How to Choose the Best Probiotic for Your Gut
Probiotics have started popping up everywhere— as you walk through the aisle in a store, in the news, all over the web. More and more options are springing up, and you feel a probiotic could help you. The question now: How do I choose a good probiotic for my gut?
As the conversation around gut health grows, so do the number of ways you can help support your gut.* You can eat foods with live cultures like yogurt. You could take a probiotic supplement. You might also hear that you should take prebiotics.
With so much information out there and so many choices, you need to make sense of it all to do what’s best for your gut. The good news is that Align, the pro in probiotics, is here to help you navigate choosing the best probiotic for you.
Probiotic Pro Tip: One of the best ways to guarantee you get probiotics in your gut without changing your diet is by taking a supplement.
As the conversation around gut health grows, so do the number of ways you can help support your gut.* You can eat foods with live cultures like yogurt. You could take a probiotic supplement. You might also hear that you should take prebiotics.
With so much information out there and so many choices, you need to make sense of it all to do what’s best for your gut. The good news is that Align, the pro in probiotics, is here to help you navigate choosing the best probiotic for you.
Probiotic Pro Tip: One of the best ways to guarantee you get probiotics in your gut without changing your diet is by taking a supplement.
How to Choose a Probiotic Supplement
No one probiotic is right for every person. According to the International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP), there are five criteria to consider when choosing a probiotic supplement.
1. Probiotic Strain
Different strains of probiotics can provide different benefits. Research the strain used in your probiotic so you know how it can help your digestive system. Some probiotic strains will be a better fit for your gut health goals than others.
Align’s flagship strain, for example, Bifidobacterium 35624 can help support your digestive system with healthy bacteria 24/7 and maintain your digestive system’s natural balance with continued daily use.*
Align’s flagship strain, for example, Bifidobacterium 35624 can help support your digestive system with healthy bacteria 24/7 and maintain your digestive system’s natural balance with continued daily use.*
2. Effective Dosing
Probiotic Pro Tip: More is not always better in the world of probiotics.
Probiotic supplement dosing is measured by colony-forming units, or CFUs. The probiotic strain determines how many CFUs are necessary to deliver the intended health benefit. When choosing a probiotic, focus less on the number of CFUs and instead nail down what strain you need. Then research how many CFUs are needed to get that probiotic strain’s health benefit. Choosing a probiotic with the highest number of CFUs doesn’t guarantee its effectiveness; what’s important is choosing the strain that can give you the benefits you need.
Probiotic supplement dosing is measured by colony-forming units, or CFUs. The probiotic strain determines how many CFUs are necessary to deliver the intended health benefit. When choosing a probiotic, focus less on the number of CFUs and instead nail down what strain you need. Then research how many CFUs are needed to get that probiotic strain’s health benefit. Choosing a probiotic with the highest number of CFUs doesn’t guarantee its effectiveness; what’s important is choosing the strain that can give you the benefits you need.
3. Proof of Benefit
Look for the specific strain on the packaging of the probiotic you’re considering. From there, check that studies on the benefits of that strain were published in credible, peer-reviewed journals. These are just the technical journals scientist publish their research in. Peer reviewed means that other scientist reviewed the publication with a chance to comment on any flaws in the design or results.
Wondering why you don’t always see a strain listed on the packaging for a probiotic supplement? Not all probiotic brands report the strain in their product. But if you don’t know the strains in a probiotic supplement, how are you supposed to figure out what benefit to expect? The answer is simple—you won’t know. For peace of mind, look for probiotic supplements that clearly label their strains in the Supplement Facts box.
Probiotic Pro Tip: Not all probiotics have scientific evidence to support their claims. Make sure the probiotic you choose does.
Wondering why you don’t always see a strain listed on the packaging for a probiotic supplement? Not all probiotic brands report the strain in their product. But if you don’t know the strains in a probiotic supplement, how are you supposed to figure out what benefit to expect? The answer is simple—you won’t know. For peace of mind, look for probiotic supplements that clearly label their strains in the Supplement Facts box.
Probiotic Pro Tip: Not all probiotics have scientific evidence to support their claims. Make sure the probiotic you choose does.
4. Packaging
The probiotic bacteria need to be alive when they reach your gut. Otherwise you will not receive any benefits. That’s why packaging is key to choosing the best probiotic for you. At Align, we take this to heart. We design packaging for each type of probiotic supplement in the best way to make sure the good bacteria remain alive so they can help support your gut.* For example, Align Probiotic 24/7 Digestive Support capsules come in blister packs, and Align DualBiotic Prebiotic + Probiotic Gummies come in foil-sealed bottles to keep moisture out.
