Ceccerini C, et al. (2022). Evaluating the efficacy of probiotics in IBS treatment using a systematic review of clinical trials and multi-criteria decision analysis. These organic microbiome supplements are made without gluten, dairy or soy, and are suitable for vegans.

Wiciński M, et al. (2020). Probiotics for the treatment of overweight and obesity in humans—a review of clinical trials.The supplement also stands out for including non-fermenting prebiotics that are compatible with a low FODMAP diet. While you can rebuild the bacterial rainforest in your gut by consuming probiotic-rich fermented foods like sauerkraut, kimchi, and kefir, many people shy away from these products. With the name probiotic meaning “for life,” probiotics are healthy bacteria that benefit the host when consumed. But despite the pioneering discoveries of these early microbial researchers, he and other fathers of microbiology viewed bacteria primarily as disruptive and disease-causing. Although best known for their high-quality omega-3 supplements, Nordic Naturals also has a wide array of other supplements, including the Nordic Flora Probiotic Daily.

CFU count: The CFU count in a probiotic supplement refers to the amount of live bacteria it contains. Most supplements provide 1–10 billion CFU per serving, though this can vary. Ideally, look for a product that contains at least 100 million to 1 billion CFU, which is the minimum effective daily dose for probiotics. Designed just for women, the Garden of Life Dr. Formulated Probiotic was created by board-certified neurologist and gut microbiome expert Dr. David Perlmutter, M.D. to target vaginal, immune, and digestive health. Storage needs: Most probiotics are shelf-stable and can be stored at room temperature, while others require refrigeration because they are more sensitive to heat and moisture. 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. Ceccherini C, et al. (2022). Evaluating the efficacy of probiotics in IBS treatment using a systematic review of clinical trials and multi-criteria decision analysis.Mohajeri MH, et al. (2018). The role of the microbiome for human health: From basic science to clinical applications. Khaleesi S, et al. (2019). A review of probiotic supplementation in healthy adults: Helpful or hype? 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.

Chee WJY, et al. (2020). Vaginal microbiota and the potential of Lactobacillus derivatives in maintaining vaginal health. Cheng J, et al. (2021). Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis HN019 effects on gut health: A review. Each serving of Culturelle Women’s 4-in-1 Protection contains 15 billion CFUs of the following probiotic strains: It also contains Lactobacillus acidophilus, another well-researched probiotic species for maintaining a healthy vaginal balance. Chen X, Lu Y, Chen T, Li R. The Female Vaginal Microbiome in Health and Bacterial Vaginosis. Front Cell Infect Microbiol. 2021;11:631972. Published 2021 Apr 7. doi:10.3389/fcimb.2021.631972Asha MZ, et al. (2020). Efficacy and safety of probiotics, prebiotics and synbiotics in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome. Formulated by America's Brain-Health Expert, a Board-Certified Neurologist, #1 New York Times best-selling author, Fellow of the American College of Nutrition, and expert in the human Microbiome.

Abdullatif VA, et al. (2021). Efficacy of probiotics as prophylaxis for urinary tract infections in premenopausal women: A systematic review and meta-analysis. May promote immune health: Evidence supports the role of probiotic supplements in maintaining immune health. Several studies suggest that probiotics may enhance immune function in certain populations, but more research is needed. Arraño V, et al. (2021). Effects of probiotics and synbiotics on weight loss in subjects with overweight or obesity: A systematic review. Sun B, et al. (2022). Bifidobacterium lactis Probio-M8 adjuvant treatment confers added benefits to patients with coronary artery disease via target modulation of the gut-heart/-brain axes. While products are not routinely tested for purity and potency by a third-party lab, the company states that it takes multiple measures to ensure quality and safety.

Just like a healthy rainforest needs diverse plant and animal life to flourish, our microbiome also requires a wide variety of bacterial species to thrive and remain in balance. Look for a few key extras. A good supplement has time-release technology and delivers a dose of prebiotics—fibers that act as food for probiotic bacteria. “The time-release technology ensures the probiotic reaches your intestine and the prebiotic component aids in absorption,” says Dr. Rajapaksa. Another important extra is third-party certification; seek out a seal of approval from groups like Consumer Lab, NSF International, or the U.S. Pharmacopeial Convention (USP), which ensures the product has been tested for quality, purity, potency, and ingredients. Though more research in humans is needed, some studies suggest that phages, including the phages in Culturelle Women’s 4-in-1 Protection, could be used as an alternative treatment for UTIs, including antibiotic-resistant UTIs. Garden of Life Dr. Formulated Probiotics Once Daily, 30 Billion CFUs provides 30 billion CFUs of 14 probiotic strains, including Lactobacillus gasseri and L. rhamnosus, which could help support weight loss.