The Best Gut-Healing Probiotics for Women Over 50

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If you’re looking for one of the most well-rounded probiotics on the market, you’ve come to the right place. Garden of Life’s RAW Probiotics Women 50 & Wiser offers an impressive 85 billion CFUs and is comprised of 33 original probiotic strains, making it one of the most concentrated supplements on this list. Uniquely-formulated with the needs of mature women in mind, this probiotic supports colon, thyroid, and vaginal health. It also gives a boost to your overall digestive region with enzymes to break down lactose and casein (a protein found in milk) — something that becomes increasingly difficult as we age. Better yet, with no binders, fillers, or carriers, what you see is what you get.

“This is a good, complete Probiotic. Have been using it for almost a year and it has really helped in digestion. As a bonus, it helped me lose a few pounds. The price is really good through Amazon — I highly recommend this to women 50 and wiser.”

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If you’re unsure about the number of CFUs you should begin your probiotic journey with, we recommend Pro 25 from Vitamin Bounty. Formulated with 13 different probiotic strains and 25 billion organisms per capsule, this supplement is in a league all its own. A patented delayed release protects organisms from erosive stomach acid to make sure the bulk of those cultures are absorbed into your digestive system — not your stomach. And, should you find that 25 billion CFUs aren’t getting the job done, you can always up your count with the brand’s Pro 50 formula, which is made with 50 billion organisms per serving.

One reviewer said they feel their “best” after using this probiotic. “Since I’ve started taking them, I feel great! In the past I didn’t want to spend the money on probiotics but it is definitely worth it to spend a little extra money to feel my best. I highly recommend this product.“

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This Digestive Enzymes supplement from Zenwise Health is a far cry from your typical probiotic. Made with a blend of natural, plant-sourced enzymes, inulin prebiotic (inulin is a starch-like substance found in fruit while prebiotics are the food that probiotics feed on), and 1 billion CFUs of multi-strain probiotics, this vegetarian capsule aims not only to ease stomach discomfort, but to strengthen your digestive system. A strong digestive system means your body’s absorption properties will improve, making this one of the best probiotics for issues such as leaky gut (a condition in which bacteria and toxins are able to “leak” through the intestinal wall), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and other gastrointestinal complications. Better yet, when your digestive system works properly, it takes less energy to process food, so you’ll feel better overall, too.

One reviewer described these as a “godsend” and how “taking these probiotics regularly, I am having much better quality of life. They’ve even helped me lose some weight.”

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One of the most important types of bacteria found in a healthy digestive system is Bifidobacteria. Unfortunately, the amount of Bifidobacteria found in the gut declines with age. This can lead to everything from occasional irregularity to an overall decline in nutritional absorption. To prevent this, reach for Renew Life’s Ultimate Flora probiotic. With 12 strains of Bifidobacteria and 30 billion active cultures per serving, you’ll be feeling like a new woman in no time.

“I’ve been taking one pill a day as suggested, everyday for the past month now, and I truly feel great. My body is stronger, I am more focused on things I do during the day, I am in a better mood, right from the start in the morning and don’t go through the afternoon fatigue, like I used to before.“

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Suffering from acid reflux? You might want to put down the antacid and pick up a probiotic. Acid reflux, also referred to as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), is a condition in which stomach acid flows back up into the esophagus, causing what is commonly known as heartburn. Not only can this condition be uncomfortable, it can cause serious, irreversible damage to the lining of your esophagus if left untreated. Acid reflux is a result of the digestive system being out of whack, so to help calm your stomach down, try Replenish the Good’s daily probiotic. This bacteria-rich probiotic will allow you to balance your digestive and intestinal systems in no time.

Take it from one reviewer, who wrote, “I have dealt with acid reflux since I was a teenager. I was popping antacids like candy. Now that I take this probiotic, I no longer have to rely on antacids for relief.”

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When researching probiotics, you may uncover the astounding fact that “a huge proportion of your immune system is actually located in your GI tract.” That means that the first step in preventing the common cold isn’t about lemon and echinacea, per se, but probiotics. If you feel sickness coming on, reach for Vitamin Bounty’s Pro-Daily Immunity. While many probiotics can help boost your immune system, not all are specially formulated to up your body’s natural defenses like this one, with features 10 specific strains of helpful bacteria plus a healthy dose of vitamin C and zinc.

One reviewer praised how easy it is to taking noting, “The pills are easy to swallow, there is no strange taste, I don’t experience any stomach discomfort, and they seem to play well with my other supplements.“

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If there’s one probiotic you’ve already heard of, it’s Align — and for good reason! Formulated to naturally help strengthen your digestive system, this popular supplement contains Bifidobacterium infantis 35624, a unique probiotic strain that’s been shown to provide optimal digestive support and help in the treatment of certain digestive issues. 

