Best Probiotics of 2023, According to Dietitians

Probiotics are live bacteria and yeasts found in dietary supplements and fermented foods. These microbes have a variety of health benefits.

If you have ever visited the probiotic aisle at the store, you have probably experienced how overwhelming it can be. There are an incredible number of choices!

In this article, we will help narrow it down a bit so you know what to look for next time you need a probiotic.

Summary of Our Picks

• Best for general health: Physician’s Choice 60 Billion Probiotic and Seed DS-01 Daily Synbiotic
• Best for digestive health: Garden of Life Colon Care Probiotics, Klaire Labs Ther-Biotic Complete, and VSL#3 Probiotic Medical Food
• Best for weight loss: MegaFood MegaFlora Probiotic
• Best for immune health: EU Natural Flourish Probiotics Gut & Digestive Health
• Best for women’s health: Swanson’s FemFlora Probiotic for Women
• Best budget pick: Swanson’s Dr. Stephen Langer’s Ultimate 16 Strain Probiotic

What Are Probiotic Supplements?

Before we dive in, let's discuss probiotic supplements in general. What are they?

Probiotic supplements generally contain one or several different “strains” or types of bacteria. There are hundreds of different bacterial strains found in the human body. Each of these has a specific function. (1)

Researchers are still trying to determine the purpose of each strain through the Human Microbiome Project. But, since there are so many, this is going to take a very long time. (2)

There are seven main groups of probiotics commonly found in supplements. These may include: (3)

• Bacillus
• Escherichia
• Lactobacillus
• Enterococcus
• Saccharomyces
• Bifidobacterium
• Streptococcus

Each of these is a genus of bacteria, but then they are further divided into species and strains. For example, you may see Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM, which is different from Lactobacillus acidophilus KU41.

The NCFM version is great for digestion and improving symptoms of irritable bowel, whereas the KU41 may be beneficial for lowering cholesterol. (4, 5)

It can get quite confusing when trying to select the right product because the potential benefits of each strain do not apply to other strains of the same species.

And we are still discovering what each specific strain does; therefore, we would recommend sticking with certain species of bacteria when looking for a product.

That being said, there are several things that we do understand about probiotics and how to best use them for their health benefits.

Continue reading as we discuss different health concerns where a probiotic supplement can help, and give you a list of product suggestions. We also give you the brand offering the best personalized probiotic, as well as a good probiotic option if you are on a budget.

Best for General Health

Some people may want to take a probiotic just for general health. They may not have a specific concern but know the benefits of a healthy gut.

For general health, probiotics may be helpful with reducing inflammation associated with aging and decreasing the risk of various chronic diseases. (6)

The two most common genus in the human body are Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus. A probiotic for general health should contain a variety of each of these. Also, choose a product with at least 10 billion CFUs.

Optimally, your probiotic should also contain some type of prebiotic, or food for the healthy bacteria. This helps ensure that the probiotics remain alive and are able to colonize the gut once they arrive.

The most common prebiotics are fructooligosaccharides (FOS), galactooligosaccharides (GOS), or trans-galactooligosaccharides, but other types of fiber can be used as well. (7)

While probiotics are safe for most people, those that are immunocompromised should avoid taking them. Some probiotics may also contain lactose, so be sure to check the label if you are lactose intolerant.

These are our picks for the best probiotic supplements for general health:

Physician’s Choice 60 Billion Probiotic

Best for General Health

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Rating Breakdown

• Support for Claims:5.0
• Ingredient Safety:4.0
• Value for the Price:5.0
• Brand Transparency:5.0

Overall Rating:

4.8

Pros

• Provides a variety of common strains
• Delayed-release formulation
• Third-party tested
• Good price point for high CFUs

Cons

• No specific information about how the “delayed release” is achieved
• Unclear what type of third-party testing the product has undergone

Physician’s Choice probiotic contains a variety of the Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium expected in a product for general health.

It has 60 Billion CFUs and 10 different strains. This product utilizes Jerusalem artichoke and chicory root powder as sources of inulin, a prebiotic fiber.

