11 best probiotics for your gut

Review of the best according to the editorial board. On the selection criteria. This material is subjective and does not constitute advertising and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.

Many people without medical education are often confused in specific terms such as probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics. However, in the case of a visit to a pharmacy and buying similar products to stimulate the immune system and improve digestion without a prescription, you need to know what is the difference between these terms. Let's explain them in accessible language.

Probiotics are preparations that contain various beneficial live microorganisms, more often – bacteria, cocci, yeast. With regard to prebiotics, the prefix 'pre-' means 'before' and 'bio' means 'life'.

Prebiotics are drugs that do not contain strains of live bacteria, but they help them settle in the intestines, and improve the vital activity of normal microflora, help it defeat pathogenic microorganisms. In other words, prebiotics stimulate the activity of probiotics. It is advisable to prescribe these drugs in turn. An example of a prebiotic is Hilak Forte, which contains a ready-made environment for the growth and reproduction of beneficial microorganisms.

Now let's take a look at some of these extremely beneficial probiotic supplements that support healthy digestion. Strictly speaking, these substances are not drugs, because they do not contain chemicals that interfere with the metabolism of the human body. They just help us become healthy, improve immunity, get rid of dysbiosis. Consider the tools included in the popular rating of 'health helpers'.

Rating of the best probiotics for the intestines

Nomination	a place	Name of product	price
Best Monocomponent Probiotics	1	Bifidumbacterin	93 rbl.
	2	Lactobacterin	164 r
	3	Colibacterin	237 r
Best Multicomponent Probiotics	1	Acipol	376 r
	2	Yogulakt	224 r
	3	Linex	388 r
The best sorption probiotics	1	Bactistatin	389 r
	2	Bifidumbacterin forte	143 r
Best synbiotics	1	Maxilak	365 RUB
	2	Bion – 3	RUB 816
	3	Biovestin – Lacto	390 RUB

Best Monocomponent Probiotics

Monocomponent probiotics include the simplest products that contain only one type of living microorganisms in their composition. It can be normal E. coli, lactic acid bacteria, or bifidobacteria. These probiotics were the first to hit the market and are therefore called 'first generation' probiotics. Despite the fact that many other combined and complex drugs have appeared, these means for improving the microflora of the gastrointestinal tract are still not outdated. The ranking opens with a popular folk probiotic – Bifidumbacterin.

Bifidumbacterin

Rating: 4.9

This probiotic contains only live bifidobacteria that have been vacuum dried or lyophilized. Most often, you can see bifidumbacterin in powder, which is beige or grayish in color. But it is also available in capsules, tablets, vaginal and rectal suppositories, and in the form of a liquid concentrate. Like many other probiotics, bifidobacteria normalize intestinal activity, allow the synthesis of vitamins to be re-established, and help in the complex therapy of many chronic diseases.

Bifidumbacterin is indicated for various intestinal disorders, after the appointment of antibiotics, after dysentery and salmonellosis. You can use a probiotic after various extraintestinal infections, for example, in the recovery period, treatment of pneumonia. Bifidumbacterin is indicated for children, including infants, women with inflammatory diseases of the female genital organs after antibiotic therapy, and many other conditions.

Small children under the age of 6 months can only use powder, and other forms can be prescribed only from the age of three. Babies can even have the powder added to their breast milk. Usually the course of treatment is 2 weeks, and only a doctor can extend it. Probiotic capsules are taken orally half an hour before meals. The dosage is prescribed according to the instructions. Most importantly, in order to prevent deterioration of the drug, the powder should not be diluted in hot water. For 10 capsules you can pay only 100 rubles, for 20 tablets – 200 rubles, for 10 candles – 70 rubles, but 10 ml of liquid concentrate in a bottle will cost 600 rubles. Bifidumbacterin in tablets and capsules is produced by the domestic company Ecopolis, suppositories – by Lanafarm, and liquid concentrate – by Bio Long Life.

Advantages and disadvantages

Bifidumbacterin has practically no contraindications, and only individual intolerance can be attributed to the disadvantages, which Shelf life of bifidumbacterin is one year, it must be stored in the refrigerator, like other probiotics.

Lactobacterin

Rating: 4.8

Lactobacterin also belongs to the first generation probiotics, but, unlike bifidobacteria, its capsules contain live lactobacilli, or lactic acid sticks, which synthesize lactic acid. It is known that an excessive alkaline environment promotes the development of pathogenic bacteria in the intestine, but a small amount of lactic acid promotes the growth and development of normal microflora. Lactobacterin, first of all, is indicated when it is detected in the analysis of feces when sowing pathogenic staphylococci, Escherichia coli, Proteus for dysbiosis.

