What Probiotic Strains For Gastritis?

There are two major ways that probitoic's may help with Gastritis and they are through the anti-inflammatory effects and if your gastritis is H. Pylori induced, then through anti Anti-H.Pylori effects.

I have spent hundreds of hours reading through probiotic bacteria studies and will share some of the more promising Lactobacillus studies with you now. Some probiotic strains like Bifidobacterium bacteria haven't been studied as much but still may help.

Lactobacillus Acidophilus

This study set out to test the anti-Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) and anti-inflammation effects in 40 mice that were infected with murine gastritis. The forty mice were split up into 4-groups.

The first treated with proton pump inhibitors & antibiotics, second with Lactobacillus Fermentum, third with Lactobacillus Acidophilus and the fourth with saline solution as a placebo.

The results were pretty clear cut and showed results with the Lactobacillus groups. There was release of mucosal inflammation in gastric antrum and gastric body in lactobacillus treated groups.

Also in the L. Acidophilus & L. Fermentum groups there was H. Pylori eradication compared to the saline group. This is probably the best study for gastritis I could find and proves that Lactobacillus Acidophilus is the best strain for gastritis.

Lactobacillus Plantarum

The abstract of this study quite simply said that Lactobacillus plantarum ZJ316 survived stomach conditions well and was able to have anti-H. pylori ability.

The interesting thing about this study was that it said the L. Plantarum strain repaired mucosal damage which is super important for those with gastritis.

Lactobacillus plantarum ZJ316 may regulate the gastric microbiota (H. pylori bacteria) and reduce mucosal inflammation.

Lactobacillus Fermenti

This study found that the Lactobacillus Fermenti strain was able to work against H. Pylori infection thus improving H. Pylori gastritis in mice.

The study was done in mice so it's not clear if these results could be carried over into humans who have H. Pylori induced gastritis but it does further boost evidence for Lactobacillus probiotic bacteria.

Other Lactobacillus Probiotic Bacteria

Unfortunately not every Lactobacillus Strain has been studied for gastritis, potentially due to lack of funding and interest. Many Lactobacillus bacteria have however been shown to provide anti-inflammatory effects and help with abdominal pain.

According to Livestrong.com, A strong probiotic population in the GI tract can have an anti-inflammatory effect, which may improve the symptoms of gastritis.

Lactobacillus Gasseri was studied on 10 mice with Colitis which is inflammation of the inner lining of the colon. This lining inflammation is similar in a way to Gastritis. The study noted that all mice had inflammatory markers reduced at the end of the study.

Lactobacillus Reuteri was studied on 44 human participants with Diverticulitis. The study found that the L. Reuteri probiotic strain helped with the abdominal pain from Diverticulitis and also reduced inflammatory markers which may help with similar pain from Gastritis.

6 Best Probiotic Brands For Gastritis

1) Garden Of Life Colon Care - 50 Billion CFU

ISS Bif Bifidobacterium Lactis (SD-5219), Lactobacillus Acidophilus (SD5221), Bifidobacterium (SD- 5674), Bifidobacterium Lactis, Bifidobacterium Longnum, Lactobacillus Acidophilus, Lactobacillus Brevis, Lactobacillus Bulgaricus, Lactobacillus Casei, Lactobacillus Fermentum, Lactobacillus Helveticus, Lactobacillus Kefiranofaciens, Lactobacillus Kefirgranum, Lactobacillus Rhamnosus, Lactococcus Lactis, Lactococcus Cremoris, Streptococcus Thermophilus, Lactobacilllus Kefir, Lactobacillus Parakefir, Lactobacillus Planatarum, Lactococcus Lactis Biovar Diacetylactis, Leuconostoc Lactis, Leuconostoc Mesenteroides, Leuconostoc cremoris, Leuconostoc Dextranicum Kluyveromyces Marxianus, Brettanomyces Anomalus, Deberyomyces Hansenii, Saccharomyces Cervevisiae, Saccharomyces Exiguus, Torulaspora Delbrueckii.

Garden Of Life have been creating probiotic supplements for many years and their Colon Care supplement impressed me when I tried it. It has 33 different probiotic strains and claims to guarantee 50-billion Colony Forming Units. 

Colon Care from Garden Of Life isn't made for Gastritis but has some great Lactobacillus & Bifido Bacteria that may help with bowel movements. Colon Care also contains prebiotic fiber from wild kefir cultures. 

It's Non-GMO, doesn't require refrigeration, gluten free, vegetarian and the customer reviews on a whole are awesome. I tried to find some customer reviews for Gastritis but couldn't find any but I did read one review from a user called BlackBrownBeige who said it help with their Ulcerative Colitis which is similar to a gastric ulcer from gastritis. 

2) FlowFlora 40-Billion CFU

Lactobacillus Acidophilus, Bifdobacterium Lactis, Lactobacillus Plantarum & Lactobacillus Paracasei.

I'm going to be totally honest here and say that FlowFlora was not the probiotic supplement that healed my gastritis but it's the probiotic supplement I wish I had!

I created FlowFlora after testing over 27+ other probiotic supplements it has everything I wanted in a probiotic supplement.

I spent hundreds of hours choosing the probiotic strains that gave me the best digestive results and included prebiotic fiber to feed the probiotic bacteria. I coated the capsules in a substance derived from natural brown seaweed too make sure that they can survive the harshest stomach acid conditions. 

One bottle with 60-capsules currently costs $39.95 and shipping is free for PRG blog readers. You can also save 10% today with coupon code "GASTRITIS" for a limited time here. I have a 365-day money-back guarantee and you can email me anytime.

FlowFlora features Lactobacillus Probiotic Strains that have been studied and shown benefits for H. Pylori and reduced inflammation. Both of these things can be major components in Gastritis.

Some negatives about my probiotic are that shipping outside of the US is quite slow, it's not the cheapest option and it isn't loaded with multiple different bacteria strains. I went for quality over quantity You can read my FlowFlora review here.

3) Mary Ruth Liquid 625,000 Per Spray CFU

Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus salivarius, Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactococcus lactis, Streptococcus thermophilus, Bifidobacterium bifidum, Bifidobacterium lactis, Bifidobacterium infantis, Bifidobacterium breve, and Bifidobacterium longum.

For some following a bland diet for gastritis may require more liquids than usual and in that case Mary Ruth's unflavored liquid probiotic might be the best option.

I liked Mary Ruth's a lot when I tried it and appreciated that there wasn't any strong flavor. One bottle is quite small but lasted me a long time. The only thing I didn't like was that with 625,000 CFU per spray it wasn't strong enough for my gastritis.

Mary Ruth's probiotic has a lot of good Lactobacillus bacteria and contains L. Acidophilus which as mentioned previously is one of the top stains for gastritis. It also has a bunch of Bifidobacterium strains that haven't been studied. If you take Mary Ruth's liquid you will need to get your prebiotics from other sources as it does not contain prebiotic fiber.

4) Amy Myers MD Primal Earth Probiotic 3-Billion CFU

Bacillus Coagulans, Bacillus Clausii, Bacillus Subtilis.

Primal Earth Probiotic is a supplement from Dr. Amy Myers MD that features 3 soil based spore forming bacillus probiotic strains. While these strains have not been studied for Gastritis I decided to include it in this guide for two reasons.

Amy Myer's has some great reviews and I read some customers saying that Primal Earth helped with their colitis and acid reflux. It's only 3 billion CFU per-serving and it's price point is on the higher end but the ingredients are high-quality and unique.

Unfortunately it doesn't contain prebiotic fiber which is important for probiotic bacteria to grow. Primal Earth does not need to be refrigerated and comes with a 90-Day money back guarantee. It's non-dairy, gluten-free, keto, paleo but not vegan.

5) Seed Probiotics 53.6 Billion AFU

 Bifidobacterium longum, Bifidobacterium breve, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum. Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus, Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus, Bifidobacterium infantis, Bifidobacterium lactis, Bifidobacterium lactis, Lactobacillus crispatus, Lacticaseibacillus casei.

I have to be honest and say that I have not yet tried Seed Probiotics since I have mostly been put off by the high price tag but hopefully I can soon. They have an impressive inner and outer capsule that survives stomach acid made from punicalagins concentrated from Indian pomegranate.

Seed Probiotics has some super unique probiotics strains that I have not come across before in any other supplements and they measure in a more accurate AFU compared to CFU which they claim is less accurate. All 24-strains in this probiotic are clinically tested.

The strains may help with gastritis because of the gut barrier integrity & gut immunity benefits. Seed Probiotics seems super impressive on the surface and it's clear they have innovated on many fronts. I do wonder though, if its a bit over-kill. Some good old well studied Lactobacillus Acidophilus may work better or the same for Gastritis. Their Facebook page also shows a 3.9 star rating which isn't great.

What Is Gastritis?

Gastritis is quite simply the inflammation of the stomach but I will explain in more details why this happens. To succusfully digest food the stomach has to produce a large amount of stomach acid.

To protect the stomach lining from this stomach acid a mucous is produced. When there is too much stomach acid the stomach can become inflamed.

This can lead to problems like gastric & peptic ulcers which happen when the stomach acid touches unprotected stomach lining. It can also cause symptoms like upper abdominal pain, bloating, belching & more.

What Causes Gastritis?

For a lot of people the biggest trigger of gastritis is their diet and the following foods & drinks may worsen gastritis symptoms.

The cause of Gastritis however most of the time is, Helicobacter Pylori. (I tested negative for this). This is because the H. Pylori bacteria can eat into the stomach tissue and cause a chronic inflammatory response in the gastric mucosa

Non-steroidal anti inflammatory & asprin pills can also lead to gastritis. When NSAID's reach the stomach they dissolve into small particles and release a chemical called cyclooxygenase and this can be quite damaging to stomach cells which produce a protective mucous. Auto-immune reactions, stress, bile reflux & alcoholism are also causes of gastritis. 

Why Probiotics May Help With Gastritis

I have dug through hundreds of probiotics studies here on the PRG blog and have learnt that many Lactobacillus strains have been studied to show potential benefits on inhibiting H. Pylori and reducing inflammation in the body.

Probiotic's May Also Help With

Because people with gastritis and acid reflux may have large amounts of stomach acid floating around it may be hard for probiotic bacteria to get passed the stomach and to the large intestines so make sure to eat acid resistant probiotics.

Probiotic Gastritis Reddit Threads

In the /r/Gastritis sub reddit a user by the name of thefoxinthesnow7 claimed that they were finally healing their gastritis with the help of probiotics. They said they had been living in hell for several months due to severe epigastric back pain, burning from gastritis and peptic ulcer. They had a followed a bland diet with out much success but since starting Align probiotics their gastritis pain is only 20% of what it previously was. 

Several years ago SaraELa91 shared their success story with using more fiber and probiotic supplements. For their entire life they had dealt with constipation, severe abdominal pain, GERD, IBS and good old Gastritis. They discovered they were H. Pylori positive and were prescribed antibiotics for 14-days. Later, they then took fiber, prebiotics and acidophilus probiotics for 8-weeks. Because of this for the first time in 20-years they have come off their Prilosec and their gastritis vanished.

