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If your social media algorithms are anything like mine, then you’ve more than likely seen the "hot girls have stomach issues" trend infiltrate your For You page on more than one occasion. Since you’ve landed on this story, you’ve also probably done your own research on your stomach issues—and how to help them—and I’ll bet the word probiotic popped up in your search results at least a few times.
"Probiotics are live microorganisms, such as bacteria and/or yeast, that promote overall health and maintain the stasis, or balance, of your gut microbiome," says Brynna Connor, MD, board-certified family medicine physician and the Healthcare Ambassador for Northwestpharmacy.com. Probiotics break down food and aid digestion, Kylene Bogden, RDN, CSSD, a sports dietitian, previously told Women’s Health. All of this keeps your hot girl stomach issues at bay.
Sounds pretty good, no? We tapped gastroenterologists and dietitians who help their patients improve their gut health (or stomach issues) for their best probiotic recommendations. Here’s everything to consider before smashing the “add to cart” button.
What To Consider
Ingredients
First, check out the bacteria strain that makes up the probiotic, because it’ll typically differ depending on the ailment or issue at hand, says Surpiya Rao, MD, a quadruple board-certified physician in internal medicine, gastroenterology, obesity and lifestyle medicine.
For instance, Lactobacillus is one of the most common types of strains found in probiotics due to its ability to aid in digestion and improve overall gut health, says Dr. Connor. If that's your goal, look for these specific strains on the ingredients list: Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, and Lactobacillus plantarum. But if you suffer from other issues, like diarrhea or constipation, search for other ingredients like Lactobacillus rhamnosus and Lactobacillus acidophilus, that may potentially help mitigate those symptoms, says Dr. Connor.
Once you know which probiotic strains you need, make sure there’s enough of the strain in the supp. Take note of the product’s CFU count, or the amount of live microorganisms found inside, listed on the container, Dr. Rao says. The higher the number of CFUs, the more effective the supplement is likely going to be. This number should be in the billions, unless your doctor wants you to take something with a smaller amount, Dr. Rao says.
Type
Probiotics come in many different forms including capsules, powder, and gummies—and all of them have pros and cons.
Although gummies are typically favored because of their easy-to-chew and flavorful nature, they may not be the most effective. “They typically do not contain as many probiotics as capsules or powders,” says Sarah Masukewicz, RD, LDN, CNSC, a gastroenterology dietitian at Tufts Medical Center. Capsules are often the recommended type of probiotic, as they often deliver the most effective results via their enteric coating. "This design aims to prevent stomach acid from destroying the bacteria inside, which helps the probiotics reach the intestines,” says Masukewicz.
Powders are also another viable form of probiotics as they can easily be digested in drinks. That said, the bacteria contained inside the powder may not be preserved as well as a result, says Neha Pathak, MD, adjunct assistant professor of medicine at Emory University School of Medicine.
Additionally, some probiotics require refrigeration or cool temperatures for storage to preserve the live bacteria (or probiotic cultures) inside, says Joseph Salhab, MD, a Florida-based gastroenterologist. If you travel a lot and might not have access to a fridge, you might consider a probiotic that’s freeze-dried and shelf-stable instead, because it won’t need to be refrigerated.
Testing And Certifications
Buy a probiotic that’s been certified by a third party testing agency like National Sanitation Foundation (NSF), United States Pharmacopeia (USP), USDA-certified organic, and Clean Label Project-certified. Third-party testing ensures the supplement is a high–quality product, says Dr. Pathak, and that it doesn’t contain any unnecessary contaminants.
If testing information is not listed on the label, see if any of the probiotics you’re shopping for online are approved by doctors, which is often indicated on product pages. But the probiotics on this list have been expert-approved, according to the criteria above.
How We Chose
Women’s Health editors are constantly testing the newest, buzziest supplements on the market. For this list, our team consulted board-certified family medicine physician Brynna Connor, MD and Surpiya Rao, MD, gastroenterologists Joseph Salhab, MD and Kenneth Hepps, MD, gastroenterology dietitian Sarah Masukewicz, RD, LDN, CNSC, and Adjunct Assistant Professor of Medicine Neha Pathak, MD. We also evaluated thousands of customer reviews and ratings to narrow down the best probiotics for gut health for a wide range of needs and preferences.
