What is the best probiotic for uti

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The best probiotic for females depends on the person’s health goals because different bacteria do different things. For example, Bifidobacterium may help with gut health, while Lactobacillus may support vaginal health.

A probiotic is a live microorganism that may benefit a person when consumed in the right amounts.

According to an article in Advanced Nutrition, probiotics mainly consist of bacteria, but some yeasts could also be probiotics.

Probiotics live throughout the body and are especially prevalent in the digestive tract, where they may inhibit the growth of harmful microorganisms. Gut bacteria also have many other functions, including supplying essential nutrients.

Imbalances in bacteria happen for several reasons, including:

• chronic illness
• a side effect of taking antibiotics and other medications
• diet

Taking probiotic supplements may benefit the beneficial bacteria naturally found in a person’s body. But research on the effectiveness of probiotics in treating various illnesses is not conclusive.

People interested in taking a probiotic supplement should discuss it with a healthcare professional. They can help decide if probiotics would be beneficial and which strains may be most effective for specific health needs.

Most probiotic manufacturers measure bacteria count according to colony-forming units, or CFU. A higher CFU number means the product contains more bacteria.

Learn more about the best probiotics here.

Companies may advertise that they have designed the probiotics for a specific purpose, such as digestive or vaginal health. However, probiotics have not been determined as universally safe or effective. A person should discuss with their doctor whether the product they are considering is suitable for them.

This article highlights both probiotic supplements that may help prevent female reproductive health problems, as well as others that may help support a variety of other health concerns.

Learn more about product vetting.

Healthy gut bacteria feed on fiber and some other prebiotic foods, so experts recommend that people eat a diet rich in high fiber foods such as fruits and vegetables.

To improve digestion, choose probiotics known to support gut health, such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacteria species. The L. rhamnosus GG strain, in particular, has many protective factors that may benefit gut health, for example, inhibiting the growth of some salmonella bacteria.

Taking a probiotic supplement will not always benefit a person’s digestive health and should not replace a healthy lifestyle. People should ensure they are:

• eating a healthy diet
• getting enough sleep
• aiming to reduce stress
• avoiding smoking
• avoiding excessive alcohol consumption

These measures are more important for a person’s overall digestive health and maintaining a healthy microbiome than taking a probiotic.

Culturelle Digestive Daily Probiotic Capsules

Best for easing bloating

These capsules include L. rhamnosus GG, which may help support digestive health and ease bloating and diarrhea. Additionally, it contains the prebiotic inulin to support the gut’s microbiome.

The company states that this supplement is vegetarian and free from gluten, milk, gelatin, and soy. Culturelle recommends that individuals should take 1 capsule per day for best results.

The company also claims that it contains 10 billion CFUs. This product does not require refrigeration.

Enjoy 20% off with code “guthealth”.

Florastor Daily Probiotic Supplement

Best for those on antibiotics

Florastor is vegetarian and contains no genetically modified organisms (GMOs). It includes the yeast S. boulardii, which may help prevent antibiotic-related and infectious diarrhea.

The description of the product on Amazon claims it is suitable for people who are lactose intolerant. However, this company website does not make this claim and the product does contain lactose.

This product comes in capsule form. Each capsule contains 250 mg of its probiotic strain.

According to the company, this probiotic supplement will not interact with antibiotics and can help the body break down undigested sugar and carbohydrates. It does not require refrigeration.

Pure Encapsulations Probiotic G.I.

Best for gastrointestinal health

This probiotic contains 10 billion CFU per capsule and has six different strains, including L. acidophilus, Bifidobacterium, and Streptococcus thermophilus.

The company claims that this product helps support gastrointestinal health by maintaining cellular activity and supporting the intestinal barrier and immune function.

People should take 1 capsule per day. The company recommends refrigerating the probiotic.

A 2019 meta-analysis observed probiotics might inhibit the growth of bacteria associated with bacterial vaginosis and help maintain a bacterial balance. But more research is needed to support these findings.

Research suggests that taking probiotics containing L. acidophilus, L. rhamnosus GR-1, and L. fermentum RC-14 strains at a dose of 10 CFU/day for 2 months inhibits bacterial growth associated with vaginosis, reducing the risk of vaginal infections.

Garden of Life Raw Probiotics Vaginal Care

Best for vaginal care

This probiotic has 50 billion CFUs and 38 different strains of probiotics, including L. acidophilus and Bifidobacterium. It comes in the form of a capsule.

It also includes a blend of raw fruits and vegetables as prebiotics that Garden of Life says is to support the natural growth of healthy vaginal flora.

According to the company, it is free from gluten and soy, non-GMO, and vegetarian with no binders, fillers, or carriers. This product does not need refrigeration.