In another /r/Gastritis sub reddit thread 2-years ago NaijaSiKe started a thread called "Probiotic Pills?" and started by asking if anyone had tried them for Gastritis. They mentioned they were following prescribed treatment and their Gastritis started after they finished a course of Antibiotics. For this reason they felt their Gastritis may have been related to the gut microbiome.

Jmeza805's comment was the most liked and they said that they take probiotics but weren't sure if they would be able to help with Gastritis pain but they had made their bowel movements more regular. One user called Rick Sanchez said that probiotics should definitely help if their gastritis was caused by antibiotics and this is something I agree with because of how they work.

Closing Thoughts: Probiotics ALONE Are Not Enough

Gastritis can take months to heal and will take some serious dedication. You will need to focus on your diet heavily and cut out trigger foods for a long time.

It has also been suggested that following intermittent fasting may give your stomach periods of time to heal. Following a bland diet & fasting can set a good base for probiotics to work.

Probiotics should not be used alone to treat gastritis and will not be enough alone in most cases. You may need anti-biotic's or PPI's depending on the cause so it's important to first consult with a Doctor. I am not a doctor. 

Probiotics can however be a very important tool in your kit and they have helped me big-time with reducing inflammation in my stomach. Rarely, when I don't take probiotics I can feel my inflammation & gastritis creep back into my stomach.

What Probiotic Strains For Diverticulitis?

Lactobacillus & Bifidobacterium

This large review from 2021 I found stated that "Lactobacillus salivarius, Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium lactis "have been proven effective in managing acute uncomplicated diverticulitis".

The same review also mentioned that various other, Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium bacteria strains may be effective in managing Acute Diverticulitis in regards to their efficacy on intestinal inflammation.

Lactobacillus Reuteri

This 2019 randomized double blind placebo controlled study mentioned that Lactobacillus Reuteri previously known as Limosilactobacillus, may help with Acute Uncomplicated Diverticulitis because of the anti-inflammatory benefits.

88 adults with diverticulitis took part in the study that involved taking the probiotics with antibiotics. There was reduced abdominal pain & inflammatory markers versus a placebo a group.

Lactobacillus Paracasei

This final study concluded that Lactobacillus Paracasei taken for 14 days along with a high fiber diet was effective in reducing abdominal bloating and abdominal pain in symptomatic uncomplicated diverticular disease. The study that included 34 participants said the combination could be a promising option for treatment.

The anti-inflammatory & immunomodulatory effects that these Lactobacillus Strains have on the digestive system may be what helps with Acute Uncomplicated Diverticulitis but not all strains have the same efficacy.

Microbiota Dysbiosis May Lead To Diverticulitis

A recent 2021 review carried out by Italian researchers was published in the Journal of Personalized Medicine. It looked at the role gut flora plays in Diverticulitis. They found that patients who were developing acute diverticulitis began to have Dysbiosis changes in gram positive Lactobacilli, Clostridium & Bacteroides bacteria.

It's thought that this imbalance between good bacteria & bad bacteria could "be linked to mucosal inflammation" which in turn could worsen the bacteria imbalance working in a nasty loop. Whilst they hypothesized probiotics could be a potential treatment for this Dysbiosis they stated that there wasn't yet enough data to make a conclusion on their efficacy for diverticular disease.

7 Best Probiotic Brands For Diverticulitis

1) Physician’s Choice 60 Billion CFU

Lactobacillus Casei, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus paracasei, Lactobacillus salivarius, Lactobacillus plantarum 

Lactobacillus bulgaricus, Bifidobacterium lactis, Bifidobacterium bifidum, Bifidobacterium longum & Bifidobacterium breve

Physician's Choice is a probiotic supplement that comes with 10 probiotic strains and a 60-Billion CFU count.

I haven't tried this probiotic but I sure did some deep research.
In my experience, a 60 Billion CFU count is super high and too high for a lot of people.
Whilst it may provide benefits, the sheer high volume will likely also cause initial side effects.

I did check the customer reviews for Physicians Choice and there were two customers that said this probiotic helped them with diverticulitis which is great.

The capsules are acid-resistant and it comes with a unique prebiotic fiber blend. The prebiotic fiber blend contains organic chicory root 50mg, Organic Acacia Senegal 50mg, and Organic Jerusalem Artichoke Root 50mg.

2) Alicia's Naturals FlowFlora 40 Billion CFU

Lactobacillus Acidophilus, Bifdobacterium Lactis, Lactobacillus Plantarum & Lactobacillus Paracasei. 

FlowFlora from ProbioticReviewGirl.com contains a high dose of 4 hand-picked scientifically studied Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium strains and a 40 billion CFU which provides results while being easy on the stomach.

If you haven't guessed already, Alicia's Naturals is my brand and FlowFlora is a probiotic that I created after testing over 27 other probiotic supplements for the ProbioticReviewGirl blog.

Prebiotic fiber is vital for probiotic bacteria to feed on and FlowFlora contains a prebiotic fiber called Fructooligosaccharides or FOS for short. Some Prebiotic foods that are high in FOS include Jerusalem Artichoke, Bananas and Yogurt. You will notice later on that there are also some other probiotic supplements in this guide that contain FOS.

FlowFlora capsules are coated in a gluten free substance derived from natural brown seaweed that makes it resistant to stomach acid making sure it travels deep enough through your colon. Read my FlowFlora review here.

My family member tried FlowFlora for 30-days and it did help with their Diverticulitis flare-ups according to their feedback

Save with 10% with Coupon "DIVERTICULITIS" Until The End Of December 2023.

3) Renew Life Ultimate Flora Probiotic 30 Billion CFU

Lactobacillus Rhamnosus GG, Bifidobacterium Infantis, Bifidobacterium Lactis, Lactobacillus Acidophilus NCFM, Lactobacillus Planatarum Lp-115, Lactococcus Lactis LI-23, Lactobacillus Casei Lc-11, Lacatobacillus Paracasei LPC 37 & Lactobacillus Brevis Lbr-35.

Renew Life's probiotic has a 30-billion CFU count which is on the lower end and only one capsule per day is recommended.

Renew Life has a good mixture of both Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium bacteria.

It has 12 different strains in total and some of the Lactobacillus strains could be good for AUD.

The capsule is claimed to be delayed released but no further information is given.
RenewLife also does not mention any prebiotic fiber in the ingredients which is disappointing.

4) Garden of Life Raw Probiotics Colon Care Cooler 50 Billion CFU

ISS Bif Bifidobacterium Lactis (SD-5219), Lactobacillus Acidophilus (SD5221), Bifidobacterium (SD- 5674), Bifidobacterium Lactis, Bifidobacterium Longnum, Lactobacillus Acidophilus, Lactobacillus Brevis, Lactobacillus Bulgaricus, Lactobacillus Casei, Lactobacillus Fermentum, Lactobacillus Helveticus, Lactobacillus Kefiranofaciens, Lactobacillus Kefirgranum, Lactobacillus Rhamnosus, Lactococcus Lactis, Lactococcus Cremoris, Streptococcus Thermophilus, Lactobacilllus Kefir, Lactobacillus Parakefir, Lactobacillus Planatarum, Lactococcus Lactis Biovar Diacetylactis, Leuconostoc Lactis, Leuconostoc Mesenteroides, Leuconostoc cremoris, Leuconostoc Dextranicum Kluyveromyces Marxianus, Brettanomyces Anomalus, Deberyomyces Hansenii, Saccharomyces Cervevisiae, Saccharomyces Exiguus, Torulaspora Delbrueckii.

Raw Probiotics Colon Care Cooler is a new release from the reputable Garden Of Life. It has a whopping 33-probiotic strains mostly made up of Kefir Milk (buying non-dairy kefir water might be better and cheaper) and a 50-billion CFU count. I had a good experience with Colon Care but I don't have diverticulitis.

Just because a probiotic has a super high CFU count and a bunch of strains doesn't make it the best. I like to choose a probiotic that has a higher dose of individual strains suited to my purpose. Also, some of the 33 strains in this supplement are similar strains with just minor variations. 

Garden Of Life's colon care has an impressive Eastern European Raw Fruit and Veggie blend that makes a good prebiotic fiber. It contains Red Bell Pepper, Green Pea, Carrot, Plum, Cherry, Strawberry, and Fruit all at 45mg. I like to eat these prebiotic foods naturally every day.

5) Hyperbiotics PRO-15 Probiotics 5 Billion CFU

Lactobacillus Plantarum, Lactobacillus Fermentum, Lactobacillus Acidophilus, Bifidobacterium ifantis, Lactobacillus Casei, Bifidibacterium Longum, Lactobacillus Rhamnosus, Bifidobacterium Lactis, Lactobacllius Reuteri, Lactobacillus Salivarius, Lactobacillus Paracasei, Lactobacillus Gasseri, Bifidobacterium Bifidum, Bifidobacterium Breve, Streptococcus Thermophilus.

Hyperbiotics Pro 15 is a probiotic I have tried before and reviewed on this blog. I did find some issues with the reviews on their Amazon page that may or may not have been fake. 

Their Pro-15 probiotic has (you guessed it) a total of 15 probiotic strains which consist of Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium bacteria, and one Streptococcus strain. Interestingly one of the strains is L. Reuteri which was mentioned in one AUD study.

Hyperbiotics contain the same FOS prebiotic fiber in FlowFlora but contain only a 5-billion CFU per capsule. They recommend taking 3-capsules per day to get a Billion CFU but keep in mind one bottle only contains 60-capsules.

Hyperbiotics Pro-15 stand-out feature in my opinion is their patented delayed release formula which helps the capsules get passed your stomach acid.

6) Nutrition Essentials Probiotics 30 Billion CFU

Uni-bactCF-15 (Bacillus Coagulans).

Nutrition Essentials is also another probiotic I have tried and reviewed for ProbioticReviewGirl. The probiotic is unique in that it doesn't use Lactobacillus or Bifidobacterium bacteria. Instead it uses Uni-BactCF-15 (Bacillus Coagulans).

Bacillus Coagulans have not been studied for AUD but this probiotic does have a lot of good reviews for stomach pain. Bacillus Coagulans is quite a robust probiotic strain that can survive harsh conditions.

They state the probiotic is 900-Billion CFU which would be completely insane if that was true but it's not. Nutrition Essentials is actually 30-Billion CFU per capsule and 900 CFU per bottle. It contains the FOS prebiotic fiber and weirdly is only for sale on Amazon.

Probiotics For Diverticulitis Reddit Threads

The Diverticulitis subreddit was created back in February 2014 and over the years there have been various threads talking about the use of probiotics.

The earliest thread I found was posted 6-years ago and was simply titled "Experience with probiotics?". One Redditor replied in this thread saying that any generic probiotic version should work but that Culturelle probiotic worked best. Culturelle contains one single strain of Lactobacillus Rhamnosus.