The pharmaceutical industry produces dry lactobacterin in the form of probiotic powder vials. The administration of lactobacterin is shown during recovery from acute intestinal infections and lingering diarrhea, which practically eliminate the entire normal microflora, with various common diseases that oppress our 'helpers'. These are the consequences of antibiotic therapy, chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Lactobacterin is indicated for the treatment of babies with various chronic and acute diseases, with skin pathology, this probiotic is indicated for patients with ulcerative colitis. It is important that it is lactobacilli, or Dederlein's sticks, that make up the main 'population' of the female genital tract, and with various vaginitis, with bacterial vaginosis, it is necessary to use locally diluted lactobacterin after sanitation to restore the vaginal microflora in women.

The usual regimen of probiotic use is to dilute the drug in one teaspoon of water. 1 bottle of lactobacterin contains 5 doses, and the preparation method (depending on age) is detailed in the instructions. For example, a baby under 6 months old can be given three doses 2 times a day, for example, to treat an intestinal infection. It can be used no longer than 10 days without a doctor's prescription. Lactobacterin is produced by the domestic company Microgen, and you can buy 10 bottles at a price of 150 rubles.

Advantages and disadvantages

The obvious advantage of lactobacterin is its use not only in the treatment of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, but also for the restoration of vaginal biocenosis in gynecological pathology, which is unusual for most probiotics. Also, lactobacterin is a probiotic that can be used in babies from the first day of life, and at the same time it is very affordable. Perhaps, only its 'narrow' composition of lactic acid bacteria is considered a disadvantage of lactobacterin, but it got into the rating for its versatility and use in gynecological practice.

Colibacterin

Rating: 4.7

The last widely known probiotic of the first generation is colibacterin. Escherichia coli is a normal Escherichia coli that does not have pathogenic properties, and in addition to the culture of the microorganism, a sugar-gelatin medium is added to this drug, all this is dried in a vacuum and packed in ampoules, 3 doses each. Unlike the other probiotics described above, there is only a form for oral administration, and each ampoule contains 30 billion living cells – that is, several times more than people live on our planet.

There is also a difference in readings. This probiotic is used for diseases that disrupt the microflora of the large intestine. This is dysentery, both chronic and protracted, enterocolitis and colitis, as well as recovery (convalescence) after various intestinal infections. This probiotic is not used in gynecological practice, since Escherichia coli should not be found in the genital tract, and use is not indicated for ulcerative intestinal lesions. Usually the contents of one ampoule are diluted with water, and after 5 minutes they are taken orally half an hour before meals. So, an adult needs an average of 10 doses per day, or three ampoules, which can be divided into several doses depending on the meal. You can take Colibacterin from the age of six months. Dry colibacterin is produced by the domestic company Microgen, and one package of 10 ampoules can be purchased at a price of 230 rubles.

Advantages and disadvantages

Of course, Colibacterin is used for more limited indications, but this cannot be considered a disadvantage of the probiotic. In some cases, there may be side reactions to the administration of the drug, which may manifest as nausea, slight abdominal discomfort, but this passes quickly and does not require any cancellation. There is, of course, an individual reaction to Colibacterin, which can manifest itself as a skin rash, diarrhea. In this case, the probiotic must be canceled. Store Colibacterin at a temperature not exceeding 10 degrees.

Best Multicomponent Probiotics

As the readers have probably already guessed, multicomponent probiotics include those preparations that include more than one species, or a strain of microorganisms, for example, combined probiotics from bifidobacteria and lactic bacteria. Since these probiotics (by the way, they are also called eubiotics) are aimed at the occurrence of symbiosis, or mutually beneficial cohabitation of microorganisms, they are sometimes also called symbiotics. Unlike first generation products, these probiotic combinations are complex and can be prescribed for more indications. This rating will present well-known and popular combinations of beneficial microorganisms, symbiotics, as well as their derivatives, created by the microbiological industry.

