The Best Vegan Probiotic Supplements Plus How to Spot Non-Vegan Probiotics
Constant bloating, excessive gas, and various issues when you visit the restroom indicates that your digestive health could use some TLC. These symptoms are not only uncomfortable and sometimes painful, but they can be embarrassing too.Along with watching your diet, since you may have a food sensitivity or your diet may be full of unhealthy foods that do nothing good for you in reality (yes, that feeling of satisfaction as you munch on some tasty sweet treat or that bag of potato chips is duping you), you might find probiotics helpful.Our gut really is like our second brain. An unhealthy gut affects more than just your gut. The importance of a healthy gut cannot be understated. But, what exactly are probiotics? Simply put, they are helpful strains of bacteria occur naturally in your gut and even other parts of your body.
We’ll be discussing all the benefits soon, but let’s start off with some of the best vegan probiotic supplements.
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The Best Vegan Probiotic Supplements
1. Mary Ruth’s Organic Liquid Probiotics
Our Verdict: Best for Those Who Don’t Like Capsules
If you struggle to swallow capsules and pills, Mary Ruth’s Organic Liquid Probiotic is a great alternative. It’s USDA organic certified and free from dairy, gluten, wheat, corn, soy, nuts, eggs, and is non-GMO and raw.If you have other diet restrictions such as being paleo, on a ketogenic diet, or have undergone any bariatric surgery, this supplement is safe for you to take. Worried about the flavor? This supplement has little to no flavor so you can easily add it to cold foods or juice. When you can taste it, the flavor is slightly earthy but is very subtle.The glass bottle only contains 4 fl.oz but you get 40 servings per bottle. The only thing is to double check with your doctor about allergies as 3 organic kinds of grass are used to source the probiotics. No refrigeration necessary. If you have any questions, Mary Ruth’s have great customer service.
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- Lactobacillus-Acidophilus
- L-Rhamnosus
- L-Salivarius
- L-Casei
- L-Plantarum
- Lactococcus-Lactis
- Streptococcus-Thermophilus
- Bifidobacterium-Bifidum
- B-Lactis
- B-Infantis
- B-Breve
- B-Longumwater
Pros:
- Safe for children and adults alike
- Contains 12 probiotic strains
- USDA certified organic and 100% raw
- May help with bloating and digestion
- Comes with a dropper and spray attachment
Cons:
- Make sure you don’t have allergies when it comes to different grasses
- No CFU mentioned
- Can be a bit pricey for those on a budget
2. Ora Organic Probiotic Capsules with Prebiotics
Our Verdict: Best Organic Probiotic
Ora Organic probiotic capsules are made from organic ingredients in California. They are free from synthetic fillers and colorants, soy, and sugar. They also contain a prebiotic which is what feeds the good bacteria and improves their ability to work in the gut.With around 16 billion CFU, 6 different strains of probiotics, this supplement is great for daily use to maintain a healthy gut. Despite containing 60 capsules, if you go with the full dose, you only get 30 servings. It also comes in a glass bottle so these are good for you and the environment.
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- Lactobacillus acidophilus
- Lactobacillus reuteri
- Bifidobacterium bifidum
- Bifidobacterium breve
- Bifidobacterium lactis
- Bifidobacterium longum
- Organic Jerusalem Artichoke Prebiotic
- Organic Vegan Capsule
Pros:
- Contains 6 probiotic strains (16 billion CFU)
- Contains prebiotics
- USDA certified organic
- May be helpful for correcting SIBO
- May help with cramps and excessive gas
Cons:
- Taking two capsules at a time will mean going through them quicker
3. Dr. Stern Rebalance Essential Probiotic Plus Glutamine
Our Verdict: Best All Round Probiotic
The Dr. Stern Rebalance Essential Probiotic includes prebiotics to improve the functioning of the 12 probiotic strains in each capsule. There are no fillers, gluten, corn, dairy, eggs, or gelatine and all the ingredients are non-GMO. This supplement also contains L-glutamine, an amino acid which is known to be beneficial to gut health.It’s produced in the U.S. and was created by Dr. Ian Stern who has over 20 years of experience as a health and nutrition specialist. At least until this supplement ends up at a store, it’s kept in a temperature controlled facility to ensure the probiotics are live.Although there are 60 capsules, a full dose would mean that you only get 30 servings per bottle.
