Probiotics Brands-Top 5 Brands Reviewed!

Here is some information including reviews regarding 5 of the best selling probiotics brands.  The information is from several sources including the brands website,  as well as reviews from E-commerce sites such as Amazon.  These brands are listed in no particular order.

#1-Dr. Ohhira’s Probiotics

Dr. Iichiroh Ohhira is a distinguished scientist and researcher who has lectured at universities in Korea,  Malaysia,  and Japan.  He created his namesake probiotic brand using traditional Japanese fermentation techniques.  Dr. Ohhira’s probiotics have received numerous awards including Better Nutrition Magazine’s “Best of Supplements” award.

Dr. Ohhira’s probiotics contain 12 beneficial strains of bacteria including E. faecalis TH,  which is claimed on their website to be 6.25 times stronger than any other bacteria known to bacteriologists.  Dr. Ohhira’s probiotics are 100% vegetarian and natural and contain no soy,  dairy,  or gluten.

According to Amazon,  Dr. Ohhira’s probiotics are rated 4.25 out of 5 stars with 50 reviews.

#2-Align Probiotic

Align is a probiotic brand owned by Proctor and Gamble.  P&G is a large,  well established corporation with a history of developing quality products.  And Align probiotics appear to be no exception.  Align contains Bifantis,  which is a patented strain of Bifidobacterium infantis.

Ingredients

• Bifantis (Bifidabacterium infantis)-1 billion colony forming units
• Hypromellose (Vegetarian capsule shell)
• Mircocrystalline cellulose (For uniform dispersal of live bacteria)
• Magnesium stearate (For uniform dispersal of live bacteria)
• Sugar
• Milk protein
• Sodium citrate dihydrate
• Titanium dioxide
• Proply gallate (Antioxidant stabilizer)
• Rivoflavin (Color)
• FD&C blue #1

According to Amazon,  the Align probiotic is rated 4.3 out of 5 stars with 331 reviews.  Align probiotics currently contain no lactose,  gluten,  or soy.  They do however contain milk protein,  which can be dangerous for anyone with milk allergies.

#3-Culturelle Probiotics

Culturelle probiotic supplements are another tried and true favorite.  They have several formulas including their lactose and gluten free capsules,  as well as their Culturelle for kids formula.  The ingredients differ so I won’t list them here.

Culturelle probiotics contain a strain called Lactobacillus GG.  Lactobacillus GG was discovered in 1985 by Dr. Sherwood L. Gorbach and Dr. Barry R. Goldin.  It has shown to be helpful in over 400 studies,  and the information on their site claims that this strain is better at surviving stomach acid.  Their capsules are also double foil wrapped for freshness.

According to Drugstore.com,  Culturelle’s Natural Health and Wellness was ranked 4.5 our of 5 stars with 128 reviews.  All of their other formulas ranked just as well.

#4-Puritan’s Pride Acidophilus

Puritan’s Pride is a well known and well respected company that has been around for many years.  The reason I decided to mention Puritan’s Pride is that they emphasize the original probiotic-lactobacillus acidophilus.  Lactobacillus acidophilus was first discovered in the late 1800′s,  and laid the groundwork for all of today’s research regarding probiotics benefits to overall health.

Of the 5 manufactures is this list of probiotics brands,  Puritan’s Pride acidophilus is the most affordable.  They also carry liquid and chewable acidophilus,  as well as an acidophilus complex,  and acidophilus with pectin.  Pectin is a soluble fiber that may help shield the live cultures from stomach acid as well as acting as a food source for the live organisms.

The ingredients vary,  so make sure to read the labels.  But I will say that Puritan’s Pride does not appear to add any unnecessary ingredients.  Such a simple formula may reduce the risk of any probiotics side effects.  There are currently no user reviews available.

#5-Threelac Probiotic

Threelac is a premium probiotic brand that comes in a powder form in foil packets.  It is fruit flavored and is a good solution for children or people who don’t like to take capsules.  Threelac can either be placed on the tongue,  or mixed with water or food.

Threelac contains 3 high quality probiotics that are naturally resistant to stomach acid,  as well as a prebiotic food source for the live bugs.  Threelac contains a small amount of dairy,  so people with sensitivities should use caution.

According to Amazon,  Threelac received about 4.15 out of 5 stars with 131 reviews.  On Drugstore.com Threelac received 4.5 out of 5 stars with 12 reviews.

Conclusion

I know that the long list of probiotics brands can be confusing.  But they all offer a benefit and can play a role in preventing a state of intestinal dysbiosis.  Dietary measures should also be considered.  But the important thing is that we just take action.  It’s our responsibility,  and ours alone.  After all,  nobody is going to do it for us.

• Probiotics for Children
• Probiotic Diet
• Probiotics for Infants