:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/hlt-best-probiotics-tout-d15871d60e384ab38c08fbb8e245cc28.jpg?w=1920&resize=1920,1280&ssl=1 "Can Gut Health Unlock Optimal Wellness? Leading Experts Reveal Top Probiotics for Women.")
I’m a huge fan of fermented foods like sauerkraut, kimchi, and yogurt because they contain probiotics that help keep my gut bacteria healthier and happier. However, eating fermented foods can be really inconvenient because they can smell, they’re messy, and they’re difficult to take on the go. This is where probiotic supplements come in; they make it easy to gain the benefits of probiotics in one pill. However it can be confusing to choose the best one, and there is a lot of debate around their benefits. Because of this, I’m often asked my take as a registered dietitian if they’re worth the investment or not.
I’ve been a dietitian for over 12 years, and I’ve had the opportunity to work at a gastroenterology (GI) clinic at one of the top hospitals in the US. Working with patients in this setting, I saw firsthand how probiotics could significantly improve the symptoms of some people’s diseases.
Probiotics are live bacteria and yeasts that can be really beneficial to our health. They add good bacteria to our gut which can help to improve digestion and the gut microbiome. The benefits of probiotics depend on the specific species and strain, so if I’m taking a probiotic supplement for something like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), which affects women two to six times more than men, I know that it’s important to choose one that has clinically proven strains to help with IBS symptoms.
Probiotic research, dosing, and recommendations can be overwhelming, so we’ve outlined how to select them, what to look for, and who might benefit from them. The probiotic supplements we chose for women are third-party tested, clinically studied, and recommended by dietitians and gut health experts specifically for women’s needs.
—Amy Fischer, MS, RD, CDN, senior nutrition editor for Health.com
When choosing a probiotic, there are a few important things to keep in mind:
- Probiotic strains: The strain of bacteria matters; different strains offer different health benefits. Therefore, when choosing a probiotic, you want to pick one with the strain(s) that are clinically proven to show benefits for the health issue or symptoms you are trying to improve.
- CFU count: Consider the CFU count (colony-forming units), which represents the number of live, active bacterial cells in the supplement. Probiotic supplements range from 1-10 billion CFUs, although some have up to 50-100 billion CFUs–more CFUs aren’t always better. There are no standard probiotic dosing recommendations, so work with your healthcare provider to determine the best dose.
- Targeted symptoms or conditions: Health benefits from probiotics are strain-specific, so consider the symptoms or problem you’re trying to target. For example, Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG and Saccharomyces boulardii have been clinically shown to reduce traveler’s and antibiotic-associated diarrhea but would not be the best probiotics for supporting vaginal health.
- Includes prebiotics: Some probiotic supplements also contain prebiotics, fibers that feed the good bacteria in the gut. If you don’t get enough prebiotic foods in your diet, you may want a probiotic supplement with prebiotics. Keep in mind that prebiotics can sometimes cause abdominal discomfort and bloating, so if you have a sensitive stomach, you should avoid probiotics with prebiotics.
- Shelf-stable vs. refrigerated: Some probiotics are shelf-stable, while others require refrigeration. Since probiotics are live microorganisms, you must ensure they are stored correctly so the bacteria don’t die. Check the supplement facts label to make sure you are storing it correctly.
- Dietary restrictions: Most probiotic supplements are free of the top allergens. However, always check the label to ensure the supplement you choose is safe for you to consume if you have any dietary restrictions.
Dietary supplements are minimally regulated by the FDA and may or may not be suitable for you. They also may interact with other supplements or medications you are taking. Our team of medical experts reviews supplements according to our rigorous dietary supplement methodology. We also had a registered dietitian review this page for its scientific accuracy. Please always speak with a healthcare provider to discuss any supplements you plan on taking.
…
Lainey Younkin, MS, RD, LDN is a registered dietitian specializing in helping women create sustainable nutrition habits that help them feel good in their bodies for the long term. She’s also an experienced nutrition writer whose work has been featured in VeryWell, EatingWell, Parents, and Healthline. She’s detail-oriented, analyzing the latest nutrition research with a close eye, as she did with this article, to choose probiotic supplements that are scientifically backed, safe, and effective for women.
There is no recommendation for or against taking probiotic supplements for healthy women. The American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) does not recommend taking probiotics for many gastrointestinal cases. However, clinical studies show that a probiotic supplement may benefit women with the following conditions or symptoms.
Constipation. Studies show that probiotics can increase the consistency and frequency of bowel movements.
Diarrhea. Good evidence supports that the probiotic strains Saccharomyces boulardii and Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG, can improve antibiotic-associated diarrhea and traveler’s diarrhea.
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The AGA does not recommend probiotics for ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease, but research shows that probiotics could help keep UC in remission. However, the AGA recommends taking probiotics for pouchitis, inflammation that occurs in a pouch created during surgery to treat UC.
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The AGA does not recommend the use of probiotic supplements for IBS. However, studies show that probiotics can improve IBS-related symptoms like abdominal pain, gas, and bloating. The tricky thing about IBS is that symptoms vary among women; some struggle with constipation, while others have diarrhea. If you want to take a probiotic for IBS, it is best to work with a healthcare provider who can help you choose the best strain for your symptoms.
Vaginal Infections. Studies show that Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1 and Lactobacillus reuteri RC-14 are two probiotics that reduce the colonization of harmful bacteria and yeast in the vagina, helping to prevent vaginal infections.
Eczema. Specific strains of probiotics may help improve atopic dermatitis (eczema) in the short term, but more studies are needed.
Mastitis. Some probiotics have been shown to reduce breast pain and improve infection in nursing women with mastitis.
High cholesterol. Research shows that probiotics can lower LDL (“bad”) cholesterol.
Gestational diabetes. The probiotic, Lactobacillus rhamnosus HN001, may reduce the risk of pregnant women developing gestational diabetes.
Obesity. Research is ongoing to understand the link between the gut microbiome and obesity, but preliminary studies show that probiotics may help with weight and fat loss.
Immunocompromised. Women with weak immune systems, including those undergoing chemotherapy, are advised to avoid probiotics. The idea is that a probiotic could potentially contain a harmful microbe, along with the good ones, and while a healthy woman’s immune system can handle this, it could cause an infection in a woman who is immunocompromised.
Small bacterial intestinal overgrowth (SIBO). Probiotics could worsen symptoms in women with active SIBO but may be helpful after antibiotic treatment. Check with your healthcare provider if you have SIBO and are wondering if a probiotic would help.
These groups of women should be cautious about taking probiotic supplements.
Our team works hard to be transparent about why we recommend certain supplements; you can read more about our dietary supplement methodology here.
For more trending news articles like this, visit DeFi Daily News.
