5 Things to Look For When Choosing a Probiotic

Probiotics are the best way to support your gut health, but choosing the right probiotic for you can feel overwhelming. Which probiotic strains are best? What are CFUs, and how many do you need?

We’ll break down exactly what you should look for in a probiotic and how to find the right probiotic for you.

1. Science-backed probiotic strains

Here’s the thing: your probiotic supplement is only as good as the strains it uses. The specific strains of bacteria featured in your probiotic will determine the health benefits it offers.

For example, lactis BI-04, a probiotic strain featured in all five new Solgar® probiotics, is clinically shown to promote immune health in physically active adults.* Bifidobacterium Lactis – HN019 is a probiotic strain for occasional digestive concerns, including regurgitation, abdominal discomfort, gurgling, constipation, irregular bowel movements, and gas — which is why we include it in Solgar® Advanced Bowel Support.*

Remember, having more probiotic strains isn’t necessarily better if they aren’t scientifically proven to work. The first step in choosing an effective probiotic is to make sure the strains are backed by scientific research and they’re in their clinically-studied amounts. Solgar® probiotics use only clinically-studied probiotic strains in their clinically-studied amounts.

2. The right dose of CFUs

What are CFUs?

CFUs stand for Colony Forming Units, which is a way to measure the number of active and alive microorganisms found in a serving of probiotics.

How many CFUs should a probiotic have?

The dose of CFUs in your probiotic supplement will depend on your needs and goals. As a rule, a probiotic for general digestive and immune health should have at least 10–20 billion CFUs.¹ For some people, a lower dosage may work just as well, if not better than a high dosage, whereas people with certain concerns or challenges may require a higher dosage (50 billion+ CFUs) to see the effects.²

Is a higher CFU count always better?

The short answer: no.

This is a common misconception, but a higher dosage of CFUs doesn’t indicate a more effective probiotic supplement. What is important is the specific strains and the amount of each probiotic is the same as what was shown to be effective in human studies using that product. In other words, your probiotic should have clinically studied probiotic strains in their clinically-studied amounts.

3. Allergen-free

The last thing you want is a probiotic that will upset your digestive system more than it helps it. Choosing a vegan, non-GMO, gluten-free, dairy-free, and soy-free probiotic, like Solgar® probiotics, will help make sure that it doesn’t trigger any food sensitivities and upset your digestive system.

And guess what? Solgar® Probiotics are also kosher-certified and made in the USA with the highest quality ingredients from around the world!

4. Additional ingredients & benefits

A good probiotic will support your digestive system. A great probiotic will do that, and so much more. Your digestive system affects every part of your health, from your immune system to your bone health to your stress levels. Some probiotic supplements, like Solgar® probiotics, include clinically-studied probiotic strains that do more than just support gut health.

Solgar® Advanced Sleep Support Probiotic includes melatonin and GABA to support restful sleep and recovery. Solgar® Weight Management Probiotic also features Capsimax®, a stomach-friendly form of red chili pepper extract shown to kickstart the body’s natural energy production.*

5. Transparency

Not all probiotics are created equal, and unfortunately, some brands stuff their probiotic supplements with more filler ingredients than actual probiotic strains. Choosing a brand that’s transparent about the probiotic strains they use and why they use them is essential to its effectiveness.

5 of the best probiotic supplements

Best probiotic supplement for women

SOLGAR® WOMEN’S COMPLETE PROBIOTIC

Solgar® Women’s Complete Probiotic features eight clinically-studied probiotic strains in their clinically-studied amounts. Each serving helps support:

• Vaginal health*
• Immune health*
• Bone mineral density*
• Advanced digestive support*

and more! And this women’s probiotic is vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free, kosher-certified, and made in the USA!

Best probiotic for sensitive bowels

SOLGAR® ADVANCED BOWEL SUPPORT PROBIOTIC

Solgar® Advanced Bowel Support Probiotic offers five clinically-studied probiotic strains in their clinically-studied amounts. Each serving helps:

• Relieve occasional abdominal discomfort, bloating, and related digestive issues*
• Relieve occasional travel-related diarrhea*
• Reduce stress*
• Promote immune health*

And it’s vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free, kosher certified, and made in the USA!

Best probiotic for everyday immune & gut health

SOLGAR® ADVANCED DAILY SUPPORT PROBIOTIC

Solgar® Advanced Daily Support Probiotic is made with five clinically-studied strains in their clinically-studied amounts. Each serving provides…

• Advanced digestive support*
• Immune system support*

And it’s vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free, kosher certified, and made in the USA!

Best probiotic for sleep

SOLGAR® Advanced SLEEP SUPPORT PROBIOTIC

Solgar® Sleep Support Probiotic is made with five clinically-studied strains in their clinically-studied amounts. It also includes melatonin and GABA, a neurotransmitter that helps calm the brain and supports sleep.* Each serving of Sleep Support Probiotic:

• Supports restful sleep*
• Helps reduce stress*
• Supports immune health*
• Provides advanced digestive support*

And it’s vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free, kosher certified, and made in the USA!

Best probiotic for energy & metabolism

SOLGAR® WEIGHT MANAGEMENT PROBIOTIC

Solgar® Weight Management Probiotic is made with six clinically-studied strains in their clinically-studied amounts. It also features Capsimax®, a stomach-friendly form of capsicum extract (from red chili peppers) shown to kick-start the body’s natural energy production (metabolism).* Each serving…

• Supports metabolism & energy*
• Offers advanced digestive relief*
• Supports immune health*

And it’s vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free, kosher certified, and made in the USA!

Choosing the right probiotic

There are many things to consider when choosing a probiotic supplement, but the most important step is finding a brand that values transparency and quality and offers science-backed strains and formulas. With the right probiotic, you’ll feel the difference good gut health can make.
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*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

The information provided on this site is intended for your general knowledge only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment for specific medical conditions. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. The information on this website is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Never disregard medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on the Solgar® site.