Here are our top picks for probiotics based on the bacteria that they contain and the research behind these bacteria. For more information on how to pick the right probiotics for you, click <HERE>
Name: Alflorex
Manufacturer: PrecisionBiotics
Headquarters: Ireland
Most researched Probiotics contained: Bifidobacterium infantis (B. infantis) 35624.
What it’s best for: IBS symptoms, ulcerative colitis, chronic fatigue syndrome and psoriasis.
Pros: The Probiotic strain scientifically known as Bifidobacterium infantis (B. infantis) 35624 is the only product in the UK and Ireland that contains this strain (at the time of manufacturing). It is dairy free, gluten free, soya free, sugar free, suitable for vegetarians and those on a low FODMAP diet. It is specific to IBS symptoms but there have been some links also to conditions such as ulcerative colitis, chronic fatigue syndrome and psoriasis.
Cons: States that it is dairy free but not vegan friendly. Doesn’t state that it is plastic free or recyclable. Very specific targeting (so you need to be sure of your diagnosis).
Research behind it’s use? Yes (and have a read of this one also).
Where can I buy it? HERE
Name: Symprove
Manufacturer: Symprove Ltd.
Headquarters: UK
Most researched Probiotics contained: Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus plantarum and Lactobacillus acidophilus.
What these bacteria are best for: IBS, Crohns disease, ulcerative colitis and some symptoms associated with endometriosis. Also links with improving digesting and increasing immunity and preventing vaginal infections.
Pros: Made in the UK. It is vegetarian, gluten free and vegan. It is liquid form as opposed to tablet (good if you don’t like taking tablets). It contains a mixture of bacteria including: Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus acidophilus and Enterococcus faecium. These bacteria are what should be found in a healthy gut but are often missing or of low quantity in IBS patients. The manufacturers claim it works better than other brands because the bacteria survive all the way to the gut, where they can then thrive. Another Pro for symprove is that they use an independent company to do their testing.
Cons: It comes with a rather hefty price tag compared to other ‘probiotics’. This company only set up in 2002, so it’s not one of the oldest and most well known (like some of the others).
Research behind it’s use? Yes (1) and (2)
Where can I buy it? Here
Name: Inessa Advanced Daily Biotic
Manufacturer: Inessa
Headquarters: London
Most researched Probiotics contained: Lactobacillus Rhamnosus GG
What these bacteria are best for: Diarrhoea from taking anti-biotics or irritable bowel with diarrhoea as the main symptom, helping to prevent recurrent UTI’s and support general gut health.
Pros: This product is vegan friendly and made using the best selling probiotic in the USA. This strain has had quite a lot of research behind it’s use. It claims to provide a clinically relevant dose (meaning the dosage has been researched and it’s not just a wild guess like some others). As well as helping with diarrhoea (and IBD), it is also good for helping to support good digestion and immune health and restoring balance in your digestive tract.
Cons: Not one of the most well known companies in the UK. Only founded in 2016.
Research behind it’s use? Yes, quite a lot! Have a look at this study and this study.
Where can I buy it? Here
Name: Multibiotics
Manufacturer: Nutrizing
Headquarters: London
Most researched Probiotics contained: Bifidobacterium Bifidum, B. infantis, Lactobacillus Acidophilus, L. Reuteri, L. Rhamnosus, Lactobacillus Plantarum.
What these bacteria are best for: Constipation, IBS (which has constipation as the main symptom), reduce gas (flatulence), bloating.
Pros: Contains Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus strains which have been studied a lot and proved affective in treating constipation. Contains other bacteria also that can help other symptoms related to the gut (including IBS and IBC). won the best gut and supplement award at the Beauty Shortlist & Wellbeing Awards, March 2020.
Cons: The company was founded in 2014, so still quite new to the industry. The tablets come in a plastic bottle.
Research behind it’s use? Yes, have a read HERE, HERE and HERE.
