Choosing the right supplements that promote healthy improvements to your life relies on three key points: Natural Ingredients, Effectiveness, and Value for money.
Finding the proper supplements that fit your lifestyle and wellness needs might be overwhelming and seem complicated, but it doesn’t need to be. There are thousands of options for probiotics on the market and oftentimes most people will purchase the first or cheapest one they can find. We investigate some of the top supplement companies on the market in 2023 and find out how they're changing the nutrition industry!
Probiotics have gained popularity in the past few years because of their superior benefits. They are a great tool for improving immune response and promoting healthy gut flora [1,2] — among a handful of other wellness benefits. The majority of probiotics come with price tags that don’t reflect the quality of the product. Fortunately, we’ve discovered the company, Pattern Wellness that has been creating waves on social media with their high-quality Probiotics with a price tag that won’t break the bank!
Scientific research suggests that you can treat and even prevent some illnesses with supplements containing certain kinds of live bacteria. High-quality probiotics contain those live and active microorganisms needed to achieve immune and digestive health benefits.[3]
Finally – you’ll want a superior quality probiotic that is made with naturally sourced ingredients for maximum results. Find a probiotic that only has the essentials without the unnecessary ingredients. There are high-quality supplements out there that are free of gluten, dairy, and soy and are non-GMO and vegan-friendly.
It can be difficult to know which are the best probiotics on the market. That's why Great Life Tips has compiled months of research about this emerging category. We’ll show you what to look for and what to avoid when picking probiotics, and how it can help transform your health and wellbeing.
Benefits of Probiotics
Improves Immune Health[2,4]
- Reduces levels of harmful gut bacteria
- Boosts immune function
Maintains Digestive Balance[1,5]
- Improves gut health issues
- Balances gut flora
Gut-Brain Axis[9]
- Help Boost Mood & Cognitive Function
- Lower Stress & Anxiety
What You Need In The Perfect Probiotics
Taking all of the healthful attributes listed above into consideration, we've boiled down a list of four key characteristics you should always look for in quality probiotics. Try to seek out all of these qualities:
High Count of CFU’s (Colony Forming Unit)
CFU refers to the amount of live and active micro-organisms found in each serving. The micro-organisms will begin to colonize the good bacteria in your digestive tract, hence the name. The amount of CFU’s can play a role in how effective the probiotic is.[6]
While millions sound like a lot, you want a probiotic that has a dose that contains organisms in the billions. To achieve optimum immune and digestive health benefits that probiotics can provide, make sure you have the correct amount of a proven strain.
Pure Ingredients
Supplements should give you only what you need and nothing that you don’t. Look for supplements that have pure, simple ingredients — the less on the label, the better. It ensures you are getting all the benefits that probiotics have to offer.
Naturally Sourced Strains
Diversity is your friend. Multi-strain mixtures benefit you and your health since there is a broader range of effects and more mechanisms of action.[7]
Find a probiotic with naturally sourced strains, that are certified vegan, non-GMO, and are free of gluten, dairy, and soy.
Delayed-Release
Delayed-release capsules help ensure the supplement is protected from harsh stomach acid and releases in the intestines for maximum nutrient absorption.
What To Avoid when buying Probiotics
Unnecessary Additives
Labels on supplements are sometimes created with the intention of being deceiving or confusing to the consumer. This is due to the fact that many supplements come with fillers, preservatives, potential allergens, and other unnecessary additives like sugars or food coloring. These additives provide no medical benefit and disregarding them may potentially cause allergic reactions or sensitivity.
When it comes to choosing your probiotics, be picky. Check the ingredients and don’t settle for less than healthy.
Sacrificing Quality for Price
Selecting the cheapest rather than the best quality can potentially do you more harm than good. If brands don’t identify specific strains and their amounts in each dose, you could end up with an ineffective or potentially harmful supplement.
Additionally, an effective probiotic depends on the survival of the micro-organisms. They are delicate and must survive numerous obstacles before they reach you, like manufacturing and packaging. If the micro-organisms start to deplete during that process, the supplement is going to be less effective.[8] Therefore, you need to choose a high-quality probiotic that can survive that process.
Top 5 Probiotic Supplements of 2023
Based on our own extensive research, the metrics provided by our Great Life Tips Ranking System, and consideration of thousands of reviews by Shoppers just like you, we've compiled a list of what we've found to be the top five products in this category, on the market today.
1. Probiotic
Total Ranking
374 votes
9.7/10
A+
Overall GradePROS
- Supports Immune & Gut Health
- 51 Billion CFU
- 11 Probiotic Strains
- Delayed-Released
- Certified Vegan & Non-GMO
- Gluten, Dairy, & Soy-Free
- Excellent US-based customer service
CONS
- Only available online
The Bottom Line
Pattern Wellness’ Probiotic offers an incredible value featuring 51 billion colony forming units from 11 naturally-sourced probiotic strains, which are packed with many healthful benefits including support for your immune and gut health. This certified hormone-free, non-GMO supplement is free of gluten, dairy, and soy, making it a formula you can trust.
