About Probiotics
Probiotics are live microorganisms, primarily bacteria, that provide health benefits when consumed in adequate amounts. They play a crucial role in maintaining gut health by balancing the gut microbiome and supporting digestive function.
Official resources
Fact sheets from the NIH Office of Dietary Supplements related to this ingredient group.
- Oral Probiotics: An Introduction (NCCAM)
- Probiotics - Clinical trials (PubMed)
- Probiotics - Dose and administration (PubMed)
- Probiotics - Adverse effects (PubMed)
- Probiotics - Contraindications (PubMed)
- Probiotics - Mechanism of action (PubMed)
- Probiotics - Kinetics (PubMed)
- Probiotics - Poisoning (PubMed)
- Probiotics - Dietary supplement use in human (PubMed)
Dietary Supplement Label Database
Ingredient group data in NutriNav is aligned with the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database (DSLD).
- DSLD group id
- 1596
At a glance
Approval status
GRAS
Compare All Forms
2 formsCompare supplement forms of Probiotics by absorption quality and what your body actually gets from each:
High
Moderate
Low
| Form | Absorption | Steps to absorb | Notes | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Probiotics | — | — | — | View → |
Probiotics (Lactobacillus & Bifidobacterium)
|
— | — | — | View → |
Type: Microbiome
Category for Microbiome ingredients
Watch out for
Possible interactions or cautions — talk to a healthcare provider if unsure.
- May interact with immunosuppressive medications.
Potential Benefits
Benefits associated with Probiotics forms:
Potential Side Effects
Side effects associated with Probiotics forms:
What does the research say?
Numerous studies have demonstrated the efficacy of probiotics in promoting gut health, preventing antibiotic-associated diarrhea, and alleviating symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Clinical trials have shown varying degrees of effectiveness depending on the specific strains used.