Where can I buy it? Here
Name: Just for tummies Live Bacteria Capsules.
Manufacturer: Nottingham Health Shop Limited.
Headquarters: UK
Most researched Probiotics contained: lactobacillus rhamnosus, lactobacillus acidophilus, lactobacillus casei, bifidobacterium breve.
What these bacteria are best for: Constipation, IBS symptoms, inflammatory bowel disease, Crohns, allergies, skin conditions.
Pros: Made in the UK, vegan, gluten-free and absolutely NO artificial fillers, binders or bulking agents.
Cons: You are guided to take 2 tablets a day (makes them a little more costly and easier to forget to take).
Research behind it’s use? Have a read here.
Where can I buy it? HERE
Name: Women’s Bio complex
Manufacturer: Nutravita
Headquarters: Maidenhead, UK
Most researched Probiotics contained: Lactobacillus rhamnosus–LRa05, Lactobacillus reuteri–LR08, Lactobacillus gasseri–LG08, Lactobacillus plantarum–LP90, Lactobacillus acidophilus–LA85.
What these bacteria are best for: Period pain, dysmenorrhoea, endometriosis (where the main symptoms are period-related), bacterial vaginosis, ulcerative colitis, IBS and stomach ulcers.
Pros: Packaging is 100% recyclable. The capsules are vegan friendly. One of the key bacteria is Lactobacillus gasseri–LG08 as this has some good research backing it’s use in dysmenorrhoea and period pains. It has also been linked with prevention of bacterial vaginosis and stomach ulcers, helping symptoms associated with ulcerative colitis, IBS and endometriosis.
Cons: It’s hard to find much wrong with these capsules, we really loved everything about this company. The only thing we should mention is the fact that the company is just 6 years old (relatively new).
Research behind it’s use? Great article to read about the bacteria here and there is a study here.
Where can I buy it? Here
Name: Advanced Multi-strain Formulation
Manufacturer: Bio-Kult
Headquarters: USA but UK factories (following EU regs).
Most researched Probiotics contained: Bifidobacterium bifidum, Bifidobacterium breve, Bifidobacterium infantis, Bifidobacterium longum, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus salivarius.
What these bacteria are best for: IBS symptoms (especially those with diarrhoea as the main symptom), travellers diarrhoea, diarrhoea associated with antibiotics, general gut health and weight-loss (maybe – results on this have been a little hit and miss but are promising).
Pros: Well known and trusted brand (been going a long time). Their products undergo third-party testing to guarantee stability and bacterial count for up to 2 years. They are good for ‘all-round’ gut health as they contain 14 different strains of bacteria. They do state that they are suitable for children and pregnant ladies but to always check with a health professional first.
Cons: Not suitable for Vegans or anyone with a dairy intolerance / allergy (contains milk), a lot of their packaging isn’t recyclable.
Research behind it’s use? Have a look at this study (bear in mind that this was funded by the manufacturers though). Here is another study which is worth a read. This study looked into some of the strains contained in the bio-kult probiotic for weight loss.
Where can I buy it? Here
Name: Renew life florabiotic everyday.
Manufacturer: Renew life
Headquarters: USA
Most researched probiotics contained: Bifidobacterium lactis (3 strains), Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus acidophilus (2 strains), Bifidobacterium infantis, Lactococcus lactis, Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus paracasei, Lactobacillus brevis.
What these bacteria are best for: Enhancing mood, anxiety, IBS symptoms, general gut health and reducing cholesterol.
Pros: Packaging is recyclable. The company have been around a number of years. Very large mix of bacteria included. Contains some of the most thoroughly researched bacteria strains.
Cons: Not vegan friendly. Not targeted to a specific condition, is a little more general (which is also great if that’s what you are after).
Research behind it’s use? Yes, have a read of these mood related studies here, This is also a great article regarding the effects of probiotics on mood. This study has positive results regarding the effects on cholesterol.
Where can I buy it? Here