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Probiotics

Trying to find the best probiotic supplements? Our tests found that not all products enough cells (CFUs) to match what's been shown to work. See our results, comparisons, and Top Picks for popular brands and get the evidence for specific probiotic strains for uses such as IBS, diarrhea, gas, allergies and colds, infections, weight loss and more. Plus, get information about proper storage, safety, side effects, and drug interactions with probiotics.

Probiotics Review

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CL Answer

Have you heard of the probiotic, Keybiotics? Does it do what it claims, and is it worth the money they charge?

Whole Body Research Keybiotics probiotic information, including its ingredients and possible cheaper alternatives.

Probiotics

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

Is the probiotic "Milk Test," as described on many websites, really an effective way to test the quality of the bacteria in probiotic supplements at home?

Is the probiotic "Milk Test" an effective at-home test of the quality of the bacteria in probiotic supplements?

Milk and Probiotics Against White Background

Product Review

Multivitamin and Multimineral Supplements Review

Best Multivitamins In 2023 -- Caution with Gummies

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.

News Release

February 24, 2023

Probiotics Rise in Popularity as Vitamin C, Melatonin, and Others Dip in Latest ConsumerLab Survey of Supplement Users

White Plains, New York, February 25, 2023 —A recent survey of 8,600 people who regularly use dietary supplements shows that probiotics (+3.04 percentage points), quercetin (+2.3 pts), and vitamin K (+1.

Product Review

Vitamin K Supplements Review (Including Calcium, Magnesium, Boron, and Vitamin D)

Should You Take Vitamin K? Beware of Products That Don't Deliver.

News Release

February 24, 2022

Consumers Returned to Pre-Pandemic Supplement Usage in 2021, ConsumerLab Survey Reveals

White Plains, New York, February 24, 2022 —A survey of 8,049 people who use dietary supplements shows many supplements that declined in use in 2020 began bouncing back in 2021, such as magnesium (+2.4 percentage points), and CoQ10 (+2.7 pts).

Product Review

Calcium and Bone Health Supplements Review (Including Vitamins D & K, Magnesium and Boron)

See Which Bone Health Supplements Are Top Picks and Which Fail

Product Review

Turmeric and Curcumin Supplements and Spices Review

See Our Top Picks Among Turmeric Products

CL Answer

Are there vitamins or supplements that can reduce my risk of breast cancer? Do any increase cancer risk?

Find out if certain vitamins, supplements and foods such as fish oil, olive oil, vitamin C and others, can help reduce the risk of breast cancer. ConsumerLab.com's answer explains.

Supplements & Breast Cancer Risk -- doctor holding pink breast cancer awareness ribbon

CL Answer

What is lactoferrin and will it really strengthen my immune system?

Info about lactoferrin supplements, clinical evidence for strengthening the immune system, preventing or treating colds, gut health and treating H.

What is Lactoferrin? -- lactoferrin capsules and bottle

Product Review

Magnesium Supplements Review (Including Calcium, Boron, and Vitamins D & K)

Find Out What Magnesium Does, Who Needs It, and Our Top Picks Among Supplements

News Release

February 26, 2021

COVID Changed Supplement Popularity in 2020, ConsumerLab Survey Reveals

White Plains, New York, February 26, 2021 — A survey of 9,647 people who use dietary supplements shows that the supplements which experienced the greatest growth in popularity in 2020 were those being promoted to prevent or treat infection with SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus that causes COVID-19.

Product Review

Vitamin D Supplements Review (Including Calcium, Magnesium, Boron, and Vitamin K)

Find the Best Vitamin D Supplement with the Right Dose

Product Review

B Vitamin Supplements Review (B Complexes, B6, B12, Biotin, Folate, Niacin, Riboflavin & More)

See Which B Vitamins Are ConsumerLab's Top Picks!

Review of B Vitamin Supplements

Product Review

Protein Powders, Shakes, and Meal Replacements Review

Find Out Which Protein Products Passed or Failed Our Tests

News Release

April 14, 2020

ConsumerLab Tests Reveal Best Probiotic Supplements and Those With Quality Issues

White Plains, New York, April 14, 2020 — Probiotic supplements may be helpful for conditions including antibiotic-associated diarrhea, irritable bowel syndrome, and respiratory infections.