Ready to get your tummy issues in check? See the 7 best expert-recommended probiotics for gut health to add to your cart ASAP.
Probiotics are generally safe for healthy individuals, but like with any supplement you’re considering taking, it’s still a good idea to talk to your doctor or a registered dietitian well-versed in gut health about your options, benefits, and potential side effects.
Pros
Available in 30 and 90-count bottles
Cons
Needs to be taken with food
If you’re looking for the overall best probiotic to incorporate into your wellness routine, Dr. Connor recommends Pendulum’s Akkermansia. Made with a blend of the probiotic Akkermansia muciniphila and the prebiotic chicory inulin, “it’s great to help maintain the intestinal lining and help the gut lining continue to be regenerated daily” says Dr. Connor. This will ensure that nutrients from food are being absorbed properly and that your insides are able to fight against pathogens that can cause infection.
Furthermore, although it is recommended to keep these capsules in the refrigerator, it’s not required, which can make it a suitable option for those who travel regularly.
Ingredients | Akkermansia muciniphila and chicory inulin |
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Type | Capsule |
Testing | GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) designation |
Best Probiotic For Constipation
Garden of Life Once Daily Women's
Pros
Contains a variety of bacterial strains
Doesn't have to be taken with food
NSF-certified
Cons
Unflavored
“Garden of Life has a great probiotic with several different strains of lactobacillus as well as bifidobacterium [which] helps to recolonize the gut microbiome,” says Dr. Connor. This is helpful because it restores the balance of that “good” and “bad” bacteria that nestles itself in your gut and helps maintain digestive health and immunity. This probiotic is also certified by the NSF, so you can rest assured that you’ll only be ingesting high-quality strains.
Plus, with 50 billion CFUs, this supp is very effective and only needs to be taken once per day to notice results. You can do so by taking the capsule with food or water, or by dissolving the contents of the capsule into a liquid (if you have difficulty swallowing capsules like me).
Ingredients | Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus paracasei, Lactobacillus bulgaricus, Lactobacillus brevis, Lactobacillus reuteri, Lactobacillus salivarius, Lactobacillus fermentum, Lactobacillus gasseri, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Bifidobacterium lactis, Bifidobacterium bifidum, Bifidobacterium breve, Bifidobacterium infantis, Bifidobacterium longum, and organic prebiotic fiber blend |
---|---|
Type | Capsule |
Testing | NSF-certified |
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Pros
Has a citrus fruit flavor made from real fruit
Each scoop contains five grams of fiber
Good price point
Cons
Not technically a probiotic
This one is technically not a probiotic, but a prebiotic, which doesn’t contain live organisms, but instead feeds the the live bacteria to help your stomach health, explains Dr. Connor. The best prebiotics—like this one—contain psyllium husk, which rebalances and supports the gut microbiome, notes Dr. Salhab, who takes Bellway. Just mix one scoop of this USDA-certified organic prebiotic into eight fluid ounces of a beverage, which will give you five grams of fiber—and you can even do so twice per day, according to Amazon.
Ingredients | Organic psyllium husk powder, raspberry fruit powder, citric acid, salt, Stevia leaf extract, monk fruit extract, and beet juice powder |
---|---|
Type | Powder |
Testing | USDA-certified organic |
Pros
Neutral taste
Only needs to be taken once per day
Cons
May contain small quantities of lactose
Bloating is no fun for anyone, but it’s a natural part of life. That said, there are probiotics you can take for that uncomfy feeling, such as this probiotic from Culturelle. “This product contains Bacillus coagulans Unique IS-2 [a strain of Bacillus coagulans], which has been shown to reduce constipation and abdominal pain,” says Masukewicz.
With 28 servings per box, you’ll be set to take your probiotic once daily for nearly a month. This probiotic can be taken with food or drink, and is stored in foil packets, which work to preserve the live probiotics for longer. Just make sure to note that traces of lactose may be present, in case you’re intolerant.
