Key Takeaways
- Probiotics support gut health and overall well-being by maintaining a healthy gut microbiome.
- Disruptions to gut flora from factors like poor diet or illness can be addressed with probiotic supplements.
- Popular probiotic options in Australia include Seed's DS-01 Daily Synbiotic, Life-Space, and Goli Nutrition.
- Benefits of probiotics include improved digestion, strengthened immune system, and relief from conditions like IBS and eczema.
- High-quality probiotics are crucial for effectiveness, safety, and specificity, with factors like strains and CFU count to consider.
- Signs you may need probiotics include antibiotic use, digestive issues, frequent illness, skin problems, mood disorders, and recovery from gut infections.
- Pharmacists recommend probiotics with well-researched strains, such as Seed's DS-01 Daily Synbiotic.
- While prebiotics can enhance probiotic effectiveness, they're not necessary for everyone.
- Focus on high-quality probiotic products to improve digestive health and overall wellness.
Probiotics are live bacteria and yeasts that are good for your health and wellbeing, especially your digestive system. They are often called "good" or "friendly" bacteria because they help keep your gut healthy — known as your gut microbiome. These microorganisms are naturally present in fermented foods such as yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, kimchi, miso, tempeh, and kombucha.
However, with our fast-paced world, most of us are not getting enough in our gut to maintain a healthy gut bacteria, or worse yet our life choices (poor diet, alcohol consumption, over-eating or under-eating etc), illness or certain medications can destroy a balanced gut flora. Hence why taking a probiotic supplement can help restore the gut microbiome and address any symptoms and conditions experienced from a compromised gut. These supplements can come in various forms like capsules, pills, powders, or liquids and contain various probiotic strains.
What Are the 3 Best Probiotics Available in Australia
Choosing the right probiotic can make a big difference in your daily wellness routine. Here are three popular options available in Australia that offer convenience and accessibility, making it easier for you to incorporate them into your life. Let's go over these trusted choices:
1) Seed's DS-01 Daily Synbiotic
A product that packs a powerful punch for both adults and kids! Seed is a premium daily probiotic that is broad spectrum with multiple strains that support many functions beyond gut health. It contains strains that also target cardiovascular (heart) and skin health along with Micronutrient synthesis support.
It also has innovation developed in its technology to ensure the safe delivery of the probiotic to the colon. The capsule itself is multilayered with pre and probiotics and the capsule has a ViaCap® delivery technology, which safeguards the product against external heat and moisture as well as the digestive process to be delivered to where it's meant to be.
This brand is one of the most extensively researched and developed dietary supplements, emphasizing science-based evidence with modern technology that measures its strain concentration.
Seed is a web-based subscription product that makes it easy and simple for you to purchase their products with just a few clicks of your keyboard or phone! And yes they ship to Australia!
For more insights, do check out our review of their DS-01 Daily Synbiotic.
2) Life-Space Probiotics
Life-space probiotics have a large range targeting either life stages or certain health concerns such as supporting immune system health, women's health, and bowel health to name a few. With this in mind, each product will be targeted towards the specific needs you are looking for.
Whilst this brand also has scientifically proven strains and quality story, some of the products differ in strengths but share similar claims which can make it difficult to choose which one is right for you.
Life-Space is one of Australia's leading pharmacy brands that can be found in your local chemist or supermarket alike (Australia only).
3) Goli Nutrition Pre+Post+Probiotics
3-in-1 probiotic with prebiotic & postbiotics included. A world first to market with this gummy product which is a very popular format for consumers taking supplements.
However, on closer review, this product only has 1 strain of probiotic in its formulation which lacks any significant scientific evidence for its claims.
Another thing to note with gummy supplements is their inclusion of sugars which in today's standard is something people are trying to limit their intake, especially when giving supplements to their kids.
This product can be found in Health food stores and some pharmacies as well as online.
What Are the Benefits of Taking Probiotics?
Probiotics have various health benefits, particularly when it comes to supporting digestive health and boosting the immune system. This includes restoring the healthy balance of gut bacteria, the regeneration of intestinal cells, the inhibition of harmful pathogen growth, and the synthesis of beneficial compounds such as short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs).
By simply taking a probiotic and integrating this supplement into your daily diet, can make a world of difference to your gut health and overall wellness.
Some of the conditions that respond well to probiotics include:
- Diarrhoea and constipation
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
- Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
- Infant breastfeeding
- Anxiety and depression
- Infections, including urinary tract and respiratory tract infections
- Vaginal wellness
- Allergies
- Gum disease
- Eczema
- Acne
- Insulin resistance
How Probiotics Work for Gut Health
Probiotics work in the body by balancing gut bacteria and promoting the growth of beneficial bacteria in the gut flora. By doing so, they help in strengthening the gut barrier and regulating the digestive and immune system.
Probiotics also help promote antimicrobial activity through competitive exclusion of harmful bacteria. The best probiotic formula will outcompete harmful bacteria for nutrients and space, inhibiting their growth in the gut.
These beneficial microorganisms play a crucial role in maintaining a healthy gut microbiome, which is essential for good immune function, preventing harmful substances from entering the bloodstream.
