Which Probiotics to Choose

Last updated 5/10/24

There is a rich amount of peer-reviewed, published data supporting the many positive effects of taking probiotics. However, not every product is perfect for every condition. Here is a brief summary of the strains that help with each type of condition, with links to some products that contain as many of those strains as I could find. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases, so when you use the affiliate links to Amazon and the manufacturers you support the time and effort I put into doing this research for you! Thanks for using my links!

You can also find most of these products in my Fullscript Dispensary. Check prices there before deciding where to buy. It’s easy to set up an account!

Probiotics for Babies Born via C. Section

Bifidobacterium (B.) longum subsp. infantis, Bifidobacterium (B.) infantis EVC001

Baby’s Jarro-Dophilus DropsAmazon
Evivo (15% off using this link)

Probiotics for Constipation

B. lactis (in children), B. longum, S. Boulardii, Equilibrium (115-strain probiotic), L reuteri ATCC PTA 6475 + L reuteri DSM 17938 and a combo of Lactobacillus (L.) acidophilus, L. reuteri, L. plantarum, L. rhamnosus and B. animalis (B. animalis lactis was formerly called B. infantis), spore- or soil-based strains (Bacillus)

For kids:
Douglas Labs Multi-Probiotic Kids PowderAmazon
For adults:
Equilibrium Equilibrium Store (15% off with code HDH15OFF)
Biogaia Gastrus iHerb Amazon
Jarrow Formulas S. BoulardiiFullscript
Microbiome Plus+Microbiome Plus web site
Greens First Women’s Health ProbioticAmazon
Kirkman Pro-Bio DefenseAmazon
Syntol AMD (also yeast cleansing formula) – Amazon
Megasporebiotic – Fullscript
justthrive Probioticjustthrive Store

Probiotics for Infectious Diarrhea

L. rhamnosus GG, L. acidophilus and L. bulgaricus

Culturelle Amazon
Klaire Labs – Ther-Biotic CompleteFullscript

Probiotics for Antibiotic-Associated Diarrhea

S. boulardii, a mixture of Lactobacillus acidophilus CL1285, Lactobacillus casei LBC80R and Lactobacillus rhamnosus CLR2

Jarrow Formulas S. BoulardiiFullscript
Florastor Amazon
Bio-K+ (contains dairy) – Amazon

Probiotics for IBS-Related Diarrhea

Bacilis coagulans, S. boulardii, Clostridium butyricum, and a combination of several Lactobacillus and Bifidobacteria strains

Pendulum Butyricum (30% off first purchase with code GoParsons30) or Fullscript
Jarrow Formulas S. BoulardiiFullscript
Douglas Labs Multi-Probiotic 40 BillionFullscript
DrFormulas Nexabiotic Advanced Multi-ProbioticAmazon

Probiotics for Breakdown of Digestive Plaques Associated with Crohn’s Disease

L. acidophilus, S. Boulardii, B. breve, L. rhamnosus + Amylase (digestive enzyme)

BIOHMBIOHM store (use my affiliate code HDH for a discount)

Probiotics for Leaky Gut

Bacillus indicus (HU36), Bacillus subtilis (HU58), Bacillus coagulans, and Bacillus licheniformis, and Bacillus clausii

Megasporebiotic – Fullscript
justthrive Probioticjustthrive Store

Probiotics for Pain and IBS Symptoms

Bifidobacterium infantis 35624

AlignAmazon

Probiotics for Gas and Bloating

L. plantarum 299v

Jarrow Formulas Ideal Bowel SupportFullscript

Probiotics for Heart Health/Decrease in Bad Cholesterol, Increase in Good/Reduction of Triglycerides

L. acidophilus, B. longum and L. reuteri, spore- or soil-based strains (Bacillus)

Microbiome Plus+Microbiome Plus web site
trunature Advanced Digestive ProbioticAmazon
Nature’s Way Primodophilus Reuteri pearlsAmazon
justthrive Probioticjustthrive Store

Probiotics for Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Ulcerative Colitis

S. Boulardii, L. rhamnosus GG, L. plantarum 299v, VSL#3 (combo of many lactobaccili and bifidobacteria)

Jarrow Formulas S. BoulardiiFullscript
Culturelle Amazon
Jarrow Formulas Ideal Bowel SupportFullscript
Visbiome (originally called VSL#3) – Amazon or VSL#3 (made by different manufacturer than original VSL#3) – Fullscript

Probiotics for H. Pylori Infections

L reuteri DSMZ 17648 (Pylopass™)

Life Extension Gastro-easeFullscript
H. Pylori FightAmazon
Pyloguard – from Microbiome Labs (you need to set up an account to order) or Fullscript

