All information presented is purely research-based and correct at the time of publication. Probiotics are harmless microorganisms that may support the presence of healthy bacteria in the body. The human body contains millions of live bacteria. Many exist in the gut.

The gut microbiome is unique to each individual, and research shows it may be determined before birth. Probiotics can help populate the gut with good bacteria. Gut bacteria have many bodily functions and affect weight, mood, and inflammation. Some people take probiotics to maintain everyday health.

When using a probiotic for a specific health concern, people should speak to a healthcare professional about the best strategy. Clinical trials show that different probiotics and dosages are effective for different conditions and situations.

Probiotic manufacturers measure amounts of bacteria in colony-forming units CFUs. Supplements can vary, but most have a CFU in the billions. Foods with added probiotics often contain lower numbers of bacteria. Generally, people take higher-CFU products for specific conditions and lower-CFU products for general health maintenance.

Some research suggests that probiotics can help keep the gut healthy and may help relieve the symptoms of some health conditions. A review states that probiotics may be beneficial in preventing or treating the following five conditions:.

Antibiotics can kill both bad and good bacteria. Sometimes, this can cause a person to experience symptoms of diarrhea when taking them. In particular, the probiotic yeast Saccharomyces boulardii has effectively prevented and treated diarrhea that occurs when taking antibiotics or following infection.

The yeast may also effectively treat irritable bowel syndrome BS and inflammatory bowel disease IBD , but more research is needed to confirm this. An older review of studies indicates that probiotics may reduce gut transit time — the time it takes for food to pass as a bowel movement — by The Bifidobacterium lactis strain seems most efficient in improving gut transit time, stool frequency, and consistency, and in reducing flatulence.

However, the researchers advise caution when interpreting the results, as there may be bias in some of the studies included. A small study found that people following a low calorie diet for 15 weeks experienced changes in their gut bacteria.

They also had a reduction in bacteria associated with atherosclerosis , which occurs when the arteries become clogged with plaque. The links between weight and gut bacteria could indicate that probiotics may support weight loss.

Some experts suggest that supplementation with synbiotics — a combination of prebiotics and probiotics — , using strains such as Lactobacillus gasseri, may lead to weight reduction. Adding certain fibers may increase these effects. A review of obesity and probiotics concluded that mixtures of probiotic strains may be more effective in treating obesity than single strains.

In particular, Bifidobacterium may be effective for reducing body mass index BMI. A review concluded that certain probiotic strains from the Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium genus showed promising results for weight loss. One review concluded that probiotics may result in a reduction of weight and fat percentage.

However, there have not been enough high quality studies to confirm that probiotics have this effect. Most research into this has used Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium strains. However, there are still unanswered questions about specific strains, duration of treatment, and appropriate dosages.

Research into the effects of probiotics on mental health is limited, but early studies suggest there may be a connection between gut microbiota and the central nervous system. This is referred to as the gut-brain axis. Researchers have used Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus to treat the symptoms of major depressive disorder MDD.

Studies into using probiotics to treat mental health conditions are ongoing and showing promise. Emerging research indicates that probiotics could improve gut-brain wellness, help improve certain behaviors in autistic male children, and reduce the risk of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder ADHD in males.

These conditions affect males and females differently, highlighting the importance of gender-specific research into probiotics.

A study in people with Salmonella infection suggested that the effects of taking Lactobacillus plantarum varied according to sex. Although the study authors saw little evidence that this probiotic may treat Salmonella, they noted how males and females experienced the symptoms and clearance of the infection differently.

Some probiotic supplements also contain prebiotics, compounds that the probiotics can feed on. Some formulas may also contain prebiotics. Including prebiotics can be beneficial, as they provide substances for probiotics to digest. Research indicates that prebiotics are effective because they withstand food processing and reach the colon undigested.

Oligosaccharides are some of the most common prebiotics in supplements and foods. Such people can obtain the health benefits of prebiotics by including plenty of fiber and resistant starch in their diets and eating foods such as garlic , onions , bananas , and oats instead. Learn more about the relationship between prebiotics and probiotics.