5. Recommendations
Among scientists and medical professionals, some probiotics have a better reputation than others. Align is the #1 doctor and gastroenterologist recommended probiotic brand.‡
Now that you know what to look for, read on to see why Align is right for you.
Now that you know what to look for, read on to see why Align is right for you.
9 Reasons Why Align Could Be the Best Probiotic for You
Trust the Pro in Probiotics. With decades of research and commitment to supporting your healthy gut,* Align Probiotics continues to show up for you every day. Make the gummies a part of your daily wellness routine. Help protect your digestive balance*
with daily use of our flagship 35624 strain. Align shows up in the way you need it.
Keep reading for 9 reasons why you should choose Align.
1. Align has been researched—for decades.
Align has 20+ years of research backing its flagship strain, 35624. It’s been featured in over 50 publications and abstracts and won the 2010 Gold Edison Award for health innovation. Consider your gut checked.
2. Align cares about its product from creation to consumption.
Align uses freeze-drying technology to make the probiotic go dormant to guarantee the bacteria is alive and ready to work when you take it. Plus, each type of probiotic supplement comes packaged in the best way to ensure the bacteria stay alive. Align capsules come in blister packs, while Align gummies come in foil-sealed bottles to keep moisture out, and the bacteria alive. Align users can feel confident the good bacteria will help build and maintain a strong, healthy gut.*
3. You can get prebiotic benefits from Align, too.
Prebiotics are the nutrients your naturally occurring good bacteria in your gut need to thrive. Some Align products include a prebiotic and probiotic in one form. These include:
- Align DualBiotic Prebiotic + Probiotic Gummies Supplement
- Align Women’s Health Prebiotic + Probiotic Gummies Supplement
- Align Energy & Immune Prebiotic + Probiotic Supplement Gummies
- Align Digestive Health Prebiotic + Probiotic Supplement Gummies
- Align Kids Probiotic Supplement Gummies
4. Align has gummies specifically for women…
Align’s Women's Health Prebiotic + Probiotic Supplement Gummies support a healthy digestive system and maintains urinary tract health. The prebiotics nourish the good bacteria in your digestive system. The probiotics add even more good bacteria. Plus, they include an effective dose of cranberry to help maintain feminine health.
5. …and for kids, too!
Kids need healthy digestive systems, too. Align Kids Probiotic Gummies are made with a prebiotic to nourish the good bacteria in your digestive system and a probiotic to add more good bacteria. Plus, every gummy is packed with great-tasting natural fruit flavors and up to 50% less sugar than the leading probiotic gummy brand.
Learn about probiotics for kids.
6. Doctors recommend Align, too.
Align is the #1 doctor and gastroenterologist recommended brand. Align has been Gastroenterologist #1 choice for over ten years in a row.‡ Align user Julie said, “Align gives me confidence because my gastroenterologist likes the product.”
7. The majority of Align users recommend it to their friends
89% of Align 24/7 Digestive Support*§ users recommend Align to their friends. Align users love it so much that it was the most repurchased probiotic brand in 2018.
Nick, an Align user, says this to people who are thinking of trying probiotics: “I want to push this out there on people who might be scared to speak up [about their digestion]. I would say take the leap on at least finding out what’s going on internally. Whatever’s in that closet, let it out. Get it figured out. When I took the first step, it was the best step I’ve ever taken.”
People who try Align love Align. Learn more about how Align has helped people by reading this post.
Nick, an Align user, says this to people who are thinking of trying probiotics: “I want to push this out there on people who might be scared to speak up [about their digestion]. I would say take the leap on at least finding out what’s going on internally. Whatever’s in that closet, let it out. Get it figured out. When I took the first step, it was the best step I’ve ever taken.”
People who try Align love Align. Learn more about how Align has helped people by reading this post.
8. You can take Align with you wherever you go.
Some probiotic supplements require refrigerated storage in order to ensure the bacteria reach your gut alive. That’s not the case with Align. No matter what Align Probiotic you choose, you can take it whenever and wherever you go without worrying about finding the nearest fridge. That gives you the freedom to explore anywhere from your neighborhood to a foreign country without missing your daily Align.
9. Align won’t let you spare a dime if you’re not satisfied.
Align has a money-back guarantee. We believe in Align so much, that we’ll give your money back if you don’t love it too. Simple as that.
Now that you’re familiar with Align, take a look at the products we offer so you can pick the one that’s right for you. Your gut deserves the best. Align is ready to help it today.