Staying fit and healthy is not an easy task, especially if you have a busy lifestyle. There's hardly time for jogging, trips to the gym, and even breaks for yoga and meditation. Thankfully, there are supplements that provide you nutrients that can help you stay a little bit more healthy even with your hectic work schedule.
One kind of these supplements is probiotic supplements. Currently, there are a lot of brands available in the market, and there are also a lot of factors to consider before purchasing the best product. With this article's buying guide, we will guide you through the process of selecting the best probiotic supplement for you—with comments and tips from registered nutritionist dietitian Samantha Morales!
Samantha began her career in clinical nutrition and weight management at a tertiary hospital in Manila, Philippines. Her practice allowed her to give nutrition counseling and plan modified diets for patients with medical conditions. Presently, she does private practice to focus on true holistic wellness - an approach that believes in aligning one's mind, body, and spiritual well-being.
Our recommendation articles are carefully researched and crafted by the mybest Philippines team of writers and editors. To stay true to our company’s mission and vision to help users’ selection process easier, we also collaborate with experts from various fields to ensure that our content stays factual and useful.
The expert oversees the Buying Guide only, and does not determine the products and services featured.
The products and services listed are ranked independently by the editorial team based on the points mentioned in our thoroughly researched buying guide (as of 01-16-2023).
Considering the health crisis we're currently experiencing, taking care of your health is very important now more than ever. Aside from exercising and eating well, an extra step that you could do to boost your health is to add taking probiotics in your daily routine. Here are some of its benefits:
Probiotics include "friendly" bacteria that have different benefits on your health. Probiotic supplements contain live organisms that fight off the harmful bacteria in your digestive system. Basically, it makes sure that there is a natural balance of gut bacteria in order to prevent digestive diseases.
Probiotics are live microorganisms that live in our gut and provide overall support in our digestion and immunity. There are different bacterial strains that help ease or improve certain digestive issues or symptoms. Besides supporting gut health, probiotics improve mental, cognitive, heart, and even vaginal health.
Another well-known benefit of probiotics is its treatment of diarrhea. Most probiotic strains help treat, prevent, or at the very least reduce the symptoms of diarrhea among children and adults. This includes contagious ones such as the rotavirus disease, as well as antibiotic-associated diarrhea.
Probiotics promote better digestive health. There are a number of researches showing the effectiveness of certain strains of bacteria against inflammation of the intestines, diarrhea symptoms, and even constipation relief.
In this medical research, it was found out that there are a number of probiotic strains that improved cases of certain digestive disorders.
This includes inflammatory bowel syndrome (IBS) and other diseases related to the digestive system. Aside from that, probiotics also address yeast and urinary tract infections, depending on the strains present in the supplements.
Every probiotic strain offers different health benefits. To address a specific health concern, choose the right probiotic based on your condition. There are mainly 2 species of probiotics which are Lactobacillus and Bifidobacteria. These two extensively studied species have shown tremendous health benefits on our immune system, digestive health, mental health, weight management, just to name a few.
What should you consider before buying a probiotic supplement? What form, which type of good bacteria, how many colony forming units, and which brand should you pick? The next sections will give a detailed breakdown of these questions.
Probiotics can come from different sources. You can find them in pills, in chewables, and even in powder formulas. Each of these probiotic forms have their own advantages and disadvantages that can help you narrow down your options before making a purchase.
Pills encompass tablets and capsules that contain supplement ingredients. They are stored in bottles and jars that are easy to carry and pack. Compared to other forms of probiotics, they are the easiest to take because they are simply swallowed with water.
Generally, tablets have a higher dose among other pill formats because they are basically a pill compressed with powders and granules. Capsules, on the other hand, have a lesser dose, but they are much easier to take and don't have an unpleasant taste since the contents are stored in a hard, smooth casing that is easy to swallow.
Probiotic supplements in pill form are easier and more convenient to take. You can easily bring them with you when traveling. Likewise, there are also soft gel capsules that can easily be taken for those who have difficulty swallowing pills.
Meanwhile, powder formulas are the dehydrated form of supplements. They are dissolved with water and taken by drinking, perfect for those who have difficulties swallowing pills. Usually, they have a higher supplement dose than any other form of supplement and are easily absorbed by the body.
Powder formulas usually have a bitter or unpleasant taste. If the taste of the supplement matters to you, then you might want to steer clear of powder formulas, especially those that contain high doses of probiotics without any added flavorings.
Probiotics in powdered formulas have added sugars in them to somehow mask the bitter or unpleasant taste. However, they may be helpful to those who have difficulty swallowing pills by simply dissolving it in water (or liquid).
Aside from powder formulas, chewables are also a viable option for those who have difficulties with swallowing pills. Most chewables cater specifically to children, but you can also find chewable supplements made for adults.
Another advantage of taking chewable probiotic supplements is that they have a better taste compared to pills and powder formulas. Usually, they contain natural and artificial colors, flavors, and/or sweeteners which is a good thing if you want your supplements to have a pleasant taste, but unfavorable if you want to take something that is more natural.