Another Redditor said that Probiotics were the single best thing they had used for Diverticulitis and they had less frequent attacks after using the capsules every day and eventually every few days.

Another thread from 7-months ago asked Redditors to share what probiotics everyone was taking. Align Probiotics, VSL3, Florajen, Visbiome, and Garden Of Life were all mentioned. Most of these probiotics mentioned contain Lactobacillus Bacteria.

What Is Diverticulitis?

Diverticulitis is a condition that causes painful inflammation and infection to tiny sac protrusions that reside in the large intestine.

It's said that in younger people lacking a diet low in fiber could potentially lead to painful Diverticulitis by creating pressure in the bowel. Often people over the age of 60 get Diverticulosis without experiencing any symptoms.

Fasting or going on a liquid diet for up to 72-hours may help to relieve some cases of Diverticulitis because of the anti-inflammatory effects and most Doctors will prescribe antibiotics orally or via IV. You may need a CT scan or be kept in hospital if your case is serious enough.

Diverticulitis may cause extreme abdominal pain, low-grade fever, nausea, vomiting and generally feeling unwell. If you experience any of these symptoms it's important to consult with a Doctor asap.

Final Thoughts

It's clear to me that more studies on specific probiotic strains for Diverticulitis are needed and more funding is needed. The potential to help people suffering from the painful side effects of Diverticulitis should be taken into account.

Always consult with a medical professional first for any issues with your health and follow their prescribed treatment. Nothing in this guide is medical advice and I am not a Doctor.

Other Related Probiotic Guides

Probiotics may not help with diverticulitis in everyone and there aren't any studies confirming they work as a permanent cure. Do not use probiotics as a replacement to any prescribed medication.

6 Best Probiotic Brands For Leaky Gut

1) Garden Of Life Colon Care 50 Billion CFU

ISS Bif Bifidobacterium Lactis (SD-5219), Lactobacillus Acidophilus (SD5221), Bifidobacterium (SD- 5674), Bifidobacterium Lactis, Bifidobacterium Longnum, Lactobacillus Acidophilus, Lactobacillus Brevis, Lactobacillus Bulgaricus, Lactobacillus Casei, Lactobacillus Fermentum, Lactobacillus Helveticus, Lactobacillus Kefiranofaciens, Lactobacillus Kefirgranum, Lactobacillus Rhamnosus, Lactococcus Lactis, Lactococcus Cremoris, Streptococcus Thermophilus, Lactobacilllus Kefir, Lactobacillus Parakefir, Lactobacillus Planatarum, Lactococcus Lactis Biovar Diacetylactis, Leuconostoc Lactis, Leuconostoc Mesenteroides, Leuconostoc cremoris, Leuconostoc Dextranicum Kluyveromyces Marxianus, Brettanomyces Anomalus, Deberyomyces Hansenii, Saccharomyces Cervevisiae, Saccharomyces Exiguus, Torulaspora Delbrueckii.

I like Garden Of Life because of the high 50-Billion CFU count but I do think that for some people it may be a bit too strong and cause initial side effects. In my experience, most people trying probiotics for the first time should pick something a little less strong.

Nevertheless, if you can get past any initial side effects, the high CFU count, prebiotics and 33 Lactobacillus & Bifidobacterium probiotic strains inside of each Garden Of Life Colon Care capsule may make a difference in your microbiome.

Colon Care ticks all of the boxes for not being a scam or unsafe. It's made in the USA, the factor is FDA-registered, it's dairy-free, gluten-free. I personally don't recommend taking probiotic supplements that don't have acid-resistant capsules but Garden Of life does have acid-resistant technology which is something I liked.

2) FlowFlora 40-Billion CFU

Lactobacillus Acidophilus, Bifdobacterium Lactis, Lactobacillus Plantarum and Lactobacillus Paracasei.

FlowFlora is a new Probiotic from my brand Alicia's Naturals priced at $39.95 before using a coupon. I was inspired to make this probiotic after testing 27+ different probiotic supplements for the PRG blog and figuring out what made a probiotic suck or be awesome.

I spent a lot of time choosing the Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium probiotic strains for FlowFlora and made sure they were clinically studied. I also included a FOS prebiotic fiber so that probiotic bacteria has a source of fuel.

Each capsule has a coating derived from natural brown seaweed that allows it to survive harsh stomach acid conditions. It has a 40-Billion CFU count which is ideal for beginners but also potent enough for people with Leaky Gut looking for something strong enough to reduce inflammation in a leaky gut. You can read more about that here.

FlowFlora is NON-GMO, Gluten-free, Dairy-free, Peanut-free, and 100% made in Utah, USA. The biggest pro's of FlowFlora is that I can offer a 365-day money-back guarantee, have free shipping for PRG readers, reply to your emails directly and offer a 10% discount with the coupon code "LEAKY". One negative about FlowFlora is that the warehouse is only able to ship on business days and the bottle doesn't come packed in a cute little box

3) Live Conscious Pro 45 Billion CFU

Bifidobacterium lactis, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium longum, Bifidobacterium bifidum, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus gasseri, Lactobacillus salivarius, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Bacillus coagulans.

Livewell is an awesome company that has claimed to have sold millions of various supplements to many happy customers. Their probiotic has a 45-billion CFU count hence the name Pro-45. Each capsule contains prebiotic fiber & 11 Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium probiotic strains that may help with Leaky Gut symptoms.

I had good results with my digestive health when taking Pro-45 and the only complaint I had was that it was quite expensive for my budget. Like FlowFlora they also have a 365-day refund policy but the kicker is that you need to physically ship the bottle back. They also have bulk discount options if you are looking to stock up long-term.

Live Well is 100% vegan, Soy Free NON-GMO, and has a good delay-released stomach acid-resistant capsule. Livewell supplements are made in the USA with great care and high-quality ingredients. I think pro-45 is a good choice for the leaky gut but not the best.

4) Amy Myers Primal Earth 3 Billion CFU

Bacillus Coagulans, Bacillus Clausii, Bacillus Subtilis.

Dr. Amy Myers has some great supplements and a loyal fan base who trust her for their health. Her Primal Earth probiotic has 3 different Bacillus Coagulans probiotic strains, 3-billion CFU per serving, and no lactobacillus bacteria.

It may seem like the CFU count is super low and the probiotic strains suck but this is done on purpose. This supplement is designed for people with SIBO and the low CFU count is too potent. Also, the 3 bacillus probiotic strains are soil-based which is said to be better.

If you have both SIBO and Leaky Gut then this could be the best option for you. It is unfortunately quite expensive at $59.97 for one bottle and the return policy is strange in that you have to pay $7.99 for a return label. If you are a fan of Amy Myers though you probably won't care about that though.

5) Seed Probiotics 53.6 Billion AFU

Bifidobacterium longum, Bifidobacterium breve, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum. Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus, Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus, Bifidobacterium infantis, Bifidobacterium lactis, Bifidobacterium lactis, Lactobacillus crispatus, Lacticaseibacillus casei.

Seed probiotics are the most creatively unique probiotic in this list with a special 26 broad-spectrum probiotic strains and AFU count. They use a ViaCap® technology to make sure the capsules survive stomach acid

Seed probiotics use some unique methods in their manufacturing process like optimizing the bio-fermentation process and taking PH levels and temperature into consideration for the probiotic bacteria.

This probiotic should be one of the number 1 probiotics for leaky gut but it's super expensive and I have heard bad things about their customer support being super slow. Their refund policy is also only 30days. It is however vegan, gluten, soy-free and shipping is free if you are ordering inside the US.

How Probiotics Can Help With Leaky Gut

Unfortunately, there aren't any studies that specifically mention Probiotics and Leaky Gut together for whatever reason. The good news however is that there are quite a few studies that were carried out on similar conditions related to intestinal permeability and gut barrier function. Here are some of the studies that show Probiotics may help to reduce Leaky Gut markers.

Probiotics May Help Support Intestinal Tight Junctions

This manuscript from Current Nutrition & Food Science was titled Protection and Restitution of Gut Barrier by Probiotics: Nutritional and Clinical Implications and set out to confirm if probiotics could have a role in protecting and even restoring the gut barrier from damage like in Leaky Gut for example.

The study stated that "studies on the gastrointestinal mucosal protective role of probiotics have been mostly successful" but also they stated that different Lactobacillus and Bifido Bacterium probiotic strains have different probiotic effects.

Tight Junctions play an important role in protecting the intestinal gut barrier function and one of the ways they do this is by creating a physical barrier to luminal inflammatory molecules. 

They also are important for allowing better nutrient absorption and can regulate water, iron, and macromolecules. It was suggested in this study that dietary changes can regulate the Tight Junctions and help with inflammation.

Probiotics May Fight Off Bad Bacteria In Your Gut

Too much inflammation inside of the gut can lead to inflammation that can then in turn lead to Dysbiosis, SIBO, and Leaky Gut. One big reason that inflammation can occur in the gut is from too many bad bacteria either diet, stress, or other factors.

Studies like this one show that probiotics may help prevent SIBO which is an overgrowth of bacteria in the small colon. This is good because bad bacteria in the microbiome can contribute to inflammation which then can contribute to Leaky Gut syndrome.

If your Leaky Gut is a result of bad bacteria then by taking probiotic bacteria you may be able to fight off that bad bacteria thus reducing inflammation and then leaky gut.

Probiotics Could Strengthen The Mucosal Barrier

This controlled clinical trial from 2013 aimed to test probiotics in 16 patients with severe pouchitis. The mucosal barrier function was examined before and after the use of probiotic supplementation and so was the microflora of the pouchitis.

While Pouchitis is fundamentally not the same condition, there are some cross-overs with how the mucosal barrier is damaged in both conditions. This study concluded that probiotics restored the mucosal barrier which could help reduce Leaky Gut. The patients took probiotics for 8-weeks but the CFU count and probiotic strains were not shared.

Probiotics May Boost Butyrate Production

Studies like this one published in 2011 have studied the potential effects that Butyrate may have on conditions like Leaky Gut and other related intestinal diseases. The general consensus that while more studies are needed, there is evidence that there is potential for clinical application of Butyrate for intestinal tract to peripheral tissues diseases like Leaky Gut.

Other studies like this one in Nature.com have suggested that probiotic bacteria can boost short-chain fatty acids like Butyrate and this includes Lactobacillus bacteria. The study stated that their work suggested that human-origin probiotics could be used as biotherapeutic regimens for human diseases associated with gut microbiome.

The study also stated that in those with Leaky Gut there was a decreased abundance of short chain fatty acids and because of that there was risk for increased leakiness of the gut that lead to inflammation. They claimed that the short chain fatty acid could boost Butyrate and increase expression of tight-junction proteins to reduce gut hyperpermeability.

What Is Leaky Gut?

In the past, a lot of the medical community shout down the idea that Leaky Gut was even a thing and some Doctor's are still that way inclined. Fortunately, more research has been conducted and there is medical evidence that confirms Leaky Gut is a real thing. 

