2022 Probiotic Supplements Guide: What To Look For

1. Contain Soil-Based Probiotics and Be Shelf-Stable: Make sure your probiotic supplement has soil-based probiotics and is shelf-stable, meaning it doesn’t need to be refrigerated. Ideally you want your probiotic to have a shelf-life of 2 years.†
2. High CFU Count: Choose a probiotic brand that has a higher number of probiotics, from at least 40 billion to 75 billion per serving. Latest studies have found the best probiotics contain 51 Billion CFUs and 18 different strains.
3. Strain Diversity: Select a probiotic supplement that has at least 15 or more probiotic strains, such as Bacillus coagulans, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium and Streptococcus thermophilus strains.
4. Survivability: Look for formulas that are in delayed release capsules such as DRcaps that protects the probiotics from stomach acid; or at least have MAKTrek in their formula.
5. Prebiotics: To support the growth of probiotics once they get into your system, it is essential that prebiotics are also included in the formula.

The result: we reviewed over 100+ brands of Probiotics in the market and complied a list of top 5 formulas based on effectiveness, safety, pricing, return policy, and overall customer satisfaction.

#1 Gives Wholesome Probiotics

Consumers have voted Gives Wholesome Probiotics as their number #1 daily probiotic supplement. It is one of the most potent formulas on the market. Wholesome Probiotics has 51 billion live cultures, 18 robust and clinically studied strains, NutraFlora prebiotic fiber, with no synthetic fillers or additives and vegan friendly.

Wholesome Probiotics is one of few doctor formulated probiotics on the market with DRcaps™ delivery system to help protect your ingredients from stomach acid. It does NOT require refrigeration and has 2 years shelf life (most other brands have 1 year or less). We highly recommend this formula. 

Directions: 1 capsule per day

• Supports healthy gut function and digestive health†
• Supports healthy immune system function and a healthy GI tract†
• Supports normal microflora in the gut†

See The #1 Rated Brand

#2 PureNature Probio40

Probio50 contains 40 Billions CFUs, no cheap filler, no binders and no artificial colors. All purchases from PureNature is backed by a 365 day Risk Free 100% Money Back Guarantee. Made in the USA with all-natural, fast dissolving veggie capsule and are made in an FDA registered laboratory that is cGMP certified and 3rd Party Tested.

Contains All Essential Probiotics Strains With MAKTrek 3-D Probiotic Delivery System
Verified: Non-refrigeration probiotics.

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#3 Ultimate Flora 50 Billion

Ultimate Flora came in 3nd place in our survey. It’s no wonder because Ultimate Flora is a great product with 50 Billions CFUs which is in the range of the recommended dosage. It also has 12 robust strains but lacks prebiotics and delivery system.

Another complain some customers had was that Renew Life Ultimate Flora only offers a 60 days return policy.

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MegaFlora comes in 60 capsules per bottle. It is backed by many happy customers, although some people complain about the amount CFUs per capsules. There are only 10 Billion CFUs per capsule which is inconvenient for some people who like to have the recommneded dosage of 50 Billion CFUs per day.

One thing the customers don’t like about MegaFlora is their return policy which is very confusing and they offer a 30 days return policy in general.

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Nature’s Way Fortify contain a good dosage of CFU’s per capsule, however each packet only contains 30 capsules which is inconvenient. There are varied reports from users about how effective Fortify actually is. While some report a perceived positive impact after many months of use, others have found either no effect at all. As the number of complaints grows it does cast a long shadow over how effective this supplement might be. It seems like many people take 1 capsule a day and are not seeing great results from this product.

Again, the return policy for Nature’s Way products are very unclear, depending on where you buy their product the policy changes from no returns to 30 days return policy.

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Ranking Factors

Essential Ingredients: we check every products ingredients list for safety and dosage amount in comparison to published research studies.

Potential Results: we consider the dosage and essential ingredients in each label and then compare them to published studies to measure their potential effectiveness.

Return Policy: we check the products’ return procedure and policy and make sure top brands offer a hassle-free refund.

Overall Score: we take essential ingredients, potential results and return policy scores and rank the top 5 brands based on their average score.

#1 Gives Wholesome Probiotics

Consumers have voted Gives Wholesome Probiotics as their number #1 daily probiotic supplement. It is one of the most potent formulas on the market. Wholesome Probiotics has 51 billion live cultures, 18 robust and clinically studied strains, NutraFlora prebiotic fiber, with no synthetic fillers or additives and vegan friendly.

Wholesome Probiotics is one of few doctor formulated probiotics on the market with DRcaps™ delivery system to help protect your ingredients from stomach acid. It does NOT require refrigeration and has 2 years shelf life (most other brands have 1 year or less). We highly recommend this formula. 

Directions: 1 capsule per day

• Supports healthy gut function and digestive health†
• Supports healthy immune system function and a healthy GI tract†
• Supports normal microflora in the gut†

See The #1 Rated Brand

Our Research: Sources & Citation

Degnan FH. The US Food and Drug Administration and probiotics: regulatory categorization. Clinical Infectious Diseases. 2008;46(Suppl 2):S133–S136.
Didari T, Solki S, Mozaffari S, et al. A systematic review of the safety of probiotics. Expert Opinion on Drug Safety. 2014;13(2):227–239.
Duffy LC, Sporn S, Hibberd P, et al. Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria. In: Coates PM, Betz JM, Blackman MR, et al., eds. Encyclopedia of Dietary Supplements. 2nd ed. New York, NY: Informa Healthcare; 2010:469–478.
Hibberd PL, Kleimola L, Fiorino AM, et al. No evidence of harms of probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG ATCC 53103 in healthy elderly—a phase I open label study to assess safety, tolerability and cytokine responses. PloS One. 2014;9(12):e113456.
Moayyedi P, Ford AC, Talley NJ, et al. The efficacy of probiotics in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome: a systematic review. Gut. 2010;59(3):325–332.
Sanders ME, Akkermans LMA, Haller D, et al. Safety assessment of probiotics for human use. Gut Microbes. 2010;1(3):164–185.
Ford AC, Moayyedi P, Lacy BE, et al. American College of Gastroenterology monograph on the management of irritable bowel syndrome and chronic idiopathic constipation. American Journal of Gastroenterology. 2014;109:S2–S26.
Goldenberg JZ, Ma SS, Saxton JD, et al. Probiotics for the prevention of Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea in adults and children. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2013;(5):CD006095. Accessed at www.thecochranelibrary.com on April 24, 2015.
Guarner F, Khan AG, Garisch J, et al. World Gastroenterology Organisation Global Guidelines. Probiotics and Prebiotics. October 2011. Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology. 2012;46(6):468–481.
Hempel S, Newberry SJ, Maher AR, et al. Probiotics for the prevention and treatment of antibiotic-associated diarrhea: a systematic review and meta-analysis. JAMA. 2012;307(18):1959–1969.
Hempel S, Newberry S, Ruelaz A, et al. Safety of Probiotics to Reduce Risk and Prevent or Treat Disease. Evidence Report/Technology Assessment no. 200. Rockville, MD: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality; 2011. AHRQ publication no. 11-E007.
Lactobacillus acidophilus, University of Maryland http://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/supplement/lactobacillus-acidophilus

*This is a subjective assessment based on the strength of the available information and our independent research and customer feedback.
**Results may vary based on individual.
***Disclosure of Material Connection: we only recommend products and services which we believe will add value to the users. However, you should assume the owner of this website and/or blog has an affiliate relationship and/or another material connection, to any suppliers of goods and services that may be discussed here and may be compensated for showing ads or recommending products or services or linking to the supplier’s website.