Over the past few years, "probiotics" has been a buzzword floating around the health and wellness community and the internet. Well, there's a good reason for that. Gut health plays a significant role in overall health, and probiotics help to maintain that.
Our bodies are home to both good and bad bacteria. According to the Cleveland Clinic, probiotics consist of good bacteria that help keep the body functioning optimally. These good bacteria support the immune system and control inflammation.
In fact, it's the good bacteria that help fight off the bad to keep you feeling your best. You can get these good bacteria through your diet, but sometimes, adding additional probiotics to your health regimen can help you maintain a healthy digestive tract and immune system. Just be sure to check with your doctor before introducing new supplements to your routine.
To help you get started, we've listed some of the best probiotics for women below. There are options that can aid in typical digestive health and even some that help with vaginal health.
This gut-friendly probiotic supplement contains over two billion colony forming units (CFU) designed to foster a healthy gut microbiome. It's the first propolis-powered gut-health capsule of its kind and may improve digestive health, brain function, and immunity.
Made with 16 different probiotic strains, this daily women's probiotic improves overall vaginal, digestive, and immune health. Lactobacillus acidophilus and bifidobacteria promote digestive health, and L. reuteri and L. fermentum aid in vaginal health. For those with dietary restrictions, this probiotic is dairy-free, gluten-free, soy-free, and vegetarian.
Help prevent those unwanted yeast infections and urinary tract infections with these probiotic supplements. They have 50 billion CFUs, and you'll find five strains of L. plantarum, L. rhamnosus, B. lactis, L. paracasei, and L. casei in each serving, which all promote vaginal health. These supplements also have pacran (cranberry extract), which has been shown to help with potential urinary tract issues.
Can't get enough of vaginal health? This vegan prebiotic and probiotic supplement helps support and maintain vaginal flora while balancing pH levels. Its vegetable capsules easily pass through the digestive system and make their way down to the vagina, where the magic happens. While you may still have occasional issues down there, this probiotic's 20 billion CFUs actively work to prevent potential itch, odor, and infection.
Designed with women in mind, MegaFood's probiotic is made with beet, burdock, and dandelion roots. Its 14 strains of probiotics are paired with 50 billion active bacteria, including L. rhamnosus and L. plantarum. They aid in vaginal and urinary tract health while helping maintain a healthy gut. For optimal results, take once daily with food and drink, and be sure to store them in the refrigerator.
MaryRuth Organics's probiotics are non-GMO and formulated with botanicals. They're designed to help with weight management. In addition, this supplement contains 50 billion CFUs: L. plantarum, L. casei, and L. acidophilus, which work together to establish a healthy gut biome.
These gummies are made to give you an energy boost while keeping your gut happy and healthy. Each serving contains four billion live cells of Bacillus coagulans IS-2, which help with digestive health, and 1,000mcg of Vitamin B12 for an extra pep in your step. They're available in raspberry and cherry flavors.
Get your gut back on track with this five-day supply of raw probiotics. Made with 400 billion CFUs plus additional prebiotics and digestive enzymes, this daily probiotic works to repopulate your gastrointestinal tract with good bacteria while providing additional immune benefits. Plus, it can help relieve constipation, diarrhea, bloating, and gas.
Sakara's probiotics support digestion and immunity, ease bloating, improve skin health, and boost energy. The formula contains 11 probiotic strains, prebiotic fiber, and digestive and systemic enzymes.
You've probably been told to take Culturelle when your stomach is upset, but the brand has a daily probiotic, too. Formulated with L. rhamnosus, this daily probiotic helps regulate the digestive system and restore good bacteria for a healthier gut.
This vegetarian probiotic contains 50 billion live cultures and 12 probiotic strains that support overall digestive and immune health. It stays potent through the expiration date, so you don't have to worry about its efficacy if you don't get to it right away.
Women can rejoice in this daily probiotic for vaginal, digestive, and immune health. It has 90 billion CFUs and 12 probiotic cultures, so you can reap the benefits of a healthy immune and digestive system. Plus, its patented bottle helps maintain potency by warding off light, moisture, and oxygen.
Olly is known for its collagen supplements, but the brand also has a probiotic to help support a regulated digestive system. Formulated with one billion active cultures, these supplements easily make their way to the digestive tract, where they help preserve healthy bacteria.
This subscription-based probiotic helps maintain a healthy gut and benefits the skin. With ingredients like Dermaval and Agatri Korean mint, Bellabiotics reduces the appearance of wrinkles, increases the production of collagen and elastin, aids in digestive health, and helps protect skin from UV damage. You can order one, three, or six months' worth at a time.
This duo system, which contains both a prebiotic and a probiotic, can be purchased together or separately. Formulated with bifidus and acidophilus, the probiotic supports intestinal health using its patented triple-layer encapsulation technology, which delivers live probiotics to the large intestine for best results. The prebiotic powder helps stabilize the digestive system and nourish healthy bacteria.
Probiotic-Rich Foods to Try
Take a sip of some organic kombucha that contains 100% plant-based ingredients for a fresh, fruity taste. Since it's fermented, this kombucha helps aid in gut health with natural probiotics for an added bonus.
Take a sip of this kombucha drink to help keep your digestive tract healthy. It's made with Pink Lady apples, fresh-pressed carrot, turmeric, and aromatic cider spices.
This cultured low-fat milk is rich in live and active probiotics to promote a healthy digestive system. Think of a yogurt drink—that's what kefir tastes like.
Not a fan of the blueberry flavor? Take a swig of this strawberry kefir drink so your digestive and immune systems can reap the benefits of its live and active probiotics.
Next: 10 Foods to Eat for Gut Health and What to Avoid
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.
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