Research-Based

Best Probiotic Supplements

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By Alexa DaFonte

Reviewed by Juliana Tamayo, MS, RDN - Last Updated

Best Probiotic Supplements

Probiotics are one of the fastest-growing supplement categories – and for good reason. The latest research has shown many promising health benefits of probiotics. It’s no surprise that health-conscious individuals are starting to take a daily probiotic.

Probiotics provide us with healthy bacteria needed within our bodies, specifically our guts. “Bacteria” is no longer a bad word and “gut health” is no longer just about digestion.

Good gut health is one of the most crucial factors in promoting our overall health. Our guts are connected to our hormones, our digestion, our skin, our stress, our weight, and many other health-related factors. Maintaining a balance of good bacteria in our guts helps us stay healthy and feel great.

Thus, taking a daily probiotic supplement is very important. Of course, not all probiotics are made equal.

Our team reviewed 35 of the most popular probiotics and chose the 4 best probiotics and gut health supplements. Our analysis accounted for ingredient quality, formulation, trustworthiness, and value. Keep reading to learn how and why we chose our top-rated probiotics. 

Product Name Description Deals
Seed Probiotic Seed Synbiotics Formulated with probiotics and prebiotics for improved absorption Save 15%
Bio Complete 3 Gundry Bio Complete 3 Formulated with probiotics, prebiotics, and postbiotics for optimal gut health. Save 40%
1MD Probiotics 1MD Probiotics High quality probiotic with 11 strains and 51 billion CFU Save 30%
24 Strain Probiotic Gundry MD 24 Strain Probiotic High quality probiotic with 24 strains and 30 billion CFU Save 10%

Benefits of Probiotic Supplements

Probiotics are essential in order to maintain proper gut health. Gut health is commonly known for its importance in promoting good digestion, however, it is also involved in many other bodily functions.

Some of the benefits of taking probiotics include proper digestion, weight loss and weight regulation, boosting the immune system, regulating hormonal health, healthy skin, and proper absorption of nutrients and vitamins. That’s not all, though, probiotic supplements can also benefit the treatment of diseases like Irritable Bowel Syndrome, constipation, acne, Crohn’s Disease, and many others.

How to Choose the Right Supplement

Probiotic supplements have become widely popular within the health and wellness industry, meaning there are many options out there. As with any supplement, not all probiotics are made the same. If you choose an untrustworthy supplement or simply go for the cheapest option, you may not reap the full benefits of probiotics.

One of the biggest things to pay attention to will be the probiotic strains used within the formula. It’s important to look for probiotic supplements with effective and research-proven strains as well as a balanced ratio of these strains. 

You should also consider the other ingredients in a probiotic. The best probiotic supplements also contain prebiotics and other well-researched ingredients that can improve your overall gut health.

Lastly, you should consider the value of the supplement. The goal is to get the most effective supplement for the best price. The keyword here is “value.” A cheap, ineffective probiotic is worthless, whereas an effective supplement may justify a higher price tag (after all, the main goal is to find a supplement that works!).

Fortunately, we did the research. Keep reading to discover our top-rated probiotics and why we chose them.

What to Look For

  • High-quality probiotic strains
  • Professionally formulated, balanced ratios
  • The RIGHT amount of CFUs
  • Healthy, energizing formulas
  • Trustworthy manufacturers
  • Third-party quality testing

What to Avoid

  • Poor-quality ingredients
  • Ineffective probiotic strain ratios
  • Low CFU amounts
  • “Hyped-up” marketing
  • Irresponsible manufacturers
  • Lack of research or quality oversight

Top Rated Probiotic Supplements

Our goal at Fitness Clone, as always, is to bring you supplement options you can trust. We’ve reviewed over 500 fitness supplements and products and aim to bring you only the top choices. We continue with that goal with our picks for the best probiotic supplements.

We’ve taken a thorough look at each probiotic below from their supplement label to their company practices. What are the best probiotic supplements? Time to find out!

Best Synbiotic

Seed Synbiotic

by Seed

Seed is one of the top probiotic supplements out on the market. Seed is a daily synbiotic supplement, meaning it includes a combination of both probiotics and prebiotics.

Seed’s formula includes 53.6 billion AFU with 24 clinically studied, broad-spectrum probiotic strains. It is designed to provide benefits for digestive health, heart health, gut health, immune system function, reproductive health, and oxidative stress. Additionally, Seed has formulas specific to males and females.

Seed Synbiotic

Pros

  • Formula contains 24 broad-spectrum strains
  • Designed to benefit gut health, immune function, and heart health
  • 2-in-1 nested capsule ensures maximum absorption
  • 30-day risk-free guarantee

Cons

  • Monthly subscription fee can be a bit high
  • Product is often out of stock

Or Read the Review

Best for Gut Health

Bio Complete 3

by Gundry MD

Bio Complete 3 is a probiotic supplement from popular health and wellness company Gundry MD. It is designed to be a 3-in-1 prebiotic, probiotic, and postbiotic supplement aimed at neutralizing the effects of “leaky gut”.

This is the most complete gut health supplement on our list.

Bio Complete 3’s formula includes only 3 all-natural ingredients, which are Tributyrin, Sunfiber, and 2 billion CFU of Bacillus Coagulans. It is designed to provide benefits including combatting “leaky gut”, fighting muscle aches, reducing digestive issues, boosting energy, and promoting overall health.

