What's the Deal with Probiotics?

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I've been obsessed with my stomach for more than a decade. And I don't mean "having abs" (though there's nothing wrong with wanting those, too)—but what's literally going on inside my gut. After my mom was diagnosed with stage 4 colorectal cancer in 2009, I started getting yearly colonoscopies and learning more about how the health of your digestive system effects your entire body.

Since then, I have been taking a probiotic every morning. But you don't have to only take my word for it: Studies show probiotics and a healthy gut microbiome (aka the good bacteria that lives inside your small and large intestines) don't only help with digestive function—it's also can lead to clear skin and optimal brain function.

If your head is spinning, just take the advice of Roshini Raj, a gastroenterologist, author, and founder of Tula Skincare, who has gone all-in on the power of probiotics (both ingestible and topical), below.

What are probiotics?

"Probiotics are friendly, healthy, good-for-you bacteria that work to improve your health," says Raj. "You can add them to your gut by eating probiotic-containing foods or taking supplements. They can also be applied topically and have a proven ability to soothe and calm skin inflammation." Foods with probiotics inside include greek yogurt, kefir, kimchi, miso, and kombucha.

How do I choose a probiotic?

"When choosing a probiotic supplement, the first step is to look at the ingredients," Raj advises. "You want powerful ingredients that are not only good for you but that will also be effective." Of course, that's the ethos behind the blend she selected for Tula's Advanced Daily Probiotic & Skin Health Complex. If you're just looking for general gut health, the Cleveland Clinic suggests you pick look for a capsule with lactobacillus, bifidobacterium, bacillus or saccharomyces boulardii. From there, formulas can get more specified, so asking your doctor or going to your local health food store and chatting with somebody there can help. I've also added a few of my favorite options, below.

How do you know your probiotic is working?

In my experience, you'll... ahem... know. "After my patients began probiotic treatments, I saw a significant improvement not only in their internal health but also in their appearance," says Raj. "Oftentimes their skin was calmer and clearer and I could tell they were feeling better before they had the chance to tell me." Smoother digestion is usually the first sign that it's working. From there, less bloating or general stomach discomfort is a sign you're moving in the right direction.

Meet the Experts

Roshini Raj, M.D., is practicing gastroenterologist in New York City. She's also the founder of Tula Skincare and the author of Gut Renovation: Unlock the Age-Defying Power of the Microbiome to Remodel Your Health from the Inside Out.

Why Trust ELLE Beauty?

Margaux Anbouba is ELLE's beauty editor. After her mom died of colon cancer in 2011, colorectal health became one of her passions—and she's talking nonstop to her family, friends, and strangers about getting colonoscopies ever since.

When we think about bacteria, negative connotations often come to mind. But, not all bacteria is bad, and probiotics are the prime example of what health experts call good bacteria. “Probiotics are friendly, healthy, good-for-you bacteria that work to improve your health," says Dr. Roshini Raj, a gastroenterologist, author, and founder of Tula Skincare. Most notably, probiotics can help to promote a healthy gut, but these essential microorganisms can also lead to clear skin, a high-performing immune system, and balanced pH levels (down there) for women.

As for how to ingest probiotics, it’s essential to note that they are naturally found in foods like greek yogurt, kombucha, and kimchi. However, depending on your diet, you might not consume enough probiotics on a daily basis. In that case, you might want to consider taking probiotic supplements. “When choosing a probiotic supplement, the first step is to look at the ingredients," Dr. Raj advises. “You want powerful ingredients that are not only good for you but that will also be effective."

There are an array of probiotic supplements that are formulated to target specific concerns, so the first step is to understand what exactly you need help with. For example, if you are experiencing digestive issues, the Cleveland Clinic suggests selecting a capsule that contains lactobacillus, bifidobacterium, bacillus or saccharomyces boulardii. We know these names sound extremely complicated, so it might also make sense to consult your doctor or a professional that could point you in the right direction.

According to Dr. Raj, if you incorporate effective probiotic supplements into your diet, you should start to feel, and look, much healthier. “After my patients began probiotic treatments, I saw a significant improvement not only in their internal health but also in their appearance," says Dr. Raj. “Oftentimes their skin was calmer and clearer and I could tell they were feeling better before they had the chance to tell me." But don’t just take Dr. Raj’s word, try it yourself!

Ahead, scroll through a list of the best probiotics to improve your overall health.

Probiotics for Women

Garden of Life’s probiotics are crafted specifically for women to support vaginal, digestive, and immune health. Their one-a-day capsules also lack most major allergens including dairy, soy, or gluten.

Type: Capsules

Dosage: 1 daily

Certified: Non-GMO, gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free

Amazon Rating: 4.6/5

What reviewers are saying: "I've been taking this women's probiotic for about 6 months and it has helped me so much and I will keep buying it every month. I give it 10/10."

Probiotic + Prebiotic Gummy

It tastes like a peach-flavored treat, but will actually help with digestion. On top of probiotics, this gummy also has fiber, which encourages your digestive tract to run smoothly.

Type: Gummy

Dosage: 1 daily

Certified: Gluten-free

Amazon Rating: 4.5/5

What reviewers are saying: "I started taking these a year ago as I had chronic diverticulitis flare-ups and someone recommended them to me. Ever since I began taking these, my intestinal tract has been working well regularly (sorry if this is TMI) and I have had NO flare-ups at all. I am so happy to not have the pain of diverticulitis and to not have to take the antibiotic treatments that make me nauseated! These gummies also taste delicious and it is hard to eat just one."

