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Caroline Igo Editor, Sleep
Caroline Igo (she/her/hers) is a wellness editor and holds Sleep Science Coach and Stress Management certificates from the Spencer Institute. She received her bachelor's degree in creative writing from Miami University and continues to further her craft in her free time. Before joining CNET, Caroline wrote for past CNN anchor, Daryn Kagan.
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- Carl R. Greer/Andrew D. Hepburn Award for Best Nonfiction Essay (Miami University, 2020)
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What to consider
Purpose
Dietary restrictions
Release time
Strength or CFU count
Our Picks
Best overall probiotic
Culturelle Pro Strength Daily Probiotics
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Best budget probiotic
Nature's Bounty Daily Probiotic
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Best vegan probiotic
Physician's Choice Probiotics
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Best probiotic for women
Garden of Life Once Daily Women's
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Best probiotic for vagin*l health
Florajen Women
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Probiotics are microorganisms found naturally in our bodies. A healthy gut microbiome can mean your digestive system is working well, which may lead to fewer health issues overall. Taking dietary supplements and probiotic supplements can help beneficial bacteria eliminate or balance out the bad, restoring a happy microbiome.Probiotics can have a ton of digestive health benefits, helping withirritable bowel syndrome, or IBS, as well as gastrointestinal issues, eczema, yeast infections and lactose intolerance.
Not everyone needs a probiotic. If your diet already naturally includes the necessary probiotic bacteria and you're not experiencing any gut health or other microbiome issues, chances are you don't need a supplement. Among other foods, some of the best probiotics to eat for gut health include fermented foods like yogurt, sourdough, certain cheeses, kimchi, miso soup and pickled vegetables.
We reviewed a number of probiotics, along with their prices, ingredients and consumer reviews. Here are our picks for the best probiotics.
What is the best probiotic overall?
The best probiotic for you will first depend on your reasons for taking it. Someone who's taking it for their gut health, for example, will likely require a different product than someone taking it for their vagin*l health.
The best probiotic for you will also depend on your nutritional needs and dietary restrictions -- are you vegan or allergic to any foods? Lastly, your doctor may have recommended a specific supplement to you based on your own health or lifestyle factors.
Best probiotic supplements of 2024
Pros
- Vegetarian and vegan
- No refrigeration needed
Cons
- The most expensive on this list
- Not delayed-release
Dosage 1 capsule, daily
CFU 12 billion
Strain Lactobacillus rhamnosus
Culturelle probiotics are for anyone over 12 years old looking to boost their gut health. The capsules contain one of the most researched strains of bacteria -- Lactobacillus rhamnosus -- to aid in healthy digestion and bacteria balance.
Culturelle probiotics are non-GMO, gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free, sugar-free, vegetarian and vegan. Each package contains 60 capsules -- two months worth of probiotics. It is important to note that these probiotics are not delayed-release, meaning that the capsules will be absorbed right away in the stomach and not in the small intestine.
It doesn't specify whether you should take the capsule with a meal. Store these capsules in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.
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Pros
- 120 tablets, four months worth
- A good first probiotic to try
Cons
- Lowest CFU count on this list
- Only one strain, could be less effective than probiotics with multiple strains
Dosage 1 tablet, daily
CFU 100 million
Strain Lactobacillus acidophilus
Nature's Bounty has been a popular contender in the vitamin and supplement market since 1971. Found in most grocery and consumer stores like Target and Walgreens, Nature's Bounty is especially accessible and affordable. Its probiotic supplements contain a very popular strain of bacteria -- Lactobacillus acidophilus, which has shown to help conditions such as bloating, cramps and eczema.
The tablets are free of artificial color, flavor, sweeteners, sugar, starch, milk, lactose, soy, gluten, fish and sodium. This probiotic is suitable for vegetarians.
One bottle contains 120 tablets. Take these probiotics daily with or without a meal.
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Pros
- Contains 10 strains
- A blend of probiotics and prebiotics
Cons
- Just as expensive as Culturelle
- Limited research into artichoke root, chicory root and acacia senegal as probiotics
Dosage 1 capsule, daily
CFU 60 billion
Strains Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus paracasei, Lactobacillus salivarius, Lactobacillus plantarum, Bifidobacterium lactis, Bifidobacterium bifidum, Bifidobacterium longum, Bifidobacterium breve and Lactobacillus bulgaricus
Physician's Choice probiotics is one of the more popular on this list. With almost 110,000 reviews on Amazon, it is one of Amazon's best-selling probiotics. The capsules contain five probiotic strains and five prebiotic strains. In addition, the supplements are delayed-release and will be absorbed in the small intestine.
The probiotics contain non-GMO ingredients without any presence of soy, gluten, milk, egg, wheat, peanuts, shellfish or preservatives. The prebiotic blend is all organic, including 50 mg of Jerusalem artichoke root, 50 mg of acacia senegal and 50 mg of chicory root.
One bottle contains 60 capsules, enough for two months. It doesn't specify whether or not you should take it with a meal.
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Pros
- No refrigeration required
- Contains 15 strains
Cons
- Not verified vegan
- Only a month's worth of capsules
Dosage 1 capsule, daily
CFU 50 billion
Strains Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus gasseri, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus paracasei, Lactobacillus brevis, Lactobacillus bulgaricus, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus salivarius, Lactobacillus fermentum, Bifidobacterium lactis, Bifidobacterium bifidum, Bifidobacterium breve, Lactobacillus infantis and Bifidobacterium longum
Garden of Life offers a probiotic formulated for men's digestive and immune systems. With an impressive 15 strains, the capsules are also non-GMO, gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free and vegetarian.
The Once Daily Men's supplements are designed to aid in colon health and reduce bloating, cramping and gas. In addition to the probiotic cultures, each capsule contains 407 mg of a prebiotic fiber blend, including organic potato and organic acacia fiber.