Unlike the Nature Wise product, this product is dairy-free and appropriate for people with lactose intolerance or a milk allergy.

The company claims that the product is also delayed-release and acid resistant, allowing time for the probiotics to reach the intestines. However, there is no clear information about how this is achieved.

Price: $21.97 for a 30-day supply ($0.73 per serving) on Amazon.

Seed DS-01 Daily Synbiotic

Most Comprehensive

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Read Full Review

Rating Breakdown

• Support for Claims:4.3
• Ingredient Safety:5.0
• Value for the Price:4.0
• Brand Transparency:5.0

Overall Rating:

4.6

Pros

• Wide variety of strains, most are well-supported by research
• Includes prebiotics and probiotics
• Does not contain common allergens

Cons

• Proprietary blend makes it difficult to evaluate if strains are provided in beneficial amounts
• Large number of strains may be redundant
• Research not available on all the specific strains

Seed’s Daily Synbiotic was developed by a reputable Scientific Advisory board and designed to pioneer a product in the microbiome space.

It contains 24 strains of bacteria and a prebiotic from Indian pomegranate; together, this forms what is called a synbiotic.

The product contains different blends of probiotics to support a variety of health concerns. These include a healthy microbiome in the gut and heart, skin, and immune health.

It is dairy-free and, therefore, safe for people with a milk allergy or lactose intolerance. Seed’s probiotic is also free of common allergens.

The product has a delayed-release nested capsule with the prebiotic on the outside to protect the probiotics inside the capsule. This ensures the bacteria can survive digestion.

Seed’s probiotic is slightly more expensive than competitors, but due to the large number of different strains and the unique capsule design, this may justify the price.

Price: $49.99 for a 30-day supply ($1.67 per 2-capsule serving) on the company's website.

Best for Digestive Health

Digestive concerns can have many underlying causes, such as stress, food sensitivities, or bacterial imbalance. Probiotics can help address some of these issues.

When choosing a probiotic for digestive health, it is important to evaluate your symptoms first. Whether you have constipation, diarrhea, or IBS, it is important to choose the product with the right strains for your specific digestive symptoms.

These are our picks for the best probiotic supplements for digestive health:

Garden of Life Colon Care Probiotics

Best for Constipation

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Rating Breakdown

• Support for Claims:5.0
• Ingredient Safety:4.0
• Value for the Price:5.0
• Brand Transparency:5.0

Overall Rating:

4.8

Pros

• Wide variety of strains with specific benefits for constipation
• Good price point for a 30-day supply
• Vegetarian, non-GMO, organic

Cons

• Contains additional ingredients that may not be necessary
• Contains milk, may not be appropriate for those with lactose sensitivities

For constipation, the best strains are B. lactis, B. longum, S. cerevisiae, and a variety of Lactobacillus. (8, 9, 10, 11)

Garden of Life Colon Care Probiotics has 50 billion CFUs and 33 probiotic strains, including those best for constipation.

It also contains a variety of digestive enzymes and a fruit and vegetable blend for additional fiber and nutrients.

Price: $29.94 for a 30-day supply ($1.00 per serving) on Amazon.

Related: How to Get Rid of Constipation: Home Remedies and When to See a Doctor

Klaire Labs Ther-Biotic Complete

Best for Diarrhea

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Rating Breakdown

• Support for Claims:5.0
• Ingredient Safety:4.0
• Value for the Price:4.0
• Brand Transparency:5.0

Overall Rating:

4.5

Pros

• Wide variety of strains with specific benefits for diarrhea
• No allergens, no dairy

Cons

• Needs to be refrigerated

For diarrhea, probiotics have been found to be extremely effective, especially against acute bouts of diarrhea due to infection or antibiotic use. (12)

Effective types of bacteria include Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG, Lactobacillus bulgaricus, and Lactobacillus acidophilus. (13)

Klaire Labs Ther-Biotic Complete contains the three types of probiotics, as well as others, and has 25 billion CFU.

I like that it is completely hypoallergenic. It does not contain dairy or other common allergens that may make diarrhea worse.

This probiotic has a “shield” that helps protect the bacteria from stomach acid. It is unclear what this is exactly.

