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Probiotics for women is not something you should take once in a while, but it’s a necessity. But choosing the perfect probiotics can feel like a treasure hunt; filled with countless options. Because the vast choices for the ideal blend of beneficial bacteria can be daunting. But you know taking probiotics makes sense, so which one is best? Do you take several types or a single one that meets all your needs?
In a perfect world, you could effortlessly fuel your body with homemade probiotics through delicious fermented foods and drinks. But with your busy lifestyle, it’s not possible. Don’t worry, we’ve done some legwork and curated a list of probiotic supplements you can choose from. But first, let’s dive in to understand about choosing probiotics, and then we’ll guide you to find the ultimate probiotic companion for your gut health and well-being.
Understand the Probiotic Supplements Landscape
In a world filled with antibiotics and Western diets, they can wreak havoc on gut bacteria. It’s no wonder our bodies are begging for probiotic support. Because as hormones decline, the need for probiotics for women becomes even more crucial, as it directly impacts the balance of gut bacteria. As a result, dysbiosis of gut microbes can increase risk of menopause-related diseases (e.g. cardiovascular, osteoporosis, breast cancer, gum disease).
So off you go in search of your probiotic companion. But it can be overwhelming, right?
Imagine walking into a health food store; the shelves lined with colourful packages of probiotic supplements and enticing promises. You’re greeted with friendly bacteria like Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus plantarum, and many others. These probiotic superheroes come in various strains, each specializing in specific gut health perks.
How to choose a probiotic
Therefore, it’s not about the number of viable probiotic strains on the bottle. It’s important to note the CFU count in each dose by the expiry date and the type of strains that are beneficial for your individual health goals.
Be mindful of artificial colours, flavours, and preservatives in the ingredients list. Also, watch for unnecessary additives such as maltodextrin, which can cause weight gain because it has a higher glycemic index than sugar, and may increase insulin resistance.
Now, let’s review our top picks of probiotic and superfood brands from Canada, USA and the UK that include both prebiotics and probiotics for women’s health.
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Common Questions about Women’s Probiotics
What does CFU mean?
CFU (colony-forming units) and the number of strains play crucial roles. CFU represents the count of live bacteria in each dose, showing the potency and effectiveness of the supplement. A higher CFU count means a more robust and impactful probiotic to colonize and work wonders in your gut.
But it’s not just about the numbers. The key to unlocking a wide range of health benefits is taking a diverse mix of probiotic strains. Different strains target various aspects of gut health with their unique mechanisms of action. Just think about it—our bodies are already home to trillions of bacteria strains.
According to the World Health Organization, a probiotic should contain at least 10 billion CFU to impact gut health. So, look for a supplement with a CFU range in the billions, ensuring you get a sufficient dosage for optimal gut health. And that’s not all you should think about.
Beneficial strains in probiotics for women
With over 1,000 bacteria species, the human microbiome forms a complex ecosystem. Various probiotic strains thrive together and have distinct characteristics and functions that provide specific health benefits. Understanding the specific benefits of different strains can help target specific health concerns. Among the strains researched include Lactobacillus Acidophilus, Lactobacillus Gasseri, Lactobacillus Rhamnosus, Lactobacillus Reuteri, Bifidobacterium Longum.
Lactobacillus strains are a must in probiotics for women, as it can support vaginal health and digestive health, manage lactose intolerance, promote nutrient absorption, and maintain a balanced gut environment. Whereas Bifidobacterium strains are champions at boosting the immune system, promoting bowel regularity, and reducing inflammation in the gut. Together, these powerful bacteria groups work harmoniously to enhance your overall well-being from the inside out.
See here for a list of 19 common probiotic strains, with their tongue-twisting names, and click on the link to uncover their potential advantages for women’s gut health.
Should you take prebiotics and probiotics together?
