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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 (1).

It can also be difficult to manage symptoms, and treatment typically involves making modifications to your diet and lifestyle (1).

Some research shows that probiotics — a type of beneficial bacteria found in the digestive tract — could help alleviate symptoms of IBS and promote regularity (2).

However, with so many supplements to choose from, figuring out which probiotic is right for you can be challenging.

This article provides an in-depth look at 8 of the best probiotics for IBS.

There are several factors to consider when shopping for a probiotic for IBS, including:

  • CFU count. The term colony forming units (CFU) refers to the amount of live bacteria that a supplement contains. Most probiotics contain at least 1–10 billion CFU 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 (3).
  • 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.
  • Third-party testing. Opting for a probiotic that has undergone third-party testing by an independent lab can help ensure accuracy and quality.

Keep in mind that everyone’s microbiome is different, so a probiotic that works for one person may not work for another.

Therefore, it may require a bit of trial and error to find a probiotic that fits your needs.

A registered dietitian or other healthcare professional can also provide additional guidance to help you find a probiotic that works for you.

How we chose

The products included in this article were selected based on the following criteria:

  • Probiotic strain. All the products listed here 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 four dollar signs indicate a higher cost.

Generally, prices range from $0.62–$2.26 per serving, or $18.49–$95 per container, though this may vary depending on where you shop.

Pricing guide:

  • $ = under $0.75 per serving
  • $$ = $0.75–$1.25 per serving
  • $$$ = $1.26–$2.00 per serving
  • $$$$ = over $2.00 per serving
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Best probiotics for diarrhea

Florastor Daily Probiotic Supplement

Price: $$$

With 10 billion CFU of probiotics packed into each serving, this supplement from Florastor is a great option to help manage symptoms of IBS.

It’s formulated with 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 (4).

According to the company’s website, Florastor adheres to strict standards for quality control and manufactures products in a cGMP facility. This Daily Probiotic also has an A- rating from Labdoor.com (5).

Florastor Daily Probiotic Supplement at a glance

Strains: Saccharomyces Boulardii CNCM I-745

CFU count: 10 billion

Pros:

  • A- rating from Labdoor.com
  • gluten-free
  • vegetarian
  • non-GMO
  • shelf-stable

Cons:

  • only contains one strain, so may not be ideal for managing other IBS symptoms
  • contains lactose, so may not be suitable for those with lactose intolerance
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Culturelle Digestive Daily Probiotic

Price: $

This supplement contains Lactobacillius rhamnosus GG, a strain of probiotic that has been shown to combat several symptoms of IBS, including diarrhea.

In fact, according to one study, Lactobacillius rhamnosus GG was nearly as effective as a low FODMAP diet in reducing the severity of IBS symptoms in 123 people (6).

It also contains inulin, which can help improve the composition of the gut microbiome to support digestive health (7).

Culturelle is certified through NSF International, a third-party organization that evaluates supplements for safety and quality. Each product lot is also inspected and produced in accordance with cGMPs.

Culturelle Digestive Daily Probiotic at a glance

Strains: Lactobacillius rhamnosus GG

CFU count: 10 billion

Pros:

  • vegetarian
  • shelf-stable
  • free of gluten, sugar, wheat, and soy
  • third-party tested

Cons:

  • none
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Enjoy 20% off with code “guthealth”.

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Best probiotics for constipation

Klaire Labs Ther-Biotic Pro IBS Relief

Price: $$$$

Ther-Biotic Pro IBS Relief from Klaire Labs is a powerful probiotic supplement that claims to help significantly reduce symptoms of IBS.

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 (8).

It also contains Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium lactis, both of which may also be beneficial for the treatment of constipation (9).

All supplements from Klaire Labs are made with high quality ingredients and are manufactured in a facility that adheres to cGMPs.

Klaire Labs Ther-Biotic Pro IBS Relief at a glance

Strains: Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium lactis

CFU count: 20 billion

Pros:

  • vegetarian
  • free of dairy and soy
  • shelf-stable

Cons:

  • expensive
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Life Extension FLORASSIST Balance

Price: $$

Delivering 15 billion CFU per serving and a blend of 7 strains of probiotics, FLORASSIST Balance from Life Extension is designed to support digestive health.

Bifidobacterium lactis, in particular, has been shown to increase stool frequency in adults with constipation (10, 11).

Another small study showed that supplementing with Lacticaseibacillus paracasei for 8 weeks was effective at increasing bowel movement frequency in people with IBS-C (12).

What’s more, the company provides a Certificate of Analysis (COA) for every product, which is a document that can help verify the identity, purity, and potency of supplements.

