You’re probably well aware that these beneficial bugs are crucial for your gut health, and you may even be familiar with the wide array of probiotic foods (kombucha, kimchi, and yogurt, to name a few!) that help nourish your gut microbiome.* And while a diet rich in these foods is certainly important for maintaining a healthy gut, sometimes our body needs a little extra support in the form of probiotic supplements.* Now, that’s where things get a little more complicated. Here’s the thing: Not all probiotic supplements are created equal. And since there are so many probiotic supplements out there to choose from, I tapped mindbodygreen’s VP of scientific affairs Ashley Jordan Ferira, Ph.D., RDN, and a few other experts, to help cut through the noise. In other words, these are live organisms that, when administered in adequate amounts (like in a supplement capsule filled with tens of billions of live bacteria) can bring health benefits to the host (us).* One of the most common, straightforward ways to incorporate more of these good bugs is through a high-quality probiotic supplement. When you take a probiotic supplement, you add more of these good bugs to your gut.* Here’s a closer look at how probiotics can affect your health: Look for ones that contain ingredients at effective doses that have been researched in humans for gut health, are low in “other ingredients,” and come from a trusted brand (cue the 9 above!). And as always, talk to your doctor before incorporating any new supplement into your routine.
