Best Prebiotic and Probiotic Combo to Take
Gut health is an important factor when it comes to optimizing your overall wellness. After all, the gut helps your body digest meals, break down food, and actually absorb those good-for-you nutrients.
While probiotics are commonly used as a tool to help improve gut health, prebiotics also play a vital role in balancing the bacteria in the gut. To help you choose the best probiotic and prebiotic combination for you, we’re going to explore certain criteria to consider and review the best products on the market.
- Hot to Choose the Best Pre + Probiotic
- The Best Pre + Probiotic Combos
- Understanding Pre + Probiotics
How to Choose the Best Pre + Probiotic for You
There are dozens of prebiotic and probiotic combination supplements available, but they’re not all created equal. Here are some important factors to consider when shopping and what to look out for on the label.
Health Goals & Medical Considerations
Every body is different, and what works for one may not work best for another. When starting a new supplement, be sure to consider your individual health goals, including any medical considerations.
Because individual health conditions can significantly impact the effectiveness and safety of probiotic and prebiotic supplementation, it is recommended to consult healthcare professionals before starting any new supplement regimen, especially for people with immune system problems, serious illnesses, or pregnant women.
Strain Diversity & Quantity of Probiotics
Different bacteria strains offer different benefits, so it is important to know exactly which probiotic strains are included so you can get the most out of your supplement. A probiotic product with a diverse range of strains can potentially offer broader health benefits. Common strains include Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, and Saccharomyces. Products containing quality strains are one of the reasons some probiotics are more expensive than others.
You also want to know the quantity of each ingredient within the supplement which is measured in CFUs. A general recommendation for adults is a dosage ranging from 1 billion to 10 billion CFUs per day for maintaining your gut health. For specific conditions, such as antibiotic-associated diarrhea, higher doses may be more effective, typically in the range of 10 billion to 100 billion CFUs per day.
It is important to note that some supplements use proprietary blends, which means they don’t disclose the exact amount of each ingredient.
Prebiotic Fibers
Look for quality prebiotic fibers on the nutritional label to maximize the health benefits of your supplement. These include acai gum (also known as gum arabic), psyllium husk and enzyme-rich wheat grass, which studies show can each improve gut health and digestion.
Other Ingredients
Prebiotics and probiotics are arguably the two most important ingredients when it comes to gut health, but that doesn't mean they should be the only two. The supplement you take should also contain other gut-beneficial ingredients such as amino acids, plant-based enzymes, vitamins, and minerals.
Quality & Third-Party Testing
Last but not least, your health is important so you deserve to have a high-quality supplement. Do your research — look into the company’s reputation, manufacturing practices, and how they source their ingredients. You’ll also want to prioritize brands that have their products third-party tested for quality and purity.
The Best Probiotic + Prebiotic Combos on the Market
Now that we know what to look for in a supplement, let’s review the best probiotic and prebiotic combination supplements based on your health goals.
Best for Gut Health: Digestive Vibrance by Vibrant Health
If you're struggling with stomach issues such as bloating, gas, or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or just want to better your gut health, Digestive Vibrance is the very best supplement you could choose. It isn’t just about supporting gut health; it’s about optimizing it with a carefully chosen blend, ensuring your gut flora thrives for overall health and comfort.
Digestive Vibrance is formulated with a blend of prebiotics, fermentable fibers, and probiotics, including:
- Acacia Gum Fiber: A natural soluble fiber that enhances good gut bacteria.
- Psyllium Husk: Supports digestion, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels.
- Wheat Grass Leaf Powder: Offers essential vitamins and enzymes for nutrient absorption.
- 100 Billion CFUs across 8 strains, including Bifidobacterium longum which inhibits inflammation; Lactobacillus plantarum, Streptococcus thermophilus and more
Digestive Vibrance stands out by being third-party tested for quality, transparency in ingredient labeling, and providing an exceptional combination of Probiotics and Prebiotics for unparalleled digestive support.
Looking for more potent probiotic-rich supplements? Try Trilogy or Green Vibrance.
Best for Women’s Urinary Tract: MegaFlora Women’s Probiotic + Prebiotic by MegaFood
If you’re looking for a prebiotic and probiotic combination supplement that also supports urinary tract health, MegaFlora Women’s Probiotic + Prebiotic may be for you. Designed to support vaginal and urinary tract health, it’s packed with gut-loving ingredients with the addition of cranberry and prebiotic foods. It’s also gluten-free, vegan, and non-GMO Project Verified.
We love that it contains 14 strains of probiotics, including an extra boost of Lactobacillus rhamnosus and Lactobacillus plantarum, which studies have shown can help promote vaginal and urinary tract health. The capsules also contain a prebiotic blend from real foods: beetroot, burdock root, and dandelion root. One big downside is the probiotic blend is proprietary so don’t know exactly how much of each strain you’re getting.
