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Prebiotics

Prebiotics 2024 Expanded Review

You can't easily tell how much prebiotic fiber is actually in a prebiotic supplement -- ConsumerLab found it could be as little as 26% of what's labeled. Find out how much fiber ConsumerLab found in supplements, which one ConsumerLab considers best, and learn what prebiotics can and can't do, as well as their side effects.

Prebiotics Review

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Product Review

Probiotic Supplements Review (Including Pet Probiotics)

See What's Really in Probiotics and Our Top Picks

Probiotics 2025

Product Review

Fruits, Veggies, and Other Greens Supplements Review (Including Spirulina and Chlorella)

Avoid Lead in Greens, Problems with Pills, and Don't Give Up Eating Whole Foods.

Greens Review Oct 2023

CL Answer

I developed a rash soon after starting a probiotic. Is it possible to be allergic to probiotics?

Find out if probiotics can cause allergic reactions, including skin rashes, and why.

Young Woman Scratching Forearm

CL Answer

Are Hormone Harmony and other Happy Mammoth Supplements Worth Taking?

Are the supplements Hormone Harmony, Hormone Harmony Plus+, Prebiotic Collagen Protein, or Bloat Banisher by Happy Mammoth likely to be beneficial for menopause symptoms or digestive health? Find out.

Supplements by Happy Mammoth

CL Answer

Does yacon syrup decrease appetite or help with weight loss? How do I find a quality brand?

Can yacon syrup can help with weight loss? Learn more, including clinical evidence, side effects, and dosage.

Yacon syrup for weight loss?

CL Answer

ConsumerLab’s Review of ION* Gut Support

ConsumerLab's Review of ION Gut Support (formerly Restore), the liquid humic extract supplement derived from soil. Learn about the evidence for ION Gut Support for on digestion and gut health, reducing inflammation, and other uses, dosage, cost, and safety.

ION Gut Support 3

CL Answer

Dandelion Tea & Supplements: Health Benefits and Safety

Find out about the potential health benefits of dandelion tea and supplements, as well as safety, side effects, and potential drug interactions.

A cup of dandelion root tea on wooden background

CL Answer

Do any supplements help for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)?

IBS supplements may help reduce irritable bowel symptoms such as pain, diarrhea and constipation. Supplements include probiotics, melatonin, and flaxseed.

Supplements for IBS? -- Women With Stomach Pain

CL Answer

What are the best supplements for depression and anxiety?

Best natural supplements for depression and anxiety, including the evidence for fish oil, vitamin D, probiotics, and herbal supplements for depression such as curcumin (from turmeric) and saffron.

Best Supplements for Depression and Anxiety -- sad young woman sitting on couch, looking toward the window

CL Answer

What are the benefits of Daily Synbiotic by Seed Health? Does it do what it claims, and is it better than other probiotics and prebiotics?

Review of Daily Synbiotic by Seed, including information about the prebiotic and probiotic strains in the supplement, and whether there is evidence of benefit for the synbiotic.

Person pouring Daily Synbiotic capsules from container into other hand

CL Answer

How does Athletic Greens’ AG1 compare to multivitamins and Greens powders? Is AG1 worth it?

ConsumerLab reviews the ingredients in AG1, its safety and possible side effects, and how AG1 compares to other products.

A pouch of AG1 on white background

CL Answer

Which supplements and foods help relieve constipation and which can cause constipation?

Find out which supplements can cause constipation, including iron, calcium, protein powders and drinks and others. ConsumerLab.com's answer explains.

Which supplements can cause constipation? -- Woman with gastrointestinal pain

Recalls & Warnings

March 10, 2025

Probiotics and Prebiotic Gummies Recalled

On January 17, 2025, Health and Happiness (H&H) LLC.

CL Answer

Are gummy vitamins better or worse than pills?

Learn more about gummy supplements, including those for multivitamins, vitamins C and D, calcium, and B vitamins.

Problems With Gummy Vitamins -- bottle of gummy vitamins

CL Answer

Do any supplements or foods help with migraine? Do any trigger migraine?

Find out if supplements such as magnesium, CoQ10, riboflavin, butterbur, feverfew and others help with migraine. Also learn about foods that may trigger migraine, including chocolate and watermelon.

Migraine

CL Answer

Do any supplements help prevent or treat a cold?

Are there supplements that can help prevent or treat cold symptoms? Learn more about zinc, probiotics, vitamin C and more.

Supplements for Colds: Zinc, Echinacea & More -- Couple with cold, sitting on couch blowing their noses

News Release

February 26, 2025

ConsumerLab Survey Shows 21 Most Popular Vitamins and Supplements

White Plains, New York, February 26, 2025 — A recent survey of more than 8,400 people who regularly use dietary supplements shows that among the 212 most popular supplements, those that experienced the greatest absolute growth in popularity during 2024 were biotin (+9.

