lastly, Haque highlights the importance of also consuming prebiotic fiber and fermented foods to complement probiotic supplements, though consult your healthcare professional for personalized advice. Probiotic supplements may be helpful for people with certain conditions, such as IBS, constipation, and UTIs.

Calm Biotic 3 Billion Live Probiotic Cultures Moderates feelings of anxiety and promotes a healthy mood balance.

Cascara Sagrada mg, HerbalFactors Helps improve bowel function. Chewable Ginger mg Relieves digestive upset and prevents nausea. ClenZyme Intensive Strength Supports digestive and intestinal balance.

Complete Megazymes Vegetarian Formula Supports digestion for vegetarians. Critical Care Probiotic Billion Live Probiotic Cultures Restores intestinal balance. Critical Care Probiotic 55 Billion Live Probiotic Cultures Restores intestinal balance. Dandelion Root mg, HerbalFactors Supports liver and gallbladder health.

DGL Deglycyrrhizinated Licorice Root mg Helps soothe stomach irritations and prevent their recurrence. Fenugreek Seed mg, HerbalFactors Helpful digestive tonic and expectorant.

Fermented Apple Cider Vinegar mg Aids digestion and is an antioxidant for the maintenance of good health. Fermented Apple Cider Vinegar with Chromium Supports digestion and weight management. Fermented Organic Greens Organic Chocolate Enzymized greens using our patent-pending process.

Fermented Organic Greens Organic Tropical Enzymized greens using our patent-pending process. Gastro-Assist Relieves GI inflammation. Ginger Root mg, HerbalFactors Helps relieve nausea and calms digestion.

Next ». Probiotics are considered safe for most people. The most commonly reported side effects of probiotics are gas and bloating. If you have severe reactions, including abdominal pain, reduce your daily CFU intake and slowly increase again over time.

Always talk with your doctor before beginning a new health supplement. Before giving probiotic supplements to your child, talk to their pediatrician. Probiotics might not be recommended for people with chronic illness or a weakened immune system. Research indicates a positive association between taking probiotics and healthy digestion in people of all ages.

Healthy digestion also leads to improved mental and oral health, a healthy immune system, and possibly healthier skin. Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available.

Probiotics are beneficial in many ways. In men, they can support gut function, urinary health, and even weight loss. Here are five products you might…. Prebiotics are types of fiber that feed your friendly gut bacteria, leading to all sorts of benefits.

Here are 19 healthy foods rich in prebiotics. How long does it take for probiotics to work? Research suggests that probiotics may help support some people's weight loss journeys.

See which probiotics are worth considering in our expert review. Probiotics come in both refrigerated and shelf-stable varieties. This article explains whether you should keep probiotics in the fridge or leave them….

Probiotics are living organisms that may offer health benefits. This article explores if you should take probiotics during pregnancy and if it's safe…. This article examines probiotics' effects on weight loss.

Several studies suggest that they can help you lose weight and belly fat. Yogurt with lactobacillus acidophilus can boost heart health and help conditions like diabetes. Probiotics contain live microorganisms that can support and enhance your healthy gut bacteria. This article reviews whether timing matters when it….

A Quiz for Teens Are You a Workaholic? How Well Do You Sleep? Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Medically reviewed by Alan Carter, Pharm. Digestive health How to use Benefits Risks Takeaway Overview.

Probiotics and digestion. How to use probiotics for digestive health. Side effects and risks.

Is there an advantage to sw Read more Asked by Tamara Ahlberg on August 29, am. Answered by the admin Hi Tamara, This depends your horse's current gut health status. However, not every horse needs ODH and many see excellent results with the straight probiotic.

Read more Asked by Kathryn on August 26, pm. Q I have an older horse 29 but still very healthy and active but has no back teeth left so cannot Read more Asked by Karen on August 13, am. Answered by the admin Hi Karen, Optimum Digestive Health would be a good option for supporting your horse's gut health and maintaining the microbiome.