News Release

May 02, 2018

Best Probiotic Supplements and Kombuchas? -- ConsumerLab Tests 41 Popular Products, Reveals Problems and Top Picks

White Plains, New York, May 2, 2018 — With so many different probiotic supplements on the market, each providing different amounts and strains of beneficial bacteria or yeast, choosing the right one can be an overwhelming task.

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.

News Release

November 06, 2015

Some Surprising Results from Tests of 43 Probiotic Supplements and Kefir Drinks

White Plains, New York, November 6, 2015 — How many beneficial organisms are in probiotic supplements and kefir drinks? Are any contaminated with pathogens, such as E. coli, and do those labeled as "gluten free" or "99% lactose-free" live up to their claims? To find out, ConsumerLab.

News Release

November 25, 2013

Many Probiotic Supplements Fall Short on Listed Amounts of Helpful Organisms

White Plains, New York, November 25, 2013 — Probiotic supplements and foods containing "friendly" bacteria or yeast have become popular among people hoping to improve bowel function, immunity, and even mood.

News Release

February 09, 2012

Probiotics grow in popularity but don't always deliver on promises says ConsumerLab.com -- New report provides guidance to consumers

White Plains, New York, February 9, 2012 — Probiotic supplements and foods containing "friendly" bacteria or yeast have become popular options for people hoping to improve bowel function or boost immunity. But many customers are confused by the vast array of choices.

News Release

November 16, 2009

ConsumerLab.com finds many probiotics don't deliver listed ingredients

White Plains, New York November 16, 2009 — Many probiotic supplements do not contain the number of viable organisms listed on their labels according to a new report from ConsumerLab.com.

News Release

August 04, 2009

Most vitamin E supplements pass testing, but what seems natural may be synthetic according to ConsumerLab.com -- New review of vitamin E supplements, oils, and creams released today

White Plains, New York — November 16, 2009 — Many probiotic supplements do not contain the number of viable organisms listed on their labels according to a new report from ConsumerLab.com.

News Release

January 21, 2003

Acidophilus" and other probiotic supplements gain in popularity but live bacteria missing in many — ConsumerLab.com releases review online today

WHITE PLAINS, NY — January 21, 2003 — ConsumerLab.

Recalls & Warnings

May 03, 2013

Maker of Probiotic, Iron and Folic Acid Supplements Warned For Manufacturing Violations

On April 17, 2013, the FDA issued a warning letter to Hillestad Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc.

Recalls & Warnings

October 17, 2012

Maker of Probiotic Supplement Warned for Manufacturing Violations

On September 28, 2012, the FDA issued a warning letter to dietary supplement manufacturer James G. Cole Inc.

News Release

December 30, 2002

Top quality melatonin products identified by ConsumerLab.com — Hormone supplement used to treat sleep disturbances due to jet travel and other causes

WHITE PLAINS, NY — December 30, 2002 — In its latest Product Review, ConsumerLab.com found that 16 of 18 melatonin dietary supplements met their label claims and were free of lead contamination.

Recalls & Warnings

December 30, 2014

Maker of Probiotic Supplement Warned for Manufacturing Violations

On December 18, 2014, the FDA issued a warning letter to Wellmill LLC, dba Vitamix, following a facility inspection which found the company's products, including Butcher's Broom powder and Lactobacillus acidophilus powder (used as ingredients in a finished product which was not named) to be ...

Recalls & Warnings

December 26, 2010

Four Probiotic Products in Canada May Pose Serious Health Risks to Those with Milk or Soy Allergies

On December 24, 2010, Health Canada (the Canadian health ministry) advised consumers with milk or soy allergies that four probiotic natural health products are being voluntarily recalled from the market because they are labelled as not containing dairy (milk) and/or soy but may contain trace ...

Recalls & Warnings

June 21, 2011

FDA Seizes Probiotics Over Marketing Claims

On June 7, 2011, the U.S. FDA announced that, at its request, U.S. Marshals seized probiotic products from UAS Laboratories, Inc., of Eden Prairie, Minn. because the company markets the products as drugs.

Recalls & Warnings

September 05, 2014

Seller of "Nerve", "Cleanse" and Probiotic Supplements Warned for Drug Claims

On July 30, 2014, the FDA issued a warning letter to Plexus Worldwide, Inc., following a review of the company's website and product labels, which found statements made about Fast Relief, BioCleanse and ProBio5 to be drug claims.