Best Probiotic Supplements Of 2024 (2024)

Not all bacteria is bad for us, and probiotics are a solid example of that. Probiotics are living microorganisms that are valuable for your gut health, providing benefits ranging from assisting with digestion to alleviating common gastrointestinal conditions. While you can consume probiotics from fermented foods like yogurt, a supplement may provide your gut the extra boost it needs. Read ahead to discover which top-rated supplements made our list.

What Are Probiotics?

Probiotics are live microorganisms—such as bacteria and yeasts—present in fermented foods, supplements (both over-the-counter and prescription) and even beauty products. They help the body digest food, destroy bad bacteria and provide vitamins, among other benefits, according to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH). Probiotics work mainly by impacting microorganisms found in the microbiome of the large intestine, which houses trillions of bacteria, fungi and microbes (small living things).

Probiotics run the gamut, too, when it comes to types—their name includes a Latin name for genus and species, followed by their specific strain. There are many different strains of probiotics—and each delivers different health benefits. Common probiotics include those in the groups Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, Saccharomyces, Streptococcus, Enterococcus, Escherichia and Bacillus.

Not all of the probiotic strains in probiotic supplements have evidence-backed health benefits, so it’s important to read the label carefully before selecting a supplement. The Supplements Facts label on the bottle should list the strain(s) of the probiotic, the total weight of the microorganisms in the product and the number of colony forming units, or CFUs, per serving, according to the National Institutes of Health Office on Dietary Supplements.

What Do Probiotics Do?

Probiotics are live microorganisms that act in the digestive tract and affect your gut microbiome. They can help protect against harmful bacteria and improve digestion and gut function. Different probiotic strains yield different health benefits.

Are Probiotics Good for You?

Studies dating back to the 1990s have suggested probiotics may be effective in treating certain gastrointestinal illnesses, possibly delaying the onset of some allergies in children and in the treatment and prevention of vagin*l and urinary infections.

Other benefits of probiotics may include the following, according to Harvard Health:

• Improve immune function
• Prevent or treat infection (such as diarrhea, irritable bowel syndrome and ulcerative colitis)
• Improve digestion and absorption of key nutrients
• Help break down protein and fat in the digestive tract

Consuming the right type of probiotic for you may help improve digestion and gut function while also providing protection against harmful microorganisms. However, there is no formal guidance for the use of probiotics in healthy people. Because of this, it’s recommended that you talk with your doctor before deciding on which probiotic to choose.

Health Benefits of Probiotics

In general, probiotics may help with the following conditions (among others):

• Antibiotic-associated diarrhea
• Clostridium difficile–associated diarrhea
• Ulcerative colitis
• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Functional gastrointestinal disorders
• Crohn’s disease
• vagin*l infections
• Urinary tract infections
• Eczema in children

Speak with your doctor about which probiotic strain would be best for your specific needs. For more, check out our full guide on probiotics.

Should You Take a Probiotic Supplement?

In some cases, probiotics can provide health benefits and relief from certain conditions—there is even evidence that they may help “turn on” the immune system and aid the body in defending itself against major disease. However, more research is needed to determine whether they’re safe and effective for older adults, as well as for individuals who may have a weakened immune system due to illness or medication.

It’s also important to note that probiotics are considered a supplement and therefore, are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) like medications. That means it’s difficult to know the quality of probiotics purchased at a grocery or drug store.

It’s always best to consult with a health care professional to discuss whether probiotics could be helpful for you.

How to Choose the Best Probiotics for You

Since over-the-counter probiotics are supplements and not regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as drugs, it’s important to look for third-party certification. Third-party testing can ensure the product actually contains what it says it does, and that it’s free of harmful ingredients like heavy metals. Resources like ConsumerLab.com and Labdoor.com can provide information on a supplement’s certifications and testing.

And, as mentioned above, a probiotic’s health benefits are strain-specific. Speak with your doctor about which strain is best for you and your needs.

Recommended Dosage for Probiotics

Currently, there is no recommended dosage for probiotics, and as they’re not regulated by the FDA, it’s difficult to know the amount of probiotics you are consuming in food as food manufacturers are not required to include that information on food labels. If you want to try a probiotic regime, it is best to consult with a health care professional to determine what, if any, probiotic supplements you should try.

Can You Take Probiotics Every Day?

It is best to consult with your doctor to determine whether a daily probiotic supplement will be beneficial for you, especially if your immune system is already weakened or you take other medications.

Side Effects of Probiotics

While probiotics may cause gas, they have a strong track record of safety—however, the NCCIH notes that studies are limited on the frequency and severity of side effects. The organization does caution, however, that the risk of harmful effects from probiotics is greater for those with severe illness or compromised immune systems.

Premature infants or those who are currently ill and admitted to the hospital may be at a higher risk of adverse effects.

What’s the Difference Between Probiotics and Prebiotics?

Probiotics and prebiotics are not the same thing. Prebiotics are non-digestible parts of food and nutrients that nourish the good bacteria in your gut. Prebiotics help to encourage growth of that good bacteria. Prebiotics naturally exist in foods and drinks like asparagus, artichokes, garlic, tomatoes, bananas, cow’s milk and more.

Probiotics are living microorganisms including good bacteria and yeasts that are found in fermented foods, supplements (both over-the-counter and prescription) and some beauty products.

Sources and References

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• Probiotics: What You Need To Know. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. Accessed 12/15/2022.
• Health Benefits of Taking Probiotics. Harvard Medical School. Accessed 12/15/2022.
• Probiotics. National Institutes of Health. Accessed 12/15/2022.
• Should You Take Probiotics?. Harvard Medical School. Accessed 12/15/2022.
• What’s the Difference Between Probiotics and Prebiotics?. SCL Health. Accessed 12/15/2022.
• When to take Probiotics, Morning or Evening?. San Diego Health. Accessed 12/15/2022.
• Microbe. Cambridge Dictionary. Accessed 3/13/2023.
• Colony Forming Unit. Gene Therapy of Cancer (Second Edition), 2002. Accessed 3/13/2023.
• Probiotics: What You Need To Know. National Center for Complimentary and Integrative Health. Accessed 3/13/2023.
• Prebiotics: Definition, Types, Sources, Mechanisms, and Clinical Applications. Foods. Accessed 3/13/2023.
• The benefits of probiotics bacteria. Harvard Health Publishing. Accessed 3/13/2023.