8 Best Probiotics For Gut Health in 2024
Probiotics are live microorganisms that provide various health benefits, typically by repairing or improving the gut flora. For example, if you have been taking antibiotics or a loss of “good” bacteria within your stomach, probiotics can help re-balance the amount of good bacteria present. After thorough research, we have decided that the best probiotic for gut health is Culturelle, and have outlined the best 8 probiotics below.
At times, it can be difficult to decide whether or not you need a certain probiotic, which is why consulting a doctor may be beneficial. However, without health insurance, this can be quite costly. With Mira, you will be able to access urgent care visits, lab testings, and up to 80% off prescriptions for just $45 per month. Sign up today.
8 Best Probiotics For Gut Health
Maintaining your gut health is essential to your overall health, as a healthy gut wards off infectious agents and communicates with the brain via hormones and nerves. Some symptoms that your gut health may be contributing to larger issues within your body include bloating, abdominal pain, loose stools, heartburn, nausea, and vomiting.
Probiotics make up your microbiome and are a source of good bacteria. Thus, their main job is to maintain a healthy level within your body. For example, if you are sick, bad bacteria will penetrate your body and continuously increase in number until your body’s bacteria is off balance.
With the help of probiotics, though, your body can fight off the bad bacteria and restore their natural balance. These good bacteria can help boost immune function, regulate inflammation, and aid in digestion.
When looking for the probiotic for you, some general points to keep in mind are that:
- You want to make sure your probiotic contains well-researched bacteria strains such as Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, or Saccharomyces boulardii.
- Note the amount of colony-forming units (CFUs) to know how many probiotics you are receiving per dose.
- Ensure it has been stored properly (whether in a fridge or the open air).
- Check for third-party verification from companies such as Consumer Lab to ensure that the probiotic contains the ingredients it claims.
Every individual’s body is unique and therefore will respond differently to probiotics; however, below is a list we have curated of the 8 best probiotics depending on the situation you are in:
- Culturelle: Best Overall
- Garden of Life Dr. Formulated Probiotics for Women: Best for Women
- Garden of Life Raw Probiotics: Best for Men
- Life Extension FlorAssist Mood: Best for Brain Health
- Thin 30 Probiotic: Best for Weight Loss
- TULA Daily Probiotic & Skin Health Complex: Best for Skin Care
- Olly: Best Gummy Version
- Swanson Probiotics: Most Affordable
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Madeline is a Senior at UCLA majoring in Human Biology & Society with a minor in Spanish. She's currently a Healthcare Research Analyst at Mira, writing content for the blog to help the public better understand certain medical issues, technologies, testings, and the importance of healthcare.