2020's Top 5 Probiotics Supplements
Probiotics can work wonders for our skin, gut, immunity, and more.
Learn how to identify one with the potency needed to make an impact.
John Doe info@intelligentreviews
Tom is a lifelong nutrition enthusiast who recently retired from his career in pharmacology to write about natural health. When he isn't researching health products, Tom enjoys exploring local farmers markets and growing his own organic vegetables.
Jump to:
Humans have used probiotics for over 10,000 years.1 Likely discovered by accident, our understanding of their extensive benefits has grown exponentially in modern times.
The vast majority of our immune systems — 70% — resides in our gut.2 Unfortunately, the delicate balance of our gut microbiome, can be thrown off by simple everyday things beyond our control — stress, pollution, lack of sleep, or food.
Probiotics hold the key to balancing the gut microbiome and strengthening our immune system. They protect our bodies from dangerous pathogens, promote energy, enhance mood, and enrich our health in numerous ways.
Not all probiotics are equal, so Smarter Reviews delved into the research for this popular category. We'll break down how to identify a potent supplement and show you our Top 5 Probiotic Supplements on the market today.
A Brief History of Probiotics
Records and artifacts show that probiotics and fermented foods have been used since ancient times.
7,000 B.C. — Ancient Egyptians accidentally created fermented milk products. With noticeable health and preservation qualities, these cheeses, yogurts, and butters became widely used.3
1300 B.C. — Fermented milk offered to God in The Bible — “Abraham offered to God, showed in an oak wood, fermented milk” (The Bible, Genesis 18, 1–8).3
1908 AD — Nobel-prize winner and The Father of Cellular Immunology — Ilya Mechnikoff theorizes that the friendly bacteria in yogurt could improve physical and mental health.4
1935 — First commercial probiotic, Yakult, a fermented milk product, released in Japan.5
2001 — The World Health Organization establishes a definition for probiotics, "live microorganisms, which when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host." 6
2019 —Global probiotics supplement market tops $40 billion annually.7
Health Benefits of
PROBIOTICS
Top 7 Probiotics Benefits
-
Digestive Health
-
Fight Toxins & Pathogens
-
Strengthen Immunity
-
Improve Health
-
Reduce Stress
-
Promote Mood & Memory
-
Healthy Cholesterol
Despite their popularity over the centuries, research into probiotics has taken a dramatic leap within the last 40 years. We now know that there are hundreds of different probiotic strains, and they all perform different functions within our bodies. Some strains enhance our digestive systems, minimizing symptoms like diarrhea or constipation. Some promote clear, glowing skin or healthy hair. Others enhance our mood, energy, or mental clarity. And still others enhance our immunity.
Top Probiotic Strains & Their Benefits:
B. lactis
Proven to enhance immunity and reduce frequency and intensity of respiratory illnesses.
L. rhamnosus
Found to fortify immune function , improve mood, and help battle seasonal allergies.
B. bifidum
Fights off bacteria and other harmful pathogens from entering our bloodstream and making us sick.
L. gasseri
Proven to help with IBS and bowel problems, and even reduce abdominal fat.
L. salivarius
Crucial for good oral health, it also relieves allergy symptoms, lowers cholesterol levels, and enhances immunity.
When it comes to choosing a high-quality probiotic supplement, strain selection is just one factor to consider. Potency, viability, CFU, and clinically studied strains all play a significant role in determining health benefit.
What To Avoid When
Choosing a Probiotic
Many supplements only contain one or only a few different probiotic strains. Probiotics strains all serve different purposes within the body, so a product with just a few strains limits the overall effectiveness our health. Probiotics supplements offering a more comprehensive approach provide a more substantial and longer term impact on our health and immunity. Look for a supplement with at least 9 individual strains.
4 Secrets of A Good Probiotic
We've compiled a list of what we've found to be the top five products in this category, on the market today.
