Top 5 Gut Health Supplements of 2022

Both good and bad bacteria live within your digestive tract, affecting digestion, immune health, weight, and even your energy levels. Probiotic supplements have helped countless people worldwide discover the many health benefits of balanced gut bacteria.

Unfortunately, not all dietary supplements are created equal, so it’s essential to do your due diligence before taking a daily supplement. For example, manufacturers must ensure that the good bacteria make it to the gut, but 96{fc1509ea675b3874d16a3203a98b9a1bd8da61315181db431b4a7ea1394b614e} of probiotic supplements fail to do that.

Luckily, we’ve done the research for you to present the five best probiotic supplements available today. If you struggle with poor digestive health, here are our top picks for the best probiotic supplements.

The 5 Best Probiotic Supplements for Gut Health

• Probiology gut+ (Best for women)
• Biotics 8 (Best for men)
• 1MD Complete Probiotics Platinum
• VitaPost Probiotic 40-Billion
• BioTRUST Pro-X10

1. Probiology gut+: Top Rated Probiotic for Women

The Probiology team offers its gut+ formula to help women achieve a healthier gut microbiome. Probiology gut+ is a daily probiotic supplement that uses four proven probiotic strains to introduce a large number of high-quality bacteria into the gut. This supplement was created by women for women, offering many health benefits targeted toward women’s health.

Probiotic Strains

Probiology gut+ includes four high-quality bacteria strains:

• Lactobacillus acidophilus
• Lactobacillus plantarum
• Bifidobacterium lactis
• Lactobacillus paracasei

Although some probiotic supplements include a more significant number of bacteria strains, many don’t match gut+’s 40 billion colony forming units (CFU). These formulated probiotics offer a range of benefits by balancing the gut microbiome, strengthening the digestive tract, reducing inflammation, and supporting immunity.

Highlighted Health Benefits

The Probiology gut+ supplement helps women by:

• Reducing IBS symptoms for improved overall digestion and elimination.
• Supporting balanced vaginal health to prevent yeast infections and other imbalances.
• Supporting urological health to help prevent urinary tract infections.
• Promoting more effective digestion and subsequent weight loss.
• Encouraging calmer digestion for less gas and bloating.
• Increasing serotonin levels in the gut for less stress and a better mood overall.
• Improving immune health and skin health.

Women using Probiology gut+ daily probiotics report feeling happier and lighter. They experience easier eliminations, less abdominal pain, clearer skin, and improved overall gut health.

Product Features

• This proven formula was designed specifically for women.
• A 40 billion CFU count provides your gut with the necessary beneficial bacteria.
• Prebiotic fiber provides these positive bacteria with nutrients to help them thrive.
• Probiology gut+ is shelf-stable, so there’s no need to refrigerate it.
• The patented MAKtrek® marine polysaccharide complex protects the probiotics from stomach acid to ensure they reach the gut.
• This dietary supplement is dairy-free, soy-free, gluten-free, GMO-free, and preservative-free.
• You can try Probiology gut+ risk-free with a 60-day trial and money-back guarantee.
• Probiology gut+ ships for free.

Click Here for the Lowest Price on Probiology Gut+

2. Biotics 8: Best Probiotics for Men

Health and wellness brand Bauer Nutrition offers Biotics 8 to help men find digestive balance through daily supplementation of good bacteria and other helpful ingredients. Offering formulated probiotics for men, Biotics 8 encourages calmer digestion, increased immunity, improved mood, higher energy and focus levels, and better overall health. This daily probiotic provides quick relief from digestive issues with a fast-acting formula.

Probiotic Strains

Biotics 8 contains 20 billion CFUs from 10 strains of helpful bacteria. These strains include the following:

• Lactobacillus acidophilus
• Lactobacillus casei
• Lactobacillus paracasei
• Lactobacillus rhamnosus
• Lactobacillus plantarum
• Lactobacillus fermentum
• Bifidobacterium longum
• Bifidobacterium bifidum
• Bifidobacterium breve
• Saccharomyces boulardii

This wide variety of bacteria provides a range of benefits. For example, Saccharomyces boulardii is particularly helpful in preventing diarrhea.

The Biotics 8 formula also includes other natural ingredients. These include:

• Vitamins B1, B7, B12, and D3.
• Prebiotic fiber.
• Digestive enzymes.
• Chicory root.
• Fiber.