Life Extension FLORASSIST Balance at a glance

Strains: Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium lactis, Lacticaseibacillus paracasei, Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus, Bifidobacterium bifidum/lactis, Bifidobacterium longum

CFU count: 15 billion

Pros:

  • non-GMO
  • gluten-free
  • COA available

Cons:

  • none
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Best probiotic for bloating

NOW Probiotic-10 25 Billion

Price: $

This high quality supplement from NOW packs 10 unique strains of probiotics and 25 billion CFUs into a single serving.

While research on the effectiveness of probiotics in reducing bloating is mixed, some studies have shown Bifidobacterium lactis helps reduce bloating in adults with IBS (13).

This supplement has been tested by Underwriters Laboratories (UL), a third-party organization that evaluates the safety of supplements.

It’s also been strain verified, meaning that the identity of the specific strains have been analyzed and confirmed.

NOW Probiotic-10 25 Billion at a glance

Strains: Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium lactis, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus casei, Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus paracasei, Bifidobacterium breve, Streptococcus thermophilus, Lactobacillus salivarius, Bifidobacterium longum

CFU count: 25 billion

Pros:

  • non-GMO
  • kosher
  • gluten-free
  • vegan
  • third-party tested
  • strain verified

Cons:

  • manufactured in a facility that handles major allergens, so may not be suitable for those with severe allergies or intolerances
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Best probiotic for gas

Klean Athlete Klean Probiotic

Price: $

If you’re looking for a high quality probiotic that packs a serious punch, this product from Klean Athlete is worth a try.

It contains 15 billion CFU and 8 strains of beneficial bacteria, including some that could be particularly useful for the treatment of gas, such as Lactobacillus acidophilus.

According to one study, taking Lactobacillus acidophilus for 8 weeks significantly improved gas and overall symptoms of IBS in 80 people (14).

It’s also vegetarian, non-GMO, and free of artificial ingredients and gluten.

What’s more, it’s NSF Certified for Sport, meaning it’s been tested to ensure it’s free of banned substances for athletes.

However, note that this supplement also contains prebiotics, a type of fiber that feeds the beneficial bacteria in the gut. Although prebiotics may be beneficial for some people, research is mixed on how they may impact IBS symptoms (15).

Klean Athlete Klean Probiotic at a glance

Strains: Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus, Bifidobacterium lactis, Lactococcus lactis, Bifidobacterium longum, Bifidobacterium bifidum/lactis, Lactobacillus gasseri, Streptococcus thermophilus

CFU count: 15 billion

Pros:

  • gluten-free
  • vegetarian
  • non-GMO
  • third-party tested

Cons:

  • inclusion of prebiotics may not be ideal for some people with IBS
  • not suitable for those with milk allergies as it contains milk
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Best probiotics for mixed symptom IBS

Garden of Life Raw Probiotics Colon Care

Price: $$

Featuring 33 strains of probiotics, 17 digestive enzymes, and a blend of fruits and veggies, this probiotic is designed to give your gut health a hearty boost.

Not only have probiotics been studied for their ability to relieve symptoms associated with IBS, but digestive enzymes — which help break down the foods that you eat — may also be beneficial (16, 17).

This product is available in both shelf-stable and refrigerated varieties. It’s also free of fillers and is certified gluten-free by NSF International.

Plus, the company claims it has undergone third-party testing for potency and purity.

Garden of Life Raw Probiotics Colon Care at a glance

Strains: 33 strains, including Bifidobacterium lactis, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium longum, Lactobacillus brevis, Lactobacillus bulgaricus, Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus fermentum, Lactobacillus helveticus, Lactobacillus kefiranofaciens, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, and Lactococcus lactis

CFU count: 50 billion

Pros:

  • shelf-stable and refrigerated varieties available
  • non-GMO
  • certified gluten-free
  • third-party tested

Cons:

  • not suitable for those with dairy allergies
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Best shelf-stable probiotic

Garden of Life Dr. Formulated Probiotics Platinum Series Restore

  • Price: $$$$

This product from Garden of Life boasts 200 billion CFU in each serving, making it one of the highest CFU probiotics on the market.

It contains a blend of 11 probiotics intended to restore gut balance, provide digestive support, and enhance immune function.

Garden of Life also uses a unique packaging process to keep moisture out while also maximizing potency, even without refrigeration.

The company claims its products are third-party tested, though the name of the testing organization for this particular product isn’t disclosed.

Keep in mind: This probiotic is a bit pricier than others on our list, and its high CFU count might not be a good fit for everyone.

Garden of Life Dr. Formulated Probiotics Platinum Series Restore at a glance

Strains: Bifidobacterium lactis, Bifidobacterium bifidum, Bifidobacterium infantis, Bifidobacterium longum, Lactobacillus paracasei, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus gasseri, Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus bulgaricus, Bacillus subtilis

CFU count: 200 billion

Pros:

  • certified gluten-free
  • certified vegan
  • non-GMO verified
  • soy-free
  • third-party tested

Cons:

  • expensive
  • high CFU count not suitable for everyone
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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.