The human gut microbiome is home to trillions of beneficial bacteria. These beneficial bacteria support many vital processes in the body, including digestive health, nutrient absorption, immune function, cognition, and mood. Factors such as medications, stress, alcohol consumption, and an overly processed diet can disturb the healthy balance of the gut microbiome.
These beneficial bacteria can also be found in fermented foods and supplements, called probiotics. A high-quality probiotic supplement can help support gut health, digestion, overall health, and longevity.
There are many different probiotic options, yet they can vary significantly in health benefits and efficacy. That's why it's important to know how to choose the best probiotic for your specific needs.
This blog post will focus on helping you find the best probiotic supplement for your specific needs.
How to Choose the Best Probiotic Supplement for You
When it comes to probiotics, it's not "one size fits all." Different strains of bacteria perform different functions in the body.
For example, some strains are known to help fight unwanted microorganisms in the gut, whereas other strains help optimize digestion. As a result, the probiotic strains need to be chosen and combined mindfully with specific health goals in mind.
For example, a probiotic for people dealing with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) may contain different strains from a probiotic supplement designed for supporting the body in times of stress.
When choosing a probiotic, consider the following factors:
- Specific health benefits you are looking for
- Number and types of probiotic strains
- Colony Forming Units (CFUs)
- Other ingredients, especially fillers or allergens such as gluten, dairy, and soy
- Availability of clinical studies using the product, not just isolated strains
- Delivery mechanism and bacterial survival
- Whether the probiotic is shelf-stable or requires refrigeration
You can find more information about how to choose a probiotic supplement here.
Best for Women
Probiotics help to keep the gut microbiome balanced and digestion working well. Constipation is one of the most common digestive concerns for women. Some survey data suggest that constipation is more common in women than in men. If you're suffering from constipation, taking a probiotic like Omni-Biotic Balance can support your gastrointestinal health.
Probiotics can also support urinary tract and vaginal health. This is because the gut microbiome and the vaginal microbiome interact with one another. An imbalance in gut bacteria is often associated with recurring yeast infections and Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs).
Stress can also be a big concern for women. Stress, especially prolonged periods of stress, puts the body in fight or flight mode. This triggers a cascade of events that raises stress hormones, increases inflammation, and impairs digestive processes. Often, bloating, gas, and indigestion can result from stress.
To see our full list of recommendations for the best probiotic for women, click here.
Omni-Biotic Balance
- Type: Powder formulation with prebiotic nutrients
- Storage: Shelf-stable
- Dose/day: 1-2 sachets per day
- CFU Count: 2 Billion
- Dietary considerations: Hypoallergenic, vegan, non-GMO
- Clinical studies using the final formulation: Yes
- Multispecies/ multistrain: Yes
- Strains: Bifidobacterium animalis W53, Lactobacillus acidophilus W55, Lactobacillus salivarius W57, Enterococcus faecium W54, Lactococcus lactis W58, Lactobacillus casei W56
Formulated with 6 keystone probiotic strains and supported by prebiotic nutrients, Omni-Biotic Balance supports digestion and helps to reduce occasional gas and bloating. Several of the probiotic strains in this supplement also help fight against bad bacteria and yeasts such as Candida Albicans.
Omni-Biotic Stress Release
- Type: Powder formulation with prebiotic nutrients
- Storage: Shelf-stable
- Dose/day: 1-2 sachets per day
- CFU Count: 7.5 Billion CFU
- Dietary Considerations: Hypoallergenic, vegan, non-GMO
- Clinical Studies Using the Final Formulation: Yes
- Multispecies/ multistrain: Yes
- Strains: Lactobacillus casei W56, Lactococcus lactis W19, Lactobacillus acidophilus W22, Bifidobacterium lactis W52, Lactobacillus paracasei W20, Lactobacillus plantarum W62, Bifidobacterium lactis W51, Bifidobacterium bifidum W23, Lactobacillus salivarius W24
Named “Probiotic of the Year” by NutraIngredients USA in 2021, Omni-Biotic Stress Release supports the gut-brain axis and promotes the body’s resilience in times of stress. Clinical studies with Stress Release show improved emotional balance, memory, cognition and mood.
Best Probiotic for Men
Men can benefit from probiotic supplements, including for digestive support, stress management, and metabolic support.
Probiotics support digestion and can help keep bowel movements regular. Whether that is to assist with occasional constipation and bloating or to help restore gut flora after a round of antibiotics, different combinations of probiotic strains can help in these situations.
A well-designed probiotic supplement can also help support the body in times of stress. The gut and the brain stand in direct communication with one another via the gut-brain axis. Good bacteria in the gut help produce hormones and neurotransmitters, including the happiness hormone serotonin. If the gut bacteria are out of balance or depleted due to stress or an overly processed diet, this can impact mood, energy levels, and cognition.
