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A quick look at the best probiotics for IBS
- Best for overall gut health: Culturelle Digestive Daily Probiotic | Skip to review
- Best probiotic for bloating: Mindbodygreen Probiotic+ | Skip to review
- Best with prebiotics: Seed DS-01 Daily Synbiotic | Skip to review
- Best probiotics for diarrhea: Florastor Daily Probiotics Supplement | Skip to review
- Best probiotic for constipation: Klaire Labs Ther-Biotic Pro IBS Relief | Skip to review
Often characterized by symptoms like diarrhea, constipation, stomach pain, gas, and bloating, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is one of the most commonly diagnosed digestive disorders.
It can also be difficult to manage symptoms, and treatment typically involves making modifications to your diet and lifestyle.
Some research suggests that probiotics — a type of beneficial bacteria found in the digestive tract — could help alleviate symptoms of IBS and promote regularity.
However, with so many supplements to choose from, figuring out which probiotic is right for you can be challenging.
Our editors and dietitians reviewed the best probiotics on the market to determine which ones are worth considering for people with IBS.
How we chose
The products included in this article were selected based on the following criteria:
- Probiotic strain: All the products on our list use probiotic strains that have evidence to support their effectiveness in managing symptoms of IBS.
- Ingredient quality: We looked for products made with high quality ingredients and are free from fillers, preservatives, and artificial ingredients.
- Manufacturing standards: We included brands that adhere to current good manufacturing practices (CGMPs) set by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
- Vetting: All the products included were vetted to ensure they meet Healthline’s medical and business standards.
A note on price
General price ranges with dollar signs ($–$$$) are indicated below. One dollar sign means the product is rather affordable, whereas three dollar signs indicate a higher cost.
Generally, prices range from $0.60–$2.67 per serving, or $17–$80 per container, though this may vary depending on where you shop.
Pricing guide:
- $ = under $1 per serving
- $$ = $1–$2 per serving
- $$$ = over $2 per serving
Healthline’s picks of the best probiotics for IBS
Best for overall gut health
Culturelle Digestive Daily Probiotic Capsules
4.6 (711+) from Culturelle- Number of servings: 30 per container
- Dose: 1 capsule per day
- Certifications: none
- Price: $
Healthline's review
If you’re looking to support your overall gut health, Culturelle Digestive Daily is a great option.
We like that the product is shelf-stable, easy to find, and relatively affordable. Plus, it features Lactobacillius rhamnosus GG, a strain of probiotic that has been clinically shown to combat several symptoms of IBS, including diarrhea.
The supplement also contains inulin, which can help improve the composition of the gut microbiome to support digestive health.
Pros & cons
- clinically studied probiotic strain
- may be particularly beneficial for managing diarrhea
- free of gluten, sugar, wheat, and soy
- affordable and easy to find
- shelf-stable
- not third-party tested for purity and potency
- contains inulin, which some people may have difficulty tolerating
- clinically studied probiotic strain
- may be particularly beneficial for managing diarrhea
- free of gluten, sugar, wheat, and soy
- affordable and easy to find
- shelf-stable
- not third-party tested for purity and potency
- contains inulin, which some people may have difficulty tolerating
Product details
- Form: capsule
- Strains: Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG
- CFU count: 10 billion
- Shelf-stable: yes
- Form: capsule
- Strains: Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG
- CFU count: 10 billion
- Shelf-stable: yes
Best probiotic for bloating
Mindbodygreen Probiotic+
4.5 (130+) from MindBodyGreen- Number of servings: 30 per container
- Dose: 1 capsule per day
- Certifications: third-party tested for purity and potency
- Price: $$$
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SHOP NOW AT MINDBODYGREENHealthline's review
This high quality supplement from mindbodygreen packs 32 billion CFUs (colony forming units) into a single serving, focusing on strains like Bifidobacterium lactis Bi-07 and Lactobacillus acidophilus.
While more research is needed, both strains have been shown to help reduce bloating in people with IBS.
Mindbodygreen supplements are third-party tested for purity and potency, but the name of the testing organization is not disclosed.
What our tester says
“I was wowed with how gently regular this product made me! I saw and felt a reduction in bloating, and I lost an inch in the midsection.”
— Kristin Currin-Sheehan, Healthline multimedia editor
“I was wowed with how gently regular this product made me! I saw and felt a reduction in bloating, and I lost an inch in the midsection.”