People can take probiotics in supplement form, or the form of foods and beverages such as yogurt and drinks with live cultures added. Learn about the best food sources of probiotics. Fermented foods naturally contain beneficial bacteria. Examples of fermented foods include:.

Learn more about fermented foods. Every individual biome is different. Look for probiotics with a high CFU count, multiple or specific bacteria strains, and clear usage recommendations. However, a person should consult a doctor for guidance on probiotics. Although scientific research shows promise for probiotics, the American Gastroenterological Association AGA does not recommend using probiotics as a primary treatment for most digestive conditions.

The AGA only recommends using probiotics to prevent Clostridioides difficile , manage pouchitis, a complication of irritable bowel disease, or in the case of necrotizing enterocolitis in preterm or low birth weight infants, and if someone is taking antibiotics.

People should speak to a gastroenterologist for specific probiotic guidance and recommendations based on their health conditions and goals. People who have weakened immune systems and serious health conditions should avoid probiotics.

The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health NCCIH states that probiotics can increase the risk of infections and antibiotic resistance. People should speak with a doctor before trying a probiotic for a particular health condition, as research is in its early stages in many cases.

Recent research into probiotics and the microbiome provides some evidence that these supplements can benefit some aspects of human health. Specifically, science has identified areas of use for diarrhea, respiratory conditions, and some infant illnesses and conditions.

Probiotics may also help with weight management, gut issues, constipation , and mental health. People should do their research into which specific strains might work for their particular condition.

A healthcare professional can help with this. Several reviews have assessed the effects of probiotics on IBD [ ]. A systematic review from the American Gastroenterological Association AGA examined the role of probiotics in managing gastrointestinal disorders [ 31 ].

The trials used various probiotic strains and combinations—including Saccharomyces boulardii; LGG; Lactobacillus johnsonii NCC ; Escherichia coli Nissle ; and VSL 3, an eight-strain combination that included Bifidobacterium breve, Bifidobacterium longum, Bifidobacterium infantis, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus paracasei, Lactobacillus bulgaricus , and Streptococcus thermophilus —for several months.

The authors could not draw conclusions about whether probiotics benefit patients with severe ulcerative colitis or are effective alternatives to existing therapies.

However, according to limited evidence, these supplements might modestly reduce disease activity in individuals with mild-to-moderate ulcerative colitis when combined with conventional therapies. Limitations of the evidence included that the available studies used different patient populations, probiotic formulations, treatment durations, and concomitant therapies.

A Cochrane Review of 14 studies in participants with ulcerative colitis also indicated that probiotics may help induce remission and that probiotics combined with 5-ASA an anti-inflammatory medication commonly used to treat IBD may be superior to 5-ASA alone [ 37 ].

However, the evidence was limited and of low certainty. A similar Cochrane Review of 12 studies in 1, participants with ulcerative colitis examined the effects of probiotics for maintaining remission [ 38 ].

The authors concluded that whether probiotics are helpful is uncertain because of the small number of participants in studies and unreliable methodologies used.

An AGA clinical decision support tool makes no recommendation on the use of probiotics in adults and children with IBD due to knowledge gaps [ 39 ]. Consensus guidelines published by the British Society of Gastroenterology in addressed the management of IBD, including the use of probiotics [ 36 ].

The authors concluded that although probiotics may be modestly beneficial for ulcerative colitis, they should not be routinely used. Additional research, including well-powered RCTs, is needed to identify which patients with IBD might benefit from probiotics and which probiotic strains are most effective [ 32 , 34 ].

Irritable bowel syndrome IBS is a common functional disorder of the gastrointestinal tract characterized by recurrent abdominal discomfort or pain, bloating, and changes in stool form or frequency.

Although the causes of IBS are not completely understood, growing evidence suggests potential roles for intestinal microbiota in its pathophysiology and symptoms; IBS has also been linked to stress [ 40 ].

According to this research, proinflammatory bacterial species, including Enterobacteriaceae , are abundant in patients with IBS, who typically also have a corresponding reduction in amounts of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium [ 41 ].

Probiotic products commonly contain Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium and, therefore, have the potential to restore some missing microbial functionality and, consequently, help manage IBS symptoms. Several meta-analyses have assessed the role of probiotics in patients with IBS [ ].