Leaky Gut is essentially a more tongue-friendly name for the medical term intestinal hyperpermeability. When parts of the intestine walls become weakened and damaged then this can result in a leaky gut as the tiny holes get bigger.

With these damaged intestinal walls, it's said that harmful substances can then pass through the gut into the bloodstream. Symptoms of Leaky Gut are said to include the following. 

According to Medanta the number 1 leading cause of Leaky Gut syndrome is Gut Dysbiosis. This is when the microbiome has too many bad bacteria and not enough good bacteria. Fortunately, probiotic supplements may be able to restore this imbalance in bacteria. Other causes include a poor diet, stress, and toxin overload. 

Probiotics For Leaky Gut Reddit Threads

In /r/Paleo, 10-years ago someone called throwaway6514 shared their experience with healing their leaky gut issues. They shared that they had terrible allergies all of their life including eczema that was helped by cutting out dairy. They later developed nasal allergies and leaky gut.

They eventually decided to add probiotic bacteria into their diet and follow a strict paleo non processed food diet. The probiotics they took were from sauerkraut, kimchi, kombucha, and Jarrow Formulas Jarro-Dophilus EPS 5-Billion CFU. This had finally helped majorly with their allergies and leaky gut.

Reddit Threads For Other Conditions

5-Years ago in /r/Microbiome, sodumb4real started a thread asking if anybody had any success with rebuilding their gut with probiotics. They shared a little backstory where they mentioned a huge history of antibiotic usage because of an ecoli infection, acne, surgeries, and other reasons. They felt that this was the reason for their Leaky Gut.

One now since-deleted user said they had terrible eczema and leaky gut but they recovered by drinking homemade kefir, low-sugar, and minimal grains but pointed out that the kefir made the most difference in their opinion. Kefir is a fermented drink known to be packed with a lot of Lactobacillus probiotic bacteria.

Several years ago in /r/humanmicrobiome, Joeynowonreddit asked what probiotic they should take for inflammation and leaky gut. The top-rated reply from halfuser10 got the most thumbs up and they shared some great information. They suggested that first they should focus on restoring the gut lining with L-glutamine on an empty stomach, bone broth, avoid anti-inflammatory foods and then start taking probiotics. 

Can Probiotics Make Leaky Gut Worse?

Generally speaking, most probiotic bacteria reduce inflammation in the gut but research has suggested that those who already have Intestinal permeability may experience further inflammation from probiotic usage. The study is super in-depth and complex but Lucy Mailing, PHD. broke it down well in her blog post. 

She summarized that if you use probiotics for Leaky Gut, you should choose them wisely, use clinically studied strains and choose strains for your specific condition.

I agree with her that choosing a probiotic supplement blindly without first researching the strains for your condition is never a good idea. Probiotics could make your leaky gut worse if you choose them blindly.

Final Thoughts

Based on my research from I believe that first restoring your gut lining and getting rid of any intestinal permeability before thinking about taking probiotic supplements.

Research has suggested that some probiotics could make some intestinal permeability better but also at least one study has suggested it could also work the other.

Probiotics alone probably won't be enough to fix Leaky Gut in most people and dietary changes will be necessary. Using some well-studied probiotic supplements like the ones I shared in this guide may be beneficial later on in your leaky gut journey.

Always talk to a doctor if you have any health issues. I am not a Doctor and the content in this guide is not medical advice. Probiotic's made cause side effects and you should stop using them if they cause any issues.

What Probiotic Strains For Anxiety?

I have spent countless hours combing through as many clinical studies as possible and the general consensus seems to be that a blend of both Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium works best for anxiety.

Some individual strains have been tested for anxiety and I will share some of these below. Not every probiotic strain has been tested clinically for anxiety.

Lactobacillus Plantarum

One of the most amazing probiotic studies I ever read was one conducted on Zebra Fish. The Danio Rerio fish have easy to study behaviour phenotypes and their genetic homology is similar with humans.

They have been called a promising new organism for anxiety research because of their cortisol stress response. The Zebra Fish in the study I read were fed Lactobacillus Plantarum bacteria and eventually showed less anxious behaviour compared to fish that were given a placebo.

In the study, it was also noted that Serotonin Receptors were increased and so was the GABA-A receptor which are both important chemicals closely related to anxiety. L. Plantarum is one of the best probiotic strains for anxiety and it's a strain that helped me a lot.

Lactobacillus Paracasei

This study tested the Gut & Brain connection using Lactobacillus Paracasei on pups. At an early age they were split into two groups. 

Group 1 experienced a stressful social experience (meeting strangers) with its mother and Group 2 experienced it without i's mother.

Both groups had their microbiota flora analyzed (16s rRNA sequencing) and anxiety like behaviour was observed. Those without the mother had reduced richness and diversity in gut-flora.

Later in the study it stated that Lactobacillus Paracasei had significant beneficial effect on anxiety-like behavio and that Lactobacillus Paracasei supplementation prevented anxiety-like behavior induced by early life stressful social experiences.

Lactobacillus Acidophilus

L. Acidophilus is one of the most studied and popular probiotic strains in 2022 and as a result it has been studied for anxiety fairly extensively.

One study in Iran took 40-patents aged 20 to 25 years old with major depressive disorder. Half were given a placebo and half containing L. Acidophilus for two months.

After 8-weeks those who took the probiotic containing L. Acidophilus had lower Beck Depression Inventory scores. Anxiety can be a symptom of MDD so if that is the cause of your Anxiety, the probiotic strain may help.

Bifidobacterium Strains

Unfortunately not every Bifidobacterium has been studied for anxiety but many different Bifidobacterium strains may share the same benefits.

This study took two Bifidobacterium strains plus the anti-depressant escitalopram and tested them on mice. The mice followed the probiotic and anti-depressant treatment for 6-weeks.

After the 6-week treatment, the mice were put through various stress inducing tests and their Physiological responses to stress were recorded.

Interestingly different Bifidobacterium strains reduced anxiety in different stressful tests. Each strain had it's own intrinstic effects. The study stated, it strengthened the role for "gut microbiota supplementation as psychobiotic-based strategies for stress-related brain-gut axis disorders."

6 Best Probiotic Brands For Anxiety

1) Garden Of Life Colon Care 50 Billion CFU

ISS Bif Bifidobacterium Lactis (SD-5219), Lactobacillus Acidophilus (SD5221), Bifidobacterium (SD- 5674), Bifidobacterium Lactis, Bifidobacterium Longnum, Lactobacillus Acidophilus, Lactobacillus Brevis, Lactobacillus Bulgaricus, Lactobacillus Casei, Lactobacillus Fermentum, Lactobacillus Helveticus, Lactobacillus Kefiranofaciens, Lactobacillus Kefirgranum, Lactobacillus Rhamnosus, Lactococcus Lactis, Lactococcus Cremoris, Streptococcus Thermophilus, Lactobacilllus Kefir, Lactobacillus Parakefir, Lactobacillus Planatarum, Lactococcus Lactis Biovar Diacetylactis, Leuconostoc Lactis, Leuconostoc Mesenteroides, Leuconostoc cremoris, Leuconostoc Dextranicum Kluyveromyces Marxianus, Brettanomyces Anomalus, Deberyomyces Hansenii, Saccharomyces Cervevisiae, Saccharomyces Exiguus, Torulaspora Delbrueckii.

I had a good experience with Garden Of Life Raw Probiotics and had some good results.

If I had to share one negative with Garden Of Life I would say that it is super potent and I did experience some digestive side effects.

It has 33-probiotic strains but these mostly come from a Kefir milk blend so it's not vegan. It is Non-gmo, gluten free, soy-free and digestive enzymes.

Garden Of Life does have some probiotic strains that may help with anxiety but it also has many strains that haven't been studied.

2) Alicia's Naturals FlowFlora 40 Billion CFU

Lactobacillus Acidophilus, Bifdobacterium Lactis, Lactobacillus Plantarum & Lactobacillus Paracasei.

FlowFlora isn't a probiotic that I took that healed my anxiety but it is the probiotic I wish I had back when I was going through hell.

I created this probiotic after testing over 27-other probiotic supplements. I learnt a lot about probiotics through that testing.

I spent a year picking the probiotic strains and I have had customers tell me FlowFlora helped with their anxiety. I also included FOS prebiotic fiber in FlowFlora and you can read my FlowFlora review here.

FlowFlora is made in the USA and the ingredients are FDA approved. One negative with my probiotic supplement is that shipping outside the USA is quite slow right now.

I offer a 365-Money Back Guarantee and you can use the coupon code "ANXIOUS" for 10% off today here. Also, one bottle with 60 capsules is $39.95, PRG readers get free shipping and you can email me any time with questions.

3) Live Conscious Pro 45 Billion CFU

Bifidobacterium lactis, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium longum, Bifidobacterium bifidum, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus gasseri, Lactobacillus salivarius, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Bacillus coagulans.

Live Conscious is a favorite of Probiotic Review Girl readers and rarely get's negative reviews. The shipping and customer support is solid. 

Pro-45 has a lot of great potent probiotic strains and many have been studied for anxiety. Like Flowflora, it has FOS prebiotics which makes it work better.

This probiotic isn't the cheapest option but they do have multi-buy discounts and free shipping with the coupon code SHIPLC. There is also a 1 year money back guarantee if you send the bottle back.

4) Lifted Naturals Mood Boosting Probiotic 30 Billion CFU

Bifidobacterium Animalis, Bifidobacterium infantis, Bifidobacterium Longum, Bifidobacterium Lactis, Lactobacillus Brevis, Lactobacillus Plantarum, Lactobacillus Acidphilus, Lactobacillus Helveticus, Lactobacillus Rhamnosus, 

I am going to be totally honest here and say that I haven't tried this probiotic but I have heard great things from friends.

It was created specifically for "MOOD" and has been featured in quite a few big media outlets. It has Prebiotic GOS fiber.

This probiotic has a 9-different probiotic strains and a good mix of bifidobacterium strains. If you subscribe with Lifted Naturals you can get a 5% discount.

5) Mary Ruth's Liquid Probiotic 625,000 Million CFU Per Spray

Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus salivarius, Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactococcus lactis, Streptococcus thermophilus, Bifidobacterium bifidum, Bifidobacterium lactis, Bifidobacterium infantis, Bifidobacterium breve, and Bifidobacterium longum.

Mary Ruth's probiotic is a unique brand for this list because it comes in spray or tincture bottle. If you are anxious about swallowing large capsules you can just take a coupe of tasteless sprays.

It has a bunch of different Bifidobacterium strains and some awesome Lactobacillus bacteria strains that have been studied.

One negative I have with Mary Ruth is that it does not contain Prebiotic fiber and a bottle doesn't last that long. You will have to get your source of prebiotic's from natural foods.

What Causes Anxiety?

A little bit of anxiety is perfectly normal and may be beneficial for keeping us safe. It sometimes becomes a problem when it becomes chronic and without cause.

Anxiety can come from child hood neglect, built up stress, money problems, work problems, losing someone close, medication and a bunch of other emotional and physical reasons.

