When we compare probiotic supplements we need to define our comparison for a specific targeted condition, otherwise the comparison is useless. Moreover, taking the wrong probiotic can be in rare cases harmful. No reason to be scared though, the problems will disappear once the wrong probiotic is stopped, but who wants a few days of unnecessary pain? In conclusion, we need to compare apples to apples.
On this page we compare side by side the best probiotic supplements.
Our contestants are Culturelle, Align, Florastor, Fivelac, Syntol, rephresh pro-b, and a few other that are very strong competitors, but they are not as renowned, as the pack’s leaders. The challengers are Renew Life, Garden of Life, PB8 and Pearls.
Probiotic Brand | No of strains | Strains in the formula | Conditions/Claims | CFU | Shelf | Proprietary |
Culturelle | 1 | Lactobacillus Rhamnosus GG ATC53103 | digestive health, immunity, autoimmune conditions | 10-15 billion | Yes | Lactobacillus Rhamnosus GG ATC53103 |
Align | 1 | Bifidobacterium longum subsp. infantis 35624 | IBS (abdominal discomfort, gas, and bloating) | 1 bill. | Yes | Yes, ( B. infantis 35624) |
Florastor | 1 | Saccharomyces boulardii | diarrhea, intestinal health, after antibiotics | 5 billion | Yes | No, the lyophilization though is. |
Fivelac | 5 | Bacillus Coagulans, Bacillus Subtilis, Enterococcus Faecalis, Bifidobacterium Longum, Lactobacillus Acidophilus | digestive health, bacterial and yeast infections, autoimmune conditions | 2.05 billion | Yes | No |
Syntol | 8 | B. subtilis, L. helvecticus, S. boulardii, L. acidophilus, L. rhamnosus, L. plantarum, L. lactis, B. bifidum | digestive health, fungal infections, intestinal health | 13.6 billion | Yes | No |
Rephresh pro-b | 2 | Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1, Lactobacillus reuteri RC-14 | vaginal health | 5 billion | Yes | No |
Renew Life | 10 | Bifidobacterium Lactis, Bifidobacterium breve, Bifidobacterium longum, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus paracasei, Lactobacillus salivarius, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus bulgaricus | digestive health, intestinal health | 50 billion | Yes | No |
Garden of Life | 13 | Saccharomices boulardii, Lactobacillus plantarum, Bacillus subtilis, Lactobacillus paracasei, Bifidobacterium longum, Lactobacillus brevis, Bifidobacterium bifidum, Bifidobacterium breve, Bifidobacterium lactis, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus salivarius, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus casei | intestinal health, immunity booster | 15 billion | Yes | No |
PB8 | 8 | Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus casei, Bifidobacterium lactis, Lactobacillus salivarius, Bifidobacterium bifidum, Bifidobacterium longum | digestive health | 14 billion | Yes | No |
Pearls | 2 | Lactobacillus Acidophilus and Bifidobacterium Longum | vaginal and digestive health | 1 | Yes | No |
As we see in the comparison table above, the supplements we are comparing are different in a few ways. The most important difference though, is the strains in the formulation, and the conditions that they address. This is particularly important because the various strains have different effects in our bodies, so we have to take them according to the manufacturer’s claims. Even if all of them will have a positive effect in the end, it might not be in the area we needed most, or it might take longer than desired, if we use the wrong supplement.
If we look at the list above, we can see that the most reputable probiotic supplements, Culturelle, Align, and Florastor have in their composition proprietary strains, or methods. More than that, the CFU is not impressive. Regardless of the number of active colonies, those supplements work.
All of the products are shelf stable, but the manufacturers recommend you don’t store them at excessive temperatures, (above 77 degree Fahrenheit).
All probiotics have a positive effect on our intestinal health. However, in certain conditions, and with certain products, we can experience side effects, such as abdominal discomfort, gas, bloating. This can happen for a few reasons, the most common are the dosage, and the prebiotic content in some formulations. Inulin is added in supplements, to boost the efficiency of the probiotics. However, because inulin is not digestible, it can cause abdominal discomfort for some people. Lowering the dose at the beginning would solve this problem.
To conclude our assessment, the probiotic supplements listed here target different conditions, so a comparison side by side, wouldn’t be right. In many cases, if you take more than one supplement you will get the most benefits.
probiotic for intestinal bacterial overgrowth
My Gi doctor put me on a course of xifaxan to kill the bad bacteria. He also said to pick up a probiotic to take daily for the remainder of my life. I chose Align and it works wonderfully. When I ran out, I stupidly chose a different product. None featured here. I am definitely going back to Align! The flatulence and bloating are returning without the Align.
saccharomyces boulardii
Elizabeth,
Are you taking a probiotic while taking xifaxan? Antibiotics are known to kill intestinal bacteria without discrimination, so that will kill all bacteria including the good ones. Without the good bacteria in your gut, the pathogens have no competition, so they can outgrow the good microbes.
Talk to your Gi doctor about taking saccharomyces boulardii probiotics during the antibiotic administration. This will keep pathogens in control. If Align works for you no reason to change. I personally take more strains/products in parallel. This diversifies my microflora and give my microbiome a chance to develop. Most probiotics cause side effects at first, flatulence and bloating included. Start with low doses, and gradually increase. I eat fermented vegetables and dairy as well.
C-diff
I’ve been taking Flora star for 2 yrs but continue to have reoccur ancestors of C-diff….what would be a better choice? VSL#3 was recommended by my Pharmacist….any advice or suggestions would be appreciated…other than reoccurring episodes of C-diff and large amounts of strong antibiotics I am very healthy
VSL#3 is a great choice. You
VSL#3 is a great choice. You should consider introducing more prebiotics in your diet.
Search this site for prebiotics and you’ll have a few articles on the subject. Be careful with prebiotics, (read fiber), as too much of it for a person who is not used to it could cause problems. We have an article on that.
C Diff
Hi I read a comment you left about taking Florastor for CDiff. My mom has been battling it for a year and just started taking Florastor. Does it work?
C Diff
It does work. Make sure she eats more soluble fiber, that helps too.
Let us know of your results.
C Diff
I had a C Diff problem in 2015 after a colonoscopy. The Pharmacy recommended Florastor and it worked… I have been taking one per day ever since. Since it works in the intestines not in the stomach I feel it has a better track record for halting C Diff. I also don’t worry about taking antibiotics when they are needed because of the Florastor.
Florastor only keeps
Florastor only keeps pathogens at bay, and it does not regenerate microflora killed by antibiotics. You still have to be very careful after a round of antibiotics. But that’s a discussion you have to have with your doctor.
Sibo
Not gone I don’t think. Took the antibiotics, try to eat gluten and lactose free, follow diet. What probiotic and how can I gain weight.
Constipation in a 1 year old
Our granddaughter suffers from constipation. She has been taking the Floraster but I recently purchased the culterelle. Can you tell me which one would help her more?