Acipol

Rating: 4.9

The first complex probiotic, consisting of two types of different living things, is Acipol, which is available in capsules. Each capsule contains live lactobacilli, which produce lactic acid, kefir fungi inactivated by heating. As a result, the warmed-up kefir fungus is provided with a water-soluble polysaccharide, and this polysaccharide helps lactobacilli to gain a foothold in the body. By and large, Acipol can be attributed to synbiotics, or to drugs that contain any additional substances, since kefir fungus in this form is represented by a non-living form. But it happened so historically, and it even says in popular advertising that Acipol is nothing more than kefir fungi and lactic acid sticks. Acipol is indicated for various enteritis, with salmonellosis, with rotavirus diarrhea, with non-infectious forms of gastroenteritis, which proceed with nausea, vomiting and profuse loose stools. This probiotic is also prescribed for the treatment of functional diarrhea, for example, with irritable bowel syndrome, and various forms of dysbiosis. Atopic dermatitis and psoriasis are a separate indication. Acipol can also be prescribed to healthy people in extreme conditions to prevent dysbiosis.

Adults should take capsules, preferably one capsule three times a day, half an hour before meals. Typically, the course of treatment for intestinal infections is a week, and the prophylactic course is 2 weeks. Acipol is produced by the pharmaceutical company Pharmstandard. For 30 capsules, designed for 10 days of admission, you will have to pay about 300 rubles.

Advantages and disadvantages

Acipol is a probiotic, which, with the disadvantage, perhaps has a higher cost compared to monocomponent products. It has no side effects, and hypersensitivity to the components develops very rarely, because it is practically very difficult to find a person who would be allergic to kefir, with the exception of lactase deficiency.

Yogulakt

Rating: 4.8

Yogulact is already a real complex of probiotics, which contains lactobacilli, or lactic acid bacteria, and thermophilic streptococci. Thermophilic streptococci are used in the national economy for the preparation of certain types of cheese, and in humans they help to activate the intestines by processing lactose, or milk sugar.

This probiotic belongs to biologically active additives, available in capsules of 400 mg. In addition to the usual indications, such as intestinal dysbiosis after taking antibiotics and chronic infections, Yogulact can be prescribed to relieve symptoms of food allergies, in the complex therapy of helminthic invasions, or helminthiasis, in case of impaired absorption in the intestine, or with malabsorption syndrome. Shown probiotic for children and adults living in the Far North, in places with an environmentally unfavorable environment. Yogulakt is prescribed for preventive purposes for children of the first year of life who are bottle-fed. For adults, there is a simple dosing regimen – one capsule three times a day after meals. These capsules are produced by the German manufacturer STADA, and 30 capsules can be purchased in pharmacies at a price of 350 rubles.

Advantages and disadvantages

The obvious advantages of Yogulact include a mild complex action, no side effects and no interaction with other drugs, and a relative disadvantage – a contraindication to use this probiotic in children under the age of one year, and even then due to the lack of clinical data, and a rather high price.

Linex

Rating: 4.8

The complex probiotic Linex, known in Russia, already contains three different types of microorganisms. These are the well-known acidophilic lactobacilli, or lactic acid bacilli, bifidobacteria, and enterococci. Additionally contains lactose, and excipients for the capsule shell. One capsule contains at least 12 million live bacteria that help the intestines work. Lactose makes it possible to increase the acidity in the intestine during its fermentation, which contributes to the deterioration of conditions for the development of pathogenic microorganisms. The normal microflora begins to synthesize various vitamins, which leads to an increase in immunity.

Linex is shown, like other additives to increase the body's resistance and to prevent dysbiosis, in case of symptoms such as nausea, abdominal pain, belching, constipation, bloating or flatulence. All these symptoms are related to indigestion, or dyspeptic syndrome. Linex should be prescribed for adults two capsules three times a day, and for newborns and children under two years old – one capsule each, and newborns need to open the capsule and mix with a small amount of liquid. The probiotic Linex is produced by the LEK company, and you can purchase one pack of 32 capsules for 465 rubles.

Advantages and disadvantages

Since Linex is a more balanced probiotic, it should cost more, but for some socially unprotected groups of the population, it is considered an inaccessible drug. However, he has no contraindications, and he is well tolerated, even during pregnancy and lactation. This probiotic can be used in conjunction with other medications, such as at the end of an antibiotic cycle, and even in conjunction with powerful chemotherapy drugs.

The best sorption probiotics

Sorption probiotics differ from the first two groups of probiotics simply in that the active forms of microorganisms (or their metabolites) are combined with a carrier sorbent that has a significant surface area. The sorbent can be compared to a lifebuoy for microorganisms, or a parachute. After all, all microbes that enter the alkaline environment of the intestine need to overcome the attack of gastric juice, and if the probiotic is not protected by an enteric coating, or is not deposited on a special sorbent, then its biological effectiveness can be significantly lower. That is why sorption probiotics are characterized by good digestibility and rapid recovery of intestinal function. The first of these probiotics is Baktistatin, which deservedly entered the rating.