Biotics 8 doesn’t just target digestive balance. Its many ingredients support men’s health, making it a well-rounded dietary supplement.

Highlighted Health Benefits

By taking this probiotic supplement daily, men can:

• Improve overall digestive health
• Encourage calmer digestion
• Reduce gas and bloating
• Promote immune health
• Reduce inflammation
• Increase energy levels
• Improve focus
• Improve mood

Men taking Biotics 8 supplements report easier digestion, less bloating, sharper focus, and more energy in their daily lives.

Product Features

• The Biotics 8 probiotic supplement is formulated specifically for men.
• This supplement provides 20 billion CPUs to promote a balanced gut microbiome.
• Prebiotic ingredients support beneficial bacteria by providing nutrients.
• This supplement consists of good bacteria strains and natural ingredients.
• Bauer Nutrition offers a 60-day money-back guarantee, so you can try it risk-free.
• The company ships its products for free to consumers around the world.

Click Here for the Lowest Price on Biotics 8

3. 1MD Complete Probiotics Platinum: Highly Rated Gut Health Supplement

1MD Nutrition is a health and wellness brand with a mission to provide consumers with high-quality products they can trust. 1MD Nutrition’s Complete Probiotics Platinum supplement offers another great option to support digestion and balanced gut bacteria. These probiotic supplements offer a wide range of benefits that promote better gut health.

Probiotic Strains

Eleven bacteria strains, including Bifidobacterium strains and Lactobacillus strains, provide a 51 billion CFU count. The bacteria strains include:

• Lactobacillus acidophilus.
• Bifidobacterium lactis.
• Bifidobacterium longum.
• Bifidobacterium bifidum.
• Lactobacillus planatrum.
• Lactobacillus bulgaricus.
• Lactobacillus casei.
• Lactobacillus sativarius.
• Lactobacillus gasseri.
• Lactobacillus rhamnosus.
• LactoSpore®.

These bacteria strains find support from prebiotic ingredients and delayed-release vegetarian capsules that guarantee all 51 billion CFUs.

Highlighted Health Benefits

This probiotic offers many of the same benefits as those listed above. These include the following:

• Promotes a healthy gut with balanced good and bad bacteria.
• Supports the lining of the digestive system.
• Improves nutrient absorption during digestion.
• Reduces indigestion, gas, and bloating.
• Promotes regular eliminations.
• Supports immune function.

Reviewers who are taking Complete Probiotics Platinum report feeling better overall. They experience more regularity, calmer digestion, and better results than users of other daily probiotics.

Product Features

• Complete Probiotics Platinum is a scientifically formulated dietary supplement.
• Eleven strains of beneficial bacteria provide 51 billion CFUs to the gut.
• The beneficial bacteria get nutrients and support from Nutraflora® prebiotic fiber.
• The vegetarian capsule shields the healthy bacteria from digestive acids, ensuring the bacteria reach the intestines.
• These probiotic supplements are dairy-free, gluten-free, peanut-free, shellfish-free, and non-GMO.
• 1MD Nutrition offers a 90-day money-back guarantee, 30 days longer than the average trial period.
• Free shipping may be offered via a promo code, so check the top of the page for an offer banner.

Price

You can get a one-month supply of Complete Probiotics Platinum for $49.99 or save by buying in bulk. 1MD Nutrition also offers a subscription for these probiotic supplements, so you can pay a monthly fee to take advantage of lower prices, free shipping, and out-of-stock protection.

4. VitaPost Probiotic 40-Billion: Good Probiotic Pills for Digestive Health

Probiotic 40-Billion is a probiotic supplement by VitaPost, a health and wellness brand dedicated to providing consumers with high-quality supplements. Probiotic 40-Billion encourages a balanced gut to help consumers improve digestion, immunity, and overall health. Like Probiology gut+, these probiotic supplements offer a lot of quantity from just four high-quality bacteria strains.

Probiotic Strains

VitaPost chose each of the strains included in Probiotic 40-Billion based on proven value. Each strain provides a different health benefit, making this a very effective probiotic supplement despite having fewer strains than many other brands. Bacteria strains include:

• Lactobacillus acidophilus.
• Lactobacillus plantarum.
• Lactobacillus paracasei.
• Bifidobacterium lactis.

