Ten Best Probiotic Supplements for the Entire Family

Probiotics are living microbial bacteria that are found in the human digestive tract. Several benefits of probiotics include promoting healthy digestion, improving the body's immune system and suppressing the growth of harmful bacteria. There are approximately four hundred different types of probiotic bacteria in a normal human digestive system. A decrease in these good bacteria could create, or contribute to, such health problems as diarrhea and urinary tract infections. Research is being conducted to ascertain if probiotic bacteria can help treat irritable bowel syndrome, colon cancer and inflammatory bowel disease. Eating yogurt containing live, active cultures is a good source of probiotics. Many people also use probiotic vitamins or probiotic supplements to maintain a healthy of these good bacteria. The benefits of probiotics are well known and probiotic supplements come in many different types. Some of the best-known probiotic supplements include:

1. Digestive Defense by Pure Prescriptions helps maintain a normal gastrointestinal balance. Available online at $24.97 for 90 easy to swallow capsules.

2. Align contains Bifantis®, a patented probiotic, that is designed to build and maintain a healthy digestive system. Suggested dose is one capsule per day. Available online from retailers such as Amazon and DrugStore.com. Also available at most Walgreens, Targets and CVS stores.

3. A good probiotic supplement for women is Probiotic Answer available online for $27 per month supply. Developed by Dr. Susan Lark, a leading women's health advocate.

4. Flora Source Multi-Probiotic Capsules from Nurti Health ($39.95) has 16 probiotic strains, including acidophilus probiotic, to help maintain digestive system health. The formulation also helps your immune system. If you have trouble swallowing capsules, Nutri Health has an easy to take powder supplement as well.

5. Protexin Healthcare Probiotic Supplements are a unique line of supplements designed for the entire family. They have formulas for children, adults and seniors. All Protexin formulas are suitable for vegetarians and do not contain gluten or wheat. Available online, these supplements will keep your entire family healthy.

6. Probiotic Eleven from Nature's Sunshine Products contains eleven species of live microorganisms. This combination of probiotics is designed to support the intestinal, digestive and immune systems. Available online from Nature's Sunshine for $22.75 for ninety tablets.

7. pHion Probiotic Blend has special technology that keeps the probiotics intact through the stomach and into the intestines. This allows the probiotics to reach the intestines. It also promotes digestive pH balance for better health. Available for $26.96 for a thirty-day supply online at pHion Balance.

8. SeroLife Probiotics tablets contain one billion live organisms per tablet of five different healthy probiotics. They are designed to survive the stomach acids to aid the digestive system and improve the immune system. Available for $34.99 for a one-month supply.

9. For those searching for a vegetarian supplement, Replenish Probiotic Blend is a vegetarian probiotic supplement containing 22.5 billion microorganisms from seven different strains of good bacteria. This probiotic supplement does not contain any milk, grains, soy and yeast. $24.95 for a month's supply

10. Probiotic Advantage has ten strains of probiotics protected by a triple-layer coating to ensure delivery to the entire digestive system. Developed by Dr. David Williams, Probiotic Advantage will help reduce constipation, flatulence and diarrhea. It will increase immunity and energy. Available online in several different kits and value packs.

Sources: WebMD