Most have found that probiotics have a positive, although modest, beneficial effect. Various species and strains of probiotics had beneficial effects on global IBS symptoms, abdominal pain, bloating, and flatulence scores, but the quality of the studies was low. Some combinations of probiotics were superior to individual strains in this analysis, but no specific combination was superior to another.

A second meta-analysis of 15 RCTs in a total of 1, patients with IBS found that probiotics reduced overall symptoms and abdominal pain more than placebo after 8 to 10 weeks of therapy; in children, these supplements also improved mucosal barrier function [ 43 ].

A more recent systematic review included 35 RCTs of 16 single-strain and 19 multi-strain products in 3, adults with IBS [ 47 ]. Of the studies that found a statistically significant reduction in global symptoms 14 of 29 trials or a clinically meaningful reduction in abdominal pain 8 of 34 trials , most used multi-strain probiotic products.

Furthermore, only trials of multi-strain products found a clinically meaningful improvement in quality of life [ 44 , 45 ].

Whether different strains of probiotic bacteria have beneficial effects on IBS probably depends on the IBS symptom being evaluated [ 48 ]. In a meta-analysis of 10 RCTs with a total of adults treated with probiotics or placebo for 4 weeks to 6 months, pain scores improved significantly with administration of probiotics containing Bifidobacterium breve, Bifidobacterium longum, or Lactobacillus acidophilus species compared with placebo treatment [ 49 ].

In contrast, Streptococcus salivarius ssp. thermophilus, Bifidobacterium animalis, Bifidobacterium infantis, Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus bulgaricus, and Saccharomyces boulardii had no significant effect. The abdominal distension scores improved with use of probiotics containing Bifidobacterium breve, Bifidobacterium infantis, Lactobacillus casei, or Lactobacillus plantarum species.

Flatulence declined with use of all tested probiotics, but the studies showed no positive effect of probiotics on quality of life. Overall, the available evidence indicates that probiotics might reduce some symptoms of IBS.

However additional high-quality clinical trials are needed to confirm the specific strain, dose, and duration of treatment required as well as the type of IBS such as with predominant diarrhea or constipation that can be treated effectively with probiotics. High levels of cholesterol in the blood or cholesterol trapped in arterial walls are risk factors for cardiovascular disease CVD.

Low-density lipoprotein LDL carries cholesterol to tissues and arteries. The higher the LDL level, the greater the risk is for CVD. High-density lipoprotein HDL carries cholesterol from the tissues to the liver and leads to its excretion. Researchers have studied the use of probiotics to improve lipid profiles.

The mechanisms of their effects on cholesterol concentrations include catabolism of cholesterol by increasing:. A meta-analysis of 30 RCTs with 1, participants mostly adults age 18 years or older demonstrated that those treated with probiotics for 3 to 12 weeks had 7.

Among the strains included in more than three studies, Lactobacillus acidophilus , a mixture of Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium lactis , and Lactobacillus plantarum were associated with significant reductions in total and LDL cholesterol concentrations, but Lactobacillus helveticus and Enterococcus faecium were not.

In a smaller meta-analysis of 11 RCTs in adults with normal or high cholesterol levels, those treated with probiotics for 2 to 10 weeks had 6.

The effects were most pronounced with consumption of probiotics for more than 4 weeks by participants with hypercholesterolemia and those age 45 or older. In both meta-analyses, participants included both healthy adults and adults with hypercholesterolemia, CVD, diabetes, or obesity.

However, the authors of a more recent review of the influence of probiotics on blood lipid profiles of healthy adults in 14 studies with a total of adults treated from 15— days found insufficient evidence to conclude that probiotics improve blood lipid levels [ 56 ].

Another review found that use of probiotics containing multiple strains produced statistically significant reductions in total and LDL cholesterol levels by Overall, research suggests that the use of multiple probiotic strains in combination as well as of probiotics containing Lactobacillus acidophilus , a mixture of Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium lactis , or Lactobacillus plantarum might reduce total and LDL cholesterol levels.