Probiotics for Weight Loss and Metabolic Health

A. muciniphila, L. gasseri, L. rhamnosus, a combo of L. rhamnosus and B. lactis (B. animalis lactis, previously known as B. infantis) and Equilibrium (115-strain probiotic)

Pendulum Akkermansia 500 Pro on Fullscript or Akkermansia 100 Pro on Fullscript
Pendulum Glucose Control Fullscript or Metabolic Daily ProFullscript
Douglas Labs Multi-Probiotic 40 BillionFullscript
EquilibriumEquilibrium Store (15% off with code HDH15OFF)
Bifido Maximus from The Gut InstituteThe Gut Institute

Probiotics for Mental Health

B. longum, B. breve, B. infantis, L. helveticus and L. rhamnosus, L. acidophilus, L. casei and B. bifidum, Bacillus indicus (HU36), Bacillus subtilis (HU58), Bacillus coagulans, and Bacillus licheniformis, and Bacillus clausii

Dr. Ohhira’s Probiotic Professional FormulaAmazon
justthrive Probioticjustthrive Store

Probiotics for General Health, Increase of Short Chain Fatty Acids/Butyrate

B. bifidum, A. muciniphila, Clostridium butyricum

Bifido Maximus from The Gut InstituteThe Gut Institute
Seeking HealthProBiota HistaminXFullscript
Douglas Labs Multi-Probiotic 40 BillionFullscript
Lifted Naturals Bifidus Mood BoostAmazon
Pendulum Akkermansia 500 Pro on Fullscript or Akkermansia 100 Pro on Fullscript
Pendulum Glucose Control Fullscript or Metabolic Daily ProFullscript
Pendulum Butyricum (30% off first purchase with code GoParsons30) or Fullscript

Probiotics for Histamine Intolerance

B. infantis, L. gasseri, B. breve, B. bifidum, L. salivarius, L. rhamnosus (especially GG), B. longum, B. lactis, L. plantarum


Bifido Maximus from The Gut Institute (also D-Lactate-free) – The Gut Institute
Seeking HealthProBiota HistaminXFullscript
Vitanica – Flora SymmetryAmazon
Lifted Naturals Bifidus Mood Boost (also D-Lactate-free) – Amazon


First Probiotics Post-SIBO Treatment

Bifidobacterium strains
Bacillus clausii

justthrive Probioticjustthrive Store
Renew Life Adult 50+ ProbioticAmazon
RestorFlora – only available from Fullscript
Seeking Health Probiota BifidoAmazon
Lifted Naturals Bifidus Mood Boost (also D-Lactate-free) – Amazon

Probiotics post Binge-Drinking to Prevent Hangovers

Genetically engineering B. subtilis

Zbiotics – 10% off your first order using that link or code PERFECTSTOOL

Probiotics for Heavy Metal Detox

Lactiplantibacillus plantarum DSM 33464

MegaMetalliQ – from Microbiome Labs (you need to set up an account to order)

Most Diverse Probiotic (Highest Number of Strains)

EquilibriumEquilibrium Store (15% off with code HDH15OFF)

Probiotics for Oral Care (Probiotics for Teeth, Gums and Breath)

Lactobacillus reuteri (LRE-15), Lactobacillus salivarius (LS-33), Bifidobacterium lactis (HN019), Streptococcus uberis KJ2, Stretococcus oralis KJ3, Streptococcus rattus JH145

Probiora – from Amazon
Researched Nutritionals Oramax – from Pine Street Clinic

If all this was too confusing and you feel like you need some help and guidance in choosing a probiotic or solving your gut, autoimmune or other health issues, you can set up a free, 30-minute Breakthrough Session with me (Lindsey) to share what you’ve been going through and decide whether my 5-appointment gut health coaching program or a longer program for autoimmunity or weight loss is a good fit for you. Individual 1-hour consultations may be scheduled directly here.

Schedule a Breakthrough Session Now

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2 Replies to “Which Probiotics to Choose”

  1. Hi,
    Thank you for this detailed information. My question is I suffer from CFS/ leaky gut syndrome and can’t tolerate any strains that produce D or L lactate. I become very unwell if I do. What would your suggestion from the list above to be the right product for someone with this kind of issue? Would Equilibrium be the only probiotic that wouldn’t produce D or L Lactate?

    1. Hi Jason, sorry I never responded to this! I imagine you’ve found your answer but the spore-based probiotics like Megasporebiotic and Proflora 4R available from my Fullscript Dispensary https://us.fullscript.com/welcome/highdeserthealth should not produce D-Lactate or L-Lactate but you should also double check with the companies.

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