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5 Best probiotics of 2024
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5 Best probiotics of 2024

By Sarah Garone  |  Last updated 11/21/23
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This content should not be considered medical advice. The information provided is not meant to diagnose or treat any health conditions. Consult with your doctor before beginning a new exercise routine or taking any new supplements. 

Gut-friendly bacteria can be found in fermented foods like yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut and miso – and it’s great to load up on these at mealtimes – but if you’re looking for an even greater microbial boost, you may want to consider probiotic supplements. Multivitamins and other daily supplements may not offer the probiotics you need for optimum gut health so, we’ve scoped out the many available options to find the best probiotic the market has to offer.

How we chose the best probiotic

Since dietary supplements aren’t regulated by the Food and Drug Administration, choosing the best ones is its own fact-finding mission. We chose the best probiotics by seeking out ones with research to back their effectiveness. Some bacterial strains have been specifically studied by independent entities for their potency in treating specific health conditions. The best brands are transparent about what clinical research has shown. 

Top probiotic

  • Best overall: Bio-K Plus
  • Best for women’s health: Jarrow Fem-Dophilus
  • Best for constipation: Ora Trust Your Gut
  • Best while on antibiotics: Florastor Daily Probiotic Supplement 
  • Best for immune support: OmniBiotic Balance

Best overall: Bio-K Plus

  • Drinkable dairy product packed with multiple probiotic strains
  • Three flavors to choose from
  • Multiple clinical studies support effectiveness
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About Bio-K Plus

Whereas most probiotic supplements come only in pills or capsules, Bio-K Plus’ products are primarily drinkable beverages. You can select from multiple flavors of dairy-based or vegan drinks. (Though, yes, they do also make capsules, if you prefer.) These probiotics hold the top spot on our list for their versatility and over 20 years of clinical research. “Bio-K+ probiotics are some of the very best you can buy for a variety of conditions,” says Katherine Brooking, MS, RD. “They have strong research (both independent and in-house) for benefiting conditions including diarrhea prevention and treatment and irritable bowel syndrome.” 

Besides their multiplicity of potential benefits, Bio-K Plus’ offers organic and non-GMO products, and all their probiotics are gluten-free. According to Brooking, these qualities make them an excellent choice for people with all sorts of unique dietary and lifestyle requirements.  

Why we like it

  • Backed by 20 years of clinical research
  • CFU count guaranteed until expiration date
  • Tasty flavor options

What to consider

  • Not everyone may prefer a drink over a capsule
  • Plain flavor is quite tangy
  • Drinks are perishable

Best for women’s health: Jarrow Fem-Dophilus

  • Supports vaginal and urinary tract health
  • Contains two patented probiotic strains for women’s health
  • Supported by clinical evidence
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About Jarrow Fem-Dophilus

Women who struggle with recurrent yeast infections, bacterial vaginosis, or UTIs could find relief with Jarrow’s women’s blend, Fem-Dophilus, our top choice for probiotics for women. “Jarrow is a good quality probiotic that has a great option for a women’s health probiotic,” says Amanda Sauceda, RDN. “Their Fem-Dophilus has strains that have been specifically researched for helping vaginal and urinary health.” In fact, the two strains in these pills have the most clinically published evidence worldwide for vaginal health. And since Fem-Dophilus is relatively inexpensive, it’s worth a try!

Why we like it

  • Backed by over 30 years of clinical research
  • Jarrow’s products are rated #1 in consumer satisfaction by Consumer Labs
  • Vegan, non-GMO capsules

What to consider

  • Must be refrigerated
  • Not necessarily suitable for gut health or other issues
  • Not the best probiotics for men

Best for constipation: Ora Trust Your Gut Probiotic and Prebiotic Powder

  • Contains prebiotic fiber to feed healthy gut bacteria
  • Powder stirs into liquid
  • Contains seven strains associated with digestive support, immune health and more
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About Ora Trust Your Gut

We all get backed-up digestion from time to time, but if constipation is a regular, bothersome occurrence, check out Ora’s Trust Your Gut probiotic and prebiotic powder. It contains the double-whammy of seven probiotic strains and prebiotic fiber. 