Since so much Serotonin and GABA is produced in the gut, your microbiome could also be a cause for chronic anxiety. If your gut is the cause then you are more likely to experience benefits from probiotic bacteria.

Gut and Brain Connection

Only recently scientists have discovered that the gut and brain are connected in a way that can influence mental health and anxiety in a positive way.

Your microbiome can send signals directly to the brain via the vagus nerve with neurotransmitters and neurochemicals. More than 90% of Serotonin is produced in the gut.

Serotonin is able to regulate anxiety, happiness and general mood. If your serotonin levels are low then you may notice effects with your mental health.

This is why probiotic supplementation may have such a positive effect on people suffering with excessive anxiety. 

What Are Probiotics?

Probiotics are live microorganisms friendly bacteria that colonize the gut, mouth, skin, urinary tract and more.

Probiotics may also be found in yeast and soil. In recent years Prebiotics & Postbiotics have also gained popularity and been studied more along side probitoic's.

Similar Probiotic Guides

Studies have shown the importance of probiotic bacteria for human health by nourishing the gut-flora.

They are generally safe for consumption and can be found in a lot of fermented and dairy foods. They are also popular in health supplements.

Are Probiotics Safe?

Probiotics have been studied countless times by some of the smartest scientists in the world. Most probiotic bacteria in commercial probiotic supplements is approved by the FDA.

If you order from a reputable brand that has laboratory testing and manufacturers their supplements in a GMP, USA factory then chances are they will be safe.

Not everyone should take probiotics though. People who are immuno compromised should avoid taking probiotic supplements and people with allergies should be careful.

Not every probiotic strain works for anxiety and some people may experience no benefits. This double-blind placebo study from the Department Of Psychology in New Zealand, Canterbury.

The study tested L. Helveticus & Bifidobacterium Longum in 79 participants with low-mood and found "no significant difference was found between the probiotic and placebo groups on any psychological outcome measure."

Probiotic Foods

If you want to get good probiotic Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium bacteria into your diet for anxiety benefits then you will want to stick to fermented foods. Here are some good options.

It's important to eat probiotic foods along with prebiotic fiber. Probiotic bacteria need to feed on prebiotic fiber in order to survive and multiply. Always make sure your fermented foods are not made or pickled with vinegar as this may kill probiotic bacteria.

Probiotics For Anxiety Reddit Threads

In the /r/HumanMicrobiome sub reddit just 5-months ago, TheCoolPaladin shared their experience with probiotics on their anxiety, brain fog and depression. They first tried probiotics just for general digestive health and better nutrient absorption.

Just like in my own experience, they also had unexpected results on their anxiety. The first week they took Probiotics was the best week in their life. They felt young, calm, no brain fog, mental clarity and most importantly, no anxiety!

On the /r/Anxiety sub reddit 4-years ago a redditor by the name of nemxplus claimed that Probiotics along with Prebiotics completely cured their anxiety. 

From the ages of 16 to 21 they suffered with debilitating anxiety that causes hair loss, acne & insomnia. They claimed they took a Prebiotic Supplement along with Yakult and that is what made the difference. 

Over in the /r/Nootropics sub reddit someone started a thread asking for peoples personal experiences on probiotics for anxiety. One reply that caught my eye was from a redditor caled _latch.

They stay stated that probiotics were the best nootropic they had tried and that they had effectively cured their anxiety. They claimed that originally (like myself) they also had digestive symptoms so it was likely that their gut health was causing their anxiety.

Final Thoughts

More clinical human studies are needed for probiotics and anxiety especially with the Bifidobacterium strains.

Just because a probiotic has  "Mood" or something like that in the name doesn't make it the better that others.

The studies out there right now seem to lean towards a mix of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium strains are the best probiotics for anxiety.

It's not an over-night quick fix and it takes, time. Some studies took months before results were noticed.

Psoriasis And The Microbiome

Studies on the microbiome have shown the gut and skin axis plays a role in Psoriasis through the anti-inflammatory effects of probiotics. It was claimed in one study that patients with Psoriasis had lower levels of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium in the microbiome than in patients without Psoriasis and far lower levels of Faecalibacterium prausnitzii.

This 2019 study went to further detailing how dysbiosis, an imbalance of gut bacteria was found in a cohort of patients with psoriasis. In the study, 16S rRNA gene sequencing and bioinformatic analyses was performed on the feces of 19 patients with Psoriasis and on 20 that didn't have Psoriasis and it was clear the Psoriasis group had an imbalance in microbiome bacteria.

This 2020 review article from researches in China looked into the skin and gut microbiome in Psoriasis in hopes to find new therapies. The article started by claiming that there was evidence alterations in the skin & intestinal microbiome played an important role in the pathogenesis of psoriasis. Because of that they claimed restoration of the microbiome could be a promising preventive and therapeutic strategy for psoriasis.

Probiotics Strains For Psoriasis

Not every probiotic strain has been studied exclusively in humans suffering from Psoriasis. There are said to be 24 known species of Bifidobacterium probiotic bacteria but for Psoriasis, I only found one Bifidobacterium strain that was used in a human clinical trial. 

From the information available, the anti-inflammatory effect that some Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium bacteria have via the gut and skin axis may be what helps with Psoriasis. It has been stated that for psoriasis, probiotics are not a one size fits all approach.

Lactobacillus Probiotic Bacteria

In this 2012 study, a 47-year-old lady with rare pustular psoriasis was not responding to treatments that included M**********e. Her psoriasis was all over her body and it was noted that the patient looked very ill and febrile.

In this remarkable documented case, the patient was asked to take Lactobacillus probiotic bacteria 3 times per day and monitored closely. At 15-days her fever subsided, lesions began involuting, no new lesions were noted and her blood sugar levels dropped.

She continued to take the lactobacillus probiotic bacteria for 6-months and has since recovered from her pustular and plaque psoriasis. It was stated that different probiotic strains have different immunomodulatory reactions but that their study could inspire further research.

Bifidobacterium Probiotic Strains

In this 2013 study, 26 patients with Psoriasis were asked to either take Bifidobacterium infantis (B. infantis) 35624, for 6 to 8 weeks or a placebo which made it simple to see if Bifidobacterium Infantis works for Psoriasis or not.

Plasma CRP levels were significantly reduced in B. infantis 35624-fed subjects compared with placebo controls in psoriasis after 8-weeks of taking the probiotic bacteria. In the placebo group, plasma CRP levels increased slightly. This is important because it proved probiotic bacteria modulate inflammation processes beyond the gut like in the skin for example.

6 Best Probiotic Brands For Psoriasis 

1) Physician’s Choice 60 Billion Probiotic

Lactobacillus Casei, Lactobacillus Acidophilus, Lactobacillus Paracasei, Lactobacillus Salivarius, Lactobacillus Plantarum, Lactobacillus Bulgaricus, Bifidobacterium Lactis, Bifidobacterium Bifidum, Bifidobacterium Longum and Bifidobacterium Breve.

Physician's Choice probiotic features 6 Lactobacillus strains and 4 Bifidobacterium trains that give it a potent 60-Billion colony-forming units making it one of the strongest in this guide.

The prebiotic fiber inside of Physician's choice is unique in that is made up of what is claimed to be real Jerusalem Artichoke Root and also Organic Chicory Root. These are some of the best prebiotic fibers you can get and are important as they act as food sources for probiotic bacteria in the intestine.

One negative I would give for this probiotic is that for a lot of people it may be a bit too strong and for Psoriasis I think a lower CFU count may be better. It is soy, gluten, dairy-free, and NON-GMO which is awesome.

2) Alicia's Naturals 40 Billion Probiotic

Lactobacillus Acidophilus, Bifdobacterium Lactis, Lactobacillus Plantarum and Lactobacillus Paracasei.

FlowFlora has a mix of 4 probiotic strains that are super well studied and may help with Psoriasis in some people. It has a 40-billion CFU count which is not over-powering for most people.

It has FOS Prebiotic fiber and is coated in natural brown seaweed-derived substance that gives the probiotic bacteria the best chance of surviving that harsh stomach acid to reach deep enough into your colon.

I created FlowFlora after testing 27+ other probiotic supplements and I made sure that my probiotic supplement ticked every box. I offer a 365-Day money back guarantee and you can save 10% off with coupon code PSORIASIS for a limited time. You can also email me anytime with questions.

One negative with the supplement are that shipping outside of the US is slow and another negative is that it doesn't include as many probiotic strains as possible. You can read a FlowFlora review here.

3) Seed Probiotics 53.6 Billion AFU

 Bifidobacterium longum, Bifidobacterium breve, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum. Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus, Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus, Bifidobacterium infantis, Bifidobacterium lactis, Bifidobacterium lactis, Lactobacillus crispatus and Lacticaseibacillus casei.

Seed Probiotics are a brand that has innovated things the most by choosing to measure its potency in Active Fluorescent Units rather than Colony Forming Units and also by using some unique probiotic strains.

I haven't tried Seed Probiotics yet because it's a bit too expensive for me but some things I like about it is that like FlowFlora, the capsules are also designed in a way that may help it survive stomach acid. They also include prebiotic fiber that is claimed to be non-fermenting which they call the Microbiota-Accessible Prebiotics [MAPs] Blend.

One negative for Seed Probiotics is that they have quite a lot of negative reviews about their customer support being terrible.

4) NATURELO Probiotic Supplement 50 Billion CFU

Lactobacillus Acidophilus, Lactobacillus Plantarum, Lactobacillus Rhamnosus, Lactobacillus Paracasei, Lactobacillus Salivarius, Lactobacillus Casei, Streptococcus thermophilus, Bifidobacterium Longum, Bifidobacterium Lactis, Bifidobacterium Breve and Bifidobacterium Bifidum.

Naturelo is a probiotic I have tried personally in the past and had good results with. It's one of the top choices for vegans and the brand has some great customer reviews. It has a high 50-billion CFU count made up of 7 Lactobacillus and 4 Bifidobacterium probiotic strains.

Naturelo has delayed-release capsules which means they should survive stomach acid and are NON-GMO, EGG Free, Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Soy Free, and of course 100% vegan.

The bad thing about Naturelo probiotics is that there is no Prebiotic fiber included in their supplement. I think that this does lower the price a bit and the idea is that if you are vegan you most likely get enough prebiotic fibers naturally from the amount of vegetables in a vegan diet.

5) Culturelle Daily Probiotic 10 Billion CFU

Lactobacillus Rhamnosus GG

Culturelle has a low 10 Billion CFU count that comes from one Lactobacillus Rhamnosus GG probiotic bacteria.

This strain has been studied extensively for many different illnesses but currently not for Psoriasis.I have included it in this guide because when I tried Culturelle I found it to be a good probiotic for a beginner due to the limited side effects and ease of taking just 1 capsule per day.

Culturelle has 200mg of high-quality inulin prebiotic fiber and plenty of happy customers. The negatives are that it doesn't have any Bifidobacterium probiotic strains and the CFU count is super low. It is well priced though.