News Release

February 26, 2024

Latest ConsumerLab Survey Shows Growth in Popularity of Magnesium and Several Smaller Supplements

White Plains, New York, February 26, 2024 — A recent survey of more than 10,000 people who regularly use dietary supplements shows that supplements that experienced the greatest absolute growth in popularity during 2023 were pregnenolone (+7.5 percentage points), magnesium (+4.8 pts), berberine (+4.

Recalls & Warnings

April 04, 2025

Tony’s Chocolonely Dark Chocolate Bars Recalled

On April 1, 2025, Tony’s Chocolonely Inc. recalled seven lots of its Dark Chocolate Almond Sea Salt Bar and Everything Bar due to the potential presence of small stones.

CL Answer

Which supplements and foods can help lower or control blood sugar?

Find out which supplements can help lower or control blood sugar. Supplements including turmeric/curcumin, fiber, cinnamon, and ginseng are believed to help lower blood sugar.

Blood Sugar Control -- blood test and blood sugar chart

CL Answer

Which supplements and lifestyle changes improve sleep, and which cause insomnia?

Find out which vitamins may help you sleep and learn if any vitamins or supplements can cause insomnia.

CL Answer

Do any supplements help with fatty liver disease? Are some diets more beneficial than others?

Find out if supplements such as vitamin E, fish oil, milk thistle, curcumin, choline, probiotics, vitamin D, reishi mushroom, or extra virgin olive oil are beneficial for fatty liver disease and learn which diet (Mediterranean, ketogenic, DASH, or fasting diets) seems to have greatest benefit.

Overweight man holding his right side near his liver

CL Answer

Do any supplements naturally suppress appetite and help with weight loss?

Learn which natural ingredients can suppress appetite and find if these natural appetite suppressants help with weight loss.

Container of natural appetite suppressant supplement with measuring tape and scale in background

CL Answer

Do sea moss and carrageenan have health benefits? Are there risks?

Sea moss is promoted for thyroid health, boosting immunity, improving gut health, and other uses. Find out if it works and learn about possible side effects of sea moss and its constituent, carrageenan.

Sea moss in a clear bowl next to a wooden spoon on the countertop

CL Answer

What are the health effects of turkey tail mushroom and is it safe?

Learn about the possible health effects of turkey tail mushroom, including its use as adjuvant treatment for cancer and for boosting immune function, plus get information about possible side effects and find out why ConsumerLab has not yet tested turkey tail products.

Turkey tail mushrooms growing on the side of a tree

CL Answer

Butyrate Supplements for Gut Health: Does butyric acid really work and is it safe?

Can butyrate supplements improve gut health or help reduce symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or Crohn's disease? Find out what the clinical evidence shows, learn about the different forms of butyrate, including sodium butyrate, calcium-magnesium butyrate, and tributyrate, and get details about products such as BodyBio Sodium Butyrate and Healus Complete Biotic Tributyrin, dosage, safety and cost.

Butyrate Supplements

CL Answer

Sugar Substitutes: Pros, Cons, and Best Choices

Learn about the pros and cons of using sugar substitutes and artificial sweeteners in place of table sugar. Sweeteners discussed include stevia, monk fruit, and other high-intensity sweeteners; xylitol, erythritol, allulose and other low-calorie sweeteners; and agave syrup, black sugar, coconut sugar, honey, molasses and other sugar alternatives.

Stevia Health Benefits & Safety -- stevia leaf spoonful of stevia

Recalls & Warnings

January 26, 2023

Allergy Bee Nasal Swabs Contaminated With Illness-Causing Bacteria

On January 18, 2023, the FDA issued a warning letter to Buzzagogo, LLC, after the company’s Allergy Bee Gone for Kids nasal swab products were found to be contaminated with bacteria that have the potential to cause life-threatening illness.

News Release

November 10, 2022

Best Probiotic Supplements Identified by ConsumerLab Tests

  White Plains, New York, November 10, 2022 — Probiotic supplements can be helpful in preventing or treating constipation, diarrhea, flatulence, vaginal infections, and other conditions, but with so many different products on the market, choosing the best one is no easy task.

CL Answer

Can white kidney bean extract lower blood sugar or help me lose weight?

Does white kidney bean extract help promote weight loss? Find out more including evidence from clinical studies and dosage.

White Kidney Bean Extract and Weight Loss -- White kidney beans

CL Answer

Do any supplements, foods or lifestyle modifications help with brain function, like memory and cognition?

Find out which supplements help improve memory, brain function and cognition, including fish oil, some B vitamins, cocoa, and curcumin. ConsumerLab's answer explains the evidence for supplements promoted to help with brain function and cognition.

Supplements for Memory -- doctor holding a model of a brain and fish oil capsule

Recalls & Warnings

January 04, 2024

Lone Star Botanicals Warned by FDA for Manufacturing Violations

On November 26, 2023, the FDA issued a Warning Letter to Lone Star Botanicals, Inc.

CL Answer

What are the health benefits of green tea, and is it safe?

ConsumerLab explains green tea's potential health benefits for everything from fighting cancer to helping your heart.

Cup of green tea with dried tea leaves

CL Answer

Do probiotics need to be refrigerated?