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- Prebiotic/Probiotic Blend
- L-Glutamine
- Organic inulin
- Lactobacillus Acidophilus
- Lactobacillus Fermentum
- Lactobacillus Plantarum
- Lactobacillus Rhamnosus
- Lactobacillus Salivarius
- Lactobacillus Paracasei
- Bifidobacterium Bifidum
- Bifidobacterium Infantis
- Streptococcus Thermophilus
- Lactobacillus Casei
- Lactobacillus Bulgaricus
- Bifidobacterium Lactis
Pros:
- 12 probiotic strains (20 billion CFU).
- Contains a prebiotic and L-glutamine.
- Formulated by a health and nutrition specialist of over 20 years.
- May be helpful for those with excessive gas and IBS (irritable bowel syndrome).
- May improve digestive health and keep you regular.
Cons:
- At a full dose of 2 capsules per day, you may run out quicker than you would prefer.
4. Now Foods Probiotic-10 25 Billion
Our Verdict: Best Budget Buy
Now Foods is a company that has been around for quite a while and sends everything they produce for testing including the Now Probiotic-10. This probiotic contains 10 strains and 25 billion CFU as well as a prebiotic.At 50 servings per bottle, this probiotic supplement is very economical. It also contains no gluten, wheat, soy, dairy, eggs, gelatine, salt, starch, or harmful preservatives, and is vegan.There are extra ingredients that go into making the capsules, and depending on where you stand on products containing silica, this may not be the supplement for those you, especially if you prefer supplements with no fillers or additives. It’s best to refrigerate this supplement so it can be tricky if you want to take it along on holiday.
Click For Full Ingredient List
- Lactobacillus acidophilus
- Bifidobacterium bifidum
- Lactobacillus plantarum
- Lactobacillus salivarious
- Lactobacillus casei
- Lactobacillus paracasei
- Lactobacillus rhamnosus
- Bifidobacterium breve
- Bifidobacterium longum
- Streptococcus thermophilus
Pros:
- 10 probiotic strains (25 billion CFU)
- Contains a prebiotic.
- Tested for effectiveness and quality
- One bottle contains 50 servings
- Can help to improve overall digestive health
Cons:
- Contains some fillers/additives which some people may not like
- Best to refrigerate which makes traveling tricky
5. Bioganix BioPro-50 Probiotic
Our Verdict: Best if You Need a High Potency Probiotic
Bioganix BioPro-50 Probiotic are 3rd party lab tested and produced in the U.S. in an FDA and GMP approved facility so quality is guaranteed. They contain 50 billion CFU so they are quite potent and with 11 probiotic strains and a prebiotic your gut will be populated with a variety of good bacteria especially if you’ve been on antibiotics recently.You can choose between 30 capsules (1 month) or 60 capsules (2 months) which is convenient and they don’t need to be stored in the fridge. These capsules are easy to swallow. Having said this, 50 billion CFU is quite a bit and some people might not need such a high dose.
Click For Full Ingredient List
- Bifidobacterium lactis
- Lactobacillus acidophilus
- Bifidobacterium longum
- Bifidobacterium bifidum
- Lactobacillus casei
- Lactobacillus plantarum
- Lactobacillus gasseri
- Lactobacillus salivarius
- Lactobacillus rhamnosus
- Lactobacillus bulgaricus
- Lactospore (basillus coagulans)
- NutraFlora (prebiotic fiber)
Pros:
- 11 probiotic strains (50 billion CFU).
- Contains a prebiotic.
- 3rd party lab tested.
- May help with IBS
- Can improve overall digestive health.
Cons:
- The high CFU may be a bit too much for some people, especially in the beginning.
How to Choose the Best Probiotic for Vegans
A probiotic with a variety of strains are the best for most people. The various strains all perform different functions in the gut and so essentially you’ll be covering all your bases.CFU refers to the number of live probiotics in the supplements but there often no guarantee that you will truly get that specified amount. You can see what strength you prefer.But there are also a few things you want to avoid in supplements:
- Gelatine
- Animal-derived cellulose
- Dairy (including lactose)
- Artificial colors
- Sugar
Silica is another common additive which is considered to be safe for the most part, but due to more research being needed (it’s FDA approved, but the European Food Safety Authority has limited its use), some people may prefer not to use supplements containing it.