Bactistatin

Rating: 4.9

This food supplement has a twofold nature. It contains zeolite as a carrier, but on the other hand, it does not contain live microorganisms, but contains sterilized and dried culture liquid obtained from hay bacillus, which does not contain cells of living bacteria, but contains vitamin E. In addition, the composition probiotic contains fermented soy flour as a hydrolyzate.

Bactistatin is used internally, and is packed in capsules weighing 500 milligrams. Bactistatin has a number of unique properties. The culture liquid of hay bacillus contains substances that kill pathogenic bacteria, but at the same time does not affect the beneficial microflora. Also, in the composition of the substances deposited on the zeolite, there are special hydrolytic enzymes that improve cavity and parietal digestion. The supplement contains interferon-like substances that increase the protective function of the human body against viruses. The carrier itself – zeolite is capable of removing toxins and allergens from the body, and at the same time does not contribute to a decrease in the amount of vitamins, useful proteins and amino acids.

As a result, bloating and intestinal spasms are reduced, peristalsis is normalized, and soy flour hydrolyzate promotes improved growth of normal intestinal microflora. Bactistatin, as well as other similar probiotics, is capable of treating dysbiosis, is used for gastritis with low acidity, for conditions after taking antibiotics and transferred intestinal infections, for various skin and allergic diseases, and can be used for prevention. It is prescribed one or two capsules three times a day with meals, and it is indicated for children from the age of six in a daily dose of 2 capsules. Baktistatin is produced by the Russian manufacturer Kraft LLC, and a package of 20 capsules can be purchased at a price of 270 rubles.

Advantages and disadvantages

The advantage of Bactistatin is a good inhibitory effect on pathogenic microflora, very rare cases of individual intolerance, and good ability to regulate the intestinal microflora and its balance. The negative aspects of the probiotic can be considered the lack of studies of the effect of the drug on the body of pregnant and lactating women, therefore pregnancy and lactation are contraindications to use.

Bifidumbacterin forte

Rating: 4.8

Bifidumbacterin Forte could be considered a monocomponent probiotic, since it contains only bifidobacteria. But these beneficial microorganisms are sorbed on activated carbon, and each bag or capsule contains at least 50 million colony-forming units, or sources of beneficial microflora. This probiotic is able to normalize the intestinal microflora, improve digestion, and modulate immunity. The range of indications for admission is very wide. These are various acute intestinal infections, food poisoning, inflammatory and infectious processes that are not related to the intestines. These are bronchitis and pneumonia, these are functional conditions such as constipation, chronic pancreatitis and cholecystitis, malabsorption syndrome, allergies, and even urinary tract infection. As in other cases, Bifidumbacterin can be taken during the recovery period after surgery, as well as preparatory measures for various types of treatment.

These capsules are taken during a meal, and, if necessary, independently of it, since activated carbon protects microorganisms from the harmful effects of gastric acid. As for the powder, it can be mixed with any fermented milk product and consumed internally. For the treatment of acute intestinal infections, one week of admission is enough, and for preventive treatment, Bifidumbacterin Forte can be used for up to 2 weeks, and the remedy can even be prescribed to children under one year old. This probiotic is produced by CJSC Partner, and the cost of one package is about 200 rubles.

Advantages and disadvantages

The advantage of Bifidumbacterin can be considered a fast and active action, since the concentration of microorganisms on activated carbon is very high, and the activated carbon itself is capable of working as a sorbent and taking toxic substances from the body. This probiotic has no side effects, it is approved for use in pregnant and lactating women, and individual intolerance is extremely rare. The only thing to consider is that the sorbent always remains a sorbent, and if the patient takes Bifidumbacterin Forte together with other drugs, this will lead to a decrease in their activity, since activated carbon often absorbs medicinal substances.

Best synbiotics

Finally, we will present the last group of drugs in the ranking of synbiotics, from the Latin sin – together. These preparations immediately contain live microflora, that is, probiotics, as well as agents that improve its settlement inside the intestine, that is, prebiotics. In other words, these probiotics can be compared to seeds that have been placed in a nutrient medium beforehand. Such probiotics can be considered very active and useful nutritional supplements, and cope much better with various diseases as part of complex therapy than 1st generation drugs. The rating includes several well-known and popular synbiotics.