This daily probiotic offers comprehensive gastrointestinal health support by mixing bacteria of the Bifidobacterium species and Lactobacillus strains.

Highlighted Health Benefits

When taken as a daily supplement, these probiotics help to:

• Promote better overall gut health.
• Replenish the good bacteria in the gut.
• Encourage calm digestion.
• Support intestinal lining.
• Support immune health.
• Promote urinary tract health
• Promote skin health.

Consumers using these daily probiotics report less indigestion and improved overall gut health. They also enjoy the value of this product as it is more affordable than most competing probiotics.

Product Features

• Probiotics 40-Billion provides the gut with 40 billion CFUs via four high-quality strains.
• VitaPost prioritizes using high-quality ingredients to craft high-quality supplements.
• Probiotic 40-Billion is among the best probiotic supplements for its great value at only $35 per one-month supply.

We don’t recommend this probiotic supplement for consumers with food allergies. This supplement contains no allergens but is manufactured in a facility containing milk, egg, soy, nuts, wheat, and shellfish.

Price

A one-month supply of Probiotic 40-Billion costs $34.95, the second-best value on this list of the best probiotic supplements. You can save even more by buying in bulk; the most popular deal is the buy-three-get-one free offer.

5. BioTRUST Pro-X10: Best Probiotic Supplement With Prebiotics

BioTRUST Pro-X10 is a supplement containing probiotics and prebiotics. BioTRUST offers health and wellness products on its mission to provide customers with authentic and honest support. Users of Pro-X10 can be glad to know the company supports many charitable organizations, including No Kid Hungry®, Pencils of Promise®, and many more.

Probiotic Strains

Pro-X10 helps people achieve more balanced bacteria in the digestive tract for improved digestion, gut health, and immune health. The formula includes a 10 billion CFU count from several strains, including a patented probiotic strain that resists heat and acid. The strains in the Pro-X10 formula include the following:

• Bacillus subtilis (DE111®)
• Bifidobacterium breve
• Bifidobacterium lactis
• Lactobacillus acidophilus
• Lactobacillus plantarum
• Lactobacillus rhamnosus

The formula also includes a patented prebiotic called PreforPro® to support the supplement’s good bacteria.

Highlighted Health Benefits

This probiotic supplement offers users the usual probiotic health benefits, including:

• Better bacteria balance in the gut.
• Improved nutrient absorption in the digestive system.
• Easier and more regular eliminations.
• Improved immune function.
• Lowered stress levels.
• A better mood.

Reviewers of Pro-X10 put their faith in BioTRUST because the supplements work. People taking this probiotic supplement report a reduction in bloating, constipation, and other digestive troubles.

Product Features

• Pro-X10 contains a 10 billion CPU count per serving to provide the gut with the good bacteria it needs to stay healthy.
• Next-gen prebiotic PreforPro supports the bacteria and encourages its growth.
• The patented probiotic Bacillus subtilis (DE111) provides a strain that can resist the body’s heat and acid.
• This supplement is advertised as soy, dairy, GMO, and gluten-free.
• You can try Pro-X10 risk-free for 60 days. If you don’t like it, get a 100{fc1509ea675b3874d16a3203a98b9a1bd8da61315181db431b4a7ea1394b614e} refund.
• Recurring orders of Pro-X10 ship for free.

Please note that although this product is advertised as gluten-free, soy-free, and dairy-free, the manufacturing facility may process these major allergens.

Price

Pro-X10 offers the best value compared to the other supplements on this list. One bottle contains a two-month supply and costs $49, making a one-month supply less than $25. Bulk and subscription prices are also available.

What Are Probiotics?

Now that you know where to find the best probiotics on the market, let’s talk about these products and why they’re critical to maintaining good health.

Good digestive health depends on having a balanced gut microbiome, which means there are enough good bacteria to keep the bad bacteria at bay. When the digestive system contains too many harmful bacteria, people contend with problems like ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, and irritable bowel syndrome.

To keep the gut balanced, we must ensure we are getting enough of the bacteria our bodies need through diet and supplementation. Eating yogurt and other fermented foods provides probiotics naturally, but most people don’t consume enough to keep the gut balanced. If you don’t eat many fermented foods, you can provide your body with the bacteria it needs by taking a daily probiotic supplement.