However, more research is needed to confirm these findings. The gut microbiota play an important role in nutrient and energy extraction from food. Research in mice suggests that the gut microbiota affect not only use of energy from the diet, but also energy expenditure and storage within the host [ 58 ].

Whether these effects translate to humans is unknown. Results of clinical trials that assessed the impact of probiotics on obesity-related endpoints have been inconsistent. In another randomized clinical trial, daily supplementation with 3.

However, the Lactobacillus supplementation did significantly reduce body weight after 12 weeks loss of 1. Another recent systematic review and meta-analysis of 15 RCTs in individuals with overweight or obesity found that supplementation with various doses and strains of probiotics for 3 to 12 weeks resulted in larger reductions in body weight by 0.

However, these effects were small and of questionable clinical significance. In contrast, the most recent systematic review and meta-analysis, which included 19 randomized trials in 1, participants, found that supplementation with probiotics or synbiotics reduced waist circumference slightly by 0.

The findings from another meta-analysis of 14 trials in adults, 5 trials in children, and 12 trials in 1, infants suggested that probiotics promote loss of a mean of 0. Taken together, these results indicate that the effects of probiotics on body weight and obesity might depend on several factors, including the probiotic strain, dose, and duration as well as certain characteristics of the user, including age, sex, and baseline body weight.

Additional research is needed to understand the potential effects of probiotics on body fat, body weight, and obesity in humans. Many probiotic strains derive from species with a long history of safe use in foods or from microorganisms that colonize healthy gastrointestinal tracts.

For these reasons, the common probiotic species—such as Lactobacillus species acidophilus, casei, fermentum, gasseri, johnsonii, paracasei, plantarum, rhamnosus, and salivarius and Bifidobacterium species adolescentis, animalis, bifidum, breve, and longum —are unlikely to cause harm in healthy people [ 3 ].

Side effects of probiotics are usually minor and consist of self-limited gastrointestinal symptoms, such as gas. However, some clinical trials of probiotics are not designed to adequately address questions about safety, leaving gaps in available safety evidence [ ]. Moreover, some evidence indicates that probiotics may cause harm in certain populations, including preterm infants and people who are severely ill or immunocompromised.

Probiotic products have sometimes been used in hospital settings to reduce the risk of necrotizing enterocolitis, a life-threatening gastrointestinal illness that mostly affects newborn infants.

A systematic review of trials in preterm infants found that multi-strain probiotics reduce morbidity and mortality of preterm infants [ 68 ], while a Cochrane Review called for more research [ 69 ].

However, in , FDA issued a press release warning the public, including health care providers, that administering probiotics to preterm infants may cause infection or invasive, potentially fatal disease [ 70 ]. In other cases, mainly involving individuals who were severely ill or immunocompromised, the use of probiotics has been linked to bacteremia, fungemia fungi in the blood , or infections that result in severe illness [ 71 , 72 ].

However, some case reports did not confirm that the specific strain of probiotics used was the cause of the infection. In other cases, the probiotic strain used was confirmed to be the opportunistic pathogen. At least 60 reports have been published since of fungemia associated with the use of probiotics containing the yeast Saccharomyces cervisiae.

In many of these cases, the patients were in an intensive care unit ICU , were receiving enteral or parenteral nutrition, had a central venous catheter, or had received broad-spectrum antimicrobial treatment [ 73 ]. When LGG was introduced into dairy products in Finland in , monitoring of this country's population through revealed no increase in rates of bacteremia bacteria in the blood caused by Lactobacillus species [ 74 ].

However, an analysis of 22, ICU patients in a Boston hospital found that those who received LGG typically through a feeding tube had a markedly higher risk of developing Lactobacillus bacteremia compared to patients who did not receive the probiotic [ 75 ].

Of the patients receiving LGG, a genome-level analysis identified six cases where the ingested LGG was found in the blood, compared to only two cases among the 21, patients who did not receive the LGG. For individuals with compromised immune function or other serious underlying diseases, the World Gastroenterology Organisation WGO advises restricting probiotic use to the strains and indications that have proven efficacy [ 3 ].

Expert bodies of health professionals make no recommendations for or against probiotic use by healthy people. For people with various health conditions, however, published studies and reviews provide some guidance as described above on probiotic species, strains, and doses that might alleviate their symptoms.