Gundry MD Bio Complete 3

Pros

  • Contains probiotics, prebiotics, and postbiotics
  • Transparent formula includes all-natural ingredients
  • Designed to fight “leaky gut” and benefit overall wellbeing
  • Formulated by pediatric heart surgeon Dr. Steven Gundry
  • 90-day money-back guarantee

Cons

  • Price can be a bit expensive without discounts

Or Read the Review

Best Value

Complete Probiotics Platinum

by 1MD

Another top probiotic supplement option is Complete Probiotics Platinum from 1MD. This probiotic is doctor-formulated and designed to promote optimal digestive health by benefiting and maintaining normal microbial balance.

Complete Probiotics Platinum includes 51 billion colony-forming units (CFUs), 11 probiotic strains, and is delivered in a delayed-release capsule to promote better delivery to the intestines. Its benefits include promoting digestive health, supporting immune function, alleviating digestive upsets, and supporting nutrient absorption.

1MD Probiotics

Pros

  • Ingredients include 11 potent probiotic strains
  • Benefits digestive health, immune health, and nutrient absorption
  • Delayed-release capsule promotes better delivery
  • Formula is free of dairy, soy, preservatives, and gluten
  • 90-day money-back guarantee

Cons

  • Can cause stomach issues such as bloating and gas if you have a sensitive stomach

Or Read the Review

Best Multi-Strain Probiotic

24 Strain Probiotic

by Gundry MD

Another one of our top probiotic supplements comes again from Gundry MD. 24 Strain Probiotic is a potent probiotic supplement designed to promote a healthy balance of bacteria within the gut.

24 Strain Probiotic includes 30 billion CFUs per capsule with a combination of 24 probiotic strains. Its benefits include improving digestive health, improving energy, easing digestive upsets, and promoting focus.

24 Strain Probiotic

Pros

  • Formula contains 24 all-natural probiotic strains
  • Designed to balance gut bacteria, boost energy, and improve focus
  • Formulated by pediatric heart surgeon Dr. Steven Gundry
  • Features stomach acid and bile resistant strains
  • 90-day money-back guarantee

Cons

  • Can be a bit expensive without bundling or discounts

Or Read the Review

Common Questions About Probiotic Supplements

What exactly are probiotics?


Probiotics are essentially strains of healthy bacteria that are found in some foods as well as in capsule form. Probiotics help to restore and aid in fixing an imbalance in gut bacteria that can arise as a result of medications, antibiotics, or diet. Having an imbalance in your gut bacteria often contributes to many conditions like diabetes, poor digestion, acne, weakened immune response, weight control, and many others. Some bacterial strains are more common than others, and many have been researched for decades concerning their efficacy.

What are the different forms of probiotics?

There are many forms of probiotics. They are commonly found in foods and beverages that have been fermented, like certain dairy products, kombuchas, yeast products, and certain dairy-free products. There are different healthy bacteria strains, so some probiotic supplements and probiotic-rich foods may contain one or more different strains. Some of the common healthy strains used in supplemental form are Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium bifidum, and Bacillus coagulans. Probiotic strains are also often found in supplement forms within capsules. Most of these capsules are daily supplements that can be implemented in your everyday life.

Do probiotics actually work?

There are many studies that prove the efficacy of probiotic supplements. From maintaining good digestive health to boosting your immune system, much of the research concerning probiotics shows their wide-ranging effects on the whole body. However, research also shows that its efficacy may not be the same for everyone. Underlying health conditions, as well as the type of probiotic you consume, can impact how effective the probiotic really is within your body. This is why it’s important to consult your doctor and choose the probiotic supplement that is right for you. There are many brands online and in drug stores that claim to be the best probiotic, but it’s important to read reviews made by real people to see how the majority of people react to the probiotic.

Are probiotics right for me?

Probiotics can be very beneficial in the maintenance and promotion of your overall health, but as with any supplement, it is important to consult with your doctor especially if you have any pre-existing health conditions. Oftentimes, it takes some experimenting to see how your body reacts to probiotics. It is common to have some bloating and gas after starting the use of probiotics, however, if continual gastrointestinal aggravation occurs, you may need to consult a doctor.

Probiotics are especially important if you have an imbalance of bacteria in your gut. For example, it is actively recommended to take a probiotic supplement after the use of an antibiotic so as to restore your gut flora to a normal balance.

Are there alternatives to taking probiotic supplements?

Fortunately, probiotics can actually be found in many of the foods we eat. Fermented foods like kimchi, sauerkraut, and kombucha are all sources of healthy bacteria. You can also find healthy bacteria in yogurt, certain cheeses, kefir, and many dairy-free yogurts and cheeses. The nutrition label on these foods will often include the healthy bacterial strains present in the foods.

Should you try a probiotic supplement?

Incorporating a daily probiotic into your routine extends beyond just digestive health. The benefits of taking a probiotic are far-reaching as they can help promote your immune system, heal ailments like IBS, acne, and Crohn’s disease, and they can even help with weight management. A lot of our health is tied to our digestive system, which stems from maintaining this proper balance within our gut flora. Our guts are very sensitive, so this gut flora is very easily thrown off through the use of antibiotics, diet, and medications. Using a probiotic to remedy some of those issues is especially important. Not all probiotics are effective though, so it’s important to read reviews of a product before you try it in order to find the one that fits you best. Finding the right probiotic supplement for you, as well as incorporating foods rich in probiotics, will boost your overall health and provide you with a healthy homeostatic state within your body.

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Alexa DaFonte

With a degree in Nutrition and Health Sciences from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, Alexa brings a vast knowledge of nutritional sciences, especially as it intersects with modern health and wellness. Due to her passion for a healthy lifestyle, she enjoys spreading awareness of the science behind many of her nutrition practices.