Ingredients | Bacillus coagulans Unique IS2 |
---|---|
Type | Powder |
Testing | Not listed |
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Pros
Vegetarian
Special packaging ensures probiotic potency
Developed by gastroenterologists
Cons
May be difficult for some to swallow
Ensuring proper digestion can help work against heartburn amongst several other intestinal issues. Luckily for you, “this product contains [the bacteria] Bifidobacterium longum 35624, which has been shown to enhance digestion by restoring a healthy microbiome,” says Masukewicz. A plus? When you create a bodily environment for improved digestion, it is likely you’ll notice an improvement in other sensations, including bloating and constipation. More pros: It can be taken by vegetarians as it’s both vegetarian and gluten-free, and it doesn’t require refrigeration.
Ingredients | Bifidobacterium 35624 |
---|---|
Type | Capsules |
Testing | Not listed |
Pros
Gluten- and soy-free
A two-month supply comes in one order
Vegetarian
Cons
Unflavored
If you’re someone who experiences occasional diarrhea, "a probiotic with lactobacillus rhamnosus, such as Culturelle, has been shown in study after study to help patients who suffer from ongoing diarrhea,” explains Dr. Connor. Additionally, this supplement contains inulin, a prebiotic that regenerates and maintains the intestinal lining, notes Dr. Connor. In addition to being gluten-free and soy-free, this probiotic has been NSF-tested to ensure its manufacturing quality.
A caveat: Daily probiotics like this one can definitely help manage the occasional bout of diarrhea. However, if you experience diarrhea multiple times per day or for a prolonged period or about two days, you should chat with your doctor to make sure it’s not an indicator of a more serious condition or disease.
Ingredients | Lactobacillus rhamnosus and Inulin |
---|---|
Type | Capsule |
Testing | NSF-certified |
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Pros
Contains 112.5 billion probiotics per capsule, so it’s very effective
Includes 60 capsules
Comes in a recyclable insulated cooler
Cons
Won’t last outside of refrigerator for too long
There are 112.5 billion (!) probiotics in this gluten-free probiotic from Visbiome. With a CFU count that high, this baby is effective. Kenneth Hepps, MD, a California-based Gastroenterologist at Providence Cedars-Sinai Tarzana Medical Center, recommends Visbiome as it contains strains of Lactobacillus that can help stop diarrhea and support the gut barrier, immune system, and digestion, especially of lactose.
With 60 capsules per serving, you’ll be set for two months. It is important to note that this probiotic requires refrigeration (or cooler temps) to thrive, so it won’t last long without access to refrigeration. In addition to being gluten-free, this probiotic can be consumed by those following temporary elimination diets like the low-FODMAP diet, as it’s low-FODMAP certified.
Ingredients | Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus paracasei, Lactobacillus delbrueckii |
---|---|
Type | Capsules |
Testing | Clean Label Project-certified, low-FODMAP certified |
Meet The Experts
- Brynna Connor, MD, is a board-certified family medicine physician and the Healthcare Ambassador for Northwestpharmacy.com.
- Kylene Bogden, RDN, CSSD, is a sports dietitian.
- Surpiya Rao, MD, is a quadruple board-certified physician in internal medicine, gastroenterology, obesity and lifestyle medicine.
- Sarah Masukewicz, RD, LDN, CNSC, is a gastroenterology dietitian at Tufts Medical Center.
- Neha Pathak, MD, is an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Medicine at Emory University School of Medicine.
- Joseph Salhab, MD, is a Florida-based gastroenterologist specializing in digestion, nutrition, pancreas, and liver.
- Kenneth Hepps, MD, is a California-based Gastroenterologist at Providence Cedars-Sinai Tarzana Medical Center.
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Jenna Clark
Jenna Clark is a freelance writer who covers commerce, travel, beauty, and lifestyle. Her work has been featured in Insider, The Daily Beast, Well+Good, and Taste of Home. When not reviewing the latest products or traveling, you can likely find her at a theme park or watching the latest Broadway show. You can follow her on Instagram @JennaElizClark and Twitter @JennaElizClark.