Not all bacteria is bad for us, and probiotics are a solid example of that. Various studies show that keeping the trillions of bugs found in our gut healthy can be one of the biggest factors that impacts our daily wellbeing.
Bloating, gas, IBS, constipation & irregular bowel movements can be just some of the consequences of poor gut health - and today's modern lifestyles can make it difficult to ensure your body's delicate natural balance of gut flora are maintained.
While you can consume probiotics from fermented foods such as yogurt, many people often choose to take a probiotic supplement to help provide their gut with the extra boost it needs.
But finding the most effective probiotic supplement can be daunting, time-consuming, and even expensive.
So we did the research for you.... Complete with capsules, powders, and gummies – here are the top 5 probiotic supplements worth trying.
What Are Probiotics?
Probiotics are living microorganisms (friendly bacteria) that when consumed, help to balance the delicate flora found in your gut. If your gut microbiome is out of balance, it can trigger digestion-related issues - plus problems with your skin, mood and immunity.
Think of probiotics as little helpers that help to restore order and help maintain harmony in your gut ecosystem. You want them to outnumber any unwelcome bugs found in your gut, including unfavourable bacteria, yeast, and parasites.
While probiotics come in different forms, they also come in different strains and strengths too. Importantly, not all probiotics are created equally and different strains do different things.
One of the most common & straightforward ways to incorporate more of these good bugs is through taking a high quality probiotic supplement.
Benefits Of Probiotics
Probiotics are primarily taken to improve gut health and digestion, especially for those who suffer from irritable bowel system (IBS), bloating, gas or poor digestion.
However, recent research suggests they might offer many other benefits too, from supporting your immune system, helping you to maintain a healthy weight, and even supporting your mood.
In recent months there have also been growing conversations around gut health and the impact on your skin. A bad diet or intolerances, as well as hormone imbalance, can sometimes show in the form of breakouts on the skin.
Probiotics: What You Need To Know
CFUs
Probiotics typically contain billions of live bacteria which form bacterial communities (also known as colonies). The strength of a probiotic product is provided as Colony Forming Units (CFU). If you don't get enough CFUs, you might not get the results you want. But bigger doesn't always mean better - a higher CFU number does not mean it is the most effective probiotic. Instead you should be looking at the right strains for your needs, not necessarily the number of live cultures included.
Popular Strains
While there are virtually endless species of beneficial bacteria, but ones you'll most commonly find in probiotic supplements are Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium. These two strains have been studied extensively and offer proven benefits for gut health - making them a key component of any good quality supplement.
Probiotic Supplements: 2023 Buyers Guide
Quality matters for any supplement, and that goes triple for probiotics. Products can be packaged as supplements, in liquid, powder or tablet form.
Some products need to be refrigerated, and some are engineered as "shelf" stable meaning they are fine to leave outside the fridge.
Let's take a closer look at some of the other important things to consider when it comes to shopping for a quality product...
What To Look For:
1
Diversity Is Key
Your gut is diverse, so your probiotic should be too. Look for a supplement that contains multiple strains. You ideally want as many strains as possible to ensure you're getting a well-rounded product that delivers real benefits.
2
Delayed Release
Some high quality probiotic supplements use "delayed release" technology to help the friendly bacteria endure stomach acid - ensuring they remain alive long enough to reach the gut where they are effective.
3
Prebiotic
Any quality probiotic should also include a prebiotic. These are fibres that act as food for the friendly bacteria to support them on their journey. Look for products formulated with natural prebiotic sources like sugar beet which help to boost absorption and improve effectiveness.
What To Avoid:
Read the back label of any supplement carefully and watch out for any synthetic fillers or additives. Avoid any unnecessary ingredients or bulking agents such as magnesium stearate, titanium dioxide, starch, iron oxide, or microcrystalline cellulose which don't offer any nutritional benefit.
Also watch out for any supplements containing lactose or cornstarch that may cause a unpleasant effects like gas and bloating if you are sensitive to these ingredients.
Your Probiotic Checklist:
Money Back Guarantee
It's important that any manufacturer stands behind their product and is willing to give your money back if you aren't happy with the results. Many manufacturers now offer an extended returns policy or 100% satisfaction guarantee for as long as 30 or 60 days. This gives you plenty of time to try the supplement "risk free" to make sure it's what you're looking for.
GMP Standards
Look for products manufactured to the GMP code of conduct. This is a strict set of manufacturing and quality processes that help to ensure you're getting a premium quality, safe and effective product. Look for a manufacturer which adheres to GMP practices and displays this on their website or packaging.