Gut health is essential because the digestive system affects the entire body. When the gut is out of balance, it affects the whole body by lowering immunity, raising stress levels, sapping energy, and causing adverse health conditions. Probiotics are a standard piece of the integrative health puzzle because a healthy gut means a healthier body.

How We Ranked the Best Probiotic Supplements

Let’s look at how we ranked the best probiotic supplements and why we believe these five are the best probiotics available today.

Types of Probiotic Strains Used

Probiotic manufacturers often use a specific probiotic strain to achieve a particular benefit. For example, many supplements include Bifidobacterium lactis because research suggests it helps the digestive system more easily break down food.

For our top five list, we chose the effective probiotic supplements that contain several viable bacteria strains to provide a wide range of benefits.

Dosage

When talking about probiotics, the dosage is measured in colony-forming units, or CFUs, per serving. The best probiotics offer at least a one-billion CFU count daily, so we prioritized these supplements. All of the probiotics on our list provide at least 10 billion CFUs.

Price per One-Month Supply

In general, you should take dietary supplements for at least one month to give them a chance to work, so we looked at how much a one-month supply of supplements costs to choose our top five. Some of our favorite probiotics cost an average of $60, while others provide even better values.

User Reviews

User reviews provide one of the best places to find real information on dietary supplements. We chose our top probiotics based on what these reviewers say about them by reading all the reviews we could find. People who take one of these daily supplements report that they really do work.

Benefits of Taking a Probiotic Supplement for Gut Health

Taking a daily probiotic supplement can help you in many ways. Let’s look at the primary benefits of taking probiotics:

Digestive Health

As we discussed earlier, the health of your digestive system relies on a healthy balance of good and bad bacteria. When the gut’s microbiome is balanced, you benefit from:

• Easier eliminations.
• Increased regularity.
• Calmer digestion.
• Less abdominal pain.
• Reduced bloating and gas.

A good probiotic supplement helps people leave their tummy troubles behind and feel better about the overall health of their digestive systems.

People who take probiotic supplements may also enjoy some weight loss thanks to improved metabolism and digestion.

Immune Health

The digestive system represents the body’s first line of defense against harmful bacteria and other live microorganisms. When harmful bacteria build up to unhealthy levels, the immune system suffers. However, when the bacteria in the gut find balance, people benefit from healthier immune systems.

Mental Health

Although most people don’t begin probiotic supplementation because of poor mental health, they enjoy certain psychological benefits. These include:

• Improved focus.
• Increased energy levels.
• Improved memory.
• Enhanced overall mood.

Certain probiotics promote certain benefits because formulas differ from product to product. Before choosing a probiotic supplement, read reviews and product pages to ensure you’re gaining the help you need.

How to Choose the Best Probiotic Supplement

The best probiotic supplement for you will depend on various factors. Consider all of the following when choosing the best option for you:

Why do you need a probiotic supplement? Some people take probiotics to find relief from diagnosed health conditions, such as inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn’s disease, or irritable bowel syndrome. Others take supplements to address antibiotic-associated diarrhea or regular indigestion or to improve vaginal health. Consider your needs and how each supplement will meet them.

How is this supplement stored after opening? Some probiotic supplements are shelf-stable, so they don’t lose potency after opening. Others must be put in the refrigerator after opening to keep the bacteria alive. Consider your daily lifestyle and whether you have access to cold storage.

What is the CFU count per serving? Look for supplements with at least a one-billion CFU count per daily serving for the most effective supplements.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the difference between probiotics and prebiotics?

Probiotics and prebiotics are sometimes used interchangeably, but this is not correct. Probiotics (“for life”) consist of live microorganisms that help the body stay balanced. Prebiotics (“before life”), on the hand, provide food for probiotics and encourage the growth of preexisting positive bacteria.

To find a good probiotic supplement, look for formulas containing both probiotics and prebiotics.

Do probiotic supplements have any side effects?

According to reviews and studies by national institutes like the National Institutes of Health, probiotics don’t cause significant side effects when taken by healthy adults. Some mild discomfort, bloating, constipation, or diarrhea may surface right after you start supplementation, but these effects usually don’t last beyond the first two or three days.