This is especially important for senior horses and horses with dental issues. Q I will be starting my horse on a minimum day course of Omeprazole from my vet to treat an ulce Read more Asked by Sandy on July 24, am. Answered by the admin Hi Sandy, Thanks for your question! Optimum Digestive Health is targeted to hindgut health and feed efficiency.

Q How do I get my horse to eat it? Offered j Read more Asked by ccambruzzi on July 12, pm. Answered by the admin You can try to take a bit of sweet feed or oats with molasses on it and feed just a tablespoon of that by hand a couple of times.

Then, slide a couple of pellets of ODH underneath that a couple more times and then just the ODH pellets. Try the cycle a few more times. Q Can you feed Optimum Digestive with the probiotic?

I know the Digestive has the probiotic in it Read more Asked by Katie wakefield on May 17, pm. Answered by the admin Yes, you can feed Optimum Probiotic with Optimum Digestive Health if you believe your horse needs additional probiotics in their diet. However, ODH does contain 20 billion CFUs of probiotics so in most cases it is not necessary to add more.

Q I have a 20 yr old mare who recently colicked with hindgut blockage followed by colitis. She was Read more Asked by Judy Murphy on March 22, am. Optimum Digestive Health will continue to help re-build and maintain a healthy hindgut environment.

Please feel free to contact us directly if you have any other questions! Asked by Mad Barn Customer on March 21, pm. It also contains bacterial probiotics and prebiotic ingredients like MOS mannan-oligosaccharides to nourish the hindgut bacteria and restore balance to the entire digestive system.

Ingredients like glutamine, magnesium, and lecithin also help to support the integrity of the intestinal lining and help the GI tract heal itself naturally. Optimum Digestive Health, or ODH, is a supplement that targets hindgut health, specifically, to enhance the fermentation of forage and reduce the level of harmful bacteria that may be proliferating in the hindgut.

Q Hello. My horse has been on antibiotics for an extended period. Which of the Optimum products wou Read more Asked by Dawn Golding on February 21, am. Answered by the admin Hi Dawn, If your horse has been on antibiotics for a long duration, the risk of ulcers can become a concern.

If you are not concerned about ulcers and your horse is generally in good health, our Optimum Digestive Health pellets are a good option as they contain probiotics, prebiotics, toxin binders, digestive enzymes and active yeast cultures. The Optimum probiotic is a pure 5-strain probiotic supplement.

We generally recommend it to be fed alongside our Omneity mineral and vitamin supplement as a preventative measure to support gut health. You could consider switching to this supplement after feeding Optimum Digestive Health for a couple months so long as your horse's health remains good.

Q I have a 25 year old horse and he has a diarrhea on occasion, he eats and drinks and he's very ha Read more Asked by Janet McLellan on February 1, am. Answered by the admin Hi Janet, Yes you can feed Optimum Digestive Health with the Purina Senior Feed product that your horse is already on.

Q How would I feed ODH to my senior horse with very few teeth? Asked by Dale Butt on January 3, am. A Hi Dale - Our ODH Pellets can be soaked in cold or warm but not hot water prior to feeding to soften them.

Hot water will kill off the beneficial probiotics in the product. Q How long after you start feeding do general results begin to show?

Asked by K Roberts on December 13, pm. A You should start to see changes by weeks, but it is recommended keep them on Optimum Digestive Health for at least 2 months to see significant changes.

Q Is it ok to feed Visceral with the Optimum Digestive Health product? Asked by Vanessa White on November 9, pm. Answered by the admin It would be safe to feed them together, but it is unnecessary.

Q I am currently feeding my horse the Omneity pellets, and was looking at the Optimum Digestive Hea Read more Asked by Mad Barn Customer on May 31, pm. Answered by the admin Yes you can feed them together. Omneity does contain enzymes and yeast as well, but if you feel your horse needs additional support then it is fine to feed them together.

The Optimum Digestive Health is much more comprehensive than just the probiotic and does contain ingredients that Omneity does not, so although there is a bit of overlap, most of what is in ODH is not in Omneity.

Q What would be the length that the 5kg supply of the optimum digestive health would last when feed Q Is Optimum a pellet or a powder? Asked by Mad Barn Customer on May 31, pm.