What Is Psoriasis ?

According to the world psoriasis day consortium, 2 to 3% of the population suffers from Psoriasis. It is categorized as a skin disease, disorder & chronic autoimmune condition that causes red, burning, itchy, patchy skin, and more uncomfortable symptoms. Recent studies also hint at it being a bowel disease.

It's described as an autoimmune condition because it makes part of the body's own immune system not work properly by attacking its own protein tissues in the body mistaking them for foreign invaders.

Can Probiotics Make Psoriasis Worse?

Research into probiotic usage for psoriasis is still limited but at least one randomized controlled study found that "the incidence of adverse events of probiotic treatment was low." From all of the studies I researched, no Psoriasis was made worse by taking probiotic bacteria.

These adverse events don't seem to have resulted in making psoriasis worse but instead were normal probiotic side effects like bloating, gas and diarrhea. This is normal when taking a probiotic for the first time and the symptoms usually pass after 1 week.

Because Probiotics help with the anti-inflammatory effects inside the intestine, they can't make Psoriasis worse. You should always consult a Doctor first before taking probiotics and make sure that you are not allergic to any ingredients inside a probiotic supplement.

Topical Or Oral Probiotics For Psoriasis

In all of the studies for Psoriasis, participants were asked to take probiotic supplements orally and no topical creams were used. This makes sense because there is evidence that Psoriasis could be caused by an issue in the gut.

By first healing your gut, you may be able to then reduce inflammation through the gut and skin axis. It's better to heal the inside first instead of where the root of the problem is instead of covering up the outer visual issue that is in fact just a side effect of an unhealthy gut.

Studies like this one also warn of the potential dangers of probiotic topicals because of a lack of research. They state that research on topical probiotics in skincare and dermatological therapy is still in the initial stages and that is why it's extremely hard to find topical probiotics.

More Oral Probiotic Guides

Mild c************ ointments are often prescribed and for some people, this does provide some relief. For others, though the corticosteroid ointments stop working because they are not addressing the root cause

It's also possible to get Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium probiotic strains naturally from low-cost organic fermented foods like Sauerkraut, Kefir, Kimchi, Miso Paste, Tempeh, and more. However, for some people, these foods may not have a strong enough CFU count.

Probiotic Psoriasis Reddit Threads

1 year ago in the /r/Psoriasis subreddit, a Redditor called Quarantinevagene posted a thread sharing that Probiotics had got rid of their scalp psoriasis. Their psoriasis was on the front of the scalp and was particularly bad in the crevices of their nose. The interesting thing was that her mom also had Psoriasis which was a lot worse but she also c***d her by taking probiotic capsules daily and focusing on her diet. Her probiotic supplement included Lactobacillus Casei, Lactobacillus Rhamnosus, Lactobacillus Acidophilus, Lactobacillus Plantarum, Bifidobacterium Bifidum, and Breve probiotic strains.

2 years ago in the /r/Microbiome subreddit, ByeByeNarc asked if anybody had cured their skin diseases (psoriasis, seborrheic dermatitis) by healing the gut and they wanted to also know how long it took. Someone called OA18 gave a TL;DR reply saying that after 4-months of elimination diet they had to get rid of the slow growth of psoriasis/seborrheic dermatitis on their face. OA18 did not mention if they took probiotics but another reply from shibui_ shared that they had cured their Psoriasis by cutting out gluten, and refined sugars and taking probiotics which included fermented foods like sauerkraut which they claimed help with their digestion.

Closing Thoughts: Some Probiotics May Help

Research into Psoriasis combined with probiotics is limited but the studies that are out there currently do show great promise by showing some success stories.

Some studies I shared do confirm some sort of link between Psoriasis and the microbiome with a high percentage of those who have the condition having an imbalance of good gut bacteria.

Gut dysbiosis has been thought to be able to lead to Leaky Gut syndrome which could lead to other conditions like eczema, IBD, Rheumatoid arthritis, and more by causing damage to the intestinal barrier.

You should always talk to your Doctor first if you have Psoriasis and never use probiotics as an alternative to any prescribed medication. I am not a Doctor and the content in this post is not medical advice.

What Probiotic Strains For IBS?

Before choosing a probiotic supplement you should make sure that it has some studied strains for IBS.

Not every probiotic strain has been studied in humans for IBS but there are some Lactobacillus strains that have been studied.

I will share some IBS probiotic studies that showed improvements in those diagnosed with IBS.

Lactobacillus Plantarum

In this French & Indian clinical study published in 2012, doctors recruited 214 patients diagnosed with IBS for a 4-week double blind placebo-controlled study.

The goal of the experiment was to test if L. plantarum 299v (DSM 9843) would be able to help the 18 to 70-year-old participants with abdominal pain, bloating and diarrhea they experienced as a result of their IBS.

This clinical study was well done since participants all first had colonic examinations to rule out non-IBS conditions and they were instructed to not change their diet or take other probiotic supplements.

For 4-weeks half were given 10-Billion CFU of a freeze-dried L. Plantarum probiotic strain daily and another half were given a fake placebo that was said to taste the same. After the 4-weeks they were examined and had their symptom scores compared to before the trial. 

The results were clear that Lactobacillus Plantarum helped with their IBS symptoms versus those who took a non-probiotic bacteria placebo without their knowledge. The study concluded by saying that L. Plantarum helped in the management of IBS but further studies were needed.

Lactobacillus Acidophilus & Bifidobacterium Lactis Together

This study from 2020 tested Lactobacillus acidophilus DDS-1 and Bifidobacterium lactis UABla-12 for IBS abdominal pain and general symptomology from Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

The good thing about this study is that it was carried out on humans with a huge sample size of 330 adults aged. According to Rome IV criteria, everyone in this study had IBS.

It was a placebo study so half were given the L. Acidophilus and Bifidobacterium Lactis bacteria and others were given a placebo making it easy to see if the probiotics made a difference for IBS or not.

The results were clear in that those who took the probiotic bacteria for 6-weeks had lower abdominal pain scores, lower abdominal distension (bloating), and bowel habits were more regular. General IBS Symptom Severity Scale scores were lower in the probiotic group.

Lactobacillus Paracasei

This study set out to test probiotic bacteria on mice with post-infective irritable bowel syndrome. Mice were given Lactobacillus paracasei, Lactobacillus johnsonii, Bifidobacterium longum, or Bifidobacterium lactis a varying days after infection and some were given heat-inactivated (placebo) bacteria. 

The interesting thing about this study was that out of all the probiotic strains given to the mice, only Lactobacillus paracasei was able to attenuate muscle hypercontractility. Because of this the study stated that Lactobacillus paracasei may be useful in the treatment of postinfective irritable bowel syndrome. It's unclear if L. Paracasei could help with other types of IBS or if the results could also work in humans.

Lactobacillus Rhamnosus

This 2014 Danish study was well thought out in that it realised diet plays a large role in the life of someone with IBS. The study tested Lactobacillus Rhamnosus GG in 123 patients but also had them follow a LOW Fodmap diet which is been shown to reduce IBS symptoms by 86% alone.

The study was a placebo-controlled study and those that followed a normal non-fodmap diet with no probiotic supplements experienced no changes positive changes in their IBS symptoms. Those who followed low fodmap and took L Rhamnosus GG for 42 days experienced lower IBS symptoms in all categories.

Other Probiotic Strains

Other Bifidobacterium & Lactobacillus strains may have benefits for abdominal pain, bloating, and diarrhea but many of these strains have not been tested specifically for IBS.

Furthermore, just because a strain worked for someone else doesn't mean that same strain will work for you. There are many factors at play like gender, age, health condition, allergies, and more.

5 Best Probiotic Brands For IBS

All of the probiotics that I am about to share have probiotic strains that have been studied for IBS. I have also have first hand experience trying them so the probiotic positions come from my personal results.

1) Garden Of Life Dr. Formulated Women's Daily 40 Billion-CFU

Lactobacillus Acidophilus, Lactobacillus Plantarum, Lactobacillus Casei, Lactobacilus Paracasei, Lactobacillus Bulgaricus, Lactobacillus Brevis, Lactobacillus Reuteri, Lactobacillus Salivarius, Lactobacillus Fermentum, Lactobacillus Gasseri, Lactobacillus Rhamnosus, Bifidobacterium Lactis, Bifidobacterium Bifidum, Bifidobacterium Breve, Bifidobacterium Infantis and Bifidobacterium Longus.

Garden Of Life is an awesome brand that makes probiotics specifically for both men and women. They were one of the first brands I tried when I first start the PRG blog.

The Women's Daily Care probiotic has a mixture of 16 Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium probiotic strains and a 40-Billion CFU count. It also contains a potato & acacia prebiotic fiber blend.

The probiotic has helped some people with IBS but some of the strains included seem to be for vaginal health & not only IBS. It's dairy-free, soy-free, gluten-free, and vegetarian but not vegan.

One bottle with 30-capsules lasts about $20.75 and it's available on amazon, Walmart, garden of life website, eBay and iherb. I have also tried their colon care probiotic which was good but quite intense for IBS in my opinion.

2) Alicia's Naturals Flow Flora 40-Billion

Lactobacillus Acidophilus, Bifdobacterium Lactis, Lactobacillus Plantarum and Lactobacillus Paracasei.

If you read the about me section on my blog you will see that I was inspired to start this blog because of my struggles with IBS. I had IBS-U personally and doctors struggled to help me. FlowFlora is a probiotic I created for myself.

Every strain inside my hand-crafted FlowFlora has been studied to potentially help with IBS in some way. It has a 40-billion CFU count, FOS prebiotic fiber, and each capsule is coated with a material derived from brown seaweed to help it survive stomach acid.

One bottle with 60-capsules currently costs $39.95 and shipping is free for PRG blog readers. You can also save 10% today with coupon code "IBS" for a limited time here. I have a 365-day money-back guarantee and you can email me anytime.

FlowFlora is vegetarian, gluten-free, soy-free, dairy-free, and made in the USA and you can read my FlowFlora review.

3) 1MD Complete Probiotics

Bifidobacterium lactis, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium longum, Bifidobacterium bifidum, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus gasseri, Lactobacillus salivarius, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Bacillus coagulans.

1MD complete probiotics have been recommended by some big websites like MedicalNewsToday. Their IBS article is filled with inaccuracies though.

The 1MD supplement has 11-strains, 50-Billion CFU, and Nutraflora prebiotic fiber. It has some good Lactobacillus probiotic strains for IBS that I listed in this guide.

It's vegan and gluten-free plus the company offers a 90-day refund policy. One downside with this probiotic is that it's $40.99 for 30-capsules I couldn't find any coupon codes. You can however get discounts for bulk orders.

4) Stonehenge Dynamic Probiotics

Bifidobacterium animalis, Bifidobacterium bifidum, Bifidobacterium breve, Bifidobacterium lactis, Bifidobacterium longum, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus brevis, Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus fermentum, Lactobacillus gasseri, Lactobacillus paracasei, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus reuteri, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus salivarius and Streptococcus thermophilus

Like complete probiotics platinum, Stonehenge also has a 50-billion CFU and the same Nutraflora fiber but has 16-strains which is 5 more.

