Last Updated On December 27th, 2021
Most of the time, when you think of “bacteria,” your mind probably goes to disease and germs. However, the truth is that there are both good and bad kinds of bacteria.
Your body is home to trillions of microorganisms that are crucial to long-term health and wellbeing. “Probiotics” are the live bacteria and yeasts that live throughout your body and keep your gut healthy. With the best probiotic the UK has to offer, you can support the good organisms in your stomach, and reduce the bad ones.
The question is, how do you find the right one to support your gastrointestinal balance? Everyone is different, which means that the most effective food supplement for you, might not be the same as the one that’s ideal for your friend, spouse, or child. With so many different supplements and solutions on the market, how do you know if you’re choosing the right one?
Fortunately, if you’re on the hunt for a health supplement, you don’t have to go in blind. We’ve searched through some of the top probiotic reviews on the web, to bring you the pills most likely to preserve a healthy stomach.
Our Favourite Probiotics Compared
Best Probiotic Reviews – Top 10 Picks
1. Bio-Kult Advanced (Editor’s Choice)
It isn’t easy to find probiotics for gut health and intestinal support that will work for your whole family. This one is actually my personal choice of probiotics and I have been taking it for years. After researching back then I found nothing but positive feedback about Bio-Kult and I’ve been taking them ever since. It even helped my mother with her gut health, so I can personally say these ones live up to the hype.
Features
The Bio-Kult Advanced formula seems to offer support for people both young, and old. Recommended for most ages, these versatile pills help with everything from reducing fatigue to improving your mood. These pills include 14 live cultures designed to survive the high-acidity environment in your stomach. The creators even claim that it can help with issues like bloating and cramping too. However, the packet doesn’t tell you how much of each species of bacteria are available. That means you can’t customise your supplementation strategy.
- 14 species of live culture included
- Suitable for people of different ages
- Great for mood and fatigue management
- You can even use them with babies
- No specific information about the levels of each live culture
- Trace amounts of soy and dairy may be included
- Has a lower CFU number compared to other competitors
2. Lindens Max Strength (Most Versatile)
Lindens Probiotic’s Max Strength formula comes in an easy to swallow vegetarian capsule. What’s more, it does not require any refrigeration.
Features
With a huge 6 billion CFU strength, Lindens isn’t cutting any corners when it comes to potency. It is great because of the combination of simplicity and strength you can get from it. If you’re looking for a convenient way to support your gut health, Lindens’ capsules also contain prebiotics, which encourages the positive bacteria in your stomach to multiply and thrive. If you have trouble swallowing pills, then you might find it easier to simply pour the contents of your capsule into your morning glass of water instead. Be warned however that if you do decide to drink the formula or put it in your food, rather than taking the pills, you may not enjoy the taste.
- Manufactured in the UK
- 6 billion CFU strength
- Prebiotics included to support positive bacteria performance
- Made in the UK
- Doesn’t taste great (but they’re not terrible either)
- This may not be ideal for people who want to support vaginal health
- Some probiotic reviews suggest doubling the dose
3. Physis Advanced Multistrain (Best for Gut Health)
If you’re looking for more balance in your life, then you’ll need a probiotic that can help to improve the PH and acidity levels in your digestive system. Physis Advanced Multistrain Probiotics is a good gut bacteria supplement, with ten active strains of bacteria in each pill.
Features
Most experts agree that high levels of CFU generally deliver the most potent results. If you’re looking for a 25 billion probiotic in the UK, you can find it with Physis. The CFU is high that it can help to enhance your digestive and immune system. The most important thing to keep in mind is that its potency is only good up to the expiration date.
- 25 billion CFU strength
- 10 strains of bacteria in each capsule
- No egg, dairy, nut, or gluten derivatives (good for people with sensitive stomachs)
- Great for improving digestive and immune health
- May not be as strong as the other options
4. Nutravita Pure Biotics Pearls (Best Organic)
It’s easy to assume that all probiotics would be organic. However, that isn’t necessarily the case. If you’re looking for something that’s as natural as possible, then we recommend an option like the Nutravita Pure Biotics Pearls.
Features
Our pick for organic probiotics in the UK, each pearl contains 2 billion CFU, with no contaminants or added extras to be seen. Additionally, Nutravita probiotics come in a unique “pearl” shape, which is designed to make them easier to swallow if you don’t do well with standard tablets or capsules. Of course, some people find that the spherical shape of the pearl makes the pill harder to swallow. It will depend on your preferences.
- 2 Billion CFU in each pearl
- One-a-day use for easy gut regulation
- Pure, high-quality ingredients
- Designed for quick absorption
- Pill shape (8mm sphere) can be a pro or a con depending on your preferences
- Has a lower CFU level than some options
- Can cause feelings of thirst (keep a bottle of water close)
5. Nu U Bio-Cultures Complex (Highly Potent Option)
Designed right here in the UK, the NU U Nutrition Bio Cultures Complex bottles come with enough pills to keep your stomach healthy for 6 months at a time.
Features
If you’re looking for the best probiotics in the UK for value alone, then these capsules are sure to be competitors.