Answered by the admin We have two products under the Optimum line. The first is the Optimum Probiotic which is just a straight powdered probiotic supplement.

It contains a pure blend of 5 probiotic strains. The second product is Optimum Digestive Health which is a more comprehensive gut health supplement and contains probiotics and prebiotics. That comes in a pelleted form. Q For a senior horse who is having issues with weight would you recommend Optimum Probiotic or Opti Read more Asked by Mad Barn Customer on March 21, am.

Answered by the admin The difference between the two is that Optimum Digestive Health Pellets ODH have both probiotics and yeasts, toxin binders, enzymes and more to support total hindgut health.

Our Optimum Probiotic just contains our 5-strain blend of probiotics. Both are excellent for replenishing and maintaining healthy gut bacteria so that nutrients are better absorbed and the risk of digestive upset is reduced.

It depends what your goal is with your horse, but for more comprehensive hindgut support, I would go with the ODH. It is also important to determine whether there are underlying issues contributing to weight loss. I would also ensure that she is getting adequate levels of vitamins and minerals from her feed by weighing it and reading the feed instructions carefully.

I say this because we often find that commercial feeds are not fed at the correct rate by body weight and can result in deficiencies long term that can affect many aspects of health, especially senior horses. Q Does my horse also need the Optimum Probiotic if I am giving him Optimum Digestive Health ODH p Read more Asked by Mad Barn Customer on August 30, am.

Answered by the admin No, ODH includes probiotics. One scoop of ODH will give a steady supply of probiotics. Show all 33 questions. Send me a notification for each new answer.

Is Your Horse's Diet Missing Anything? Curcumin may have special benefits for people with leaky gut syndrome by deactivating damaging compounds and helping to close holes in the gut lining.

To supplement with curcumin, look for antioxidant supplements that contain a high concentration of curcuminoids. Vitamin C is an antioxidant that plays a crucial role in maintaining gut health. It can help to reduce inflammation in the gut, improving the gut barrier and its ability to absorb nutrients from the foods you eat.

Vitamin C has been known to help balance out the good and bad bacteria inside the gut, resulting in better digestion and a healthier gut microbiome. To get more Vitamin C, eat more leafy green vegetables.

Their fiber is also a pre biotic! These two plants have been used for centuries to treat digestive issues. Ginger and chamomile both help to soothe the digestive tract and reduce inflammation.

Chamomile can help to reduce stress and promote relaxation, which can also improve digestion. A study of people with anxiety taking chamomile supplements found that chamomile was effective for treating their symptoms. Ginger has added benefits of antimicrobial activity that helps to protect your gut from pathogenic microorganisms and spoilage in foods that can lead to food poisoning.

It also helps to reduce nausea and promote the production of digestive enzymes. The sugar substitute stevia is a replacement for gut-harming sugar, but it is also a pro-gut health substance all on its own.

Bacteriophages are an ancient type of virus that specifically target harmful bacteria in the gut, while leaving beneficial bacteria untouched. By reducing harmful flora, bacteriophages improve gut flora balance and reduce the risk of digestive issues. Artichoke helps to promote the production of digestive enzymes and improve digestion.

Additionally, artichoke can help to reduce inflammation in the gut and improve overall gut health. Artichoke can be found as a powdered supplement or simply add more artichoke to your diet. When you have a problem with gut health, it almost always means that somewhere at the root of your problem is a gut flora imbalance.

Gut flora is highly influenced by diet. Eating a diet with too much processed food and excess sugar harms gut flora balance, triggering issues ranging from poor nutrient absorption to weakened immunity, joint aches, depression and anxiety, and yeast overgrowth.

Sugar and other artificial additives and chemical preservatives also increase inflammation in the body, contributing to and worsening autoimmune issues. At the same time you kick sugar to the curb, increase in your diet foods that are prized for replenishing probiotics. Yogurt, sauerkraut and other fermented veggies are some other good choices.