The WGO notes that the optimal dose of probiotics depends on the strain and product. The organization therefore recommends that clinicians who advise their patients to use probiotics specify the probiotic strains, doses, and duration of use that studies in humans have shown to be beneficial [ 3 ].

The WGO guidelines include a summary of evidence on specific probiotic strains used in studies for specific gastrointestinal endpoints [ 3 ]. Finally, the WGO recommends that probiotic supplement users check the labels of probiotic supplements for recommended storage conditions; for example, some require refrigeration, whereas others can be stored at room temperature.

The International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics advises manufacturers to list the total number of CFUs—ideally for each strain—on the expiration or use by date on the product label [ 76 ].

This fact sheet by the National Institutes of Health NIH Office of Dietary Supplements ODS provides information that should not take the place of medical advice. We encourage you to talk to your health care providers doctor, registered dietitian, pharmacist, etc. about your interest in, questions about, or use of dietary supplements and what may be best for your overall health.

Any mention in this publication of a specific product or service, or recommendation from an organization or professional society, does not represent an endorsement by ODS of that product, service, or expert advice.

The human body has many different types of microorganisms that live on and inside it, called the microbiome. A probiotic supplement aims to change the makeup of the microbiome to provide some health benefits.

The challenge is in knowing which probiotic is helpful and for which health problem. There is little in the way of guidance available on who should take probiotics and when.

However, people taking antibiotics, having a gastrointestinal infection, or having digestive symptoms such as diarrhea or constipation may want to talk to a healthcare provider about starting a probiotic. Some people may have diarrhea after taking antibiotics for an infection.

This is because an antibiotic may kill the good bacteria of the gut microbiome along with the bacteria causing the infection.

This results in dysbiosis , which is an imbalance in the gut microbiome. diff is a type of bacteria that can infect the digestive system and cause severe diarrhea and other complications.

There has been some study into using probiotics to prevent these infections, but there is little information on which strains of bacteria would work best against it.

diff infections. pylori is a bacterium that can cause an infection in the stomach. Treatment includes antibiotics and other medications. Probiotics are being studied in preventing symptoms that may happen after H. pylori treatment.

Babies born prematurely can develop necrotizing enterocolitis in their digestive system, which can be life-threatening. Probiotics are being studied to help prevent this condition. Because preterm infants are so fragile, a major concern is in the reliability and purity of probiotics on the market for this age group.

The American Gastroenterological Association AGA recommends certain probiotics that can be used in babies born before 37 weeks or in low birth weight babies those weighing less than 5 pounds, 5 ounces. The microflora is the bacteria on the skin.

Infections can develop at incision sites or elsewhere in the body after surgery. An infection causing diarrhea that occurs after consuming contaminated food or drink is referred to as traveler's diarrhea. Preventing this infection with probiotics has been the subject of a few studies.

Diarrhea in children is a major cause of disease in the developing world. Probiotics have been studied for this use and are recommended by some experts in Latin America. However, only certain types and probiotics that have been clinically tested are recommended. The AGA does not recommend probiotic use in people with IBD.

For people who have had ileal pouch—anal anastomosis IPAA surgery also called a j-pouch for ulcerative colitis, a type of probiotic made up of several strains is sometimes recommended by healthcare providers.

This combination of strains includes Lactobacillus paracasei subspecies subsp. paracasei , Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus acidophilus , Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp.

bulgaricus , Bifidobacterium longum subsp. longum , Bifidobacterium breve , Bifidobacterium longum subsp.

infantis , and Streptococcus salivarius subsp. Results of clinical trials on how probiotics may help with the symptoms of IBS have been mixed. Some show benefit, while others show no improvement.

Most of the studies so far have been in mice, but at least one study showed that there may be a connection between the gut microbiome, the use of probiotics, and maintaining testosterone levels. There is no guidance on how to use probiotics for testosterone levels.

The vagina contains microorganisms that can become out of balance. This could lead to infections, such as bacterial vaginosis. There is no guidance on who might benefit from vaginal probiotics.