The product is third-party tested.

Price: $49.99 for a 60-day supply ($0.83 per serving) on Amazon.

VSL#3 Probiotic Medical Food

Best for IBS

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Rating Breakdown

• Support for Claims:5.0
• Ingredient Safety:4.0
• Value for the Price:3.0
• Brand Transparency:5.0

Overall Rating:

4.3

Pros

• Extensively studied for IBS
• Contains a variety of strains to help improve different symptoms

Cons

• Higher price point compared to other probiotics
• Needs to be refrigerated
• Best if used under doctor’s supervision

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a collection of digestive symptoms such as gas, nausea, abdominal pain, and other digestive disturbances.

While most people with IBS either have predominately constipation OR diarrhea, some people can alternate between the two.

Probiotics may be helpful in improving IBS symptoms, but which strains are best is unclear. (14)

VSL#3  is one particular product that has been evaluated in-depth for various symptoms of IBS and may be worth a shot to see if it helps.

VSL#3 contains a blend of Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, and Streptococcus. It contains 112.3 billion CFUs. It also has a much higher price point.

Additionally, it is recommended that you use it only under medical supervision, although it can be purchased without a prescription.

Several studies have found it is effective against various symptoms of IBS, as it helps regulate melatonin, which may play a role in symptoms. (15)

Price: $71.50 for 60 capsules on Amazon. The dose is 1–16 capsules per day ($1.19–$19.07 per serving), as recommended by your doctor.

Best for Weight Loss

The bacteria in your gut may impact your body weight.

Several studies have found the bacteria in your digestive system can influence how many calories you absorb, how much belly fat you have, and help regulate inflammation, all of which play a role in maintaining healthy body weight. (16)

While weight management is more complex than just taking a probiotic, certain strains may be able to help as part of a well-rounded weight loss plan.

Strains that can help include Lactobacillus gasseri, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, and Bifidobacterium lactis. (17, 18, 19)

This is our pick for the best probiotic supplement for weight loss:

MegaFood MegaFlora Probiotic

Best for Weight Loss

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Rating Breakdown

• Support for Claims:5.0
• Ingredient Safety:4.0
• Value for the Price:5.0
• Brand Transparency:5.0

Overall Rating:

4.8

Pros

• Contains a high number of CFUs and a variety of strains.
• Third-party tested
• No dairy

Cons

• Needs to be refrigerated

MegaFlora Probiotic contains all three strains mentioned above and has 20 billion CFUs.

The price of this product is very reasonable compared to other similar products. It is third-party tested and is dairy and soy-free.

Price: $30.59 for a 30-day supply ($1.02 per serving) on Amazon.

Related: Probiotics and Weight Loss: Can Probiotics Help You Lose Weight?

Best Probiotics for Immune Health

The right balance of gut bacteria can help support a healthy immune system. They can also help reduce inflammation associated with aging, helping lower the risk of chronic diseases. (20)

Strains that have been found to be beneficial for immune support include Lactobacillus gasseri, Bifidobacterium bifidum, and Bifidobacterium longum. (21)

This is our pick for the best probiotic supplement for immune health:

EU Natural Flourish Probiotics Gut & Digestive Health

Best for Immune Health

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Rating Breakdown

• Support for Claims:5.0
• Ingredient Safety:4.0
• Value for the Price:5.0
• Brand Transparency:5.0

Overall Rating:

4.8

Pros

• Contains all strains needed for immune support
• Third-party tested

Cons

• Does not indicate if it contains lactose

Flourish Probiotics contains a variety of immune-boosting strains, including the three mentioned above. It has 14 billion CFUs, has been third-party tested, and has a 90-day return policy.

This product is also a reasonable price compared to other products with immune-boosting strains that can cost over $50.

Price: $29.99 for a 30-day supply ($1.00 per serving) on Amazon.

