Probiotic Cheat Sheet

Feb 12, 2025 | Body, Gut Health

Summary:

  • Probiotics: Different probiotics have different effects on the body.
  • Strains: Various probiotic strains help in different ways.
  • Changes: When your environment and lifestyle change your gut bacteria change.

A Crash Course In Gut Health

Probiotics are living microorganisms that boost health when consumed in adequate amounts. There are many different types, and you can obtain them from foods or supplements. The key to overall gut health is to have a variety of good bacteria that can come from different foods and supplements.

Our goal is to help you decide which probiotic supplement you need and when you need it, because when your environment or your lifestyle changes, your gut bacteria can also change, which means your daily probiotic might need to change too.

Read more: Prebiotics, Probiotics, and Microbiome Magic, 7 Tips to a Healthy Gut

What Probiotic Should I Take and When?

A healthy gut is key to overall wellness. The right type and amount of probiotics, meaning the healthy bacteria and yeasts they contain, support your body in several ways that benefit your body, brain, and digestive health.

They have potential effects on:

  • Boosting immunity
  • Weight loss
  • Digestion
  • Heart health
  • Neurological disorders
  • Immune function
  • Reducing symptoms of Anxiety and Depression
  • Increasing Good Mood
  • Reducing Diarrhea, IBS Symptoms and Constipation
  • Reducing inflammation
  • Skin health
  • Anti-aging

Read more: The Gut-Brain Connection

How do probiotics work? Not all probiotics are the same, nor do they all have the same effects on the body. Different strains of good bacteria can be helpful in different areas.

Probiotics are safe in the amounts normally found in food. In general, most healthy adults can safely add to their diet foods or nutritional supplements that contain probiotics. Although some people can experience gas (flatulence) from beginning a probiotic, this generally stops after a few days. If you are lactose intolerant, then you can experience stomach discomfort when getting your probiotics from dairy products. In that case, consider using a dairy-free probiotic. Probiotics are a low-risk way to boost your everyday healthy habits. All of these listed are dairy-free, soy-free and gluten-free

Good For… Benefits What Else…
FloraMend Prime Probiotic  Everyday use Weight management support*

Seasonal allergy support*

Helps maintain optimal metabolism*

Improves quality of life in individuals with seasonal allergies*

Enhanced microbiota in older adults to more closely resemble the strains in younger populations*

A great addition to a weight management plan
FloraSport 20B®  Travelers and athletes Immune function

Being exposed to unfamiliar food or water

Benefits individuals on an antibiotic regimen*

Modulates digestive issues resulting from international travel*

Studies show these four strains protect from gut flora disruptions and diarrhea from antibiotic use*

NSF Certified for Sport®

Packaged in temperature-resistant blister packs to make it easy to travel with

Women’s Daily Probiotic  Women’s everyday use Support for women who experience frequent vaginal or urinary tract discomfort*

Probiotic support for discharge and odor associated with imbalances in vaginal bacteria*

Promotes healthy skin*

Small, easy-to-swallow capsule
Bacillus Coagulans  GI function and bowel regularity Helps relieve occasional intestinal cramping, gas, bloating, diarrhea, or constipation*

Supports already healthy cholesterol levels*

Can be mixed into a hot beverage
Sacro-B™  Support for occasional diarrhea Enhanced gut immunity by increasing sIgA*

Helps maintain a healthy inflammatory response in the GI tract resulting from decreased gut permeability*

The patented process preserves whole yeast cells

24-month shelf life at room temperature

Probiotics are most common in fermented foods. That means you can easily incorporate them just by getting creative with your meals.

Read more: Alzheimer’s and The Gut Connection, The Gut-Skin Axis…, What is IBS, What Isn’t?, How Do B Vitamins Boost the Microbiome?

Books: The Psychobiotic Revolution…, The Food Mood Connection, I Contain Multitudes: Microbiome…, Super Gut

Your gut health is the foundation of overall wellness—nurture it with the right probiotics, nutrient-rich fermented foods, and mindful lifestyle choices to support digestion, immunity, mood, and vitality.

Probiotic Foods:

  • Yogurt: Probiotic yogurt is associated with several health benefits and may be suitable for people with lactose intolerance. Make sure to choose yogurt that has active or live cultures.
  • Kefir: is a fermented milk drink. It’s a better source of probiotics than yogurt, and people with lactose intolerance can often drink kefir with no problem
  • Sauerkraut: Sauerkraut is finely cut, fermented cabbage. It is rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Make sure to choose unpasteurized brands that contain live bacteria.
  • Tempeh: Tempeh is a fermented soybean product that serves as a popular, high-protein substitute for meat. It contains a decent amount of vitamin B12, a nutrient found mainly in animal products.
  • Kimchi: Kimchi is a spicy Korean side dish, usually made from fermented cabbage. Its lactic acid bacteria may benefit digestive health.
  • Miso: Miso is a fermented soybean paste and a popular Japanese seasoning. It is rich in several important nutrients and may reduce the risk of high blood pressure and some cancers.
  • Kombucha: Kombucha is a fermented tea drink. Some people claim it has a wide range of health benefits, but more research is needed.
  • Pickles ( in salt brine): Pickles are cucumbers that have been preserved in salty water and fermented. They are low in calories and high in vitamin K. However, pickles made with vinegar do not have probiotic effects.
  • Semi-hard cheeses: Only some types of cheese — including cheddar, mozzarella, and Gouda — contain probiotics. Cheese is very nutritious and may benefit heart and bone health.

Gut Healthy, Gut Happy

In the journey to optimal health, your gut is your powerhouse. By incorporating targeted probiotics, nutrient-rich fermented foods, and a gut-supportive lifestyle, you’re laying the foundation for better digestion, immunity, mood, and overall vitality. Backed by science and tailored to your unique needs, these strategies empower you to take control of your wellness—because a healthy gut is the key to a healthier, happier you.

FloraMend Prime Probiotic
$56.00

THORNE

Gut * Immunity * Weight Management * Lactobacillus Gasseri KS-13

Buy Now
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03/01/2026 03:01 pm GMT
FloraSport 20B Probiotic
$42.00

THORNE 

Digestive Support * Immunity * Occasional Digestive Issue

Buy Now
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03/01/2026 07:07 pm GMT
Our Pick
Women's Daily Probiotic
$36.99

AZURE BIOGENICS

Microbial Balance * Vaginal Wellness * Urinary Tracts

Add to Cart
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03/01/2026 06:07 pm GMT
Bacillus Coagulans Probiotic
$33.00

THORNE 

GI Function * No Refrigeration * 60 Capsules

Buy Now
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03/01/2026 09:02 pm GMT
Sacro-B Probiotic
$43.00

THORNE 

GI Function * Immunity * Constipation * Gluten-Free

Buy Now
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03/01/2026 10:01 pm GMT
The Psychobiotic Revolution: Mood, Food, and the New Science of the Gut-Brain Connection
$16.00 $14.41
Buy Now
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03/01/2026 09:02 pm GMT
The Food Mood Connection
$21.99
Buy Now
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03/01/2026 09:03 pm GMT
I Contain Multitudes: The Microbes Within Us and a Grander View of Life
$32.00 $11.69
Buy Now
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03/01/2026 03:00 pm GMT
Super Gut
$21.99 $12.52
Buy Now
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03/01/2026 10:06 pm GMT
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