One bottle contains 30 capsules. Take these daily probiotics with or without a meal. Not suitable for children.
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Pros
- No refrigeration required
- Contains 16 strains
Cons
- Not verified vegan
- Only a month's worth of capsules
Dosage 1 capsule, daily
CFU 50 billion
Strains 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, Lactobacillus infantis and Bifidobacterium longum
Garden of Life also offers a probiotic formulated for women's digestion, immune system and vagin*l health. With an impressive 16 strains (one more than the men's), the capsules are non-GMO, gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free and vegetarian.
These probiotics especially cater to vagin*l health with the added Lactobacillus reuteri and Lactobacillus fermentum strains, both clinically studied for vagin*l health. In addition to the probiotic strains, there is also an added prebiotic fiber blend. The 377 mg of added fiber include organic potato and organic acacia fiber.
One bottle contains 30 capsules. Take these daily probiotics with or without a meal. Not suitable for children.
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Pros
- Does not contain gluten, soy or animal-based gelatin
- Aids in both digestive and immune systems
Cons
- Contains milk, not vegan
- Contains nine added ingredients besides the probiotic and prebiotic
Dosage 1 capsule, daily
CFU 2 billion
Strains Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium animalis
TruBiotics contains two of the most popular and studied strains – Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium animalis -- both used to help the digestive tract and improve the body's fight against infections. The capsules do not contain gluten, soy or animal-based gelatin; however, they do contain dairy.
TruBiotics claim that their probiotics support up to 70% of your immune system found in your digestive tract. In addition to immune health, both strains have been found to help maintain healthy digestive balance.
One bottle contains 60 capsules. It doesn't specify whether you should take it with a meal.
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Pros
- Stimulates healthy pH
- Dairy, gluten, yeast, sugar and nut free
Cons
- Refrigeration required
- Only one month's worth of capsules
Dosage 1 capsule, daily
CFU 15 billion
Strains Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus rhamnosus and Bifidobacterium lactis
In order to maintain a healthy pH and a balanced vagin*l flora, some women turn to probiotics. The two strains present in this probiotic -- Lactobacillus acidophilus and Lactobacillus rhamnosus -- have been shown to support this healthy balance for women.
These non-GMO probiotics do not contain milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, nuts, peanuts, wheat, soy, gluten, coloring or preservatives.
Florajen probiotics need to be refrigerated in order to maintain the right potency. If you buy these supplements online, they will be shipped to your door packed in styrofoam and an ice pack. Immediately transfer to a refrigerator.
One bottle contains 30 capsules. It doesn't specify whether you should take it with a meal.
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What is a probiotic?
Probiotics are beneficial live bacteria and yeast found naturally in our bodies. These good strains of bacteria help eliminate the bad strains of bacteria and yeast in our bodies, restoring the correct balance. Some people turn to probiotic supplements to help maintain this healthy balance.
Depending on the strain and potency, each probiotic supplement is labeled with a colony-forming unit, determining the number of bacteria colonies. The higher the number, it is suggested, the higher the chance of the probiotic taking. However, this doesn't necessarily improve its efficiency.
If you suspect you are experiencing gut issues, talk to your doctor or primary care physician before beginning any probiotic or supplement.Not all probiotics are created equal, and not all probiotics will work for you. It is important to find a product that caters to your unique needs.
Factors to consider when choosing a probiotic
What works well for one person may not be the right choice for another. Here are some important things to keep in mind while shopping around for a gut health supplement.
Purpose: The number one thing you'll need to narrow down is whether a given product meets your probiotic needs. There are differences between probiotics marketed toward men and those marketed toward women, for example, because they contain different formulas and strains that will be more beneficial to one group than the other.
Dietary restrictions: If you have specific nutritional needs (you're a vegan or you're allergic to eggs, for example), you'll want to check the product information of any probiotic to be sure it's safe for you to consume.
Release time: Some of the probiotics release or activate in the stomach, while some are delayed-release and absorbed lower in the digestive tract. Depending on your individual needs, you may want to look for a delayed-release probiotic.
Strength or CFU count: Probiotic supplements are labeled with a colony-forming unit number, which determines the number of bacteria colonies. The higher the number, it is suggested, the higher the chance of the probiotic taking. However, this doesn't necessarily improve its efficiency.
How we chose the best probiotics
When researching products to include in this list, we looked for probiotics that include strains with some evidence supporting their use for gut health, or their use for other microbiome health. We also considered consumer reviews, price, accessibility, variety of probiotic strains and other ingredients.
Best probiotics FAQs
Do probiotics help heal your gut?
Yes -- if you choose a probiotic that's been studied for your specific concern, adjust your diet as necessary to be more gut-friendly and monitor other things that can potentially impact gut health (like stress, water intake and sleep. Studies have shown that probiotics and prebiotics can help aid gut health, though they may not cure or completely heal it.
Everyone's gut has a microbiome with over 200 kinds of bacteria, strains of fungi and viruses. Your gut heath has been linked to many diseases such as autoimmune disorders, gastrointestinal problems and even cancer.
Should you take probiotics every day?
The World Gastroenterology Organization has deemed it safe for healthy adults to take a daily probiotic. Always read the recommendations on the back of the bottle. Speak with your doctor or primary care physician before starting any probiotic or supplement.
When is the best time to take probiotics?
The best time to take your probiotic depends on the strain. One study concluded that the Saccharomyces boulardii strain could be taken with or without a meal, but the Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium strains survived best 30 minutes before a meal.
Most probiotics on this list contain both Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium strains, so it is advised to take them 30 minutes before a meal. However, research is limited. Consult your probiotics' manufacturer recommendations.