To find out how you can tell if your supplement is doing its job, check our article on the signs your probiotics are working.
Type of Probiotics
Probiotics come in many strains, each with specific benefits. Choose a probiotic with strains that target your needs. Some well-researched strains include:
- Lactobacillus acidophilus (gut health, digestion, immune support)
- Bifidobacterium longum (IBS, eczema, brain health)
- Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (diarrhea, respiratory health)
Probiotics and Prebiotics
Prebiotics and probiotics are both important for gut health, but they work in different ways:
Probiotics are live microorganisms, often beneficial bacteria, that are similar to the ones already present in your gut. They act like reinforcements, adding to the good bacteria population and helping to crowd out harmful ones. You can find probiotics in fermented foods like yogurt, kimchi, and sauerkraut, or supplement form.
Prebiotics are a type of fibre that your body can't digest. They act as food for the good bacteria already living in your gut, helping them to grow and thrive. Prebiotics are naturally found in many fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
Synbiotics, which combine both prebiotics and probiotics, offer a comprehensive approach to supporting a healthy gut by providing beneficial bacteria and the nutrients they need to flourish.
Why Choose High-Quality Probiotics?
There are several reasons why it's important to choose high-quality probiotics:
Effectiveness: High-quality probiotics are more likely to contain the types and quantities of bacteria that have been clinically shown to improve your digestion and overall gut health. Lower-quality probiotics might not provide the expected health benefits because they may not have the strains, or the appropriate numbers of live bacteria as advertised.
Purity and Safety: The ideal probiotics are typically manufactured and tested under strict quality controls, ensuring they are free from contaminants such as harmful bacteria, moulds, or other toxins. This is crucial for avoiding negative side effects and ensuring the product is safe for consumption. Not only this the reputable quality and testing ensures that what is stated on the bottle is actually what is in it!
Viability: High-quality probiotics ensure that the bacteria are alive and capable of improving your gut where they can exert their beneficial effects. This involves sophisticated packaging and unique formats to maintain the viability of the bacteria through their shelf life.
Specificity: Different strains of probiotics serve different purposes. High-quality products often contain well-researched strains that target specific health issues more effectively, whether it's improving gut health, boosting immune function, or helping with a particular condition like eczema, vaginal health, cholesterol levels or even anxiety.
Investing in high-quality probiotics increases the likelihood of achieving the desired health benefits while minimising risks, making it a prudent choice for those looking to support their health through supplementation.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Probiotic Supplement
When choosing a probiotic supplement, several factors should be taken into account to ensure you select the most effective product for your specific health needs.
Here are some key considerations:
Get the Strains for specific symptoms: As discussed in above, different probiotic strains have different effects. Identify the strains that are most relevant to your health concerns.
TIP: How to read a probiotic label, ensure that in addition to the genius and species list, the strain of the bacteria is included. For example Bifidobacterium longum SD-BB536-JP, Bifidobacterium = Genus, longum = species and SD-BB536-JP= specific strain. This is important as there are many different specific strains within a genus and species combination that exhibit different health benefits.
CFU Count (Colony Forming Units): This indicates the number of viable bacteria or yeast cells in a probiotic. Generally, a higher CFU count (ranging from several billion to tens of billions) is often more effective, but remember! The optimal count depends on the specific strain and intended use.
AFU (Active-Fluorescent Units): a measure using a modern method to measure different viability parameters using flow cytometry. This method accounts for all bacteria present even ones that lay dormant which are active but are unable to form colonies. Keep an eye out for products that use this method of measure!
Allergy Concerns: Check the labels for potential allergens like dairy, soy, and gluten, especially if you have specific food sensitivities or allergies.
Formulation: Probiotics are available in various forms, including capsules, tablets, powders, and liquids. Consider which form is most convenient for you and check if the product needs refrigeration to maintain its effectiveness.
Shelf Stability: There is a common misconception that probiotics that need refrigeration is higher quality. This is not true. Different formulation means that some probiotics need to be refrigerated to keep the bacteria alive, while others are formulated to be shelf-stable at room temperature. Choose a supplement that fits your lifestyle and storage possibilities.
Expiration Date: Live probiotics have a limited shelf life. Check the expiration date to make sure the bacteria in the supplement are still viable.
Clinical Evidence: Research the brand and specific probiotic strains to see if they are backed by clinical trials and scientific studies that support their health claims.
Brand Reputation: Choose brands with a good reputation and a track record of quality. Brands that specialise in probiotics or that invest in scientific research are often more reliable.
Considering these factors will help you choose a probiotic supplement that is safe, effective, and suitable for addressing your health needs.
Bonus Tip: Pet Probiotics
Pets and their owners live in close proximity, sharing the same household environment. This means they are exposed to similar microbes, diets, and environmental factors that can shape the gut microbiome.
Cats and dogs like humans also exhibit similar conditions to us such as gut issues like bloating, constipation and gas, antibiotic-associated diarrhoea, immune system issues and skin issues like yeast overgrowth which are very common. And as pet parents, they also want good overall health and well-being of their furry friend.
