12 Min Read
The Best Probiotics Supplement
A balanced gut microbiome - containing a wide variety of live probiotic bacteria and some yeast - is not just crucial for digestion and absorbing nutrients [1]. It’s also a core part of our immune defences, controls our mental health in ways we’re only just starting to understand [2], and influences a vast range of functions in our bodies from controlling our weight to getting a good night’s sleep.
Our in-house nutritionist Ariel Kaur Maan here at Vitamin Guide explains how probiotics help to keep us healthy, what to look for when choosing probiotics, and reviews the top 5 probiotics supplements on the market.
| Swallow | VitaBright | Bio-Kult | Healthspan | Hey Nutrition | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High CFU count (30 billion +) | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ |
| Broad variety of bacteria (10 strains +) | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Resists stomach acid | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Added prebiotics | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Free from additives | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
| Vegan and dairy free | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Money-back guarantee | 6 months | 35 days | 14 days | 30 days | 60 days |
Probiotic Live Cultures*
by Swallow
✅ 15 different strains
✅ High dose - 35 billion live bacteria
✅ Contains prebiotic inulin
✅ Gastro-resistant capsules
✅ Contains Lactospore® Bacillus Coagulans that resists stomach acid
✅ Vegan & dairy free
PROS
CONS
❌ Not the cheapest option
❌ Only available online
Our Expert’s Conclusion
Swallow Probiotic Live Cultures delivers an impressive 35 billion live bacteria per capsule in delayed-release capsules designed to dissolve in the gut, maximising delivery where needed most. With 15 clinically proven strains including saccharomyces boulardii plus prebiotic chicory, it provides comprehensive support for a healthy, diverse gut microbiome. It's also a dairy-free vegan probiotic.
What sets this apart is Lactospore®, a patented spore-forming Bacillus coagulans that survives stomach acid, strengthens the immune system and eliminates harmful bacteria.
"Highly Recommended" by BBC Good Food, with top-notch customer service and a 6-month money-back guarantee, this exceptional product easily takes our top position for digestive and overall health support.
Advanced Bio Cultures Complex*
by VitaBright
✅ 17 different strains
✅ High dose - 45 billion live bacteria
✅ Contains prebiotic inulin
✅ Vegan & dairy free
PROS
CONS
❌ Not gastro-resistant capsule shell
❌ Stock sometimes runs out through high demand
❌ Capsules contain some bulking agents
Everyday
by Bio-Kult
✅ 14 different strains
✅ Bacteria resist stomach acid
✅ Well-researched strains of bacteria
PROS
CONS
❌ Low dose - only 2 billion live bacteria per capsule
❌ Not dairy-free, not vegan, contains soya
❌ No prebiotics
Magnesium Comp. with Zinc + D3
by Bettervits
✅ Easily absorbed with 3 types of chelated magnesium
✅ Added zinc and vitamin D3 to increase absorption
PROS
CONS
❌ Less than the NHS recommended magnesium dose (225 mg)
❌ Contains some additives including bulking agent
Our Expert’s Conclusion
This is an effective supplement which provides three well-absorbed types of magnesium - Magnesium Citrate, Glycinate and Malate. It’s also boosted with two forms of zinc, both ascorbate and citrate, and with vitamin D3 to increase your absorption of the magnesium. The vitamin D dosage is generous, and it’s also from a vegan source. With rice flour as a filler, this is a nice clean supplement without unnatural additives.
Probiotic Complex
by Hey Nutrition
✅ Contains prebiotic
✅ Well-researched strains of bacteria
✅ Vegan & dairy free
PROS
CONS
❌ Slightly low dose - 20 billion live bacteria per capsule
❌ Only 7 bacteria strains
❌ Capsules contain bulking agent
by Healthspan
✅ High dose - 50 billion live bacteria
✅ Bacteria resist stomach acid
✅ Well-researched strains of bacteria
PROS
CONS
❌ Only 4 strains of bacteria
❌ Not dairy-free, not vegan
❌ No prebiotics
References
1 - Probiotics, Benjamin Klingler, MD, MPH, and Andreas Cohrssen, MD, American Family Physician
2 - Exploring the Role and Potential of Probiotics in the Field of Mental Health: Major Depressive Disorder, by Dinyadarshini Johnson,Sivakumar Thurairajasingam,Vengadesh Letchumanan,Kok-Gan Chan and Learn-Han Lee
3 - Probiotics: sorting the evidence from the myths, Mimi Pham, Daniel A Lemberg and Andrew S Day
4 - Health benefits of probiotics: are mixtures more effective than single strains?
*This is a paid advertisement and is sponsored and owned by theswallowco and vitabright. It is not a news article or independent advice.
The content on this site is not intended to replace professional medical advice. If you have, suspect, or anticipate any medical condition, please consult with a healthcare professional. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any diseases or medical conditions. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration or the European Food Safety Authority. Results are based on the VitaminGuide System and may not represent typical outcomes from using these products. Please visit product websites for more information. Rankings may be influenced by relationships or ownership interests we have with the products featured. All trademarks featured on our website are the property of their respective owners, and no endorsement of our website or services is implied or expressed.
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Our Expert’s Choice
ADVERTISING DISCLAIMER: This website is funded by its audience. The content provided is neither a news article nor an independent review but is a sponsored comparison by theswallowco & vitabright. See
ADVERTISING DISCLAIMER: This website is funded by its audience. The content provided is neither a news article nor an independent review.