— Kristin Currin-Sheehan, Healthline multimedia editor
Pros & cons
- contains probiotic strains that may help reduce bloating
- third-party tested for purity and potency
- shelf-stable
- vegan-friendly
- expensive
- limited evidence to support some of its claims
- contains probiotic strains that may help reduce bloating
- third-party tested for purity and potency
- shelf-stable
- vegan-friendly
- expensive
- limited evidence to support some of its claims
Product details
- Form: capsule
- Strains: Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM, Bifidobacterium lactis Bi-07, Bifidobacterium lactis B420, Bifidobacterium lactis HN019
- CFU count: 32 billion
- Shelf-stable: yes
- Form: capsule
- Strains: Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM, Bifidobacterium lactis Bi-07, Bifidobacterium lactis B420, Bifidobacterium lactis HN019
- CFU count: 32 billion
- Shelf-stable: yes
Best with prebiotics
Seed DS-01 Daily Synbiotic
4.2 (543+) from ConsumerLab- Number of servings: 30 per container
- Dose: 2 capsules per day
- Certifications: third-party tested for allergens, pesticides and herbicides
- Price: $$
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SHOP NOW AT SEEDHealthline's review
Seed DS-01 stands out for including non-fermenting prebiotics that are compatible with a low FODMAP diet, which is commonly followed by individuals with IBS.
Each 2-capsule serving contains 24 different probiotic strains, including Lactiplantibacillus plantarum and Bifidobacterium lactis, both of which may help improve stool consistency in people with diarrhea-predominant IBS (IBS-D).
Seed is a subscription-based company that prioritizes sustainability by sending customers refillable glass jars.
The company’s products undergo extensive testing throughout the manufacturing process and on final products to ensure purity and potency.
One important note: Seed DS-01 uses AFU (active fluorescent units), instead of CFU, to measure the number of viable probiotic cells per dose.
Research suggests that because AFU is able to measure all viable cells, including those that may not be culturable, AFU is a more accurate measure than CFU.
What our tester says
“Upon receiving my DS-01 Daily Symbiotic 30-day sample from Seed, I was immediately impressed with the care that went into the packaging — all biodegradable — and that the supplements come in a refillable dark glass container, to protect them from light.
“The composition of the supplement was clearly explained: The ‘prebiotic’ part actually makes up the outer shell of the capsule, while the probiotic itself comes in a smaller capsule.”
— Kelle Walsh, Healthline editor
“Upon receiving my DS-01 Daily Symbiotic 30-day sample from Seed, I was immediately impressed with the care that went into the packaging — all biodegradable — and that the supplements come in a refillable dark glass container, to protect them from light.
“The composition of the supplement was clearly explained: The ‘prebiotic’ part actually makes up the outer shell of the capsule, while the probiotic itself comes in a smaller capsule.”
— Kelle Walsh, Healthline editor
Pros & cons
- compatible with the low FODMAP diet
- vegan-friendly
- tested for pesticides, herbicides, allergens, and other contaminants
- shelf-stable
- subscription-based refillable jar
- free of gluten and other major allergens
- relatively expensive
- not third-party tested for potency
- subscription required
- compatible with the low FODMAP diet
- vegan-friendly
- tested for pesticides, herbicides, allergens, and other contaminants
- shelf-stable
- subscription-based refillable jar
- free of gluten and other major allergens
- relatively expensive
- not third-party tested for potency
- subscription required
Product details
- Form: capsule
- Strains: Bifidobacterium longum SD-BB536-JP, Bifidobacterium breve SD-BR3-IT, Lactiiplantibacillus plantarum SD-LP1-IT, Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus SD-LR6-IT, Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus HRVD113-US, Bifidobacterium infantis SD-M63-JP, Bifidobacterium lactis SD-BS5-IT, Bifidobacterium lactis HRVD524-US, Lactobacillus crispatus SD-LCR01-IT, Lacticaseibacillus casei HRVD300-US, Bifidobacterium breve HRVD521-US, Bifidobacterium longum HRVD90b-US, Bifidobacterium lactis SD150-BE, Limosilactobacillus fermentum SD-LF8-IT, Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus SD-GG-BE, Limosilactobacillus reuteri RD830-FR, Ligilactobacillus salivarius SD-LS1-IT, Bifidobacterium lactis SD-CECT8145-SP, Bifidobacterium longum SD-CECT7347-SP, Lacticaseibacillus casei SD-CECT9104-SP, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum SD-LPLDL-UK, Bifidobacterium lactis SD-MB2409-IT, Bifidobacterium adolescentis SD-BA5-IT, Limosilactobacillus reuteri SD-LRE2-IT