Refrigerating certain probiotic pills and other probiotic supplements is important. Get tips on how to store probiotics properly.

Do probiotic pills require refrigeration? -- Probiotic supplement

CL Answer

Is it true that low-carb or Mediterranean diets help for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)?

Find out if a low-carb diet, such as the Mediterranean diet, or lifestyle changes help with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

Low-carb & Mediterranean Diets for GERD? -- Table with Mediterranean foods such as fish, olive oil, walnuts, vegetables

CL Answer

Does Provitalize work for weight loss and is it safe?

Find out if taking Provitalize, a probiotic supplement that also contains turmeric extract, moringa leaf extract, curry leaf extract and piperine (BioPerine), relieves joint pain, decreases abdominal fat, or helps with weight loss.

A bottle of Provitalize

Recalls & Warnings

January 06, 2025

ZOE Prebiotic Blend Recalled Due to Metal Pieces, Stones

On December 4, 2024, Zoe US, Inc. recalled 142 units of ZOE Daily 30+ Prebiotic blend because it may contain foreign objects such as small metal pieces and/or stones.

Recalls & Warnings

September 07, 2012

Prebiotics Recalled For Salmonella Risk

On September 4, 2012, Eco Health, Inc. announced a recall of its florAlign Prebiotic Formula (Powder) due to the potential for the product to be contaminated with Salmonella.

Recalls & Warnings

July 10, 2021

FDA Warns Seller of Omega XL

On June 31, 2021 the FDA issued a warning letter to Great Healthworks, Inc. following a review of the company's website, which found statements made about Omega XL and ProbioticXL supplements to be drug claims.

Recalls & Warnings

November 10, 2020

FDA Warns Seller of Digestive Enzymes, Nattokinase, and More

On October 27, 2020, the FDA issued a warning letter to World Nutrition, Inc.

Recalls & Warnings

April 29, 2020

Benefiber Prebiotic Fiber Supplements Recalled Due to Possible Plastic Contamination

On April 28, 2020, GSK Consumer Healthcare recalled one lot of Benefiber Healthy Shape Prebiotic Fiber Supplement powder and four lots of Benefiber Prebiotic Fiber Supplement powder because they have the potential to be contaminated with green plastic pieces or shavings from bottle ...

News Release

October 28, 2022

Labels on Prebiotic Supplements Are Often Unreliable, Tests Show

  White Plains, New York, October 28, 2022 — Prebiotic supplements provide fiber that feed beneficial bacteria in the gut. However, recent ConsumerLab tests show that consumers often can’t rely on labels to know how much prebiotic fiber is really in products.

Recalls & Warnings

November 01, 2013

Protein Shakes Containing Prescription Drug Pose Serious Health Risk

On November 1, 2013, Health Canada warned consumers that Vega One Vanilla Chai (sizes 437g and 874g) and Vega Sport Performance Chocolate nutritional shakes, by Sequel Naturals Ltd., have been found to contain the prescription antibiotic chloramphenicol.

Recalls & Warnings

October 11, 2013

Prebiotic and Digestive Enzyme Supplement Recalled Due To Drug Risk

On October 10, 2013, Adeeva Nutritionals Inc. issued a voluntary recall of digestive supplement Flora Essentials due to potential contamination with the prescription antibiotic chloramphenicol.

Recalls & Warnings

July 06, 2018

Prescript-Assist Probiotic Recall Expanded

On July 6, 2018, LL's Magnetic Clay, Inc., expanded its original recall of Prescript-Assist, a "broad spectrum probiotic and prebiotic" supplement, because it may contain undeclared almonds, crustaceans, dairy, casein, eggs, and peanuts.

Recalls & Warnings

June 29, 2018

Prescript-Assist Probiotic Recalled

On June 29, 2018, LL's Magnetic Clay, Inc., issued a recall of certain lots of Prescript-Assist, a "broad spectrum probiotic and prebiotic" supplement, because they may contain undeclared almonds, crustaceans, dairy, casein, eggs, and peanuts. 

News Release

February 24, 2017

Vitamin D Supplements Maintain Top Spot in Popularity, as Probiotics Surpass Multivitamins to #4 Behind Fish Oil and CoQ10 in Latest ConsumerLab.com Survey

White Plains, New York, February 24, 2017 — A recent survey of over 9,505 people who use dietary supplements shows the most popular dietary supplement to be vitamin D, followed by fish oil, CoQ10, probiotics, and multivitamins.

Recalls & Warnings

July 10, 2012

Children's Probiotics Recalled Due to Potential Salmonella Contamination

On July 9, 2012, Sedona Labs announced the voluntary recall of certain lots of iFlora Kids Multi-Probiotic and iFlora 4-Kids Powder distributed between 3/16/2011 and 5/3/2012 due to potential contamination with Salmonella.

Recalls & Warnings

October 12, 2013

Metagenics Enzyme Supplement Recalled Due To Drug Risk

On October 11, 2013, Metagenics Canada issued a voluntary recall of digestive enzyme supplement Spectrazyme, due to potential contamination with the prescription antibiotic chloramphenicol.