There is a lot of evidence within veterinary science to support the effectiveness of probiotics use in both cats and dogs. Drop us an email if you want to learn more about our favourite pet probiotics!
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What is the best probiotic to heal your gut?
The most common strains are species that have been found to help reduce gut inflammation, restore and improve gut barrier lining and function and symptoms of leaky gut. It can also alleviate symptoms of conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) i.e. bloating, gas, diarrhoea and constipation which is similar to IBS and IBD symptoms.
The most commonly used probiotics comprise lactic acid-producing bacteria and these species (spp) are (Lactobacillus spp., Bacillus spp., Bifidobacterium spp., Streptococcus spp., and Enterococcus spp.) that are found in the human gastrointestinal tract, usually ingested in fermented foods. These probiotics can be used by themselves or combined with each other.
If you want the best probiotic that covers a full spectrum then our number 1 pick is Seed's DS-01 Daily Synbiotic. As a bircher bar reader, if you sign up to our newsletter you get a discount code to access Seed's products at a discounted price.
Q2. How do you tell if you need a probiotic?
1) Antibiotic Use
This is the number 1 sign to take probiotics. Antibiotics can deplete the beneficial bacteria in your gut. Taking probiotics can help replenish the good bacteria after a course of antibiotics. Here are the top 6 reasons you can tell if you may need a probiotic.
2) Digestive Issues
One of the most common signs that you may benefit from probiotics is experiencing digestive problems such as:
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Gas and bloating
- Abdominal pain
- IBS control
These symptoms can suggest an imbalance in your gut microbiome that probiotics may help restore.
3) Frequent Illness
If you find yourself getting sick frequently or struggling with recurrent infections, it could be a sign that your immune system needs support. Around 70% of your immune system is located in your gut, and probiotics can help bolster immune function.
4) Skin Problems
Issues like acne, eczema, allergies or other skin conditions may be linked to gut health and inflammation. I know when I am travelling — with the combination of being in a new environment with new food and lifestyle choices, it causes my skin to flare up. Probiotics can help manage inflammation and restore balance.
5) Mood Disorders
There is a gut-brain connection, and an imbalance of gut bacteria may contribute to anxiety, depression, or mood swings. Probiotics have been shown to positively impact mental health.
6) Food Poisoning or Gut Infections
Recovering from foodborne illnesses or gut infections can disrupt your gut microbiome. Probiotics can aid in restoring the gut flora balance.
TIP: When travelling overseas if you're not already taking a daily probiotic and are prone to "traveller's diarrhoea" consider taking a probiotic 1-2 weeks prior to travelling and continue whilst overseas can help to reduce your likelihood of experiencing this uncomfortable and embarrassing condition.
If you experience any of these signs consistently, it may be worthwhile to incorporate probiotic-rich foods as well as a high-quality probiotic supplement into your routine to support your overall gut and immune health.
Q3. What probiotics do pharmacists recommend?
Isabella Truong, our in-house pharmacist and scientific editor believes that the best probiotics for general gut health should include strains that have been widely researched. Brands that include multiple strains and have undergone rigorous testing and stability are fundamental principles in her choosing the brand to recommend.
"As a registered pharmacist, I often see hundreds of patients week-in, week-out, prescribed with antibiotics. And in my opinion, they are often over-prescribed onto antibiotics, with many patients returning for multiple courses. More often than not, on questioning if these patients take any probiotics, many of them are not aware about probiotics. Or worse, a lot of them present with symptoms such as diarrhoea and thrush with are both associated antibiotic use and extremely common. Thus, I always educate my patients on the importance of probiotic use alongside their antibiotic prescription. While antibiotics are great in fighting infections, they also kill the healthy gut bacteria in your stomach. A simple way to bring back the balance in your gut is to introduce a good safe full spectrum probiotic such as Seed's DS-01 Daily Synbiotic. I love Seed's probiotic as it contains both probiotics and prebiotics, making it a symbiotic supplement."
Seed's DS-01 Daily Synbiotic ticks all the fundamentals mentioned above, as it contains multi-strained probiotics that have been clinically and scientifically researched to make claims for multiple conditions such as gut health, immune health, skin health and gut integrity health to name a few. It has a patented capsule-in-capsule innovation that ensures the probiotic is stable and gets delivered to the right area of the digestive tract to maintain its potency and integrity.
Q4. Do I need to take prebiotics with probiotics?
You don't necessarily need to take prebiotics with probiotics. Probiotics directly introduce live bacteria to your gut, while prebiotics feed the good bacteria already present in your intestines. Some research suggests that taking them together might be more effective, but it's not required.
Final Say
When considering adding probiotics to your diet, it's essential to focus on the quality of the products you choose. High-quality probiotics ensure you receive the most beneficial and effective strains to support your gut health.
Remember, not all probiotics are created equal; thus, selecting reputable brands that provide transparency about the strains used and their benefits is crucial.
Additionally, I encourage you to start incorporating these beneficial bacteria into your daily routine. Regular consumption of probiotics can significantly improve your digestive health and overall well-being, helping to maintain a balanced gut microbiome.
Whether through foods like yogurt and kefir or high-quality supplements, taking this step can be a positive change toward a healthier you.