It's the priciest probiotic in this list at $49.95 for 30-capsules. You can purchase stone henge on Amazon, Walmart or their official website. The one thing I don't like about Stonehenge Dyanamic Biotic aside from the high price was the customer support. It's a bit slow.

The probiotic strains inside Stonehenge are great and may help with IBS. This multi-strain probiotic is quite strong and may cause initial digestive side effects that worsen your IBS before making it better.

How To Choose A Probiotic For IBS

There are number of things you should look out for when choosing a probiotic supplement to make sure you don't get scammed. 

Other Probiotic Guides To Help You Choose

CFU Count: The first thing you should check is how many live Colony Forming Units a supplement has. The perfect number for IBS in my testing was around 40-Billion CFU since I felt this was strong enough but not too over-powering.

Money Back Guarantee's: You should always check the refund policy direct from the probiotic bran manufacturer. That way, if the probiotic doesn't end up working for you then you can at least get your money back.

Bacteria Strains: This is by far the most important thing to look out for! You should make sure to figure out if the strains inside a probiotic supplement have been studied for IBS related symptoms.

What Is IBS?

Irritable Bowel Syndrome affects the entire digestive system as a result of irritation in the large bowel where food is turned into waste so you can poop it out. Because the large intestine is affected symptoms like diarrhea, stomach pain, cramping, bloating, gas, constipation or a mixture of all of them are common in those who suffer from IBS. There are said to be at least 5-types of IBS.

There are said to be various different causes of IBS that result in different types of symptoms. They require different cures depending on what the cause of your IBS is.

Doctors mostly still aren't sure what the exact cause of IBS because of a lack of studies. Some hypothesize that it could be a problem between the gut and brain axis in regards to how fast food moves through the digestive system.

Other potential causes include abuse in early life, depression, anxiety, infections, SIBO, and food intolerances.

What Are Probiotics?

There are two types of bacteria and both have very different effects on the human body.

Probiotics are a type of good bacteria that are found naturally in food & drinks like kimchi, sauerkraut, kefir, miso, tempeh, yogurts, and some cheeses.

Many probiotic bacteria like Lactobacillus & Bifidobacterium have been clinically studied and are commonly used in dietary supplements for the potential health benefits but they may not work for everyone.

Can Probiotics Make IBS Worse?

When taking a probiotic for the first time it's common to experience many of the same symptoms that irritable bowel syndrome causes in the first place.

These initial symptoms may make it feel like your self IBS is getting worse but they usually pass after 1-week. You can check if you have small intestinal bacterial overgrowth via a simple breath test. 

If this is the cause of your IBS then you will most likely want to avoid taking probiotics for your IBS. In those with SIBO, the probiotic supplement bacteria may get stuck in the small intestine and make your IBS worse.

Probiotics For IBS Reddit Threads

3 years ago in /r/IBS, a user called silo123 asked if taking probiotics had cured anybody's IBS. They said they loose stool for the past 6-months and had constipation along with complete bowel release. They said that since taking a generic probiotic from Costco their stools had returned back to normal.

Dani-winks replied saying that their gastro Doctor had said that probiotics are a bit hit and miss only working for some people. They explained further that probiotics would probably work if your IBS was brought on by traveler's diarrhea or if your IBS was a result of your gut bacteria being out of whack from something like antibiotic usage.

Another user called molequeen said that Florastor had fixed their IBS and if they miss a dose they are back to square one with their IBS. Another Redditor called anonymousanonymous99 who had IBS-D said they took align probiotics and it had changed their life.

Final Thoughts

Probiotics alone won't be enough to cure IBS if you don't also focus on your diet. Studies do however indicate that probiotics may help with symptoms when following a low fodmap diet.

Some fodmap foods that are also Prebiotics include asparagus, artichokes, sweet potatoes, pears, garlic, and onions but just make sure they are not trigger foods.

It's important to consult with a doctor first before taking probiotics to figure out what kind of IBS you have and to rule out any other serious conditions that could be related to your digestive system.

If your doctor does prescribe antibiotics then you can also take probiotics with them at the same time.

Top 11 Probiotic Gummies (2023 Guide)

Here are the 11 Probiotic Gummies with a short overview on why I chose them.

1) Llama Naturals Gummies

2) Olly Probiotic Gummies

OR

Read Olly Review

3) BeLive Probiotic Gummies

OR

Read Belive Review

4) Digestive Advantage Gummies

OR

Read Digestive Review

5) Align Probiotic Gummies

OR

Read Align Review

6) Culturelle Probiotic Gummies

OR

Read Culturelle Review

7) Smarty Pants Probiotic Gummies

8) Rainbow Light Probiotic Gummies

OR

Read Rainbow Light Review

9) UP4 Probiotic Gummies

10) Vitafusion Probiotic Gummies

11) Nature's Bounty Probiotic Gummies 

What Are Probiotic Gummies Good For? 

Probiotics are good bacteria that are found primarily in your gut. They fight some pathogens and yeast, and have a large role to play in the health and functioning of your immune system. Probiotics can be found in many foods, usually dairy products. 

However, many people do not consume dairy as part of their diets. If you are a vegan, or otherwise have decided to cut dairy from your diet for health or other reasons, you may be missing out on some of these essential Lactobacillus bacteria. Thankfully, there are many probiotic supplement products available on the market to enable you to maintain a healthy immune system and digestive system.

Studies suggest that probiotic supplements can have health benefits due to the strains of bacteria that they contain. The most common strain found in probiotic supplements is Bacillus Coagulans, which has been found to improve IBS symptoms such as diarrhea, constipation, and abdominal pains.

How Many Probiotic Gummies Can I Take?

Probiotic gummies are generally taken daily, usually at a maximum of two per day. However, this will vary depending on the brand and dosage, so you should always check the label first.

Each probiotic gummy product has a recommended daily serving and it's important to follow this so that you get an adequate amount of probiotic bacteria.

Do Gummy Probiotics Actually Work?

Scientific research on the benefits of probiotics is limited so far, although evidence seems incredibly promising.

Many people have spoken of probiotics helping ease symptoms of conditions like IBS, Crohn’s Disease, and other conditions that affect the digestive system, however others have claimed to experience no benefits and even some side effects.

Probiotic Gummies cannot treat or cure medical conditions. They should not be used as a replacement for traditional medicine.

Probiotic Gummies Side Effects

Side effects are quite common with probiotic supplements, however thankfully they are very rarely serious.

The most common side effects are an initial minor increase in indigestion and/or diarrhea, but these typically subside after a short period of time before users begin to feel benefits. 

Probiotic gummies generally have milder side effects than capsules or powders, as the CFU count tends not to be as high. This makes some gummies particularly suitable for kids as well as those new to taking probiotic supplements.

Can You Overdose On Probiotic Gummies?

When taking probiotic gummie's you should always check the Recommended Daily Allowance on the packaging. It will provide information on what the suggested safe amount to take per day is. Usually it's 2 gummies per day but it does depend on the CFU count and other factors.

If you want to know if you can OD on probiotic gummies, the short is NO you cannot OD. Should you eat a whole bottle of probiotic gummies in one sitting? Absolutely not. 

Stick to the suggested use or what is likely to happen is the probiotic gummies may cause side effects like diarrhea, constipation or bloating from the high probiotic CFU count and sugar you will be ingesting.

The Bottom Line: Our Number 1 Choice!

Llama Naturals is my number 1 choice for several reasons. First, they have a strong reputation for quality and effectiveness, as evidenced by their Nexty Award for Best Digestive Supplement in 2020 and thousands of positive customer reviews.

Second, their Probiotic gummies come in various CFU counts for both adults and children, making it easy for families to prioritize gut health together.

Third, the adult peach/mango gummies contain two medically studied probiotic strains, Bacillus Subtilus and Bacillus Coagulans, which have been shown to provide digestive and immune support.

Finally, I have personally tried Llama Naturals gummies and have had positive results with my digestive health. Overall, I highly recommend Llama Naturals as the best value for money option when it comes to Probiotic gummies in 2023.

Did you know you don't have to get your dose of Probiotics from supplements?

You can feed your gut the Leuconostoc mesenteroides and Lactobacillus plantarum probiotic strains by eating delicious kimchi.

As a certified nutritionist I often recommend Kimchi to my clients and enjoy making my own Kimchi.

Both strains have been studied scientifically & may provide a bunch of health benefits.

Here are 6 of the Best Kimchi Brands in 2023.

6 Best Kimchi Brands 2023

1) Lucky Food Seoul Spicy Red Napa Cabbage Kimchi

I had the opportunity to try Lucky Foods' Kimchi, and it's truly a gem! The company prides itself on using locally sourced napa cabbage and following a "Grandma's recipe" to preserve the authentic flavors of the product. The small craft batches and non-GMO ingredients make it a great choice for health-conscious consumers.

What sets this kimchi apart is the use of Gochugaru chili pepper, which adds a delicious kick of spice to the mix. While some customers have challenged the flavor and price to quality ratio, I found it to be fresh and tasty, with a unique taste that stands out from other brands.

One thing to note is that the kimchi doesn't arrive fully fermented, but that's because Lucky Foods wants you to have the best probiotic benefits. You'll need to transfer it to your own containers and let it sit for a bit longer to reach the desired fermentation level.

At $34.99 for a 3.5 pound pack, it's definitely not the cheapest option on the market. However, the quality of the ingredients and the taste make it worth the price for those who want to indulge in a premium kimchi experience. Overall, I highly recommend Lucky Foods' Kimchi for anyone looking to try a unique and flavorful take on this Korean staple.

2) Mother In Law's Kimchi

I recently ordered Mother in Law's Kimchi, and I have to say, it's a winner! Made from all-natural ingredients, including napa cabbage, this kimchi is spicy and has a perfectly fermented blend that gives it a tangy and sour taste. The addition of bone broth, salted shrimp, and anchovies might sound unusual, but they add to the authentic flavor profile.

I was impressed by the quality of the product, especially considering it's made by a small company from Manhattan. It's priced at $8.49 ($0.53/Fl Oz), which is reasonable considering the amount in each jar. While some may find the flavor too strog for their liking, I thought it was deliciously authentic.

3) Eden Foods Organic Kimchi

Weirdly, I found Eden Foods Organic Kimchi to taste similar to Lucky Food's but instead of napa cabbage, this kimchi is made with sauerkraut, fermented with lactic acid, and then infused with kimchi spices and herbs.

At first, I was skeptical about this fusion food, but I was pleasantly surprised by the taste. It's different from the traditional kimchi, but in a good way. The flavor is well-balanced, with just the right amount of spice and tanginess.

Not only does it taste great, but it also has great benefits for stomach health, which many customers have experienced. The organic ingredients make it a healthy option, and the lactic acid fermentation process adds to its probiotic benefits.