You may take prebiotics and probiotics at the same time. Your body can’t digest prebiotics, but some gut microbes can. Prebiotics are a dietary fibre that serve as a source of food for your friendly microbes. They nourish the probiotic bacteria and promote their growth and activity in the gut; helping them thrive and maintain a healthy balance.
Look for these prebiotic in the ingredients lists: inulin (e.g. agave, chicory fibre), FOS (fructooligosaccharides), GOS (galacto-oligosaccharides) and other resistant starch in your probiotic companion.
According to an eye-opening WebMD article, resistant starch not only enhances gut health but also improves your body’s insulin response. That’s good news because a stronger insulin resistance means better control over high blood sugar levels. This potentially helps to reduce your risk of serious conditions like heart disease, Alzheimer’s, and Type 2 diabetes.
Need to learn more about prebiotics and probiotics, and what natural prebiotic foods to add to your diet, gradually? Check out the ISAPP (International Association of Prebiotics and Probiotics) for further information. Adding both prebiotics and fibre to your daily diet will help maintain a healthy gut and microbe balance.
Shelf-stable vs refrigeration probiotics
For probiotics for women, the question of shelf-stable versus refrigerated options arises. The choice depends on a few factors. As you know, gut bacteria are alive. However, shelf-stable probiotics offer convenience and flexibility, perfect for those on-the-go moments as they don’t need refrigeration. Whereas refrigerated probiotics are more stable, as the chilly environment helps preserve the vitality of the live bacteria. Though they can be a bit more expensive.
However, even if you order a supplement online and it arrives with or without an ice pack, it’s a good idea to pop it in the fridge once it’s in your hands. Don’t forget, you can even maintain the potency of shelf-stable probiotics by storing them in the refrigerator. So, whether it’s chilling or room temperature, make the choice that suits your lifestyle and keeps those friendly bacteria thriving.
Best time to take probiotic supplement
There are no strict rules, but the bottle may offer guidance for optimal effectiveness. Pairing probiotics with meals can give them a better chance to survive in your gut. But some probiotic brands have capsules designed to withstand stomach acids as well. However, consistency is key, so make it a daily ritual to take it at the same time. Alternatively, if you prefer to let the probiotic work without digestive disturbance, take it at bedtime instead.
7 Dairy-free Probiotics for Women’s Health
Wholesome Wellness Raw Probiotics for Women 100 Billion CFUs with Prebiotics, Digestive Enzymes
- Shelf-stable, 60 delayed-release capsules (1 month supply) and high potency probiotics with 100 billion CFU input during production.
- Provide a whopping 34-function specific live strains with enzymes to support digestive health.
- Probiotic for women that contains ingredients that benefit the urinary tract that include cranberry
- Non-GMO vegan probiotics with No: Binders, Soy, Gluten-free, Milk, Egg, Wheat, Peanuts, Shellfish, Additives, or Preservatives.
- Addition of 3 organic prebiotics and a fruit and vegetable complex to help nourish and support the growth of beneficial bacteria.
- CON: No CFU count by the expiry date is on the bottle.
Naka Platinum Women’s Probiotic + Prebiotic, 50 Billion at expiry date, 16 Live Cultures
- High potency with 100 billion input during production and a minimum of 50 billion at the expiry date
- Offers 30 delayed-release capsules (1 month supply), ensuring enough live cultures for effectiveness—16 function-specific strains designed to address women’s specific health needs.
- The addition of prebiotics helps nourish and support the growth of beneficial bacteria in the gut, enhancing the effectiveness of the probiotics.
- The addition of prebiotics helps nourish and support the growth of beneficial bacteria in the gut, enhancing the effectiveness of the probiotics.
- Stomach acid resistant strains, soy-free, vegetarian, gluten-free, dairy-free, GMO-free
- CON: Price may be high for the budget conscious.