Advanced Daily Probiotic & Skin Health Complex

Formulated by gastroenterologist and skincare brand founder, Tula’s probiotic is focused on giving you your best skin ever. More specifically, these capsules are infused with ceramides, which help to promote hydrated skin.

Type: Capsule

Dosage: 1 daily

Certified: Non-GMO, gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free

Tula Rating: 4.1/5

What reviewers are saying:"Just finishing my 30-day supply. My skin is clear and I’ve noticed some new hair growth. I haven’t noticed any changes as far as helping with bloating but will try it for another 30 days and see if I notice a difference."

Good Girl Probiotics

Anybody who has suffered through a single urinary tract infection never wants to repeat the situation—and these were formulated with that in mind. Also, these probiotics help to balance vaginal pH and bacteria so that you can avoid dreaded yeast infections,

Type: Capsule

Dosage: 2 daily

Certified: Gluten-free, dairy free

Target Rating: 4.9/5

What reviewers are saying: "I went through a year of UTIs and this has helped to not only keep them at bay but make my overall health feel better."

Gut Instinct Probiotic Supplement

HUM Nutrition is renowned for creating effective supplements, and these potent Gut Instinct capsules are spiked with 10 strains of probiotics for better digestion and immunity. Clinical studies conducted by HUM proved that 90% of customers were satisfied after regularly consuming the Gut Instinct capsules.

Type: Capsule

Dosage: 1 daily

Certified: Vegan

Blue Mercury Rating:: 4.7/5

What reviewers are saying: “I have taken other probiotics before and have not felt as comfortable in my gut as I do with Gut Instinct! I am more regular, have less bloating with eating and it does not irritate my stomach. I am thankful I found HUM Nutrition and will be trying more of their supplements soon!”

Synbiotic+

This symbiotic formula includes prebiotics, probiotics, and postbiotics which work to support gut health and immunity. The time-release capsule ensures the probiotics survive your digestive tract and make it to the colon, where they can thrive.

Type: Capsules

Dosage: 1 daily

Certified: Vegan, non-GMO, gluten-free

Amazon Rating: 4.2/5

What reviewers are saying: “Genuinely such an impressive little bottle of pre-, pro-, and postbiotics all in one.”

DS-01 Daily Synbiotic

This dual-encapsulated probiotic has a super-high CFU count and has 24 different types of probiotics that cater to better digestion, skin, and cardiovascular health. This 2-in-1 capsule is also formulated with punicalagins, a key ingredient that is biotransformed by gut microbes into metabolites (molecules that aid in metabolic reactions for healthy cell growth).

Type: Capsules

Dosage: 1 daily

Certified: Gluten-free, vegan, soy-free, nut-free, selfish-free

What reviewers are saying: "I've been a Seed stan since my first swallow—you have to ease into it (start with one capsule for a few weeks before you graduate to two), but my stomach has never felt better. And I definitely notice a difference when I switch to other brands."

Debloat Daily Digestive Gummies

Pop two of these blackberry flavored gummies for a dosage of 3 billion CFUs and smoother digestion. All Lemme products are created with botanical blends that are completely vegan.

Type: Gummy

Dosage: 1 daily

Certified: Non-GMO, gluten-free, vegan, gelatin-free

Lemme Rating: 4.5/5

What reviewers are saying:"I know what you're thinking—another Kardashian business, no thanks. But these are more like fruit pâte and make aiding your digestion a total treat."

Probiotic | Shelf Stable Probiotic

If you’re a gym-goer or a running enthusiast, you probably know that maintaining a supported immune system helps with your overall athletic performance. Klean’s probiotics were designed to do just that by supplying 15 billion beneficial live organisms. These probiotics are also completely free of artificial coloring and sweeteners, which is particularly important for those who wish to cultivate a balanced nutritional diet.

Type: Capsule

Dosage: 1 daily

Certified: Non-GMO, gluten-free, wheat-free, soy-free

Amazon Rating: 4.5/5

What reviewers are saying: “Love this supplement! All of the good stuff and no icky extras. You get exactly what you need and can actually be absorbed by the body unlike the off brand stuff. As a group fitness instructor and health coach, I recommend it to all my clients.”

Probiotics 50 Billion CFU 20 Strains

If you’re on a budget, NewRhythm Probiotics might just be for you. For just $15, this probiotic boasts a 100% natural and Non-GMO formula that promotes digestive and immune health. Additionally, these healthy probiotics feature a targeted release technology which keeps them to effectively reach your intestinal tract.

Type: Capsule

Dosage: 1 daily

Certified: Non-GMO, gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free, sugar-free

Amazon Rating: 4.6/5

What reviewers are saying: “I’m one of those who rarely writes reviews, but I had to for this. I have taken a probiotic daily for over 10yrs and this is BY FAR the best one. I will NEVER change brands again. The 20 strains with 50 billion cfus is the absolute best formulation!”

Meet the Expert

Roshini Raj, M.D., is practicing gastroenterologist in New York City. She's also the founder of Tula Skincare and the author of Gut Renovation: Unlock the Age-Defying Power of the Microbiome to Remodel Your Health from the Inside Out.

Why trust ELLE Beauty?

Margaux Anbouba is ELLE's beauty editor. After her mom died of colon cancer in 2011, colorectal health became one of her passions—and she's talking nonstop to her family, friends, and strangers about getting colonoscopies ever since.

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