Maxilak

Rating: 4.9

The composition of Maksilak includes not only lactobacilli, or lactic acid fermentation sticks, of which there are as many as 4 types, but also three types of bifidobacteria, various types of cocci. In order to improve their performance, a low-size oligosaccharide – fructose is immediately added to the additive. It is not only a nutritional substrate for beneficial microflora, but also is able to suppress pathogenic flora. This drug is produced in the form of special capsules that do not dissolve under the influence of gastric juice, and they can be stored not even in the refrigerator, but at room temperature. This remedy is indicated for both adults and children from the age of 3 years. Indications for use of Maxilac will be standard. These are various types of dysbiosis, long-term use of antibiotics for various bacterial infections, viral diarrhea, functional constipation and other conditions.

In total, Maksilak contains 9 different types of microorganisms, and you need to take it one capsule 1 time per day with meals, preferably in the evening. It is advisable for children to pour the capsule into lactic acid products or into water, but not into hot water. This probiotic is produced by the Polish company Gene EXO, and a package of 10 capsules, designed for a course of 10 days, can be purchased at a price starting from 400 rubles.

Advantages and disadvantages

Perhaps, according to the combination of various microorganisms, Maxilac can be considered one of the most active and many component of all the funds in this rating. It does not have contraindications to its use, it can be used in pregnant and lactating women, and only individual intolerance, which develops very rarely, can serve as a reason for discontinuing the drug. It is extremely important that this product can be stored at room temperature for 2 years, and only the price of 40 rubles. and higher per capsule may limit the use of this really very useful agent.

Bion – 3

Rating: 4.8

But it turns out that there is no limit to perfection and price increases for any probiotics. Such an even more interesting tool is Bion-3. It can be considered that this drug is a multivitamin complex that contains a variety of vitamins, such as folic acid, vitamin B6, pantothenic acid, biotin, fat-soluble vitamins A and E, ascorbic acid, and all the B vitamins. In addition, it contains includes calcium, molybdenum, magnesium, iron, zinc and other trace elements. As for the 'live part', it is provided by lactic acid bacteria and bifidobacteria. In essence, Bion-3 is a source of vitamins, minerals and microelements, and various microorganisms. Therefore, it is most often used for prophylactic purposes, both for adults and children over 14 years old. It is enough to use the drug one tablet daily, the course of administration is one month.

This food supplement is produced by the Austrian company Merck, and one package, designed for a monthly intake, can be purchased at a price of 710 rubles.

Advantages and disadvantages

Naturally, the more components a different drug has, the more restrictions it has. So, in addition to standard intolerance, the drug is not recommended in children under 14 years of age, with renal failure, excess calcium, thyroid hyperfunction. Since there are such contraindications, it is necessary to consult a doctor before use. This tool is already a drug in the middle price category, which can also limit its sales.

Biovestin – Lacto

Rating: 4.7

Biovestin – Lacto includes live and active bifidobacteria, and the strain of these microorganisms is distinguished by a significant reproduction rate, and intolerance to various pathogenic microbes. In addition, the composition of this drug includes lactic acid sticks, and the metabolic products of these very bifido – and lactobacilli. These products create a favorable biochemical environment around the growing colony, which makes it difficult for representatives of the pathogenic flora to access them.

Biovestin-Lacto is indicated for all conditions that were listed for all drugs above, as well as during pregnancy and before childbirth, during treatment with hormones, chemotherapy and radiation therapy, for stress, anemia and vitamin deficiency conditions, and for various digestive disorders and for treatment acute intestinal infections. Biovestin-Lacto can be used even in newborn babies, and for adults the daily dose is 12 ml, the drug is used in liquid form and is taken before eating. In healthy patients, for the prevention of pathological conditions, it is necessary to undergo a course of treatment for 1 month 3 times a year. Biovestin-Lakto is produced by the Russian company Bio-West, and 7 vials of 12 milliliters can be purchased for 270 rubles. Thus, this is the weekly adult dose.

Advantages and disadvantages

Since this agent is an active food additive, only the state of individual intolerance, as well as intolerance to lactose and milk protein, can be indicated as a contraindication, since Biovestin-Lacto contains skim milk. A relative inconvenience will be the need to use the warm zone of the refrigerator, since this tool must be stored in its door, at a temperature of about plus 4 degrees, no more than 2 months.

In that case, the conclusion must be said that, despite the fact that all the drugs included in the rating, and containing live microorganisms, are essentially over-the-counter food supplements, it is necessary to consult a doctor at the very first intake, especially when it comes to breastfeeding babies age, and even more so for newborns. Despite the fact that cases of individual intolerance are very rare for these drugs, consultation with a pediatrician will never be superfluous.

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Attention! This rating is subjective and does not constitute an advertisement and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.