This comparison and ranking are sponsored by theswallowco & vitabright. For further details, please refer to our
Fatigue and Weakness
Brain Fog and Memory Problems
Insomnia and irregular sleep
Muscle Cramps and Restless Leg Syndrome
Depression, Anxiety and Mood Disorders
Migraine Headaches
Numbness and Tingling
Tightness of Breath and Asthma
Abnormal Heart Rhythm
High Blood Pressure
Osteoporosis
Nausea and Vomiting
Fatigue and Weakness
Brain Fog and Memory Problems
Insomnia and irregular sleep
Muscle Cramps and Restless Leg Syndrome
Depression, Anxiety and Mood Disorders
Migraine Headaches
Numbness and Tingling
Tightness of Breath and Asthma
Abnormal Heart Rhythm
High Blood Pressure
Osteoporosis
Nausea and Vomiting
Fatigue and Weakness
Brain Fog and Memory Problems
Insomnia and irregular sleep
Muscle Cramps and Restless Leg Syndrome
Depression, Anxiety and Mood Disorders
Migraine Headaches
Numbness and Tingling
Tightness of Breath and Asthma
Abnormal Heart Rhythm
High Blood Pressure
Osteoporosis
Nausea and Vomiting
Fatigue and Weakness
Brain Fog and Memory Problems
Insomnia and irregular sleep
Muscle Cramps and Restless Leg Syndrome
Depression, Anxiety and Mood Disorders
Migraine Headaches
Numbness and Tingling
Tightness of Breath and Asthma
Abnormal Heart Rhythm
High Blood Pressure
Osteoporosis
Nausea and Vomiting
Why take probiotics?
Modern diets, stress, antibiotics and tummy bugs can deplete beneficial bacteria in the gut, making it harder to get enough probiotics naturally. While many probiotics are found in fermented foods like live yoghurt, sauerkraut or kefir, few of us eat enough to maintain a balanced gut microbiome.
Supplements provide a convenient and reliable way to replenish and maintain healthy levels of probiotics, ensuring consistent support for digestive health, immunity, and overall well-being.
All probiotics supplements are NOT created equal
Probiotics that need to be refrigerated
Single strain formulas
supplements targeting a single health benefit
Avoid
If a probiotic supplement needs to be refrigerated to stay alive, then just a short time at the wrong temperature could mean you are taking a useless product of dead bacteria. Failures of temperature control at points in the supply chain happen all too often, making fragile refrigerated probiotics a bad buying choice.
Avoid probiotics with only one or two strains unless recommended by a health practitioner, as they cannot provide broad-spectrum benefits and could unbalance your microbiome.
There are numerous probiotic products for gas and bloating, for weight loss, for mood boosting, for calm, for skincare, for immune defences and so on. In reality, unbalancing your gut microbiome might do more harm than good. Choose a broad variety for a fuller range of health benefits.
Gastro-resistant capsules to protect the bacteria from acid
A high CFU count over 30 billion
At least 10 strains of bacteria
Choose
Choose a supplement with enteric-coated or gastro-resistant capsules to protect bacteria from stomach acid, ensuring they reach the intestines alive.
A supplement with at least 30 billion CFUs (colony-forming units) per serving will ensure sufficient numbers of live bacteria to colonise the gut effectively [4].
Look for a supplement with at least 10-12 different strains to promote a diverse microbiome [4]. Key strains to look for include Lactobacillus (e.g., L. acidophilus, L. rhamnosus), Bifidobacterium (e.g., B. longum, B. bifidum) and Saccharomyces boulardii for yeast balance.
Digestive Health
Immune Function
Weight Loss
Mental Health
Heart Health
Skin Health
Vaginal Health
Fatigue and Weakness
Brain Fog and Memory Problems
Insomnia and irregular sleep
Muscle Cramps and Restless Leg Syndrome
Depression, Anxiety and Mood Disorders
Migraine Headaches
Numbness and Tingling
Tightness of Breath and Asthma
Abnormal Heart Rhythm
High Blood Pressure
Osteoporosis
Nausea and Vomiting
Fatigue and Weakness
Brain Fog and Memory Problems
Insomnia and irregular sleep
Muscle Cramps and Restless Leg Syndrome
Depression, Anxiety and Mood Disorders
Migraine Headaches
Numbness and Tingling
Tightness of Breath and Asthma
Abnormal Heart Rhythm
High Blood Pressure
Osteoporosis
Nausea and Vomiting
These benefits are supported by numerous scientific studies [1], making probiotics a versatile and beneficial addition to many people's diets.
Support Digestive Health
Probiotics help maintain a healthy balance of gut bacteria, aiding digestion and reducing symptoms like bloating, gas, and constipation.
Top benefits of probiotics
Boost Immune Function
By enhancing the production of antibodies and promoting a balanced immune response, probiotics can help protect against infections.
Improve mental health
Certain strains of probiotics have been shown to reduce symptoms of anxiety, depression, and stress by influencing the gut-brain axis.
Support Weight Loss and Metabolism
Some probiotics help regulate appetite, reduce fat absorption, and improve metabolic health, aiding in weight management.
Promote Heart Health
Probiotics can help lower LDL cholesterol and blood pressure, contributing to overall cardiovascular health.
Reduce Antibiotic-Associated Diarrhoea
Probiotics restore the natural balance of gut bacteria disrupted by antibiotics, reducing the risk of diarrhoea [2].
Enhance Skin Health
Probiotics can help reduce acne, eczema, and other skin conditions by promoting a balanced skin microbiome and reducing inflammation.
Reduce Symptoms of IBS
Certain probiotic strains can alleviate abdominal pain, bloating, and irregular bowel movements associated with IBS.
Before you run off to the local chemist for some probiotics, there are some key things you need to know. Make the right choice so you don’t waste your money.
Probiotic Live Cultures*
by Swallow
Gastro-resistant capsules
Vegan and non-dairy probiotic
Symbiotic formula with probiotics and prebiotics
High dose 35 billion live bacteria
Also Highly Recommended by BBC Good Foods