One study has shown that Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1 and Lactobacillus reuteri RC may help prevent or treat some cases of bacterial vaginosis. Prebiotics are different from probiotics. They are what probiotic organisms use for food. Both probiotics and prebiotics play a role in gut health.

It is generally thought in order to have an effect, probiotics should be taken at any time of day as long as they are taken daily for a certain period of time.

The label on the probiotic supplement should give instructions on when and how to take it. At least one study found that taking probiotics 30 minutes before a meal may help the live strains survive better in the digestive system.

However, there have been other studies showing that taking probiotics with a meal or at a certain time of day do not have an effect. One small study from Italy explored whether the time of day a probiotic is taken matters. The two strains studied were Bifidobacterium longum and Lactobacillus rhamnosus.

One group of study participants took the supplement before breakfast and another group took it after breakfast.

The strains showed up in the same amounts in both groups. This discounts the importance of the time of day that taking a probiotic is most effective. Reading the label on the probiotic supplement is key to understanding when to take it. There should be a daily dosage listed.

There should also be a suggestion about taking it on an empty stomach, with milk, or with a small meal or snack. Following this guidance is important because it is based on the type and strain of the probiotics. Probiotic supplements are usually only taken for a specific amount of time—usually days or, at most, weeks.

Probiotics are found in some foods, particularly fermented foods , which include:. Some foods may have probiotics added to them. It is difficult to know the actual probiotic content of a food because the microorganisms are living, and some may die between the production of the food and when it is eaten.

In general, kefir and yogurt are the foods that have the highest amount of probiotic organisms in them. For people who live with celiac disease and must avoid gluten, probiotic choices can be tricky. One study showed that many probiotic supplements may contain gluten.

Probiotics are generally considered safe in people who are in good health. However, adverse effects from probiotics are possible. In addition, probiotics may not be safe for people who live with serious health conditions. Probiotic use may be risky in infants, especially those born prematurely or with serious health conditions.

People who are critically ill, immunocompromised, or those who have cancer may be at risk for harmful effects from probiotics.

Probiotics, in general, are not federally regulated because they are sold as dietary supplements and not drugs in the United States.

For this reason, they may contain materials or strains that are unintended or not listed on the label. There is a risk of undesirable genetic materials in the probiotics transferring to the person receiving them. Potential adverse effects of probiotics on the digestive system include:.

Rashes and acne have also been reported. In some people, these effects may lessen or go away if the probiotics are taken regularly. For lessening the digestive symptoms of probiotics, lowering the dose and then increasing it slowly may help. In addition, staying hydrated by drinking enough water may also be helpful in some cases.

Probiotics come in many forms. Those taken orally include chewable tablets, freeze-dried capsules, powders, or liquids. They may be found in drug, vitamin, and health food stores as a supplement but might also be included in foods.

Probiotic supplements may contain more than one strain of microorganisms. For most people, the list of bacterial strains on the label will not have much meaning.

For this reason, the World Gastroenterology Organisation recommends that healthcare providers give people clear instructions on choosing a probiotic.

The probiotic recommended should be based on evidence that it may be helpful for a particular condition. Some of the common bacterial strains in probiotics include species of:.

Some of the common types of yeasts that are in probiotics are:. Non-yeast fungi can also be considered probiotics, and common types include:. The label for a probiotic supplement should contain the number of colony forming units CFU in the product.

When products expire, according to the date on the label, they may not have as many live CFUs. Probiotics are a multibillion dollar industry, yet there is still a need for quality evidence on their use. Probiotic supplements may be helpful for some diseases and conditions.

People will need guidance from healthcare providers on which strains or formulations to use. One review concluded that probiotics may result in a reduction of weight and fat percentage. However, there have not been enough high quality studies to confirm that probiotics have this effect. Most research into this has used Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium strains.

However, there are still unanswered questions about specific strains, duration of treatment, and appropriate dosages. Research into the effects of probiotics on mental health is limited, but early studies suggest there may be a connection between gut microbiota and the central nervous system.

This is referred to as the gut-brain axis. Researchers have used Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus to treat the symptoms of major depressive disorder MDD. Studies into using probiotics to treat mental health conditions are ongoing and showing promise.

