Probiotic Supplements for Your Intestinal and Immune Health
3 min read
Not only are probiotics well-known for their benefits in maintaining gut and intestinal health, they are also effective in enhancing the immunity system as a natural body defense against infectious bacteria. What’s more, probiotics can bring about weight loss and at the same time relieve eczema and prevent disease.
Probiotics exist in forms of yeasts or bacteria, and can be found in fermented foods, yogurt, as well as dietary supplements. In recent years, more and more people opt for probiotic supplements to give a boost to their immune system and to prevent viral infection.
With a vast array of options on the market, do you know how to choose the best probiotic supplement for yourself? Healthy Matters is here to help. We have summarized a list of popular probiotic supplements to save your time.
7 popular probiotic supplements
One thing to look out for when purchasing probiotics supplements is the Colony Forming Units, or CFU value, which measures the number of probiotic bacteria in the supplement. The count ensures a sufficient quantity of probiotics to take effect in the digestive system.
The daily recommended dose for adults is 1-10 billion CFU, but the exact quantity depends on the probiotic bacteria strain, age and purpose of the user, and microbial activity of the specific bacteria strain.
1. California Gold Nutrition, LactoBif Probiotics, 30 Billion CFU, 60 Veggie Capsules
Origin: California, USA
Produced in a 3rd party audited cGMP registered (certified) facility in California, the California Gold Nutrition’s LactoBif Probiotics is loaded with 30 billion CFU of 8 active and clinically researched probiotics strains, with 5 Lactobacilli and 3 Bifidobacteria. It exclusively uses FloraFIT® Probiotics by Danisco®FL. The probiotic strains in this product are highly resistant to low pH and gastrointestinal conditions, which allow them to adhere to the intestinal cell lines to do their job.
This product is also dairy-free, gluten-free, soy-free and non-GMO, making it suitable for both vegetarians and vegans. Tablets are sealed individually in double-foil blister packages to keep away from oxygen, moisture and light to guarantee potency. No refrigeration is needed.
2. Garden of Life, Dr. Formulated Probiotics, Once Daily Women's, 50 Billion, 30 Vegetarian Capsules
Origin: Florida, USA
Garden of Life’s Once Daily Women’s is packed with 50 billion CFU of 16 probiotic strains to enhance the vaginal, digestive and immune system. Added with L. reuteri and L. fermentum, this product is tailor-made to support women's health.
This product is dairy-free, gluten-free, soy-free and non-GMO project verified, making it suitable for vegetarians.
It adopts the new desiccant-lined bottle technology to promise shelf stability and potency of the probiotics strains. No refrigeration is required.
3. Jarrow Formulas, Women's Fem Dophilus, 60 Veggie Caps
Origin: Denmark
Containing two patented and clinically tested probiotics strains, GR-1® (Lactobacillus rhamnosus) and RC-14® (Lactobacillus reuteri), Jarrow’s Formulas’s Women’s Fem Dophilus promotes vaginal and urinary tract health in women. Backed with 25+ years of research, a randomized clinical trial revealed that 75% of women who consumed these two patented probiotic groups experienced significant improvement in vaginal flora composition.
This product is free of major allergens and gluten, making it suitable for vegetarians and vegans.
The capsule is manufactured to protect the probiotics from stomach acid and to help them reach the lower intestine where they can sustain their effect. In addition, its Activ-Vial™ moisture-controlled desiccant bottle ensures stable storage of the strains at room temperature, but refrigeration is recommended to extend shelf life.
4. 21st Century, Cranberry Plus Probiotic, 60 Tablets
Origin: Arizona, USA
If you prefer a fruity flavor, 21st Century’s Cranberry Plus Probiotic, which blends whole fruit cranberry powder, vitamin C and probiotics, may be your choice. This formula helps promote and maintain urinary tract cleanliness, while offering the benefits of cranberry juice without the tart taste and added sugar. Two small tablets per day can already bring you all the perks of drinking a glass of cranberry juice. This supplement is also laboratory tested with guaranteed quality. View product on iHerb
5. Jarrow Formulas, Jarro-Dophilus EPS, 5 Billion, 120 Veggie Caps
Origin: California, USA
Brought to you by a pioneer of consumer probiotics since 1986, Jarrow Formulas®’s Jarro-Dophilus EPS guarantees 5 billion CFU live bacteria by the best used date, with a mixture of 8 high-quality and scientifically documented probiotic strains from 4 different genera: Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, Lactococcus and Pediococcus. This Enhanced Probiotic System™ formula is designed to boost intestinal and immune health.
The probiotic capsules are coated with food-grade, pH-sensitive and plant-based EnteroGuard® to resist stomach acid and deliver the maximum number of probiotic strains to the intestinal tract. It is also blister-packed against air, moisture and oxygen for premium stability. The probiotic strains used in this product have excellent stability at room temperature, so no refrigeration is necessary.
6. 21st Century, Acidophilus Probiotic Blend, 150 Capsules
Origin: Arizona, USA
With the synergistic combination of Lactobacillus acidophilus and 3 other probiotics strains, along with the prebiotic insulin, 21st Century’s Acidophilus Probiotic Blend is created to promote healthy intestinal flora.
7. Now Foods, Probiotic-10, 25 Billion, 50 Veg Capsules
Origin: Illinois, USA
Probiotic-10™ delivers a potency of 25 billion CFU of 10 probiotic strains, all verified by DNA fingerprint technology, through the best-by date. The balanced spectrum of live acid-resistance probiotic strains naturally colonizes the human gastrointestinal tract to help maintain the integrity of the intestinal lining, support intestinal motility and facilitate the detoxification process. It is GMP quality assured and clinically tested to support healthy digestion and immune system function.
This product is dairy-free, soy-free, gluten-free and non-GMO, making it suitable for vegetarians and vegans.
This article was independently written by Healthy Matters and is not sponsored. It is informative only and not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It should not be relied upon for specific medical advice.