Buying guide for best garden of life probiotics
Garden of Life is one of the most popular brands of probiotics, known for its safe and clean ingredients and wide selection of products for a variety of health concerns. Whether you are looking for a reliable all-around probiotic or a way to address a specific health concern, there is likely a Garden of Life product that would meet your needs.
Many Garden of Life probiotics are designed for people of average health with billions of live cultures for general digestive support. Others target specific aspects of the body, such as the well-being of your colon, immune system, and reproductive system. Some varieties are tailored to the specific needs of men, women, or children. In addition, Garden of Life offers several vegetarian and gluten-free probiotics.
Though some of the more powerful yeasts like Saccharomyces boulardii may be missing, Garden of Life makes reliable probiotics for general gastrointestinal health and more specific needs.
What are probiotics?
Probiotics are supplements that support the health of your gastrointestinal organs through helpful bacteria and yeasts. Billions of living bacteria are contained in Garden of Life probiotics, which come in both capsule and powder form.
Bacteria can aid digestion and prevent the development of harmful microbes. Yeast prevents illness and can help your body process and absorb nutrients efficiently.
Many people take probiotics daily to support their digestive system and combat issues like Crohn’s disease and irritable bowel syndrome, but anyone can benefit from a dependable probiotic.
Key considerations
Which Garden of Life probiotic would work best for you? Finding the right one can be a matter of experimenting, but you can improve your chances of choosing right on your first try by considering the bacterial strains and specific benefits of each product.
CFUs
CFUs, or colony-forming units, are the most important number to consider when choosing a probiotic. Simply put, this is the number of living organisms in one dose. A high number of CFUs can be beneficial, but it can also result in unpleasant symptoms like bloating or gas — symptoms that probiotics should generally combat. Fifty billion CFUs is a good number for most people, but no two digestive systems are the same. Talking to your GP is the best way to determine the right balance for you.
Garden of Life probiotics typically have between 10 billion and 50 billion CFUs, which should meet the needs of most. Garden of Life children’s products offer around five billion CFUs, and some of their more powerful adult varieties have up to 400 billion CFUs. Most of their products designed to target specific issues offer between 30 billion and 50 billion CFUs.
Strains
Garden of Life probiotics generally offer between 14 and 16 strains. The more strains a probiotic offers, the more diversity is included in each serving.
Some of the common strains in Garden of Life probiotics include:
Preservatives and fillers
Garden of Life probiotics don’t use fillers or binders, which reduces the chance of triggering allergies or reactions. In addition, Garden of Life probiotics don’t use any artificial ingredients, unlike some competing brands.
Women’s health
With products designed to support vaginal health and women’s digestive systems, Garden of Life has a wide selection of probiotics designed specifically for women’s needs. Some varieties are designed for women 50 and older.
Men’s health
For supporting the unique needs of men’s digestive systems and improving prostate health, Garden of Life offers probiotics with a selection of strains that cater to men’s health, including products specifically for men over 50.
Children’s health
A lower CFU count is generally better for children, and Garden of Life has several products designed for kids with four billion to 14 billion CFUs to protect immune systems. These come in the form of flavored gummies, chewables, and powders that can be mixed into drinks, and they may include additional vitamins and nutrients.
Did you know?
Garden of Life’s RAW probiotics line uses all-natural ingredients for incredibly potent blends.
STAFF
BestReviews
Other features to consider
After you have determined your primary needs in a probiotic, consider the additional benefits of Garden of Life probiotics and any dietary concerns you may have.
Vegetarian, gluten-free, soy-free, and lactose-free options
All Garden of Life probiotics are made without GMOs, but some may also be any combination of the following: vegetarian, gluten-free, soy-free, and lactose free. No matter your diet, it is easy to find a Garden of Life probiotic that works for you.
Recommended dosage
Most Garden of Life probiotics are once-a-day capsules, but some come in the form of a
powder that is mixed into drinks. These are sometimes provided in individual packets, which are easy to slip your into your bag and take on the go. A few Garden of Life probiotics are recommended to be taken in capsule form up to three times a day.
Refrigeration requirements
Garden of Life products are labelled either “shelf stable” or “arrive alive!” Those that are shelf stable don’t need to be refrigerated to maintain potency and keep bacterial cultures alive. Products that specify refrigeration should always be kept cold to avoid a loss of potency.
"Garden of Life probiotics offer mood, prenatal, prostate, and UT support products, each of which aids digestion and general well-being in addition to addressing more specific needs through carefully selected bacterial strains."
STAFF
BestReviews
Garden of Life probiotic prices
The least-expensive Garden of Life probiotics cost between $0.30 and $0.50 per serving and are typically designed for children or those with specific health needs. These tend to have between four billion and 50 billion CFUs.
Mid-range Garden of Life probiotics cost from $0.50 to $0.90 per serving and offer around 50 billion CFUs. Products in this range are usually designed for general digestive support.
Garden of Life probiotics in the $0.90 to $1.30 range offer 50 billion to 400 billion CFUs for extremely potent and powerful immune and digestive support. Most products in this range are not specifically designated for men or women.
Tips
Some Garden of Life probiotic capsules may be opened and consumed with water or food.
Bacteria and yeast have a better chance of surviving if you take probiotics with food.
Taking your probiotic at the same time each day helps your body balance the number of bacteria in your gut.
- Probiotics can help repopulate bacteria when you are on antibiotics, which may target both good and bad bacteria.
Other products we considered
The company’s RAW Probiotics Kids+ comes in a two-month supply package in powder form with a pleasant banana taste, allowing parents to mix it into their child’s favorite drink. The five billion CFUs are supported by 23 fruits and vegetables. For a chewable alternative, Dr. Formulated Probiotics Organics Kids+ includes a month’s worth of berry-flavored chewables with five billion CFUs and 14 strains. Vitamins C and D are also included, rounding out this affordable option.
FAQ
Q. Can Garden of Life probiotics that require refrigeration lose potency during delivery?
A. The products that do require refrigeration are shipped cold, so no potency is lost.
Q. When should probiotics be taken?
A. Garden of Life recommends taking their probiotics with food. Most people take probiotics in the morning, but they can be taken in the evening as well. It’s best to take probiotics at the same time every day.
Q. How long do Garden of Life probiotics last?
A. Garden of Life probiotics last for up to a year after the printed expiration date. After this, the product will rapidly lose potency and possibly become harmful.