Probiotics in chewable form is a good option for kids (even adults) who have difficulty swallowing pills. However, most of the probiotics in the chewable form are high in sugar content, have artificial flavorings and artificial colorings, so watch out for these ingredients!
Probiotics contain friendly bacteria that protect your gut. Common types of these bacteria are lactobacillus, bifidobacteria, and sacchoramyces boulardii. Read further to know more about these types of bacteria and their specific benefits to your health.
Lactobacillus is the most common probiotic, and it is usually found in yogurt and other fermented or cultured food. It produces lactase and lactic acid, which helps you break down food, prevent diarrhea, and resist or fight off infections that may cause digestive disorders.
The most common and accessible sources of lactobacillus are yogurts and probiotic drinks. Other less common sources are fermented food such as kimchi, cottage cheese, and miso soup.
Studies have shown that the probiotic strain, Lactobacillus, helps improve skin health (such as atopic dermatitis), irritable bowel syndrome, antibiotic-related diarrhea, elevated cholesterol levels, cognitive health, and even obesity.
On the other hand, bifidobacteria are friendly bacteria normally found in the intestines which helps in the digestion of fiber and other complex carbohydrates. Fiber reduces the risk of diabetes and heart diseases, so digesting fiber can benefit your health.
Aside from that, bifidobacteria helps fight off bad bacteria which cause digestive diseases such as E. coli. Bifidobacteria can be sourced from probiotic supplements, although they are also found in fruits such as berries and in fermented dairy products like yogurt and kefir.
Bifidobacteria helps break down fiber and other complex carbohydrates. It has clinically been proven to support heart health, diabetes mellitus, manage weight issues and even support immune health.
Saccharomyces boulardii is a kind of yeast that that is also used as medicine. It resists harmful bacteria, which causes diarrhea and other digestive tract infections. It is, however, less effective than conventional medicines such as loperamide.
Overall, saccharomyces boulardii is a probiotic that can help prevent the development of diarrhea and other digestive problems. Aside from that, it is also effective at alleviating the symptoms of antibiotic-associated diarrhea among children and adults.
Saccharomyces boulardii is technically a yeast that functions as a probiotic. It helps maintain a balance of healthy microflora in the gut. It is used for treating acute pediatric diarrhea, treatment and prevention of side effect-related H. pylori infections, and antibiotic-associated diarrhea.
The Colony Forming Units (CFU) of your probiotic supplement determines how much good bacteria you’re getting in each dose. They can range from 5 to 10 billion and can give different benefits to your health. Before purchasing probiotic supplements, it is ideal to know the CFU and the probiotics found in your supplements.
Take note, however, that a higher CFU doesn't necessarily mean that the product has better results. It is also important to consider the combination of bacterial strains found in your supplements. Each strain has its own function and benefits to your health, so you need to make sure that what you're taking contains the right types of probiotic strains needed by your body.
Colony Forming Units indicate the number of cells that can multiply to form a colony. When taking probiotics, start slowly and observe how probiotics affect your gut. For some, they may experience digestive issues such as gassiness, bloatedness, or diarrhea.
The recommended CFU depends on the age group and the current medical condition of a person. Seek professional advice from your doctor to determine the appropriate probiotic supplement for you.
When choosing probiotic supplements, choose professional brands backed up by medical research and medical trials. These can assure you that your probiotic supplement is effective and safe for your health.
Also, check the label for allergy information and make sure that it has an expiry date indicated on its label. If you are still unsure about which probiotic supplement to buy, it is best to consult your physician and ask for advice on which probiotic supplements would suit your needs.
Whenever I recommend supplements to my clients, I always advise them to look for a reputable company that practices good manufacturing processes (GMP) and undergoes third-party laboratory testing to ensure the purity and effectiveness of the product.
From ₱427
This supplement from Swanson Probiotics contains 60 veggie DRcaps packed with sixteen unique strains to replenish bacteria. Bifidobacterium longum and Lactobacillus acidophilus are among the strains in this probiotic. It also has trace minerals and fructooligosaccharides to promote the growth of beneficial bacteria.
Overall, this budget-friendly supplement can benefit your health by improving digestion, nutrient absorption, and immunity. Each capsule contains 3.2 billion CFU and multiple strains, making it the perfect probiotic for boosting your health, especially if you have a stressful lifestyle—just take one capsule a day with juice or water.
From ₱1,190
If you want a probiotic supplement with a high amount of CFU, then this one is for you. Probiotics+ can give you a proprietary blend of probiotic strains and 40 billion CFUs that help deliver friendly bacteria to your body. Aside from that, it also uses MakTrek technology that guarantees that the probiotics stay alive on your shelf and as it goes through your digestive tract.
Ideally, these supplements should be taken once in the morning and once in the evening. The casing of these vegetable capsules allows the release and absorption of the supplement dose throughout the day. As suggested in the label, it is advisable to only take 2 capsules per day.
