Probiotic Supplements

More and more research shows that probiotics can greatly help reduce IBS symptoms. Many people have found that by taking probiotics in conjunction with diet considerations for IBS they can be pain free.

The most important thing of course is to make sure that you choose a high quality probiotic to take. When recommending a probiotic, we make sure that it does not contain any harmful additives or chemicals, as well as make sure it does not contain any common food allergens, such as dairy or soy or wheat. We also factor in affordability, safety, and other customer reviews as well, since experiences can vary from person to person.

Here are our top picks:

Flora Source Multi-Probiotic Capsules

While reviewing probiotics, it was important for us to make sure that they did not contain any ingredients which could further irritate a sensitive digestive system, as well as make sure they did not contain any common allergens, since undiagnosed food allergies can sometimes play a role in IBS symptoms as well. We were pleased to find that Flora Source multi-probiotic capsules fit exactly what we were looking for. It also has over 64 highly rated reviews, which is not surprising since it has a good blend of helpful bacteria and no irritating ingredients. Available From Nutri-Health.com.

There are many advantages to taking probiotic supplements, especially when it comes to digestive health. Choosing the right one is where it gets tricky, so we’ve decided to take some time and review and explain some of the common types available out there. While we cannot say that there is one for sure that is the “best probiotic” – especially since there is limited research available, we can give you an idea of different ones out there and give you the information you need to make your own informed choice.

Mainstream Probiotics

These are the ones your doctor might recommend, and you’ll find them in just about any grocery store. We listed them here with our own personal thoughts and beliefs about them so you could do your research to make your own decision.

Align Probiotic Supplement:

Align is one of the most popular probiotics recommended by physicians. Unfortunately, we fear that this one may be a pharmacuetical company influenced recommendation. While probiotics can be very helpful for treating digestive problems, the ingredients listed are a concern. For starters, it includes milk protein, which can be a big trigger factor for many people. It also contains food dye, another possible irritant for sensitive digestion systems. It contains a patented strain of bacteria called Bifidobacterium infantis 35624, which is also something to think about as it does not contain Acidophilus strains. On a positive note, it does come with a 100% Money Back Guarantee. Click Here to Read All 135 Customer Reviews of Align on Amazon.com

Acidophilus Pearls:

This is another popular choice amongst those suffering from IBS. It contains strains from both Acidophilus and Bifidobacterium Longum, and their patented pearl technology is supposed to protect the bacteria to make sure it actually reaches your digestive system. The price is affordable – $15 for a 90 day supply. They are also gluten, corn, preservative, and artificial coloring free, though they may contain soy and dairy.  Click Here to Read the 88 Customer Reviews on Acidophilus Pearls.

Accuflora Probiotic Supplement

The Accuflora probiotic supplement is another one we decided to review, because it is a popular choice for many and is different from the others in the fact that it contains 5 strains of beneficial bacteria: Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus salivarius, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, streptococcus thermophilus, and Bifidbacterium Bifidum. This is a good blend for those who are having problems with unfriendly organisms such as yeast or others. It does not have as many customer reviews (most likely because the others are more readily available at pharmacies as well as pushed by doctors) – but it does have a very strong ratio of good reviews and experiences.  Best of all, it is dairy free and does not contain colorings or artificial sweeteners  like some others do.  It is also very economical – for $18.61 you get 260 capsules. Click Here to Read All 49 Customer Reviews and Order

Digestive Advantage

Digestive Advantage is another popular choice for many, though it does have some issues with it that we aren’t thrilled about. Our main concern? Propylene glycol is used to make the capsules, which is a known irritant for many people, not just those who have IBS. However, with as many positive reviews that it has, we felt that if one is aware of that potential danger it should be listed to make this list well rounded and unbiased as possible. It should also be noted it contains milk proteins. Click Here to Read 159 Customer Reviews.

There you have it, the most popular probiotic supplements on the market today. If you are struggling with the symptoms of IBS, a good probiotic supplement is key in conjunction with the right diet and avoiding trigger foods such as dairy products. Looking into digestive enzymes may also be a good idea.

Before using any supplement, it is always a good idea to talk with your health care provider. While probiotics are believed to be generally safe for all ages, and are even added into baby formulas, there is still limited research available, and so the potential risks are not yet known. Due to limited research, it is also difficult to say which strains of bacteria are the most beneficial or what other factors should be considered. Also, different people will have different results. If you have bad bacteria or yeast in your system, it may be necesarry to first get rid of those before seeing any benefits of probiotics. Food intolerances, diet, and lifestyle choices can also play a role in the success of taking probiotics.

If you have any experience using any of the above probiotic supplements, we’d love to hear how they worked (or didn’t work if that was the unfortunate case) for you. Share your thoughts or questions in the comments section below!