Emerging research indicates that probiotics could improve gut-brain wellness, help improve certain behaviors in autistic male children, and reduce the risk of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder ADHD in males.

These conditions affect males and females differently, highlighting the importance of gender-specific research into probiotics. A study in people with Salmonella infection suggested that the effects of taking Lactobacillus plantarum varied according to sex.

Although the study authors saw little evidence that this probiotic may treat Salmonella, they noted how males and females experienced the symptoms and clearance of the infection differently. Some probiotic supplements also contain prebiotics, compounds that the probiotics can feed on.

Some formulas may also contain prebiotics. Including prebiotics can be beneficial, as they provide substances for probiotics to digest. Research indicates that prebiotics are effective because they withstand food processing and reach the colon undigested.

Oligosaccharides are some of the most common prebiotics in supplements and foods. Such people can obtain the health benefits of prebiotics by including plenty of fiber and resistant starch in their diets and eating foods such as garlic , onions , bananas , and oats instead.

Learn more about the relationship between prebiotics and probiotics. People can take probiotics in supplement form, or the form of foods and beverages such as yogurt and drinks with live cultures added.

Learn about the best food sources of probiotics. Fermented foods naturally contain beneficial bacteria. Examples of fermented foods include:. Learn more about fermented foods. Every individual biome is different. Look for probiotics with a high CFU count, multiple or specific bacteria strains, and clear usage recommendations.

However, a person should consult a doctor for guidance on probiotics. Although scientific research shows promise for probiotics, the American Gastroenterological Association AGA does not recommend using probiotics as a primary treatment for most digestive conditions.

The AGA only recommends using probiotics to prevent Clostridioides difficile , manage pouchitis, a complication of irritable bowel disease, or in the case of necrotizing enterocolitis in preterm or low birth weight infants, and if someone is taking antibiotics.

People should speak to a gastroenterologist for specific probiotic guidance and recommendations based on their health conditions and goals. People who have weakened immune systems and serious health conditions should avoid probiotics.

The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health NCCIH states that probiotics can increase the risk of infections and antibiotic resistance. People should speak with a doctor before trying a probiotic for a particular health condition, as research is in its early stages in many cases.

Recent research into probiotics and the microbiome provides some evidence that these supplements can benefit some aspects of human health. Specifically, science has identified areas of use for diarrhea, respiratory conditions, and some infant illnesses and conditions.

Probiotics may also help with weight management, gut issues, constipation , and mental health. People should do their research into which specific strains might work for their particular condition.

A healthcare professional can help with this. Those taking probiotics for the first time should monitor any effects and build up their dosage slowly. People with an immune condition or severe illness should speak to a doctor before taking probiotics, as they may not be suitable. Also, people with allergies or intolerances should read product labels carefully to avoid a reaction.

We review the best probiotics for females and discuss how probiotics work, potential health benefits, and more.

Some probiotics may help a person manage their weight when used alongside a healthy diet and exercise regimen. Probiotics foods contain live, healthful bacteria that may help promote better gut health.

In this article, we list the best probiotic foods and ways…. Probiotics may benefit overall health as well as gut function. Here are some vetted products to try. Scientists have identified the genes in a certain probiotic bacteria that may help improve gut motility and relieve constipation.

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Medical News Today. Health Conditions Health Products Discover Tools Connect. Medically reviewed by Imashi Fernando, MS, RDN, CDCES — By Louisa Richards and Danielle Dresden and Nadia Zorzan — Updated on January 31, On this page How we chose Best probiotics Comparison What are probiotics?

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To establish that the product manufacturers addressed safety and efficacy standards, we: Evaluate ingredients and composition: Do they have the potential to cause harm? Fact-check all health claims: Do they align with the current body of scientific evidence?

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Share on Pinterest. A note about sex and gender Sex and gender exist on spectrums. A quick look at the best probiotics. How we chose the best probiotics. Medical News Today chooses probiotics based on the following criteria: Colony forming units CFU : We include products with a high CFU stated clearly on the product.

Bacteria strains: We have chosen probiotics with different strains, including options with a blend of multiple bacteria strains.