From ₱1,470
Compared to the other supplements on this list, BioBalance's BioSpore Biotics is the only one that contains probiotic live spores. Clinically tested to be effective against systemic inflammation known as endotoxemia, BioSpore Biotics is an excellent supplement to take if you want that extra gut protection and immune support.
Each container has a total of thirty capsules, with each pill having a proprietary blend of about four billion spore cells that are live and stable at room temperature. For the first week, start by taking one probiotic with a meal every other day and slowly increase your dosage.
From ₱170
In the market looking for a probiotic that your kids will look forward to taking? Your search ends here with Sanofi's Erceflora® ProbiBears! These chewable bear-shaped tablets with vanilla flavoring offer dual gut protection by strengthening its immunity and restoring its balance.
Each package comes with four tablets, with each one containing two strains of good bacteria known as Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium lactis. They also have no added preservatives and are free from gluten and nut. The recommended dosage for Erceflora® ProbiBears is once daily for kids aged three and above.
From ₱1,205.1
One bottle of Puritan's Pride Probiotic 10 contains sixty capsules, each with ten different probiotic strains and twenty billion live bacteria cultures. This probiotic supplement can help defend your body's digestive tract and support the healthy functioning of the intestinal system.
The good bacteria found in Puritan's Pride's probiotic supplement will help your body absorb vitamins, minerals, and other vital nutrients from food more efficiently. Probiotic 10 now also comes with a new formulation that contains 25mcg of Vitamin D for additional immune support.
From ₱997
If you'd rather have something to chew than to swallow, then this probiotic supplement is for you. It's made from natural ingredients and is USDA-certified organic and vegan. It contains 5 billion colony forming units (CFU) of living probiotics including the strain bactilus subtilis which supports the health of both your immune system and gut.
Keep in mind, however, that although this supplement is in chewable form and has a strawberry flavor, it doesn't necessarily mean that it's suitable for children. Consult your doctor first especially if you're pregnant or taking medication, and take only as directed by the manufacturer.
From ₱750
From Culturelle, this probiotic product caters especially to kids. It contains 30 chewable probiotic supplements that help support your kid's digestive and immune systems. Aside from that, it also contains the strain lactobacillus gg that helps restore the balance of good and bad bacteria among children's digestive systems.
Also, this probiotic supplement has a natural berry flavor that your kids can enjoy. In terms of allergen information, these chewable tablets are dairy, gluten, and soy-free, so it's not only effective but also safe from possible allergic reactions.
From ₱34.25
Is your child having a hard time taking pills? Then you might want to consider giving them BioGaia's 100 Million CFU chewable strawberry-flavored tablets Flotera® Tablets. Not only is it flavorful, but it helps improve digestion, promote the growth of good bacteria, and enhance natural resistance to infections.
If your little one struggles with swallowing pills, Flotera® is safe for crushing, but be careful when grinding as high heat might damage the bacteria. It also comes in drops form that you can mix in with water, breastmilk, or formula. Flotera® can be taken once or twice daily with or without food.
From ₱2,590
From Life Space, this probiotic supplement contains 11 billion CFU per capsule and has 5 different strains of lactobacillus, which offer different benefits to your health. Among these are maintaining healthy vaginal flora and supporting urinary tract health.
This supplement is in pill form and contains cranberry fruit extract in its vege-capsules. The only downside with this product is that it needs to be used within three months of opening, which will not be a problem if you take 1 capsule per day as suggested on the label.
From ₱1,485
If you're looking for a probiotic supplement that has a wide range of probiotic strains, then this just might be the perfect item on the list for you. These capsules contain 15 strains of probiotics each with various benefits on your digestive and immune system.
Tp be specific, this probiotic supplement helps improve lactose malabsorption and regulate your body's bowel movement. Aside from that, it also boosts your immune system by resisting and fighting off intestinal infections caused by bad bacteria in your body, overall improving your intestinal ecology.
Know which probiotic supplement to get but still unsure of when and how much to take? Below are Samantha Morales' answers to these questions and more!
It is best to take probiotics on an empty stomach or right before sleeping (at bedtime). But overall, it's best to check the manufacturer's instructions since some supplements are soil-based, which you may take with food, while others are enteric-coated, which means timing is less important since it can survive the acidity of the stomach.
Yes! Aside from supporting your gut health, probiotics positively influence your mental and even emotional health.
Aside from probiotics, there are many other supplements out there that can help give you the nutrients that your body need. This list of articles will lead you to our other recommendation articles about various supplements available online.
Author: Katrina Balingit
Reviewed by: Registered Nutritionist-Dietitian Samantha Morales
Our buying guide was carefully researched and crafted by the mybest team of writers and editors, in collaboration with the expert featured in this article. We used the buying guide as a basis for choosing and ranking the product recommendations, and we looked at reviews and ratings from different E-commerce sites like Lazada, Shopee, and more.
When you purchase products mentioned in the article, part of the sales may be returned to mybest.
The descriptions of each product is referenced from the content available from the manufacturer, e-commerce sites etc.
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