- Form: Capsule
- Cost per serving: $55.99/45 servings, $1.24 per serving
Best for Mental Health: Dr. Formulated Probitoics Mood+ by Garden of Life
While physical health is important, mental health matters, too. That’s why we like to see the focus on mental well-being with the Dr. Formulated Probiotics Mood+ by Garden of Life. This prebiotic and probiotic combination supplement is not only designed to promote digestive balance but also supports emotional well-being and relaxation. Win, win!
Formulated by Brain-Health Expert and Neurologist David Perlmutter, this supplement includes 16 raw probiotic strains, including L. helveticus and B. longum, which have been clinically shown to support mood and relaxation. It also contains a plant-based blend of blueberries and ashwagandha to help support stress management. This raw probiotic supplement is gluten-free and non-GMO Project verified.
Best for Healthy Skin: Skin Squad Pre+Probiotic by HUM Nutrition
Get your daily dose of pre and probiotics while also boosting your beauty routine with Skin Squad Pre+Probiotic by HUM. This potent supplement is designed to support gut health while also promoting clarity. Win-win!
The supplement includes 9 strains of probiotics, clinically proven to support gut microbiome and healthy, glowing skin. While we love the varied strains, once again, it is a proprietary formula.
Skin Squad also contains konjac root, a prebiotic that helps feed good bacteria to the gut. It’s vegan, free of major allergens, and contains no artificial colors, sweeteners, flavors, or preservatives.
Best Gummy: Adult Prebiotic and Probiotic Immunity Formula by Smarty Pants
If you’re not a fan of taking capsules or drinking your supplements, you may want to consider a probiotic gummy. Luckily, Smarty Pants offers an Adult Prebiotic and Probiotic Immunity Formula in gummy form.
It comes in a delightful Strawberry Créme flavor and is packed with a probiotic blend including 7 billion CFU and prebiotic beta-glucan, which studies show can also support the immune system. This prebiotic and probiotic formula is vegan, non-GMO and free of artificial flavors and synthetic colors. While the price is on the lower end, the product only contains two strains of probiotics at much lower quantities than other brands so you may not get the results you’re looking for.
Understanding Prebiotics and Probiotics
Now that we understand some of the best prebiotic and probiotic blends available, let’s discuss their role in our health—specifically, our gut health.
What are Prebiotics?
Prebiotics are the non-digestible part of foods, a type of dietary fiber that acts as a food source for the beneficial bacteria (probiotics) in the gut. The prebiotic fiber goes through the small intestine undigested and is fermented when it reaches the large colon. This fermentation process then feeds beneficial bacteria in our digestive systems, maintaining digestive health, enhancing the absorption of minerals, improving bowel regularity, and potentially contributing to immune function.
Foods that naturally contain prebiotics:
- Dandelion greens
- Garlic
- Leeks
- Onion
- Asparagus
- Banana
- Artichoke
What Are Probiotics?
Probiotics are beneficial strains of live microorganisms, primarily bacteria and sometimes yeast, that restore the natural balance of gut microbiota. The human gut hosts a complex community of bacteria, and the balance of these bacteria can be affected by diet, lifestyle, medication, and health conditions. Probiotics help maintain a healthy gut flora, which is crucial for digestive health, immunity, and overall well-being.
Foods that naturally contain probiotics:
- Yogurt
- Pickles
- Sauerkraut
- Kimchi
- Kefir
- Kombucha
- Tempeh
The Synergy Between Prebiotics and Probiotics
Both prebiotics and probiotics are beneficial to our health, working together as a team. Put simply, the prebiotic fibers help fuel the probiotic bacteria — optimizing their benefits and making your probiotic supplements more effective.
Taking a prebiotic and probiotic combo has many science-backed benefits including:
- Enhanced digestive health including benefiting gastrointestinal disorders
- Improved immune function
- Better nutrient absorption
- Support for mental health and psychological function
Maximizing the Benefits of Prebiotics and Probiotics
In order to maximize the benefits of your probiotic and prebiotic wellness routine, here are some general lifestyle guidelines to take into consideration:
- Be consistent by taking your prebiotics and probiotics daily, not skipping days or taking them sporadically
- Be patient and stick with your supplement routine as results can take time
- Take them once daily, one hour after a meal, unless prescribed otherwise
- Avoid taking your probiotics along with highly acidic foods such as coffee, alcohol and fast food
- Incorporate high-fiber fruits and vegetables to help feed the probiotics and boost gut health
- Pair your supplements with a healthy exercise routine to enhance gut health
Looking for more high-quality supplements to add to your wellness routine? Check out The Best Supplements for Gut Health and Inflammation and The Best Supplements for Poor Digestion and Bloating.