- AFU count: 53.6 billion
- Shelf-stable: yes
- Form: capsule
- Strains: Bifidobacterium longum SD-BB536-JP, Bifidobacterium breve SD-BR3-IT, Lactiiplantibacillus plantarum SD-LP1-IT, Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus SD-LR6-IT, Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus HRVD113-US, Bifidobacterium infantis SD-M63-JP, Bifidobacterium lactis SD-BS5-IT, Bifidobacterium lactis HRVD524-US, Lactobacillus crispatus SD-LCR01-IT, Lacticaseibacillus casei HRVD300-US, Bifidobacterium breve HRVD521-US, Bifidobacterium longum HRVD90b-US, Bifidobacterium lactis SD150-BE, Limosilactobacillus fermentum SD-LF8-IT, Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus SD-GG-BE, Limosilactobacillus reuteri RD830-FR, Ligilactobacillus salivarius SD-LS1-IT, Bifidobacterium lactis SD-CECT8145-SP, Bifidobacterium longum SD-CECT7347-SP, Lacticaseibacillus casei SD-CECT9104-SP, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum SD-LPLDL-UK, Bifidobacterium lactis SD-MB2409-IT, Bifidobacterium adolescentis SD-BA5-IT, Limosilactobacillus reuteri SD-LRE2-IT
- AFU count: 53.6 billion
- Shelf-stable: yes
Best probiotic for diarrhea
Florastor Daily Probiotic Capsules
4.7 (13.7k+) from Amazon- Number of servings: 27 or 50 per container
- Dose: 2 capsules, once or twice per day
- Certifications: none
- Price: $$
Healthline's review
Florastor Daily Probiotic contains Saccharomyces boulardii, a specific strain of bacteria that has been studied for its ability to prevent diarrhea and preserve and restore the function of the intestinal barrier.
According to the company’s website, Florastor adheres to strict standards for quality control and manufactures products in a CGMP certified facility.
It’s unclear whether Florastor probiotics are tested to ensure purity and potency. While Florastor doesn’t mention third-party testing on the company’s website, this product is sold by CVS, which requires third-party testing on all of its dietary supplements.
What our tester says
“I like the glass bottle (recyclable!). It’s compact and slips easily in my bag.
“The pills go down easily and have had the desired effect. My bowel movements have been regular while taking, which is nice.”
— Crystal Hoshaw, Bezzy editor
“I like the glass bottle (recyclable!). It’s compact and slips easily in my bag.
“The pills go down easily and have had the desired effect. My bowel movements have been regular while taking, which is nice.”
— Crystal Hoshaw, Bezzy editor
Pros & cons
- contains clinically backed strain to help with diarrhea
- shelf-stable
- only contains one strain, so may not be a good option for managing other IBS symptoms
- contains lactose, so may not be suitable for those with lactose intolerance
- unclear if third-party tested for purity and potency
- contains clinically backed strain to help with diarrhea
- shelf-stable
- only contains one strain, so may not be a good option for managing other IBS symptoms
- contains lactose, so may not be suitable for those with lactose intolerance
- unclear if third-party tested for purity and potency
Product details
- Form: capsule
- Strains: Saccharomyces boulardii
- Shelf-stable: yes
- CFU count: 500 mg of Saccharomyces boulardii CNCM I-745
- Form: capsule
- Strains: Saccharomyces boulardii
- Shelf-stable: yes
- CFU count: 500 mg of Saccharomyces boulardii CNCM I-745
Best probiotic for constipation
Klaire Labs Ther-Biotic Pro IBS Relief Capsules
4 (120+) from Amazon- Number of servings: 21 or 42 per container
- Dose: 1 capsule per day
- Certifications: Monash University low FODMAP certified
- Price: $$
Healthline's review
Ther-Biotic Pro IBS Relief from Klaire Labs is a powerful probiotic supplement that claims to help significantly reduce symptoms of IBS, including constipation.
It features several strains of probiotics, including Lactobacillus plantarum, which was shown to decrease the severity of constipation associated with IBS by 79% in a 12-week study.
It also contains Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium lactis, both of which may also be beneficial for the treatment of constipation.
The product is also Monash University low FODMAP certified, making it a suitable option for people following a low FODMAP diet.
All supplements from Klaire Labs are made with high quality ingredients and are manufactured in NSF certified facilities. However, it doesn’t appear that products are third-party tested for purity or potency.
