The Right Probiotic Supplement May Help With Breakouts And Other Skin Concerns
The Right Probiotic Supplement May Help With Breakouts And Other Skin Concerns
Ever visit the vitamin and supplement aisle at the drugstore and get just plain overwhelmed? If you’re wondering just how much of all that stuff you really need, you’re not alone. One supplement you've probably been hearing a lot about is probiotics. Sure, you may be familiar with the benefits, but it's hard to know which is the best probiotic for women. And as it turns out, these supps are not all created equal.
“Probiotics are critical for [gut] health, as they help create a happy ecosystem of bacteria in our intestines,” says Kylene Bogden, a registered dietitian and co-founder of FWDfuel. “The more balanced our ecosystem, the better our immunity and overall health.” FYI, probiotics function as good bacteria in your GI tract, breaking down foods and aiding digestion. They keep things moving and your system functioning as it should.
The wrong balance of bacteria in your system can lead to symptoms like fatigue, joint pain, bloating, and, ultimately. disease, according to Bogden. However, consuming probiotics in your diet through fermented foods just isn’t realistic for many people.
“While we ideally would all try to consume fermented foods each day, it is not the easiest task for most people,” she explains. “As a result, a daily probiotic that includes multiple strains can be very beneficial.”
If you’re wondering if a probiotic is right for you, it is best to work with a registered dietitian or physician who is well versed in gut health, Bogden says. They’ll be able to review your symptoms, medical history, and even perform advanced stool testing to help you decide if a probiotic is right for you, which probiotic in particular, and how often it should be consumed.
The following eight supplements contain the specific strains that comprise each probiotic directly address a specific need or health concern.
Meet the expert: Kylene Bogden, RDN, CSSD, specializes in sports nutrition and functional medicine. She is also board-certified in integrative and functional nutrition (IFNCP) through the Integrative and Functional Nutrition Academy. She has served as an expert source for various national media outlets and been invited to speak at events across the country.
1) Seed DS-01 Daily Synbiotic 2-in-1 Probiotic + Prebiotic
Generic
amazon.com
$62.00
These two-for-one probiotic capsules are incredibly comprehensive, containing the most powerful strains of probiotics and prebiotics, the food source that feeds the good bacteria in your intestines.
“The formula also enhances gut lining integrity, and as an added bonus, it does not require refrigeration,” Bogden says.
2) Ther-Biotic Complete Daily Probiotic Supplement
Klaire Labs
amazon.com
$47.00
These high-strength vegetarian capsules are dairy-free and work to support optimal gut flora and immune and gastrointestinal health. They’re also hypoallergenic and contain 25 billion CFU, in addition to providing protection from stomach acid.
3) Total Probiotic
BIOHM
amazon.com
$39.99
These vegan capsules are the only probiotic designed to combine good bacteria and good fungi with a powerful enzyme to break down digestive plaque (yep, the same kind that builds up on your teeth) and inhibit the growth of harmful gut bacteria. Amazon reviewers say they notice a rapid decrease in bloating after they start using this product.
4) Clear Skin Probiotics
Love Wellness
amazon.com
$29.99
This probiotic works to balance the skin's microbiome to decrease acne breakouts while also minimizing pores and improving redness and dryness. Its formula includes Bifidobacterium longum BB536, which is a clinically tested strain of bacteria that supports clear skin, and chasteberry, which improved acne in 70 percent of female and male participants in its clinical trials, according to the website.
6) RAW Probiotics
Garden of Life
amazon.com
$39.89
With 85 billion CFU, this probiotic supplement contains Lactobacillus acidophilus, plantarum, and fermentum as well as Bifidobacterium (Bifidobacteria) bifidum, lactis, and longum to help promote digestive health. It specifically promotes bowel regularity, digestive functions, and healthy nutrient absorption with probiotics for support with constipation, colon, and vaginal health, in addition to 33 probiotic strains for immune system health and thyroid support.
7) MegaSporeBioticProbiotic Supplement
Microbiome Labs
amazon.com
$55.00
This vegan probiotic is an all-spore antioxidant producing probiotic supplement with a broad-acting probiotic blend of 5 Bacillus spores that have been shown to help maintain a healthy gut barrier and immune function. Providing 99.99 percent survivability through the digestive tract, the Bacillus spore life cycle allows them to remain dormant in harsh environments, eventually changing into their active forms to begin colonizing in the gut.
8) Good Girl Probiotics
Love Wellness
amazon.com
$20.99
This probiotic works to maintain a balanced vaginal pH, as well as promote urinary tract functions and healthy levels of vaginal yeast and bacteria. It’s made with eight strains of good bacteria to support vaginal health and the microbiome, supporting reproductive health organs, the gut, and the immune system.
9) How do you choose a probiotic supplement?
“Generally speaking, without knowing someone’s medical history, one will want to choose a multi-strain probiotic with at least three to four different strains, though higher than five is excellent,” Bogden says. “Typically, we could recommend a bare minimum of 15 billion CFU.”
Bogden also advises people to be mindful of ingredients, as some probiotics include dairy, which many individuals with poor gut health and immune dysfunction won’t tolerate well.
“In terms of what is best for your needs, it is best to work with a qualified practitioner or begin to dig into the research yourself, as certain strains of bacteria have been proven to be better for certain conditions,” she says. “Take, for example, Bifidobacterium longum, which has been strongly associated with improving skin health.”
Probiotics keep your gut and immune system healthy; they may also do wonders for your skin and vagina health. These are the best probiotics for every need.