The central nervous system shuts down digestion by slowing contractions of digestive muscles and decreasing secretions for digestion. After the stress has past, the system recovers and digestion resumes. This ancient response works wonders when we need to flee from a charging bear, but when facing the chronic stress of modern life, an over-triggered stress response can keep us in a semi-permanent state of poor digestion.

Taking steps to reduce stress in your life, as well as engaging in stress-busting practices like yoga and meditation, can help your brain turn your digestion back on to full strength.

In women, digestive issues can also be connected to hormonal imbalance. During perimenopause and menopause, hormonal fluctuations or imbalances can influence the pace of food movement through the intestines.

For example, constipation can be a sign of low progesterone. A gut flora imbalance can also interfere with hormone production. Gut flora helps to regulate estrogen. When your balance of healthy microorganisms are off, it can result in imbalances in estrogen levels too.

The bottom line? If you are taking steps to rebalance your hormones, pay attention to your gut health too. Need help identifying your digestive symptoms?

Take our Digestive Health Quiz to assess your gut health and find out the first steps you can take to feel better! If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission or other tangible benefit. Optum Store, Optum Perks, and Healthline Media are owned by RVO Health.

Healthline only shows you brands and products that we stand behind. Our dietitians rounded up probiotic supplements for a variety of needs.

Culturelle has our best overall pick, but read on for other options. Probiotics are among the most popular dietary supplements and sales of them continue to skyrocket each year. 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 11 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. Probiotics are generally measured in colony forming units CFUs.

These units represent the number of viable bacteria per dose. Most supplements contain 1—10 billion CFUs per dose, but some contain much larger amounts. For beneficial effects, probiotics must be taken in quite large doses. Researchers suggest that probiotics must contain at least 10 6 1 million viable CFUs per gram to be able to survive digestion and exert positive effects in the body.

Our opinions are ours alone and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by the brands. 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.

Probiotics are found naturally in certain foods , such as kimchi and fermented yogurt. They are also found in your gut, where they participate in a variety of important bodily processes , such as vitamin production, mood regulation, digestion, and immune function.

Probiotics are also available in supplement form. These supplements contain high doses of either a single probiotic strain or multiple probiotic strains. 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. 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.

This indicates that a product contains a therapeutic number of CFUs after the product is purchased. Contrary to popular belief, probiotic supplements are not necessary or appropriate for most people.

Plus, probiotic supplements could lead to excessive immune stimulation and infection among people with weakened immune systems. 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.

They can help you decide whether a probiotic supplement is appropriate and give brand and dosage recommendations. Research suggests that probiotics must contain at least 10 6 1 million viable CFUs per gram to have a clinically significant effect.

Additionally, the most-studied and most-used strains of probiotics are Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium. However, probiotic supplements are strain- and disease-specific, so the most effective strain will depend on the condition or issue that the supplement is meant to improve.

Because probiotics are strain-, disease-, and symptom-specific, no single probiotic is more effective overall than others. Still, some brands are considered to offer higher quality probiotic supplements, including Culturelle, Seed, and Jarrow Formulas.

acidophilus, L.

Artichoke can be found as a powdered supplement or simply add more artichoke to your diet. When you have a problem with gut health, it almost always means that somewhere at the root of your problem is a gut flora imbalance.

Gut flora is highly influenced by diet. Eating a diet with too much processed food and excess sugar harms gut flora balance, triggering issues ranging from poor nutrient absorption to weakened immunity, joint aches, depression and anxiety, and yeast overgrowth.

Sugar and other artificial additives and chemical preservatives also increase inflammation in the body, contributing to and worsening autoimmune issues. At the same time you kick sugar to the curb, increase in your diet foods that are prized for replenishing probiotics.

Yogurt, sauerkraut and other fermented veggies are some other good choices. The central nervous system shuts down digestion by slowing contractions of digestive muscles and decreasing secretions for digestion. After the stress has past, the system recovers and digestion resumes.

This ancient response works wonders when we need to flee from a charging bear, but when facing the chronic stress of modern life, an over-triggered stress response can keep us in a semi-permanent state of poor digestion. Taking steps to reduce stress in your life, as well as engaging in stress-busting practices like yoga and meditation, can help your brain turn your digestion back on to full strength.

