Want Better Gut Health? Add This Easy Solution to Your Daily Routine
Keeping your gut healthy is so important for your whole body. It's not just about digestion. Research has shown that a healthy microbiome—the right balance of the "good" and "bad" bacteria—affects your heart health, mental health, immune system, and more. According to Harvard Health Publishing, it can also influence certain conditions like heart disease, arthritis, and cancer. So yeah, gut health is a big deal.
There are a couple of things you can do to improve your gut health. You can start with your diet, making sure you're getting enough prebiotic- and probiotic-rich foods and fiber and limiting high-carb and high-sugar foods. Changing up your lifestyle habits can help, too. High levels of stress can affect your gut health, so finding ways to manage it will make a difference. Getting enough sleep also affects your microbiome.
You can also take supplements. Prebiotic and probiotic supplements can ensure you're getting specific bacteria strains in your body and adding enough "good" bacteria into your gut. If you do decide to go the supplement route, make sure you check with your doctor or healthcare provider, who can share some recommendations based on your personal health history.
For those of you looking for supplements to try, we've compiled a list of some of the best probiotics out there, including some of our favorites and some highly rated ones. Take a look at your options below.
1. Hum Nutrition Skin Squad Pre+Probiotic
Did you know your gut health can also affect your skin? This supplement is formulated for anyone who wants clearer skin, especially those with acne-prone skin. It has nine strains and the prebiotic konjac root to balance the microbiome.
2. Garden of Life Dr. Formulated Probiotics
These probiotics are specially made for women's health, containing bacteria that supports vaginal health. They have 50 billion live probiotic cultures and 16 probiotic strains to improve digestion and immune health.
3. Seed Daily Synbiotic
Seed's Daily Synbiotic is a two-in-one capsule—a prebiotic outer capsule and a probiotic inner one. It contains 24 strains and is free of dairy, soy, corn, gluten, binders, and preservatives.
4. Align DualBiotic Prebiotic + Probiotic
If you prefer to get your supplements in gummy form, these ones from Align might be for you. They're made with the prebiotic inulin to help the good bacteria flourish. And you don't have to worry about it being too sugary—the gummies have natural fruit flavors and less than one gram of sugar.
5. NOW Foods Probiotic-10
NOW is one of our favorite supplement brands and comes highly recommended by the experts. These vegetarian/vegan supplements are made with 10 probiotic strains.
6. The Nue Co. Prebiotic + Probiotic
The Nue Co.'s prebiotic and probiotic supplement delivers 15 billion spores per dose, so you know it's potent. The prebiotic in these capsules is organic inulin, which will help feed the "good" bacteria.
7. Nature's Bounty Ultra Strength Probiotic 10
With 10 probiotic strains and 20 billion live cultures, these supplements are made to support digestive, immune, and respiratory health. And it's so easy—you only need to take one a day.
8. Culturelle Digestive Daily Probiotic
Culturelle's Daily Probiotic has over 14,000 ratings and 4.5 out of 5 stars, so it's one of the highest-rated probiotic supplements on Amazon. This one will target any digestive problems, like diarrhea, gas, and bloating.
9. Sakara Complete Probiotic Formula
This daily supplement contains 11 probiotic strains, two digestive enzymes (for bloat improvement and nutrient absorption), two systemic enzymes (for inflammation), and prebiotic fiber. It's also clean and vegan friendly.
10. BioSchwartz Advanced Strength Probiotic
These probiotics have a delay-release formula, meaning that they have stomach acid protection and can really get into the small intestine for maxed-out efficacy. You get 40 billion colony-forming units (CFUs) per serving, which is two capsules daily.
11. Love Wellness Good Girl Probiotics
Here's another probiotic option specially made for women. The capsules are formulated to help maintain vaginal and urinary tract health. They also support the gut, reproductive health organs, and immune system.
12. Physician's Choice 60 Billion Probiotic
This is a blend of 10 probiotic strains and an organic prebiotic blend. It's free of unnecessary binders, soy, gluten, milk, egg, wheat, peanuts, shellfish or preservatives.
13. The Beauty Chef Glow Inner Beauty Essential
For radiant skin and better gut health, try this powder supplement from The Beauty Chef. It's formulated with 18 wholefoods.
14. Thorne FloraSport 20B
Each Thorne probiotic capsule has 20 billion CFUs and multiple strains. It's specially formulated to support high-performance nutrition programs and athletes.
15. MaryRuth Organics Liquid Probiotic
If you have trouble with pills or capsules, you can also try probiotics in liquid form. This plant-based formula is unflavored and has 12 different probiotic strains.
16. Garden of Life Raw Probiotics
In addition to probiotics, this supplement is enriched with a protein-digesting enzyme blend to support healthy digestion, plus a blend of raw fruits and vegetables.
17. Olly Probiotic
Another gummy option, Olly's probiotic contains one billion live cultures to keep your microbiome happy. Take two of these mango-flavored supplements daily for optimal gut health.
18. Hum Nutrition Gut Instinct
With 10 strains of bacteria and 25 billion organisms, Hum Nutrition's Gut Instinct supports healthy digestion and boosts the immune system. It just takes one capsule daily to jump-start your gut health.
Next: The 4 Worst Things You Can Do for Gut Health, According to an Expert
This article was originally published at an earlier date and has since been updated.
Disclaimer
This article is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended to be used in the place of advice of your physician or other medical professionals. You should always consult with your doctor or healthcare provider first with any health-related questions.
Sarah is lifestyle writer and editor with over 10 years of experience covering health and wellness, interior design, food, beauty, and tech. Born and raised in Los Angeles, she attended New York University and lived in New York for 12 years before returning to L.A. in 2019. In addition to her work on THE/THIRTY andBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing , she held editor roles at Apartment Therapy, Real Simple, House Beautiful, Elle Decor, and The Bump (sister site of The Knot). She has a passion for health and wellness, but she especially loves writing about mental health. Her self-care routine consists of five things: a good workout, “me” time on the regular, an intriguing book/podcast/playlist to unwind after a long day, naps, and decorating her home.
-
This Beauty Blogger's Wind-Down Routine Is Anything But a Snooze
See her go-to workout and her favorite vitamins.
By Virginia Yapp
-
13 Products That Will Step Up Your Self-Care Game From Home
Get that glow from within.
By Natalie Gray Herder
-
Don't Forget This Vital Ingredient When It Comes to Gut Health
It's crucial.
By Sarah Yang
-
FYI: This Vitamin Affects Your Skin, Immune System, and Eye Health
It's a big deal.
By Sarah Yang
-
This Fatigue-Fighting Solution Might Be Better Than a Cup of Coffee
It will give you a boost.
By Sarah Yang
-
Taking This Supplement Improves Sleep, Regulates Blood Pressure, and More
It's an essential mineral.
By Sarah Yang
-
The Only Wellness Deals Worth Buying on Amazon Prime Day
Time to shop.
By Sarah Yang
-
Taking This Daily Supplement Can Give You Whole-Body Protection
Are you getting enough of it?
By Sarah Yang