Research over the past few years has also shown that the gut microbiome impacts the liver. The liver is the body's main detoxification organ and helps regulate metabolism. When the gut microbiome is out of balance, this can affect liver function. Prolonged periods of stress, an overly processed diet and alcohol can negatively impact the gut microbiome, and in turn affect liver function. Omni-Biotic Hetox was specifically formulated with the goal to support liver function via the gut.
You can find a review of the best probiotics for men here.
Omni-Biotic HETOX
- Type: Powder formulation with prebiotic nutrients
- Storage: Shelf-stable
- Dose/day: 1 sachet per day
- CFU Count: 15 Billion
- Dietary Considerations: Hypoallergenic, vegan, non-GMO
- Clinical Studies Using the Final Formulation: Yes
- Multispecies/ multistrain: Yes
- Strains: Lactobacillus acidophilus W37, Bifidobacterium bifidum W23, Lactobacillus brevis W63, Bifidobacterium lactis W52, Lactobacillus casei W56, Lactococcus lactis W19, Lactobacillus salivarius W24, Lactococcus lactis W58
Omni-Biotic HETOX was designed specifically with liver support in mind. The strains combined in this supplement work synergistically to help maintain tight junctions in the intestinal lining and promote beneficial byproducts in the gut. Clinical studies with Omni-Biotic HETOX have shown improvements in liver function and metabolic markers.
Omni-Biotic Stress Release
- Type: Powder formulation with prebiotic nutrients
- Storage: Shelf-stable
- Dose/day: 1-2 sachets per day
- CFU Count: 7.5 Billion CFU
- Dietary Considerations: Hypoallergenic, vegan, non-GMO
- Clinical Studies Using the Final Formulation: Yes
- Multispecies/ multistrain: Yes
- Strains: Lactobacillus casei W56, Lactococcus lactis W19, Lactobacillus acidophilus W22, Bifidobacterium lactis W52, Lactobacillus paracasei W20, Lactobacillus plantarum W62, Bifidobacterium lactis W51, Bifidobacterium bifidum W23, Lactobacillus salivarius W24
The probiotic strains in Omni-Biotic Stress Release were specifically selected to support digestion, gut barrier function, and mood and support the body during times of stress. This highly effective probiotic was named “Probiotic of the Year” by Nutraingredient USA in 2021.
Best Probiotic for Babies
An infant's gut microbiome develops for the first 36 months after birth.). A healthy gut microbiome lays the foundation for good digestion, a strong immune system, and more.
Probiotics can also help infants with digestive discomfort such as colic.
When choosing a probiotic for a baby or toddler, it's important to search for probiotic products that are specifically formulated for infants and young children or specifically considered safe for children by the manufacturer.
You can read our full list of recommendations for the best probiotics for babies here.
Omni-Biotic PandA
- Type: Powder
- Storage: Shelf-stable
- Dosage/day: 1 sachet/day
- CFU Count: 3 Billion
- Dietary Considerations: Vegan, dairy-free, gluten-free, soy-free, non-GMO
- Clinical studies using the final formulation: Yes
- Strains: Lactococcus lactis W58, Bifidobacterium lactis W52, Bifidobacterium bifidum W23
Omni-Biotic PandA is a targeted probiotic designed for supporting a baby’s digestive system. A growing body of research suggests that developing a diverse gut microbiome can reduce allergic conditions in childhood. Clinical studies have also shown that infants taking PandA experienced a reduced risk of eczema.
Best Prebiotic and Probiotic Combination
When probiotics are combined with prebiotics in a dietary supplement, this is referred to as a synbiotic. While probiotics are the live, beneficial bacteria, prebiotics are dietary fibers that serve as the food sources for our gut bacteria.
The amount of prebiotics in a synbiotic supplement can vary. In many cases, the synbiotic only contains a relatively small amount of prebiotics. The main goal of those prebiotics is to serve as food sources for the probiotic bacteria in the supplement. There are several synbiotic options available as supplements today.
All Omni-Biotic probiotics are synbiotics. The Omni-Biotic powder contains prebiotic nutrients. When the powder is mixed in water before intake, the freeze-dried bacteria wake up and immediately have nutrients to consume and metabolize. This makes the bacteria particularly strong for the passage through the stomach's acidic environment so they reach the intestines alive and active.
Read our full list of the best prebiotic and probiotic combinations here.
Benefits of Probiotic Supplements
The health benefits of probiotics include improved digestion, maintaining a healthy and balanced gut microbiome, supporting immune health, brain function, and mood.
The specific health benefits of a daily probiotic depend on the composition of bacterial strains. Different strains of probiotics perform different functions in the body, so the health benefits of a specific probiotic depends on which strains are included in the product.
Probiotic survival also plays a critical role. The live probiotic bacteria need to survive the passage through the stomach's harsh environment to arrive alive and active in the intestine. The survival rates vary greatly across capsules, gummies, and powders.
To experience the full health benefits of a probiotic, ensure that the supplement was mindfully formulated based on scientific research, has a proven delivery mechanism, and has been tested in clinical studies to demonstrate health benefits.