Delayed-release capsules help ensure the supplement is protected from harsh stomach acid and releases in the intestines for maximum nutrient absorption.
Their return policy includes a 90-day, risk-free, money-back guarantee, proving the company stands behind its products.
*Results are based on the Great Life Tips Ranking System and do not necessarily reflect typical results from the use of these products. Please visit product websites for more information.
Learn About Our Top Pick2. Probiotic with Prebiotic Fiber Blend
Total Ranking
247 votes
9.1/10
A-
Overall GradePROS
- 60 Billion CFUs
- 10 Strains
- Delayed-Release
- Contains Organic Prebiotic
CONS
- Delayed Results
- Possible Stomach Issues
- 30-Day Return Policy
The Bottom Line
The next probiotic to make the list is Physician’s CHOICE, which features an Organic Prebiotic Fiber Blend to aid with digestive and immune support. Containing 60 billion CFUs and 10 strains, this probiotic is designed for survivability thanks to the Patented Shelf-Stable bottle, ensuring high-quality results until the expiration date.
However, there are a few cons to consider. Despite the high amount of CFUs and strains, some reviewers have stated they experienced delayed results, so it may take more than one 30-day container to experience the results. Additionally, those with super sensitive stomachs did experience some side effects, such as diarrhea, bloating, and stomach pain.
*Results are based on the Great Life Tips Ranking System and do not necessarily reflect typical results from the use of these products. Please visit product websites for more information.
Learn More3. PRO-15 Probiotic
Total Ranking
263 votes
8.7/10
B+
Overall GradePROS
- 15 Strains
- Survivability
- Delayed-Release
- Naturally Sourced
- Vegetarian
CONS
- Only 5 Billion CFUs
- Hard to Swallow
- Some Stomach Issues
- Only 30-Day Return Policy
The Bottom Line
Hyperbiotics’ PRO-15 Probiotic features 15 strains, all of which are naturally sourced and already present in the human body. These non-GMO probiotics are vegetarian-friendly and are free of dairy, gluten, artificial additives, or preservatives.
These delayed-release capsules, which release over an 8-10 hour period, claim to have a 15x more survivability rate and do not require refrigeration.
These probiotics, however, have a lower amount of CFUs compared to the others on our list coming in at 5 billion CFUs. While you only need to take one capsule a day, some reviewers state that the capsule is a bit harder to swallow. Additionally, despite claims of being for those with sensitive stomachs, some reviewers stated that they experience some stomach discomfort, including bloating.
*Results are based on the Great Life Tips Ranking System and do not necessarily reflect typical results from the use of these products. Please visit product websites for more information.
Learn More4. Probiotic-10
Total Ranking
244 votes
8.1/10
B-
Overall GradePROS
- 25 Billion CFUs
- 10 Strains
- Vegan & Vegetarian-Friendly
CONS
- Not Delayed-Release
- Must Be Refrigerated
- Delayed Results
- Non-Returnable
The Bottom Line
Free of soy, dairy, and gluten, these probiotics from NOW are a popular choice for those with dietary restrictions. They feature 25 billion CFUs through the Best By Date and contain 10 strains of probiotics.
Unfortunately, this is about where the pros end. These probiotics lack the delayed-release feature we love about the other options listed. They also need to be refrigerated to maintain survivability. Therefore, if ordering online, the microorganisms may not survive through shipping especially in the warmer months. This can also affect results.
At this time, NOW does not accept any returns.
*Results are based on the Great Life Tips Ranking System and do not necessarily reflect typical results from the use of these products. Please visit product websites for more information.
Learn More5. Advanced Strength Probiotic
Total Ranking
174 votes
7.9/10
C+
Overall GradePROS
- 40 Billion CFUs
- Shelf Life Potency Guaranteed
- Naturally Sourced
- Delayed-Release
CONS
- Fewer Strains
- Some Stomach Distress
- Only 30-Day Return Policy
The Bottom Line
Featuring 40 billion CFUs, this probiotic from BioSchwartz guarantees shelf life potency until the expiration date and requires zero refrigeration. They are non-GMO, are 100% allergen-free, and contain no artificial additives. The delayed-release technology also ensures potency for maximum benefits.
Unlike our other options mentioned above, this probiotic contains the fewest amount of strains. Additionally, reviewers with sensitive stomachs have stated they have experienced some discomfort, including bloating and gas.
*Results are based on the Great Life Tips Ranking System and do not necessarily reflect typical results from the use of these products. Please visit product websites for more information.
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