In women, digestive issues can also be connected to hormonal imbalance. During perimenopause and menopause, hormonal fluctuations or imbalances can influence the pace of food movement through the intestines.

For example, constipation can be a sign of low progesterone. A gut flora imbalance can also interfere with hormone production. Gut flora helps to regulate estrogen. When your balance of healthy microorganisms are off, it can result in imbalances in estrogen levels too.

The bottom line? If you are taking steps to rebalance your hormones, pay attention to your gut health too.

Need help identifying your digestive symptoms? Take our Digestive Health Quiz to assess your gut health and find out the first steps you can take to feel better! Your call is free.

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Sharon Stills, NMD Are digestive symptoms running… Read more. A little L-glutamine can do a lot for your health By Dr. 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.

They can help you decide whether a probiotic supplement is appropriate and give brand and dosage recommendations. Research suggests that probiotics must contain at least 10 6 1 million viable CFUs per gram to have a clinically significant effect.

Additionally, the most-studied and most-used strains of probiotics are Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium. However, probiotic supplements are strain- and disease-specific, so the most effective strain will depend on the condition or issue that the supplement is meant to improve.

Because probiotics are strain-, disease-, and symptom-specific, no single probiotic is more effective overall than others. Still, some brands are considered to offer higher quality probiotic supplements, including Culturelle, Seed, and Jarrow Formulas.

acidophilus, L. rhamnosus, L. reuteri and Bifidobacterium species. To maximize probiotic benefits, Haque recommends considering high CFUs around 40 billion or more , multiple strains greater than two , and products from reputable manufacturers. Lastly, Haque highlights the importance of also consuming prebiotic fiber and fermented foods to complement probiotic supplements, though consult your healthcare professional for personalized advice.

Probiotic supplements may be helpful for people with certain conditions, such as IBS, constipation, and UTIs. Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available.

VIEW ALL HISTORY. Probiotics contain live microorganisms that can support and enhance your healthy gut bacteria. This article reviews whether timing matters when it….

Eating fermented foods with live probiotics can have powerful benefits for your body and brain. Here is a list of 11 super healthy probiotic foods. Probiotics can improve your health.

Learn how taking probiotics can benefit weight loss, heart health, digestion, immune function and more. After speaking with their pediatrician, consider one of these 7…. Probiotics come in both refrigerated and shelf-stable varieties. This article explains whether you should keep probiotics in the fridge or leave them….

Probiotics are beneficial in many ways. In men, they can support gut function, urinary health, and even weight loss. Here are five products you might….

Prebiotics are types of fiber that feed your friendly gut bacteria, leading to all sorts of benefits. Here are 19 healthy foods rich in prebiotics.

A Quiz for Teens Are You a Workaholic? How Well Do You Sleep? Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Nutrition Evidence Based 11 Best Probiotic Supplements for , According to Dietitians. Medically reviewed by Imashi Fernando, MS, RDN, CDCES — By Ellen Landes, MS, RDN, CPT and Jillian Kubala, MS, RD — Updated on January 23, On this page How we chose Our picks Comparison table Probiotic basics Benefits How to choose Necessity Talk with a doctor FAQ Bottom line.

How we vet brands and products Healthline only shows you brands and products that we stand behind. Our team thoroughly researches and evaluates the recommendations we make on our site. To establish that the product manufacturers addressed safety and efficacy standards, we: Evaluate ingredients and composition: Do they have the potential to cause harm?

Fact-check all health claims: Do they align with the current body of scientific evidence? Assess the brand: Does it operate with integrity and adhere to industry best practices?

We do the research so you can find trusted products for your health and wellness. Read more about our vetting process. Was this helpful? Share on Pinterest. A quick look at the best probiotic supplements. What are CFUs? How we chose the best probiotic supplements. A comparison of the best probiotic supplements.

What are probiotics? What are the benefits of taking probiotics? How to choose the best probiotic supplement for you. Do you need a probiotic supplement? When to talk with a doctor. Frequently asked questions.