Best Probiotics for Women’s Health

Probiotics can help support vaginal health, particularly for women who struggle with chronic yeast or bacterial infections. They can help rebalance bacteria in the vagina. (22)

Strains that have been found to be effective for vaginal health include Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus fermentum, and Lactobacillus rhamnosus. (23)

This is our pick for the best probiotic supplement for women’s health :

Swanson’s FemFlora Probiotic for Women

Best for Women’s Health

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Rating Breakdown

• Support for Claims:5.0
• Ingredient Safety:4.0
• Value for the Price:5.0
• Brand Transparency:5.0

Overall Rating:

4.8

Pros

• Excellent price point
• ConsumerLab-approved

Cons

• Slightly lower CFUs compared to other products

Not only is this product inexpensive, but Swanson’s FemFlora also contains a variety of Lactobacillus strains to support vaginal health. It provides 9.8 billion CFUs.

Swanson is a well-respected supplement brand focused on creating quality products that are third-party tested.

Price: $11.33 for a 60-day supply ($0.19 per serving) on Amazon.

Related: Best Probiotic Supplements for Women of 2023

Best Budget Pick

This is our pick for the most affordable and budget-friendly probiotic supplement:

Swanson’s Dr. Stephen Langer’s Ultimate 16 Strain Probiotic with FOS

Best Budget Pick

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Rating Breakdown

• Support for Claims:5.0
• Ingredient Safety:4.0
• Value for the Price:5.0
• Brand Transparency:4.0

Overall Rating:

4.5

Pros

• Provides a variety of the most common strains
• Inexpensive

Cons

• Not third-party tested
• Price and return policy can vary depending on the retailer

The Swanson brand has been around since 1969, providing quality health and wellness products. Many of their products are quite affordable and available at most major retailers. However, the price can vary slightly depending on the retailer.

This particular probiotic contains 16 different probiotic strains, 3.2 billion CFUs, and FOS (a prebiotic fiber).

Price: $11.70 for a 60-day supply ($.20 per serving) on Amazon.

Things to Consider When Shopping for a Probiotic Supplement

When you look at a probiotic supplement bottle, you find information such as:

• Type of bacteria included in the supplement
• Number of organisms by colony-forming units (CFUs)
• Additional ingredients, such as prebiotic fiber
• Form of probiotic (tablet, capsules, liquids, powders), dose, and whether it needs requires refrigeration
• Possible third-party certification

With that in mind, consider the following factors when choosing the best probiotic supplement for your needs:

The Right Type of Bacteria

The important thing before you purchase is to have a general understanding of the type of strains you are looking for based on your specific health goals.

As mentioned, probiotics behave in a strain-specific way, so it is important to get the exact strain that has been evaluated for your specific concern.

For example, if you are a woman looking for a probiotic to help with vaginal health, a probiotic focused more on digestive health won’t really help you.

Doing a bit of research before you head to the store can help you choose the probiotic that best fits your needs.

Colony-Forming Units (CFUs)

This tells you the number of live bacteria in the product. Generally, most supplements contain between 5–20 billion, with some providing more.

For adults, 10–20 billion seems to be adequate for most health concerns. (24)

Prebiotics

Some products contain prebiotics, which are types of fiber that serve as food for the microbes. This fiber may provide additional benefits to the product.

Shelf-Stable vs. Refrigerated

Probiotics are either shelf-stable or refrigerated. However, there is no specific benefit to refrigerated probiotics.

The important thing is that they are used by the expiration date to ensure the maximum number of bacteria are still alive.

Third-Party Testing

There are several types of third-party testing for supplements that help ensure purity, potency, and quality.

Some popular ones to look for include Consumer Labs, US Pharmacopeia (USP), and NSF International.

This is a type of “guarantee” of the quality of the product since the FDA does not regulate dietary supplements.

Frequently Asked Questions About Probiotics

The Bottom Line

Probiotics are generally safe dietary supplements with many potential health benefits.

Although there is still a lot to learn about the microbiome and the benefits of specific probiotic strains, there are still many potential benefits of taking these products.

Before choosing a product, always know your specific goal ahead of time and research the best strains for your health concern. Taking the right product will improve your results.

As with any dietary supplement, it is always best to speak with your doctor before to make sure it is right for you.

Good health starts with a healthy, well-balanced gut. The right probiotic can help lay the foundation for optimal wellness.