Love Wellness Good Girl Probiotics

Best for urinary tract health

This probiotic has 1 billion CFUs and 8 different strains of probiotics, including L. acidophilusandL. Gasseri. It comes in the form of a capsule.

The company claims the product may help maintain a balanced vaginal pH and can support the vaginal microbiome. It is free from gluten, dairy, and inflammatory preservatives.

For those who find it hard to swallow pills, the company recommends emptying the capsules into a drink or smoothie. The product does not require refrigeration.

When purchasing any probiotic for overall health, a person should be aware that there is little research into the health benefits of probiotics and may find it difficult to determine their effectiveness.

While it is common for some people to take probiotic supplements to promote their overall health, and suggested by many healthcare providers for various conditions, it is important to understand that not all probiotics are effective or safe for everyone. It is much more important for an individual to support their overall health by focusing on diet and lifestyle as a whole rather than on taking one specific supplement.

The health benefits of probiotics are strain-specific, and probiotics for overall health often contain a lot of live microorganisms rather than single strains. This makes it difficult for a person to determine whether research supports the health benefits that the manufacturers claim.

Three probiotic options for overall health include:

Garden of Life Raw Probiotics Women

Best for a raw probiotic

Garden of Life’s Raw probiotics capsules contains a high bacteria CFU of 85 billion and 33 different types of bacteria, including L. acidophilus and Bifidobacterium. It also contains vitamins C, D, E, and more.

According to Garden of Life, every product in its Raw collection is “uncooked, untreated, and unadulterated and contains no binders, fillers, or carriers.”

These capsules are vegetarian, non-GMO, and gluten-free.

This product requires refrigeration.

Thorne Bacillus Coagulans

Best for bowel regularity

This probiotic contains a minimum of 2 billion CFU of Bacillus Coagulans per capsule.

The company claims that this probiotic is suitable for those who wish to support their bowel function. This product may help ease symptoms such as occasional gas, bloating, constipation, or diarrhea.

Thorne says people should take 1 capsule two or three times daily. The company states that this product is free from gluten, dairy, and soy and is suitable for vegans.

Persona Daily Probiotic

Best for promoting overall health

Persona claims that this vegetarian probiotic can support healthy digestion, immune health, and emotional well-being.

Each capsule contains 10 billion CFU of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG.

The company recommends people take the probiotic differently depending on the time of day:

• in the morning, take with or after breakfast
• in the evening, take with a snack or dinner
• at night, take an hour before going to bed

Persona states that this product is non-GMO and free from gluten, dairy, lactose, corn, egg, fish, shellfish, nuts, wheat, and soy. However, the company also says that it manufactures the probiotics in a facility that handles these allergens, so cross-contamination may occur.

A person taking probiotic supplements may experience the following side effects:

• gastrointestinal symptoms such as bloating, stomach cramps, diarrhea, and gas
• dermatological symptoms such as rashes or acne

If these side effects are severe or last for longer than 2 weeks, a person should see a doctor. While taking probiotics is mostly safe. In rare cases, it can lead to a serious fungal or bacterial infection.

What are probiotics good for?

The research on the benefit of probiotics is not conclusive. However, some studies suggest that taking a probiotic supplement may help with conditions, such as:

• antibiotic-related diarrhea
• obesity
• IBS
• atopic dermatitis

Experts also note that Lactobacillus species may help alleviate symptoms of antibiotic-related diarrhea.

What is the best probiotic for a woman to take?

For females, in particular, research shows that certain strains of probiotics may be better for helping maintain the health of the female reproductive system and urinary tract. For example, researchers have found that many women whose vaginal canals are colonized by lactobacilli have never had a UTI, compared to women who do not have this strain.

In another 2016 study, treatment with probiotics helped improve and prevent a number of urogenital infections both on its own and together with other treatments.

What are the signs you need probiotics?

Cases when probiotics can help include when a person is having digestive problems, issues with sleep, frequent colds, recurring UTIs or vaginal infections, or recurring rashes on the skin.

However, before purchasing a probiotic, it is important to know that probiotic supplements are not necessary for everyone. In fact, an individual should not use probiotics as an alternative to seeking advice from a healthcare professional.

People should contact a healthcare professional to discuss taking a probiotic before purchasing any products. The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health states that this may be particularly important for those with a health condition, as doctors may wish to monitor their health closely if they take any probiotics.

The most effective probiotic is one that contains the correct bacteria for a person’s specific needs.

As with any supplement, a person should talk with a doctor before taking a probiotic, especially if they are on medication or have underlying health issues.

While probiotics may help some people, they are not a cure for any illness. If symptoms persist, an individual should consult a doctor.