If you want to start taking probiotic supplements, consider the number of probiotics you may be getting from your diet. Eating foods like yogurt, sourdough, kimchi, or miso may provide your gut with plenty of positive bacteria, and supplementing may not be necessary. Talk to your doctor before taking probiotics to avoid issues like a small intestinal bacterial overgrowth.

How much do probiotic pills cost?

The cost of probiotic pills varies depending on the brand and the price for bulk buying. Many brands offer a one-month supply for around $60 but reduce the per-bottle price when customers purchase more than one at a time.

Some supplement brands, such as BioTRUST, offer subscriptions to help customers pay for probiotics in the long term. Consider subscribing or purchasing more than one bottle at a time to save a lot of money on your probiotic supplement of choice.

What is the most effective probiotic strain?

Research suggests that Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus strains offer the most consistent benefits, although every person is different and strains affect people differently. Lactobacillus rhamnosus, for example, promotes a healthy immune system while other strains have other effects.

The probiotic strain that will be most effective for you depends on many factors, including what digestive problems you suffer from, how many probiotics you get in your everyday diet, and how effective the formula is at protecting the live bacteria from the acid in your stomach.

How often should you take probiotics?

Many people benefit from daily supplementation of probiotics, which keep them regular and stave off the symptoms of digestive conditions like IBS.

However, taking a daily supplement proves unnecessary for others because they already get plenty of probiotics in their regular diet. To determine whether you should take supplements long-term, ask your doctor. After all, your physician sees you in person and can help you understand your body’s needs much better than we can.

What are the signs that you need probiotics?

Many symptoms indicate you might benefit from taking probiotics, including:

• Persistent abdominal pain or cramping.
• Excessive bloating or gas.
• Irregular eliminations (constipation or diarrhea).

People can sometimes improve their gut health by exercising more and eating better, so talk to your doctor before taking a daily probiotic.

Who should NOT take probiotics?

Certain people, such as those with compromised immune systems, shouldn’t take probiotics. If any of the following applies to you, talk to a physician before taking probiotics:

• You are a healthy adult.
• You exercise regularly and eat right.
• You have a compromised immune system.
• You are recovering from an illness or surgery.
• You suffer from a critical condition.
• You are pregnant or nursing.

Probiotics should also not be given to healthy children.

How fast do probiotics start to work?

How fast probiotics begin to work depends on the person. For some, it only takes a few days of supplementation to notice digestive relief or improvement, but for others, it may take up to a month. If you’ve just begun taking a probiotic supplement and don’t believe it’s working, keep taking it for at least two to three weeks to provide your gut the chance to regain balance and improve.

Can probiotic supplements help you lose weight?

One of the most consistent benefits we found in user reviews was unintended (but wholly welcome) weight loss. Probiotics help people shed extra fat because they block the absorption of fats, boost metabolism, and reduce cravings.

That said, we do not recommend starting probiotics for weight loss without talking to a doctor first because this is not the intended purpose of taking a probiotic supplement.

Can you take probiotic supplements on an empty stomach?

Research and recommendations vary on this question. Try taking your supplement both on an empty stomach and with food to determine which works best for you. If your stomach is upset with your probiotic supplement, consider what’s in it and if you need another product with no allergens. Many supplements are dairy- and gluten-free.

Final Thoughts

Do you suffer from a consistently upset stomach or a diagnosed condition that affects the health of your digestive tract? Say goodbye to that constant indigestion, bloating, or IBS with one of our top five probiotics. We’ve reviewed dozens of probiotic products to bring you our five favorites.

We hope one of these supplement products brings you the relief you’re looking for and helps you get your gut back in balance. Talk to your doctor about probiotics to learn more about these dietary supplements and whether or not they are right for you.

*This article is provided by an advertiser. Statements made are not meant to offer medical advice or to diagnose any condition. Any studies cited here may be preliminary, may or may not be peer-reviewed, and may or may not have sufficient participants to be statistically relevant. Anecdotal accounts should not be taken as scientific results. Products discussed in this article are not designed to diagnose, treat, prevent, or cure any disease. The FDA does not evaluate dietary supplements. Consult your doctor about possible interactions, allergies, and if you are considering using natural and/or dietary supplements for any condition. Individual results will vary.