What's even better is that the Eden Foods Organic Kimchi is reasonably priced at $9.98 per 18 oz jar. This makes it far cheaper than some others in this.

If you're looking for a unique and tasty kimchi experience that also promotes digestive health, I highly recommend giving Eden Foods Organic Kimchi a try.

4) Madges Spicy Vegan Kimchi

I am not a vegan, but was still excited to try Madge's Food Company's Spicy Vegan Kimchi, and it did not disappoint. This small-batch producer uses only plant-based ingredients, so you can rest assured that no animal products are used in the preparation of this delicious food.

The product arrives fresh and ready to eat, but it's important to refrigerate it immediately to slow down the living bacteria's action. The ingredients used in Madge's Spicy Vegan Kimchi are top-notch, including napa cabbage, daikon radishes, Asian chives, and an umami powder made with mushrooms and sea vegetables.

What sets Madge's Spicy Vegan Kimchi apart is that it's one of the few 100% vegan kimchi products on the market and they also offer both a milder and a spicy version, and I highly recommend trying both.

A 15 oz jar will cost you $11.99, which is in the middle of the price range for top tier kimchi. While it may be pricier than some non-vegan options, it's definitely worth it if you're looking for a delicious and ethical kimchi product.

I would recommend the Madge's Spicy Vegan Kimchi brand to vegans and non-vegans alike because the quality of the ingredients and the delicious taste make it a standout product in the crowded kimchi market.

5) Nappa Cabbage Kimchi

I found quite a few Napa Cabbage Kimchi reviews that suggest that it may not live up to customers' expectations. While the product is imported from Korea and appears to be authentic, some customers have been disappointed with the taste and the amount provided.

One potential issue is the packaging - the kimchi comes in a can, which may affect the overall flavor and this means the kimchi is not widely available on Amazon and may be more difficult to find.

Despite these drawbacks, the Napa Cabbage Kimchi may still be worth a try for those looking for a more genuine kimchi experience. It is priced at $11.87 for a 7.58 oz can, which seems reasonable too me. Ultimately, whether or not this kimchi is worth purchasing may come down to personal taste preferences.

7) Sinto Gourmet Spicy Red Nappa Cabbage Kimchi

The Kimchi produced by Sinto may be made in the US, but it’s produced by a Korean-born chef who creates many different varieties to suit every taste.

The spicy Kimchi is the classic napa cabbage mixed with daikon radish and seasoned to provide heat on the palate. This Kimchi is also vegan and gluten-free but doesn't taste similar to Madges in my opinion. At only $10.00 for a 16 oz bag, Sinto Kimchi is also exceptional value for money. 

How To Make Your Own Kimchi

Making your own Kimchi may sound daunting at first. You might be thinking the ingredients are hard to find, expensive or that the fermentation process takes months. 

I know all about that because those are all of the things I was freaking out over.

All you need to make basic Kimchi is Napa Cabbage (or normal cabbage), Korean Gochugaru flakes (most stores have this), Fish sauce, Garlic, Ginger and maybe some Scallions as well. 

Not that daunting is it? 

The fermentation process can be done in a couple of days as well so making it at home might be even faster than ordering it online. It can be made vegan, gluten free and paleo. The Probiotic bacteria will be grown during fermentation if you ferment it with sea salt.

Check Out 3 Of My Top Kimchi Recipes Below:

1) Apple Kimchi

2) Vietnamese Kimchi

3) Turnip Kimchi.

What is Kimchi?

As someone who has eaten and reviewed a lot of kimchi, I can attest to its addictive spicy, fermented taste. Originating from Korea, this probiotic-rich dish is traditionally made with a variety of vegetables, but cabbage is the most common base ingredient, often combined with daikon radishes and plenty of fiery chillies.

Kimchi has been recognized for its low-calorie, high-nutrient content, with plenty of vitamins A and C, over 34 amino acids, and 10 minerals, making it a nutrient powerhouse. Additionally, thanks to the lacto-fermentation process that occurs during its preparation, it is a great source of probiotics, which have been linked to improved heart, mental, and gastrointestinal health.

While some may consider fermented foods an acquired taste, the complex flavor profile of kimchi has made it a popular choice for many. The tangy, sourness of the fermented cabbage is complemented by the heat of the added chillies, creating a unique balance of salty, spicy, and sour flavors that can be enjoyed in a variety of ways.

You can enjoy Kimchi stir fried with rice, added to scrambled eggs, or even layered onto grilled cheese. More traditional Korean food like a bibimbap or a noodle soup are often topped with a bit of Kimchi for an added kick, giving you a great additional flavor and lots of health benefits.

Final Thoughts

I had a lot of fun trying all of the delicious and spicy Korean brands in this guide. Luckily they were also all rich in probiotics that may be  beneficial for gut health.

Eating kimchi regularly can be an excellent way to consume these beneficial bacteria strains, and, there are many great kimchi brands available in the market.

Each brand reviewed in this guide has its own unique taste and benefits, and choosing the best one depends on personal preferences and dietary requirements but I hope you appreciate my personal preferences as well.

Overall, eating kimchi is an excellent way to enjoy a flavorful dish and boost gut health, and the six brands reviewed here are worth trying.

Miso paste is a traditional Japanese seasoning that has gained popularity worldwide due to its delicious umami flavor and probiotic benefits. With so many brands available, it was challenging to choose the best one. 

I have compiled a list of the six best miso paste brands and in this this blog post, I will share my personal experience as a certified nutritionist trying various miso pastes to bring you a comprehensive review of each brand's taste, texture, and ingredients.

So, sit back, grab a bowl of miso soup, and enjoy!

6 Best Miso Brands 2023

1) Miso Miko Brand Soybean Awase Paste

This red and white miso in my opinion is the most flavorful and best tasting from my personal testing. With this paste, you can make the most delicious miso soups that aren't too salty. They are rated 4.6 out of 5 stars with 1950+ genuine US customer reviews.

One spoonful of Awase Miko Brand Miso Paste dissolves easily in warm water and provides a sweet and mild flavor for soups, stir-fries, seasoning, and noodle dishes. 

This paste contains Water, soybeans, White Rice, Alcohol, and Bonito which is a type of mackerel fish so it's not suitable for vegans. It is however gluten-free, dairy-free, and non-GMO since it contains no soy sauce or dairy.

The only negatives I can mention are that if you live in a hot climate this paste may melt during delivery but it should still be edible. At $9.99 / $0.52 per ounce, I think the price is fair for what might just be the best miso paste.

2) MisoBoom Miso Soybean White Paste 

I was close to placing MisoBoom Miso Paste in the number 1 position and maybe on another day I would. I can't fault the flavor of this miso paste provided you get the right paste. 

There were a lot of issues with customers receiving dark brown paste when paying for white/red paste and I found the miso paste quite hard to store after opening the packaging. 

For me, the flavors were well-balanced and not too strong or sour. I haven't visited Japan yet but I would imagine this $12.89 / $0.37 per ounce miso paste has quite an authentic Japanese flavor. It has no msg added and is non-GMO. 

The ingredients are miso soybean paste, Tofu, Dried Wakame Seaweed, Green Onions, and Water. I don't see any animal products listed so it should be vegan. This white shiro soybean paste has a 4.1 out of 5-star rating from over 2,200 verified customer reviews.

3) Hikari Organic Miso Paste

This Hikari the company behind this organic miso paste proudly proclaims on its website to be "Japan's #1 Organic Miso" and they also claim to be "world's most authentic miso" which is backed up with a 4.6 out of 5-star rating from 750+ real customer reviews.

The Hayashi family from Nagano Japan is said to be behind this number 1 most authentic miso brand. Their miso products do seem to be loved by thousands with some backing up the bold claims from the Hayashi family.

They sell organic miso, non-organic miso, and miso soup in case you don't want to make your own. They also have refined sodium miso and all of their pastes are USDA organic, gluten-free, and non-msg.

One tub of Red Organic Hikari Miso on the Walmart website is $40 and over on Amazon, it's currently out of stock. Both options cost a little bit more than some other Miso Pates but don't forget guys, they are Japan's number 1 organic miso paste.

4) Organic Aged Miso Paste by Namikura Miso

This miso paste is imported from Japan and they don't have any English language company website which adds to the authenticity. The Japanese family behind this miso paste claims to still source ingredients locally and still work on the day-to-day production. 

The miso paste is dark red and is fermented for 6 months making it quite a strong option for those looking for probiotic bacteria.

I personally loved the taste and texture of this organic Miso Paste and it makes a delicious gut-loving miso soup. It's priced at $10.99 for 2.2lbs on IGourmet which isn't the cheapest compared to some other miso brands.

I was considering placing this miso paste in a higher position but Namikura Miso has only recently started selling in the USA and there aren't a lot of customer reviews yet for a rating.

5) Marukome 2-Year Fermented Miso Paste

The Marukome company claims to have 486 employees, has a HQ in the USA, and was founded in the year 1854. They have even created their own push-button Miso dispenser.

They currently have a miso paste that has been fermented for 2-years in the countryside of Nagano, Japan.

It's one of the cheapest options at only $11.98 for 300 grams but it's only available on their website. With the long fermentation period, this Miso is packed with good fungus and I imagine it packs a strong unique flavor.

6) TETSUJIN USDA Organic Deep Red Miso 

This Miso paste is said to be made in Japan but is made in China and I couldn't find any more information on the history of if they are a Japanese company or not. Some customers have complained about the packaging leaking during shipping.

This red miso paste has water, organic soybean, organic rice, and salt. Those are the listed ingredients but the ingredients label says it contains 2g of sugar per 1 tbsp. They have 4.5 out of 5 stars but only from 274 customer reviews.

It's currently $11.65 / $0.33 per ounce making it another low-cost option. It is only available on amazon so you will be covered by their refund policies if you have any issues. It contains no alcohol, is vegan, and no added msg.

What Is Miso Paste?

According to Misotasty.com, Miso Paste originated in China and was then introduced to Japan through mainland china by Buddhist Monks over 1,000 years ago. It was in Japan that Miso Paste took on different forms and evolved into that unique special flavor that we know today. Most people will have tried Miso Soup at some point in their lives and if not they have missed out. The ingredients in Miso Paste do vary but the main ones are:

Miso paste can either be red, white, somewhere in the middle, or even yellow according to some. The darker the Miso paste the longer the fermentation period has been and that means the miso paste will be more likely to have a stronger dose of probiotics. Different regions of japan also have their own unique miso.

TL;DR: The darker the miso paste, the stronger the taste while white miso paste tends to have a sweeter and lighter taste and yellow miso somewhere in the middle.

Final Thoughts

After months of testing and trying different brands, these six brands stood out to me as the best in terms of flavor, quality, and value. Of course, everyone's taste preferences are different, so I encourage you to try out different brands and find the one that suits you best.

Incorporating miso paste into your diet not only adds flavor to your meals but also provides numerous health benefits, such as improving digestion and boosting your immune system. So, why not give it a try and see how you can elevate your cooking and your health with miso paste?