Like most probiotics, these bio-cultures are built around the idea that better nutrition can help to transform your life. The formula comes with 5 different strains of live bacteria included, and each strain is chosen for its impact on the immune system and digestive health. Additionally, it has a CFU of 10 billion which ensures 1 billion viable organisms in each capsule. The biggest issue is that the strength of these pills won’t agree with everyone. If you’re new to probiotics, you may be better off starting with something that’s gentler on your stomach.
- 1 billion viable organisms per capsule
- Great value packaging
- 5 different live culture strains
- 10 billion CFU powder
- Very strong – may cause stomach pains
- Not appropriate for Crohn’s sufferers, due to the presence of Maltodextrin
- Can cause loose stools
6. Bioshield Live Cultures (Best for Bloating)
Like many of the best supplements the UK has to offer, NutriPreme’s Bioshield Live culture capsules are packed full of quality yeasts and cultures.
Features
The bacteria in these pills can survive all the way deep into your intestine, where they can have the most impact. Often, they’re recommended for reducing boating and providing digestive system support daily. One particularly significant feature of this high potency formula is that it’s great at improving your mood and energy levels. When your stomach’s working as it should be, you can absorb healthy minerals more effectively, which leads to all-around better wellbeing. NutriPreme even offers a money-back guarantee, in case you’re unhappy with your experience. Just keep in mind that the shape of the tablets does make them difficult to swallow.
- Great for mood and energy
- Reduce bloating and improve digestive performance
- Money-back guarantee offers peace of mind
- Available for daily use
- Very difficult to swallow due to the awkward shape
- Can be difficult to digest if you have a lactose problem (avoid entirely if dairy intolerant)
- Confusing labelling states both 150 billion CFU and 50 billion
7. OptiBac for Every Day (Best with Fibre)
OptiBac is one of the best probiotic brands in the UK market. The company offers sachets, capsules, and gut health solutions for everyone in the family, including children over one-year-old. The “For Every Day” formula is excellent for people who suffer regularly from problems with constipation and bloating.
Features
Unlike many of the other options on the market, OptiBac pills include 88mg of FOS fibres with each capsule. Aside from giving you your extra dose of fibre, these pills also deliver 6 different strains of high-quality bacteria, including Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus and more. You can use them every day, although you may need to double the dose if you’re having a particularly bad time with your digestive health. The strength of these capsules is a little lower than some competitors.
- 88mg of FOS fibres included per capsule
- Suitable for vegetarians, people with gluten issues, and women during pregnancy
- 6 different high-quality strains of bacteria
- No need to refrigerate
- Weaker than some probiotics on the market today
- Not ideal for people with dairy intolerance
- Not suitable for IBS sufferers
8. NutriZing Bio-Cultures Complex (Best Multi-Strain)
The NutriZing Bio-Cultures Complex is one of the greatest multi strain probiotics in the UK.
Features
Designed to deliver quick results for people suffering from gastrointestinal imbalance, it is packed full of stomach-friendly power. The supplement contains 50 billion CFUs along with 16 different strains of friendly bacteria – that’s more than most of the leading brands in the current market. The capsules are entirely natural, with no soya, dairy, or gluten – so you can rest assured if you have a sensitive disposition. Additionally, the tablets are very easy to take compared to some – so if you have trouble with pills, you should be okay here. Unfortunately, the capsules can sometimes look inconsistent, with more significant amounts of powder from one to the next. If this happens, we recommend returning for a replacement bottle.
- 16 unique strains of friendly bacteria
- High-strength 50 billion CFU
- Easy to swallow capsules
- May need to take 2 tablets to get better results
- Inconsistent capsule filling in some bottles
- Packaging is a little flimsy
9. OptiBac for Babies and Children (Best for Toddlers)
This is another winning product from OptiBac. The “For Babies & Children” live culture supplement formula is specially designed for the little ones in your life.
Features
With 3 billion high-quality live cultures in each sachet, along with a small dose of extra fibres too – they’re a welcome addition to a child’s diet. One of the great probiotics for toddlers in the UK, OptiBac’s child-friendly formula comes with all the high-quality bacterial strains you need to support a young digestive system.
Some products available on the market come in the form of chewables or capsules. Unlike them, these are in powder form which can be mixed in your child’s favourite drink or food. Each sachet is entirely free from artificial colours, flavours, and preservatives too. Just keep in mind that like most healthy things – you might have some trouble getting your children to take their probiotics. They don’t exactly taste fantastic.
- 3 billion CFU per sachet
- Great for children and babies
- Free from sugars, artificial flavours, and colours
- Doesn’t taste good – especially for picky kids
- Too strong for some little stomachs (test first and ask your doctor)
10. Garden of Life Dr Formulated Womens’ (Best for Ladies)
Garden of Life Dr Formulated Probiotic Once Daily Womens’ could be the best choice for you if you are prioritising digestive and women’s or vaginal health. This option is formulated in a way that can accommodate almost any dietary restrictions and preferences.