Our #1 Probiotic For 2023: Biotic Complex by Purolabs
For its ultimate combination of 21 billion CFU plus 15 science-backed probiotic strains with clinically-proven benefits for gut health & digestion, Purolabs Biotic Complex is going to be the best bet for most people.
Each delayed release capsule contains a diverse blend of quality strains (including the all important Lactobacillus & Bifidobacterium) plus natural sugar beet prebiotic to help ensure maximum absorption and efficacy.
This product is also 100% free from sketchy additives, fillers & bulking agents that are commonly found in most supplements.
But what really sets it apart is the truly comprehensive 60 day, 100% satisfaction guarantee - allowing you to try the product risk-free for 60 days to ensure you see the benefits.
Why You'll Love Biotic Complex
15 clinically-studied strains hand-picked by experts for gut health, IBS, bloating, gas & digestion
Vegan-friendly & shelf stable (no refrigeration needed) with natural sugar beet prebiotic
Delayed release capsules to ensure the friendly bacteria reach the gut in an optimal state
Our #1 Pick
Purolabs
Biotic Complex
From £21.66 per bottle
This bestselling gut health formula contains 15 of the world’s most studied probiotic strains to support a balanced gut microbiome.
Containing clinically studied prebiotics & probiotics in a single 2-in-1, delayed-release capsule, it's 100% free from synthetic additives and fillers and is also backed up with a 60 day money back guarantee.
Ratings Breakdown
Quality
The commitment to quality is second-to-none. They focus on the highest-quality, most clinically-tested ingredients without the usual additives or fillers commonly found in most supplements.
Quality
The commitment to quality is second-to-none. They focus on the highest-quality, most clinically-tested ingredients without the usual additives & fillers found in most supplements.
Value
You can definitely find probiotic supplements cheaper -- but if you want true value for money, we think it's worth the investment in supporting your gut.
Value
You can definitely find probiotic supplements cheaper -- but if you want true value for money, we think it's worth the investment in your gut.
Customer Experience
The website is easy to navigate; the delivery is fast and free; and the items come well-packaged. Customer feedback is also excellent.
Customer Experience
The website is easy to navigate; the delivery is fast and free; and the items come well-packaged. Customer feedback is excellent.
Brand
While a relative newcomer, the brand has been on the scene for a couple of years now, slowly building their reputation for quality products with premium ingredients
Brand
While a relative newcomer, the brand has been on the scene for a couple of years now, slowly building their reputation for quality products with premium ingredients
Perks
The product comes with a truly risk-free 60 day 100% satisfaction guarantee so you can try the product first to ensure it's suitable for you.
Perks
The product comes with a truly risk-free 60 day 100% satisfaction guarantee so you can try the product first to ensure it's suitable for you.
Shop Our #1 Pick
Biotic Complex by Purolabs
Other Options Worth Considering:
If you like the sound of getting your dose of probiotics from tasty gummy bear multivitamins, then BeLive Probiotic Gummies should be right up your alley. With fun flavours like orange, blueberry & strawberry these gummies not only taste good, but are good for you too!
The 5 billion total CFU is on the lower side but if you’re just starting out exploring gut health supplements then BeLive offers a good option for a lower price point.
Your Super Gut Restore
Your Super Gut Restore is a tropical flavoured daily probiotic powder that needs to be mixed with water daily. This blend is contains 5 billion CFUs and is very allergen-friendly: made without common irritants like gluten, dairy, eggs, and nuts.
The taste is great and with 3 high quality strains, there's a lot to like about this product. If you hate taking pills, this powder is a great alternative, although those who travel frequently might find it a little inconvenient.
LiveSpo Colytis
This popular liquid supplement for adults contains two premium soil-based strains that boast increased absorption. LiveSpo Colytis is gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free, non-GMO, and suitable for vegans/vegetarians.
Each box contains 20 vials and is also shelf stable for an impressive 24 months.
While the formula isn't quite as comprehensive as others, it offers decent value and is gaining popularity currently - although the taste won't appeal to everyone.
Lovebug Kid's Probiotics
Looking for a good quality probiotic supplement for younger members of the family? Lovebug Kid's Probiotics deliver 5 billion CFU per serving in the form of tasty chewable sweets that your kids will absolutely love.
Shop Our #1 Pick
Biotic Complex by Purolabs
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