Pros & cons
- shelf-stable
- clinically backed strains for IBS-C
- may be helpful for people with mix-type IBS
- low FODMAP certified
- manufactured in NSF certified facilities
- not vegan-friendly
- not third-party tested for purity and potency
- shelf-stable
- clinically backed strains for IBS-C
- may be helpful for people with mix-type IBS
- low FODMAP certified
- manufactured in NSF certified facilities
- not vegan-friendly
- not third-party tested for purity and potency
Product details
- Form: capsule
- Strains: Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium lactis, Lactobacillus plantarum
- CFU count: 20 billion
- Shelf-stable: yes
- Form: capsule
- Strains: Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium lactis, Lactobacillus plantarum
- CFU count: 20 billion
- Shelf-stable: yes
A comparison of the best probiotic supplements for IBS
-Serving sizeCFU countRefrigeration neededMay be good forCulturelle Digestive Daily Probiotic1 capsule10 billionno• diarrhea• general digestive healthmindbodygreen Probiotic+1 capsule32 billionno• bloating• general digestive healthSeed DS-01 Daily Synbiotic2 capsules53.6 billion (AFU)no• diarrhea• general digestive healthFlorastor Daily Probiotics Supplement2 capsules10 billionnodiarrheaKlaire Labs Ther-Biotic Pro IBS Relief1 capsule20 billionno• constipation• diarrheaHow to choose a probiotic supplement for IBS
There are several factors to consider when shopping for a probiotic for IBS, including:
- CFU count: The term colony forming units (CFUs) refers to the amount of live bacteria that a supplement contains. Most probiotics contain at least 1–10 billion CFUs per serving, but some may have more.
- Composition: Look for a probiotic containing strains of bacteria that have been studied specifically for IBS, such as Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus acidophilus, and Bifidobacterium infantis.
- Intended use: Some probiotics may be better suited for specific types of IBS, such as IBS with diarrhea (IBS-D), IBS with constipation (IBS-C), or IBS with mixed bowel habits (IBS-M).
- Storage needs: While most probiotics are shelf-stable, some strains are more sensitive to heat and moisture and may require refrigeration.
- Quality testing: Because dietary supplements aren’t regulated by the FDA the same way that medications are, it’s important to choose probiotic supplements that are tested, ideally by a third-party lab, to make sure the contents match the label.
A note on probiotics
When considering a probiotic supplement, it’s important to keep in mind that everyone’s microbiome is different. Because of this, it may require a bit of trial and error to find a supplement that fits your needs.
It’s also worth noting that probiotic supplements aren’t necessary or appropriate for everyone.
Before adding a probiotic supplement to your wellness regimen, it’s best to talk with a trusted healthcare professional, like a registered dietitian, who can make recommendations based on your symptoms, diet, and medical history.
Frequently asked questions
Is it worth taking a probiotic for IBS?
Probiotic supplements may be beneficial for managing IBS, as they help balance gut bacteria and may reduce symptoms like bloating, gas, and irregular bowel movements. However, individual needs can vary, so it’s important to consult a healthcare professional to determine if a probiotic, and which strain, is right for you.
Probiotic supplements may be beneficial for managing IBS, as they help balance gut bacteria and may reduce symptoms like bloating, gas, and irregular bowel movements. However, individual needs can vary, so it’s important to consult a healthcare professional to determine if a probiotic, and which strain, is right for you.
What is the best probiotic to take for irritable bowel syndrome?
The best probiotic supplement for IBS is ideally one that contains evidence-backed strains like Lactobacillus plantarum, Bifidobacterium infantis, or Lactobacillus acidophilus.
The best probiotic supplement for IBS is ideally one that contains evidence-backed strains like Lactobacillus plantarum, Bifidobacterium infantis, or Lactobacillus acidophilus.
What are the side effects of probiotics for people with IBS?
Side effects of probiotics for IBS are generally mild and may include bloating, gas, or changes in bowel habits, especially when starting the supplement. These symptoms usually resolve as the body adjusts.
Side effects of probiotics for IBS are generally mild and may include bloating, gas, or changes in bowel habits, especially when starting the supplement. These symptoms usually resolve as the body adjusts.
The bottom line
Depending on the strains included, probiotic supplements may be helpful in managing symptoms of IBS, such as gas, bloating, constipation, or diarrhea.
When looking for a probiotic that meets your needs, be sure to consider the CFU count, composition, storage needs, and intended use.
In addition to using the list above as a starting point, talk with a healthcare professional to find the product that’s best for you.