It also comes doctor recommended. Shauna Carrigan of Lorraine Kearney Nutrition, RD., recommends Align to patients — especially those with IBS. “It has been studied clinically for its beneficial effects on healthy digestion; well-designed random control trials have shown improvements in IBS symptoms,” she says. 

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What supplement contains a six billion CFU count, can provide yeast infection relief, and promotes a healthy urinary tract to boot? Replenish the Good’s Women’s probiotic! This American-made supplement consists of only the best natural ingredients for women, as well as the daily recommended doses of vitamin D3, cranberry extract, and urinary tract fortifier D-mannose. And, with six powerful probiotic strains that have been shown to elevate energy and mood, it’s also one of the best probiotics for mental health.

“This product honestly changed my life! I tried another probiotic before this that didn’t do much, but with this one I felt a big difference. I bought this as a way to prevent yeast infections, and discovered that taking this did more than that. I normally have really bad allergies during the spring, and for the first time in years I have no allergy symptoms whatsoever. I also used to get colds really easily since I work in a small office, and since taking these I haven’t gotten any…this product is honestly worth trying!“

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No matter how old you get, some people just have a hard time swallowing pills. If those pesky capsules have been making you steer clear of probiotics, MaryRuth’s liquid probiotic may just be your saving grace. This all-natural and US-made supplement has a long shelf life, tasteless quality, and 14 pure probiotic strains. Best of all, however, is its inclusion of Lactobacillus Rhamnosus — a bacteria strain that’s known for its benefits for liver.

One reviewer “adores” the probiotic and “look forward to taking everyday! I have benefitted so much from using the liquid probiotic. Ever since I was young I always had a bloated belly and especially after eating I would look large and feel very sluggish. The probiotic has reduced my bloating to the point I had stopped thinking about the bloating…I also feel now that my micro biome is achieving a healthier status, my moods have stabilized, and my mental rumination is greatly reduced. The probiotic has helped me feel solid, stabilized and eating is comfortable again!”

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One of the most popular probiotics from the last 30 years is Saccharomyces Boulardii. Used to treat everything from Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis to skin inflammation and eczema, this powerful organism has become a staple for a reason. It can be found aplenty (think five billion CFUs) in Jarrow Formulas’s top-rated supplement, which has an added dose of MOS (mannan oligosaccharides) that activate the immune system in mammals, making it one probiotic you’ll want to add to your diet, stat.

One reviewer describes it as a “miracle worker in a bottle,” especially for stomach issues. “For me, this is a miracle worker against extreme stomach issues. The more I read about this amazing yeast, the more I am convinced everyone should have some when abroad, just in case they get stomach problems.”

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With a CFU count of 50 billion, Nature’s Way’s Fortify is one of the most effective probiotics on this list. This extra-strength supplement features an original probiotic blend called Primadophilus, which is comprised of 50 percent more Lactobacilli than Bifidobacteria, to support general digestive issues, alongside vaginal health. Studies have shown that certain strains of Lactobacilli can even improve many of the symptoms associated with IBS, allowing you to say good riddance to your stomach issues in no time. Reviewers advise that because it’s considered “extra-strength” first-time users may notice some discomfort at first.

“These have helped me so much!! If you have stomach, gas, constipation issues, or have frequent yeast infections, probiotics are a must!! These are capsules, but they are very easy to swallow, and there is no taste at all. The first day I was bloated and my stomach hurt, but after that I felt so much better. Now I never miss a day. These are “extra strength” so if you’ve never taken a probiotic before you may have a few days of discomfort. I started with 20 billion and then changed to these ones. Great brand-I’ve tried several others as well.

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When your stomach isn’t at its best, it can throw other things out of whack, too. That’s where Ultimate Flora by Renew Life comes in. This high-potency, 90 billion CFU probiotic is made with 12 strains of Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus bacteria that will help with much more than your digestive system. Lactobacilli, in particular, also promotes healthy vaginal and urinary health, making it one of the best probiotics for a women’s pH balance.

“I have been using probiotics now for around six years. I have tried over six different brands and this one is my favorite of all the ones I have tried. It is effective and truly does work! I have taken one of these and within two to three hours my gut health has done a one eighty!”

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We’ve already discussed how probiotics can aid in decreasing skin inflammation, but did you know they can also quell symptoms of one of the most prevalent skin conditions among women over 50? Yep, we’re talking about eczema. According to the National Eczema Foundation, these friendly bacteria can help ease your flare-ups! While research is still ongoing, many have found that strains Lactobacillus Ramnonsus and L. Plantarum, which are found in this supplement from Dr. Matthew, can be particularly useful.

One Amazon buyer raved, “I have been using these for about a week now and I’ve noticed that my eczema is decreasing. Wish I found this stuff sooner!”