What’s the difference between prebiotic vs. probiotic supplements? Prebiotics are a form of fiber that “feed” healthy strains of gut bacteria (aka probiotics). Research shows that getting more prebiotic fiber can alleviate constipation. Plus, Ora’s website features easy-to-find links to multiple research studies backing up its effectiveness for not just constipation but also reduced inflammation and mood improvement. Ora is also one of the most allergy-friendly products on the market, as it’s free of animal products, dairy, gluten and soy.

Why we like it

  • Transparency of clinical evidence
  • Two tasty flavor options
  • Dairy-free, vegan, gluten-free, non-GMO

What to consider

  • On the pricier side
  • No flavorless option
  • Doesn’t come in pill form

Best while on antibiotics: Florastor Daily Probiotic Supplement

  • Contains a bacterial strain shown to prevent antibiotic-associated diarrhea
  • Vegetarian, gluten-free capsules
  • Twice daily dosage
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About Florastor Daily Probiotic Supplement

Antibiotics are notorious for wiping out the good bacteria in your gut. As they eliminate pathogens, they unfortunately kill off friendly gut bugs, too. Saudeda recommends getting ahead of antibiotic-related gut damage by looking for probiotics that contain the strain S. boulardii.  Some research has found this strain to be particularly helpful for preventing antibiotic-associated diarrhea. “Florastor is a great brand to try out for this,” she says. Besides its effects for preventing diarrhea, it’s inexpensive, vegetarian, and gluten-free.

Why we like it

  • Budget-friendly
  • Doesn’t require refrigeration
  • May help good bacteria thrive during a course of antibiotics

What to consider

  • May not be effective for other health concerns
  • Only 20 capsules per package
  • Contains lactose

Best for immune support: OmniBiotic Balance

  • Dissolvable powder
  • Formulated with six bacterial strains for immune support
  • Claims to reach the gut more effectively than other probiotics
Buy here

About OmniBiotic Balance

OmniBiotic Balance stands out for its claim (tested multiple times in a GI tract simulator) that 83% of its good bacteria reach the intestines, compared with the 7% average of other probiotics. And since OmniBiotic contains six highly active, well-studied strains for immune health, that’s a very good thing! Toss this dissolvable powder into your water bottle or smoothie for immune system support. 

Why we like it

  • Highly transparent about clinical evidence
  • Great for people who don’t do well with pills
  • A portion of every purchase is donated to Feeding America

What to consider

  • More expensive than some other products
  • Some users may not like dissolving powder into liquid
  • Not as many CFU as some other probiotics

How to choose a probiotic

Rather than grab any probiotic off the shelf, you’ll want to choose one that works for your specific health goals. Consider these factors when making your selection:

  • Affordability: You can shell out big bucks for probiotics, but more expensive doesn’t necessarily mean more helpful. If your budget doesn’t allow for pricey products, that’s ok. Do some research to determine which affordable options are evidence-based.
  • Effectiveness: An effective probiotic should have research to back up its claims. Look for products that are transparent about whether studies have validated their effectiveness.
  • Targeted to specific health issues: Not every probiotic strain is right for every health concern, so do a little research to determine which strain suits your needs. Lactobacillus rhamnosis, for example, can help improve diarrhea but might not be right for female health issues.

Methodology

To compile this list, our writers and editors reviewed top products on the market, compared specs and features and created a short list of the top probiotics on the market. Then, we used product descriptions, reviews and user ratings to find the best probiotic for each category. Note that we do not test every product but base our lists on our research, user reviews and expert opinions.

FAQ

What are the signs that probiotics are working?

Once you get on a probiotic, you’ll likely need to be patient to see results. “Probiotics can take several weeks to months to work,” says Brooking. “If they are working, you should see improvement in your condition(s) within a few months.” 

What is the downside of taking probiotics?

For most people, probiotics are a safe supplement. But, according to Harvard Health, more research is needed to determine their safety in certain populations, such as older people. Additionally, finding the right probiotic can take some trial and error. “Sometimes different strains will work better than others, so you may need to experiment for a bit before finding the right product for you,” Brooking says. 

Is it better to eat yogurt or take probiotics?

Fermented foods like yogurt definitely have their place in a healthy diet – so Sauceda encourages consuming them whenever possible. “Food is a good place to start because you get additional benefits beyond the probiotics. When you eat fermented foods, there can be increased digestibility along with having an increase in some vitamins,” she says. However, if you feel foods aren’t providing the health benefits you’re seeking, talk to your doctor about the possibility of a probiotic.

References