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TOP Probiotic Supplements, Best of Today's Market |
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High Culture Count: OVERALL SCORE: 5.0 Voted America’s #1 Probiotic two years running by Vitamin Retailer magazine, Ultimate Flora Critical Care 50 Billion is by far the most effective daily probiotic supplement on the market. The high-potency multi-strain formula includes 30 billion active Bifidobacteria to support the colon and promote regularity, making it ideal for those with troublesome digestive tracts, as well as during and/or following a course of antibiotics.‡ 20 billion Lactobacilli and Lactococcus cultures support the health of the small intestine to enhance digestion and improve immune function.‡ Overall, 10 strains of health-promoting microflorae help maintain a balanced intestinal environment and support optimal well being.‡ Each natural vegetable capsule of Ultimate Flora Critical Care 50 Billion uses Enteric-GUARD™ delivery technology, which includes an added layer of protection in each capsules to help deliver more active probiotics directly to the intestines for maximum benefit. Finally, the convenient one-a-day dose helps you get the most bang for your buck, making Ultimate Flora Critical Care 50 Billion as cost-effective as it is powerful. All-natural ingredients. No added fillers or binders. Ages 15 and up.
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OVERALL SCORE: 4.5
Among the best probiotic supplements available for women, Ultimate Flora Vaginal Support 50 Billion is uniquely formulated to promote vaginal and urinary tract health.‡ 9 different strains of beneficial bacteria include 45 billion Lactobacilli to mirror the prevalence of Lactobacillus cultures in a healthy vagina and urinary tract. Lactobacilli produce beneficial compounds to help prevent the growth of harmful bacteria and yeast (such as candida), which can lead to yeast infections and urinary discomfort.‡ Part of the award-winning Ultimate Flora line of high-potency, one-a-day probiotic supplements, Ultimate Flora Vaginal Support uses Enteric-GUARD™ delivery technology to help deliver more active probiotics directly to the intestines for maximum benefit. Natural vegetable capsules. No added fillers or binders.
Dr. Ohhira’s Probiotics 12 Plus
(60ct caps)
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OVERALL SCORE: 3.5
For those who want the benefits of a multi-strain probiotic plus the added support of important herbs, micronutrients, vitamins, minerals and amino acids for overall health and digestive support‡, Dr. Ohhira’s Probiotics 12 Plus is an effective choice. Although it contains only 900 million probiotic cultures overall, it combines 12 strains of probiotic bacteria with FOS, a prebiotic that helps nourish good digestive bacteria.‡ Formulated to help restore the balance of intestinal microflora, Dr. Ohhira’s is a “completely vegetarian” probiotic supplement that includes 4 organic acids to help establish the proper pH environment in the colon.‡ Individually packaged enteric-coated vegetable capsules. 10 caps a day for first 60 capsules, followed by 2-4 capsules daily. No artificial preservatives or additives.
PB 8 High-Potency Probiotic (60ct caps)
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OVERALL SCORE: 3.5
A Vitamin Retailer magazine gold medal winner, PB 8 is a high-potency probiotic supplement with 14 billion probiotic cultures per capsule from 8 beneficial probiotic strains to help maintain a healthy balance of intestinal flora and promote digestive health.‡ The multi-strain blend includes mainly Lactobacilli (found predominantly in the small intestine) with only two strains of Bifidobacteria (found predominantly in the large intestine, or colon), so those with troublesome digestion or irregularity may prefer the support of a higher-Bifido formula. PB 8 also includes the prebiotic inulin, a natural carbohydrate from chicory root that helps to “promote the selective growth of beneficial bacteria in the intestines”.‡ Natural, non-gelatin capsules. No refrigeration required. Two a day.
Women to Women Balanced Biotic™ (60ct caps)
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OVERALL SCORE: 3.5
Women to Women Balanced Biotic is a women-focused probiotic supplement formulated exclusively for a woman’s digestive health needs. It contains 11.5 billion probiotic cultures per capsule of 4 strains of microflora, including 5 billion Lactobacilli to help prevent yeast and vaginal infections.‡ Additional Bifidobacteria cultures and Saccharomyces boulardii support digestion and colon health, as well as cellular immunity.‡ Women to Women Balanced Biotic also includes inulin, a natural sugar that helps nourish healthy intestinal bacteria.‡ Inulin also enhances the absorption of calcium and magnesium.‡ No refrigeration required. All-natural ingredients. Two a day.
Culturelle® Acute Digestive Relief (10 ct)
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OVERALL SCORE: 3.5
Ideal for those seeking fast, effective relief for occasional stomach and bowel discomfort, Culturelle’s Acute Digestive Relief contains 10 billion cultures of Lactobacillus GG—“the most studied probiotic”—to help prevent occasional bloating and diarrhea, and to promote bowel regularity.‡ Because it does not need to be refrigerated, Culturelle Acute Digestive Relief is ideal for travelers and recommended for the relief of travel-related digestive issues and diarrhea.‡ Also available in a 30-count size for ongoing digestive and immune support.‡ One to two caps per day.