Bio Cultures Complex Probiotics and Prebiotics – 77 Billion CFU – 20 Bacterial Cultures
- Shelf-stable, 60 capsules (1 month supply) of high potency probiotics with 77 billion CFU during production
- Provides 20 strains that are designed for both men and women (12 Lactobacillus, 5 Bifidobacterium, 1 Lactococcus, 1 Streptococcus, and 1 Enterococcus)
- Vegan-friendly, Non-GMO, Gluten-free, Lactose-free
- Prebiotics complex that includes FOS and inulin to feed the growth of beneficial bacteria.
- CON: No CFU count by the expiry date is on the bottle.
Garden of Life Once Daily Dr. Formulated Probiotics for Women 50 Billion CFU 16 Probiotic Strains with Organic Prebiotics
- High-potency probiotics with 50 billion CFU during production (40 billion Lactobacillus and 10 billion Bifidobacterium cultures) for a 16-strain probiotic designed for women’s health
- No refrigeration, 30-day supply in a vegetarian capsule
- Contains organic prebiotic blend of resistant starch and fibre
- Dairy-free, soy-free, Gluten-free
- CON: No CFU count by the expiry date is on the bottle.
PlantVital Probiotics for Women – 50 Billion CFU – 15 Bacteria Strains
- PlantVital has a potency of 50 billion bacteria input during production
- 15 bacteria strains (8 Lactobacillus, 5 Bifidobacterium, 2 Streptococcus)
- Offers 30 capsules, (1/day), designed to withstand the harsh stomach acid to deliver directly to the intestines
- FOS prebiotics to help nourish and support the growth of beneficial bacteria in the gut
- NO binders, soy-free, gluten-free, egg-free, No GMOs, peanuts, shellfish, colour additives or preservatives.
- CON: No CFU count by the expiry date is on the bottle. And do not say whether it’s dairy free.
NewGen Superfood Plus with Prebiotics and Probiotics
- An all-in-one dairy-free blend that combines the benefits of vitamin, minerals and antioxidant-rich superfoods (fruits and vegetables)
- 35 billion, 8-strain probiotics (7 Lactobacillus and 1 Streptococcus)
- Digestive enzyme blend to support gut health and digestion
- Certified organic ingredients with no fillers or additives
- Prebiotic – Agave inulin to enhance the effectiveness of the probiotics
- Can add to nut milk to make a smoothie or enhance plain yoghurt
- CON: The cost may be a drawback for the budget-conscious. But when compared to a capsule size and a scoop of powder of this probiotic blend, it goes much further.
Amazing Grass Green Blend Superfood Powder, Plus Prebiotics and Probiotics
- All-natural superfood blend with probiotics that contain a variety of organic ingredients like wheatgrass, barley grass, spirulina, maca root and more
- Inclusion of 1 probiotic strain (L. acidophilus), and prebiotic FOS (from chicory root) to support gut health. Plus fibre and digestive enzymes
- 60 servings of a nutrient-rich blend providing a wide range of essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants
- CON: May be a concern for individuals with gluten sensitivities or allergies, as it contains wheatgrass
- Taste and texture may not appeal to everyone.
Pause for thought
Choosing a high-quality probiotic supplement for your health needs is a proactive step. However, it’s not the solution if bad gut bacteria are causing issues. Taking probiotics alone won’t fix the problem. It’s like using a 2-week old unwashed plate for fresh food. So, it’s best to eliminate the bad bacteria first before starting a new probiotic supplement. Otherwise, the ‘good’ and the ‘bad guys’ will compete for food. Take steps now to address the issue so you can approach perimenopause and menopause with a healthy gut balance.
But as with any probiotics for women, the effectiveness and experience may vary among individuals. Some individuals may have sensitivity to certain strains or ingredients in the formulation. So you’ll need to assess what’s best for your needs. What works for one person may not work the same way for another because of differences in gut microbiota composition and overall health status. Always consult a healthcare professional for personalized advice tailored to your health goals.
Finally, while supplements can be a valuable addition to a balanced diet, but they should complement, not replace, a nutrient-rich eating plan.
