Probiotics are essential for maintaining a healthy gut, as they help to promote digestion, boost immunity, and improve overall wellness. Signs that indicate the need for a gut reset with probiotics include bloating, constipation, sluggish digestion, brain fog, low mood, breakouts, insomnia, and reduced immunity. With the recent pandemic, increasing stress, and processed diets impacting our microbiomes, probiotic supplements have become more popular and necessary than ever. In this article, the best probiotics for women in 2024 are highlighted to address these issues.
The first top pick is the Ritual Synbiotic+, a probiotic, prebiotic, and postbiotic supplement that supports healthy gut bacteria, bloating relief, and improved immune health. It contains two probiotic strains, Lactobacillus rhamnosus and Bifidobacterium animalis ssp. lactis, along with prebiotic PreforPro and postbiotic Tributyrin. The Wisp Basic Probiotics are recommended for overall wellness, enhancing digestive health, and maintaining a healthy balance of vaginal flora. Pendulum Metabolic Daily is best for metabolism, helping with low energy, bloating, and weight management.
For vaginal and urinary tract health, the Hum Nutrition Private Party Vaginal Probiotic delivers 10 billion CFUs through three strains of probiotics along with cranberry extract for additional benefits. The Pendulum Akkermansia Probiotic Capsules contain akkermansia muciniphila, which supports the gut lining, mucin production, and insulin levels. The Culturelle Health & Wellness Daily Probiotic Supplement is ideal for those on antibiotics to reduce antibiotic-associated diarrhea, while the Metagenics UltraFlora Women’s Probiotics is recommended for supporting vaginal, immune, and urinary tract health.
For a powder option, the Athletic Greens AG1 contains probiotics, vitamins, adaptogens, digestive enzymes, and magnesium for overall wellness. The Artah Biome Restore is best for stress and mood, featuring probiotics that target mood alongside Lion’s Mane extract for cognitive benefits. Probiotics help to maintain a balance of bacteria in the gut, aiding in digestion, protecting against infection, and synthesizing neurotransmitters. Prebiotics are like fertilizers for good bacteria, while probiotics are the good bacteria themselves. Both are essential for gut health.
It is recommended to take probiotics daily to maintain a consistent level of beneficial bacteria in the gut and vaginal tract, enhancing their effectiveness. The timeline for seeing benefits from probiotics varies from person to person, usually taking around 3 months to notice changes in the microbiome. Before choosing a probiotic, it is important to consult with a healthcare professional to ensure the correct type and quality are selected. Factors to consider include the accuracy of strain, CFUs, allergen information, additives, storage instructions, and shelf life to ensure potency and effectiveness.
