Which types of probiotics best suit you? Our naturopath Callan guides you to choose the best probiotic capsules, powders, and tasty probiotic gummies.
Prebiotics and probiotics supplement and nourish us - complementing a healthy diet and lifestyle.
Our naturopaths and customers rave about the following products, so we hope this blog makes choosing easier for you. Your journey to better health starts here.
Best probiotic for whole body health: Lifestream Probiotic 14 Strains
- Best-selling, most loved probiotic capsule
- Broad spectrum, high diversity, supported by studies
- Microencapsulated to help probiotics reach the large intestine
Naturopath tip:
Your quest for the
best probiotic for gut health could be as simple as taking a whole bunch of strains in one go. If you're after general support for your wellness, broad spectrum is best.
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Best probiotic gummies: Radiance Sugar Free Probiotic Gummies for Adults
- Yummy berry flavour, tastes like a treat
- Great for those of us who don’t prefer taking capsules or powders
- No surprise sugars, thanks to HealthPost Sugar Policy NZ
Naturopath tip:
Consistency above all else is key. If you find your gummy yummy, it reduces the risk of forgetting to take your probiotic.
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Best probiotic for dry, itchy skin types: Inner Health Skin Shield
- Holistic support from the inside out
- Researched to support dry, irritated skin issues
- Can be taken during pregnancy to support baby’s skin once born
Naturopath tip:
This
dietary supplement replenishes the microbiome from within, which supports a healthy skin barrier. (Note: it's not to rub on your skin). This is a bottom-up approach. If you have had this issue for a long time, while you'll likely notice sooner, be patient as it may take about 6 weeks.
If you need something to soothe your skin, try coconut oil. It is a gentle and deeply moisturising ingredient with no added fragrance.
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Best probiotic for women: Clinicians Flora Restore
- Formula supports both vaginal and urinary tract health
- Supports balancing friendly and unfriendly yeast
- Top-rated and most popular for female urogenital health
Naturopath tip:
To get the best
probiotic benefits, avoid alcohol. Especially important to consider if you’re trying to balance your urogenital bacteria. This gives your digestive system better support to get you well.
Check out this Naturopath Q&A for everything else you need to know about Flora Restore.
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Best probiotic for an irritable gut: Inner Health IB Support
- Studies have shown Lactobacillus plantarum 299v supports gut microbiota
- Crowds out harmful bacteria in the digestive tract
- Support digestive comfort, ideal for fluctuating bowel habits
Naturopath tip:
A gentle option (suited to
long term sensitive tummies) is starting on a lower dose. See how your body responds to half a capsule and work up gradually. One way to do this is open a capsule and mix half with juice or water.
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Best probiotic while on antibiotics: Clinicians Antibiotic Support Probiotics
- Contains evidence-based probiotic strains Lactobacillus acidophilus LA-5® and Bifidobacterium animalis BB-12®
- Helps repopulate the gut during and after a course of antibiotics
- Fortifies your body's natural immune response
Naturopath tip:
Taking probiotics during and after antibiotics is best. Timing is also key.
Set a timer and take it in between your antibiotic doses. Aim to separate them by about 2 hours. This will allow the friendly bugs to stay alive and do some good in your gut.
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Best probiotic for clear skin: Lifestream Beauty Biotics
- Synergistic formulation for beauty starting from the inside
- Antioxidant support for soft aging and hydrated, healthy skin
- Fibre, pre & probiotics – an essential trio for best gut support
Naturopath tip:
Rebecca explained in our
Naturopath Q&A that fibre, probiotics, and prebiotics are the “Big Three” for gut health. Fibre provides an intestinal sweep which allows the exit of nasties that would otherwise come out of your skin. Probiotics create happy, holistic gut functioning. Prebiotics provide energy for the probiotics.
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Best kids probiotic: BePure Kids Daily Probiotic
- Suited to children 6 months to 12 years
- Broad spectrum probiotics for kids – with 9 well researched strains
- Providing immune support for extra protection from places like daycare and school
Naturopath tip:
If your sunshine isn’t a fan of the taste, you can mix it into a juice or another preferred drink. Just make sure that the drink is cold or room temperature to keep the bugs alive and ready to do their thing.
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FAQs: Your probiotic questions answered
1. What are probiotics and what do they do?
Probiotics are live microorganisms. We often refer to them as "good" bacteria. When taken regularly and in the right amounts, they repopulate gut bacteria.
Studies show they also support digestion, the immune system, skin health, and mood. As more research emerges, we will likely discover even more health benefits tied to probiotics.
2. What are the benefits of taking probiotics?
Probiotics produce postbiotics, beneficial compounds shown to support general health.
Some key areas include:
- Immune system resilience
- Mental wellness - calm and happy mood
- Skin conditions - dry and itchy skin types
- Digestive health - irritable type gut or bloating
- Food breakdown and nutrient absorption for whole body wellness
- Making vitamins B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B12, biotin & folate, plus vitamin K
Taking probiotics while on antibiotics is an especially good idea. Antibiotics don't discriminate between good bacteria and bad bacteria, so replenishing the gut microbiome is definitely necessary.
3. How do I choose the best probiotic supplement?
4 key things to consider when selecting a high-quality probiotic include:
- They should contain at least a billion CFUs (colony-forming units)
- Microencapsulation is important so they reach your large intestine intact
- Specific strain numbers listed in the ingredients is a good sign of a well-studied formula (e.g. 299v, LA-5®)
- Diversity, i.e. lots of different strains/broad spectrum (unless you are looking for a specific condition)
4. Are probiotics safe for children?
Generally, probiotics are suitable for most ages and stages. But everyone is different. If you are unsure or have a health condition, talk to your healthcare provider before trying something new.
5. Can probiotics help with digestive issues?
Yes, that's the main drawcard. Probiotics can be effective in supporting a broad range of digestive issues. This includes bloating, irregular bathroom habits (a nicer way to say it!), and signs of an irritable bowel.
6. Is there a specific time of day best to take a probiotic?
Research suggests there's no specific time of day that's better or worse to take your probiotics. Research showed no preference for taking with or without food, either. The most important thing is consistency – so when and however it works best for you.
If you're keen to learn more about probiotics, check out Feeling good? It starts in your gut.
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