Searching for the Best Non-Dairy Probiotic Supplement May Not Be Enough
Yes, the bacteria in the probiotics don’t necessarily contain any dairy, but the various Lactobacillus strains are grown on dairy by some companies. So if you do not support any companies who use animal-derived products at all, be sure to be careful about the brand you choose.This is one of the biggest differences between the best vegetarian probiotics and those that are into veganism.These Lactobacillus strains are able to be grown using plant-based methods. So look out for those brands who do this instead.
Benefits of Probiotics and Good Gut Health
Digestive troubles are enough to make anyone miserable but that aside, a healthy gut means:
- Better absorption of nutrients
- Less inflammation
- More energy
- A stronger immune system
- An overall sense of wellbeing
While it might seem gross to consume bacteria, certain types of (probiotics) are good for you and very necessary. Just to set an example, Spirulina contains probiotics, which is the so called Microflora. And that is very good for your overall health and energy levels.
Probiotics can help to improve gut health, and eating probiotic foods are a great way to reap a wide range of benefits. Although more research is needed, probiotics have been proven to be helpful for:
- Dental health
- Treating IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome)
- Treating ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease
- Improving the immune system
- Help to heal skin problems like eczema
- Anxiety
- Stress
- Depression
- Improved digestion
- Lowering cholesterol levels
Probiotic Foods
There are a few foods that are probiotic but not everyone enjoys the taste:
- Kimchi
- Miso
- Sauerkraut
- Yogurt (plant-based yogurt too, particularly with added live cultures)
- Kombucha
- Pickles (those pickled in salt water, not vinegar)
- Sourdough bread
Check out this recipe if you want to make your own Kimchi.
If you don’t enjoy the flavor of these foods or struggle to find them in stores, a supplement is a great way to get these healthy strains of bacteria. Omega 3 supplements can also help make your probiotics work better. Some foods are also fortified with them so you don’t always need to take an actual supplement either.
The Bad Side of Probiotics
Despite all the positive effects of probiotics, they are not safe to take for everybody or in every situation. Avoid taking probiotics if:
- You have recently had surgery
- Are on immunosuppressant medication
- If you have pancreatitis
- Are pregnant or breastfeeding (safety hasn’t been established)
To be on the safe side, it’s best to speak to your doctor if you are ill or are on any medication before using probiotics. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding and are struggling with digestive troubles (which is common, unfortunately) ask your doctor about what you can take.Some strains might not be suitable for everyone and some strains may be better for certain health issues, so sometimes it helps to get specific.
Side Effects
If your digestive system is not used to taking probiotics taking a large dose can cause some bloating, gas, and discomfort. Start with the smallest dose possible and wait it out. Your body should adjust within a few days.If you notice that your symptoms get worse or won’t go away, getting a check-up is recommended. There is a risk that you may have too much of certain strains in your gut or perhaps you have a food intolerance.There is also the possibility that some people may be allergic to some strains. Speak to your doctor if you have any allergies or food intolerances to make sure that you don’t get a supplement containing those strains.There is no specified dose or daily limit, but a good place to start is the recommendation on and strains work for you.
Poor Quality Brands
Unfortunately, there are companies who are either greedy or just ignorant about manufacturing and storing probiotic supplements. The live cultures may no longer be live by the time you buy the supplement and sometimes the supplements contain less than 50% of the live cultures than stated on the packaging.Only go for reputable brands and buy from reputable stores. The way probiotic supplements are transported and stored in warehouses and stores can also affect the quality. Heat is especially damaging.When you spend your hard earned money on a supplement to help you, you certainly want your live probiotics to be live when they get to you.
Probiotics are not a magic pill that will solve all your digestive problems, but they are certainly helpful and if you have been in poor health due to struggling with your gut you will certainly notice a difference. Remember to eat a high fiber diet since the fiber will help to feed the good bacteria in your gut.If you don’t eat fermented foods regularly, a probiotic supplement is an important addition to your diet. At this point, I would also like to add that wheatgrass powder supplement is a great partner to your probiotics which is a natural way to keep you healthier and enhance good mood.
Our Top 3 Picks
- Best liquid probiotic: Mary Ruth’s Organic Liquid Probiotics
- Best probiotic capsules: Dr. Stern Rebalance Essential Probiotic Plus Glutamine
- Best budget buy: Now Foods Probiotic-10 25 Billion
If you have tried any of these brands, please let us know what you thought of them.
Last Updated on May 16, 2022