Features
Garden of Life packs their womens’ probiotic formula with 16 probiotic strains and 50 billion CFUs. All ingredients bring you an advanced probiotic focusing on improving and supporting vaginal health, digestive health, and immune system health.
This is a certified organic product, and each bottle contains 30 vegetarian capsules giving you a month’s long supply. Once Daily Womens’ is gluten-free, soy-free, and dairy-free to accommodate various dietary needs, so there is no need to worry about allergens. In addition, we also love that, unlike some other probiotic supplements, there is no need to refrigerate this product.
This probiotic formula is great for women, but that means it is not ideal for men. Also, it could have extra, unnecessary packaging, and it may not be suitable if you have issues swallowing pills. However, it still stands out amongst the competition and makes a great choice for most women.
- 50 billion CFU strength
- 16 probiotic strains
- Formulated specifically for women’s health
- It does not need to be refrigerated
- Supports immune and digestive health
- Not ideal for men
- May have a lot of excess packaging
- It could be difficult to swallow for some people
How to Choose the Most Effective Probiotic
When you’re looking for the ideal probiotic, it’s safe to say that there are a lot of options to choose from on the market. The more time you spend online and in health stores, the more you’ll discover new brands with their own active ingredients and exciting claims. There’s even variety in the way that you can take different supplements. For pills or capsules, you can take them by mouth with water. However, for those who have difficulty swallowing pills or for young individuals, powders are available. It is easy to mix the formula when you make drinks with your juicer.
It’s easy to get overwhelmed even with a lot of reviews to guide you. Fortunately, we have some tips to help you make the right choice for your health.
1. Make Sure They’re Safe
Introducing good bacteria to the digestive system may be great way to improve your body’s immune system defences. It may help you to battle against complex conditions in the intestinal tract and reduce the impact of taking antibiotics, too. However, different people will respond to probiotics in their own unique way.
Studies suggest that most people in good health shouldn’t experience any negative side effects when taking probiotics. However, if you do have problems like Crohn’s, IBS, or anything else associated with your digestion, then it’s important to talk to your doctor before you add anything new to your diet. Also, we highly recommend that you speak to a doctor before giving probiotics to your children.
2. Always Put Quality First
Because probiotics are sold as food supplements, they aren’t checked by the FDA according to the same standards as drugs or medication. That’s why it’s important to choose a brand you can trust. Check the label and make sure you’re getting high-quality ingredients from your probiotics. If you’re not sure which brands are great, you can always ask your doctor for their recommendations. It’s also worth checking out reviews for insights from other customers.
We recommend being aware of any other ingredients in your probiotics, other than the strains of good bacteria that you need. Some capsules may include small doses of things like lactose. This will be no good for you if you have a dairy intolerance.
3. Get the Right Good Bacteria
If you want the ideal results from your supplementation, you need to make sure that you’re getting the right strains of good bacteria. Most of the time, you’ll see groups of bacteria like Bifidobacterium or Acidophilus on the label. These are great for dealing with issues like constipation and diarrhoea. If you’re committed to your decision to take probiotics, it’s worth doing some research on the most common ingredients you get from the top providers. Find out what each of them does before you invest.
The easiest way to ensure that you’re getting the right bacteria for your specific condition is to speak to your dietitian or doctor before selecting supplements. For instance, if you have problems like IBS, then Lactobacillus Rhamnosus GG may be great for reducing the symptoms.
4. Check the CFU Dose
In the supplemental bacteria world, the acronym “CFU” stands for Colony Forming Units. This number tells you how much good bacteria you should get with each dose of your supplement. There’s no specific rule on what the “right” amount should be. However, a high number is usually a good start. If you don’t get enough CFUs, then you may not be getting the outcome you want. Ask your doctor what kind of CFU level might be right for you.
Ultimately, without a certain amount of CFU in your brand of choice, the good bacteria might not be able to reach your intestines.
5. Always Read the Label
Finally, remember that you should always read the label when choosing your brand. The label or product description will tell you how you need to store your probiotics, what dose you should take each day, and more. You can even use the label to check that there are no additional ingredients in your probiotics like dairy or soya that you’re allergic to. Pay attention to the expiration date, too. The number of CFUs might go down as the product gets older.
You might also notice that different probiotics have different requirements when it comes to storage. Some require you to keep them refrigerated especially after opening. However, most simply recommend room temperature.
Good Luck with Your Gut Health!
As we mentioned at the beginning of this article, everyone is different. That means that the best probiotics in the UK for you will depend on a lot of different things, including your general health, and the kind of good bacteria you need.
Our favourite option from the list above is the Bio-Kult Advanced. It comes with 14 live cultures and is great for improving mood, fatigue and even bloating. Your whole family can benefit from this as it is recommended for most ages, young and old. Just remember to take it easy if you’re trying probiotics for the first time.
Do you have a favourite brand that we haven’t mentioned? Let us know in the comments and good luck with your gut health!
One Response
Hi Lucy,
Thank you for the information. I just bought Bio-Kult Advanced Multi-Strain but not sure how many pills to start taking per day and at which time is best.
Do you have any suggestions?
Many thanks 🙂