Jarro-Dophilus
EPS® (60ct caps)
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OVERALL SCORE: 3.0
An effective daily maintenance probiotic, Jarro-Dophilus EPS contains 5 billion cultures of 8 strains of beneficial probiotic bacteria, including Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria as well as Pediococcus acidilactici and Lactococcus lactis to support intestinal health and immune function.‡ The addition of Lactobacillus acidophilus helps break down lactose (milk sugar), which “may improve digestion of dairy products” in individuals who are lactose intolerant.‡ Jarro-Dophilus EPS is room temperature stable and does not require refrigeration, and capsules are individually packaged for protection against moisture and oxygen. Enteric-coated vegetarian capsules ensure targeted delivery to the intestines. 1-4 caps daily.
Acidophilus Pearls™ (30ct and 90ct caps)
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OVERALL SCORE: 2.5
Acidophilus Pearls is part of the Pearls™ line of probiotic supplements formulated specifically to help relieve symptoms of lactose intolerance, including gas and bloating, abdominal cramping and occasional diarrhea and/or constipation.‡ An effective basic probiotic supplement with 1 billion active cultures per capsule, Acidophilus Pearls is a cost-effective choice for daily digestive and immune support. Patented delivery method helps protect capsules from stomach acid. Shelf-stable, no refrigeration required. One a day.
Align®
Digestive Care (28-Day Supply)
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OVERALL SCORE: 2.5
With only 1 billion active cultures per capsule, Align is good basic probiotic supplement for those with normally healthy digestion. It contains only one strain of bacteria—Align’s patented “Bifantis” (Bifidobacterium infantis 35624), which “helps build and maintain healthy gastrointestinal flora”.‡ Room temperature stable. One a day.
Note: Align is not an all-natural product and contains several artificial additives, including propyl gallate and FD&C blue #1.
What Makes a Top Probiotic?
Watch this clip from best-selling author Brenda Watson’s PBS Special, The Road To Perfect Health, and discover the four points to look for in a high-quality probiotic supplement.
About Our Scoring System
Our analysts have developed a unique six-point scoring system based on the most important things to look for when choosing a superior probiotic supplement. The following is a score breakdown:
1. High Culture Count: 30%
2. Effective Delivery System: 30%
3. Multiple Probiotic Strains: 20%
4. Convenient Dosage: 5%
5. Scientific Support: 10%
6. Company: 5%
Once individual scores have been calculated, each product is assigned an overall 1-5 rating (5 is best). Example:
| High Culture Count: Effective Delivery System: Multiple Probiotic Strains: Convenient Dosage: Scientific Support: Company: |
| OVERALL SCORE: 3.5 |
Importance of a Healthy Digestive Tract
More than 70 percent of the body’s immune defenses are located in the intestines, where beneficial bacteria called probiotics work to crowd out harmful microbes that can contribute to poor health and disease.
For this reason, maintaining a healthy balance of intestinal bacteria provides the foundation necessary for optimal digestion and overall health.
It’s All about Balance
Your digestive tract is home to literally trillions of bacteria (more than 500 different species). Ideally, you should have approximately 80 percent good or neutral bacteria to approximately 20 percent harmful bacteria.
The Critical Importance of Bifidobacteria and Lactobacilli
In a healthy intestinal tract, Bifidobacteria and Lactobacilli make up the majority of the healthy bacterial cells residing there. Bifidobacteria are the most prevalent good bacteria in the large intestine (or colon), and they account for up to 25 percent of the total probiotics in your body.
Lactobacilli are the most prevalent good bacteria in the small intestine as well as the vaginal tract. They are especially important for women, as they produce beneficial compounds that help fight the growth of harmful bacteria and yeast.
Why Do We Need Probiotics?
Everyday factors such as diet, stress, travel, exposure to illness and even the use of certain medications can diminish the number of healthy bacteria in the digestive tract and upset an otherwise balanced intestinal environment.
This allows unhealthy microbes to flourish and may lead to intestinal issues such as diarrhea and constipation, as well as a decline in healthy immune function. Taking a daily probiotic supplement can help replenish good bacteria and restore a healthy bacterial balance.
What Benefits Do Probiotics Provide?
- Improve digestive health
- Promote bowel regularity
- Prevent occasional diarrhea and constipation
- Improve immune function and overall well being
- Manufacture needed vitamins (including B12 and K)
- Provide nourishment for healthy intestinal cells
- Assist with the absorption of needed nutrients from food
- Assist with healthy weight loss and weight management
- Produce antibacterial compounds to help crowd out unfriendly bacteria
What Makes a Superior Probiotic Supplement?
- High Culture Count
- Effective Delivery System
- Multiple Probiotic Strains
- Convenient Dosage
- Additional Support
Probiotic Supplements Support Immunity,
Digestive Tract Health,
Bowel Function and Regularity
There is no exact science that indicates how many probiotic supplements to take each day, but generally the more beneficial bacteria you have, the better your ability will be to fight harmful bacteria in the gut. Studies have shown that our level of good intestinal bacteria declines with age, so older adults may benefit from a probiotic formula with a higher culture count. While some nutrients (such as vitamins) are measured in grams or milligrams, probiotics are measured in units called “active cultures”. Adults should consume probiotic supplements with between 6 and 15 billion active cultures daily, and those over 50 should take probiotic supplements with 30 to 50 billion active cultures daily. For critical care needs, probiotic supplements with 50 billion or more active cultures are recommended.