Best probiotics in Australia reviewed
Here we will give a hands-on, tested review of Australia’s best probiotics, including supplements from YourBiology, Biotics 8, Nature’s Way, Swisse, Inner Health, Now, Blackmores and Life Space.
We’ll look into the contents, benefits and value of each probiotic supplement and see where each stands above the competition.
Please note this article contains affiliate links.
What are probiotics?
Probiotics are live microorganisms, such as bacteria or yeast, that provide health benefits to us - especially to our gut.
To be considered a probiotic, these microorganisms need to have been proven to be sufficiently beneficial to our health - so not all live bacteria or yeasts are considered probiotic.
Common probiotic strains include:
Lactobacillus: Found in yogurt, kefir and fermented foods
Bifidobacterium: Found in some dairy products and supplements
Streptococcus thermophilus: Used in making yogurt and cheese
Bacillus: Found in certain probiotic supplements and foods. Especially common in commercial kombuchas
Saccharomyces boulardii: A beneficial yeast used in some supplements
Probiotics are available in various forms - usually in fermented food and drinks or as a supplement like the products reviewed here.
Combining probiotics with a good diet
It’s important that recognise the limitations of probiotics and to not expect them to be a miracle cure on their own.
You should combine the start of your probiotics course with an improved diet if needed.
This could include:
Eating a wide variety of whole foods such vegetables, legumes, grains, nuts, seeds and fruits. Particularly focus on eating prebiotic vegetables to feed the probiotics you will be taking - these include garlic, onions, leeks, asparagus, Jerusalem artichokes, radishes, beets and parsnips.
Drinking plenty of water
Limiting processed foods
Limiting caffeine and alcohol
If you need a gut reset
If your gut is currently in bad shape I would recommend taking a course of FixBIOME before beginning probiotics. This will give your gut a full reset and a good base for improvement.
Best probiotic overall in Australia
YourBiology Gut+ probiotic
YourBiology Gut+ is a premium gut supplement with various ingredients beyond just probiotics to improve gut health and general health. It is aimed at women, however anyone can take it.
This supplement contains 10 strains of probiotics to give you a good amount of microbial diversity.
The strains and their benefits are:
Lactobacillus acidophilus – Supports digestion and helps maintain vaginal and intestinal health.
Lactobacillus casei – Aids lactose digestion and supports immune function.
Lactobacillus paracasei – Helps reduce inflammation and supports gut barrier integrity.
Lactobacillus rhamnosus – Known for preventing diarrhoea and supporting immune health.
Lactobacillus plantarum – Promotes gut healing and helps reduce bloating and gas.
Lactobacillus fermentum – Offers antioxidant benefits and supports respiratory health.
Bifidobacterium longum – Helps balance gut flora and reduce gastrointestinal discomfort.
Bifidobacterium bifidum – Aids in breaking down food and absorbing nutrients.
Bifidobacterium breve – Supports skin and gut health.
Saccharomyces boulardii – A probiotic yeast that helps prevent antibiotic-associated diarrhoea and supports gut lining repair.
Collectively, these strains provide 20 billion colony forming units per three-capsule serving.
As as key point of difference to many other brands, it also contains prebiotics, digestive enzymes and vitamin D which collectively provide a more holistic approach to gut health than just probiotics alone.
Prebiotics are essentially fibres which promote the growth of probiotics (ie beneficial microbes) in the gut. This supplement contains two types of prebiotic fibre in the form of inulin and fructooligosaccharides (commonly known as FOS).
YourBiology Gut+ also includes three digestive enzymes - lipase, amylase and protease. These enzymes reduce the digestive burden on your gut which allows probiotics to more effectively colonise the gut and support gut repair.
This supplement also provides vitamin D which helps create a healthier, less inflamed environment where probiotics and digestive processes can function optimally.
These ingredients are housed in a hard vegan capsules which is stronger than ones made of gelatin. This means it is designed to pass through the acidic environment in our stomach before releasing the probiotics.
This supplement is suitable for vegans.
Dosing
The dosing guidelines say to slowly increase the daily intake from 1 to 3 capsules to give your gut time to adjust.
Cost and availability
YourBiology Gut+ is more expensive than many other probiotics because it is a premium and multi-faceted gut health product which also includes prebiotics, digestive enzymes and vitamin D.
Prices vary so it’s best to check their website for current offers. It is not available in supermarkets or chemists.
Summary
Rating: 4.75 stars out of 5.
Verdict: YourBiology Gut+ not only offers 10 strains of probiotics, but also includes two types of prebiotics, three digestive enzymes and vitamin D for gut health support. All this means it offers a lot more benefits for gut health and general health than most probiotic supplements do. However, as you might expect, this comes at a premium price.
Pros
offers a more holistic gut health solution than most probiotic supplements
10 strains of probiotics - which have been chosen to influence various aspect of gut and general health
2 types of prebiotics
3 digestive enzymes
20 billion colony forming units of probiotics per serving
strong vegan capsules to make it though the stomach before breaking down
Cons
comes as a premium price
Runner up probiotic in Australia
Biotics 8 probiotic
Biotics 8 is a very similar product to YourBiology Gut+ and is made by the same company. It is more aimed at men however anyone can take it.
It contains the same probiotic strains as YourBiology, but in different concentrations to that supplement. Collectively, these strains provide 20 billion colony forming units per three-capsule serving.
Biotics 8 contains the same prebiotics, digestive enzymes and vitamin D as YourBiology does.
Biotics 8 doesn’t mention what sort of capsule the contents are housed in, so this may or may not be different to YourBiology.
This supplement is suitable for vegans.
Dosing
The dosing guidelines are to increase the daily intake from 1 to 3 capsules.
Cost and availability
Biotics 8 is also a more expensive option than other probiotics because it includes gut beneficial extras such as prebiotics, digestive enzymes and vitamin D.
Prices vary so it’s best to check their website for current offers. It is not available in supermarkets or chemists.
Summary
Rating: 4.75 stars out of 5.
Verdict: Biotics 8 not only offers 10 strains of probiotics, but also includes two types of prebiotics, three digestive enzymes and vitamin D for gut health support. All this means it offers a lot more benefits for gut health and general health than most probiotic supplements do. However, as you might expect, this comes at a premium price.
Pros
offers a more holistic gut health solution than most probiotic supplements
10 strains of probiotics - which have been chosen to influence various aspect of gut and general health
2 types of prebiotics
3 digestive enzymes
20 billion colony forming units of probiotics per serving
Cons
no information provided on how well the microbes survive passage to the gut
comes as a premium price
Best broad spectrum probiotic
Life Space broad spectrum probiotic
Life Space is a probiotic supplement whose main selling point is that it contains a wide variety of probiotic strains - with 15 strains in total.
The particular strains included in this supplement and their benefits are:
Lactobacillus rhamnosus Lr-32 – Contributes to maintaining a balanced gut microbiota and supports immune health.
Bifidobacterium lactis Bl-04 – Enhances immune function and may reduce the risk of respiratory infections.
Lactobacillus plantarum Lp-115 – Aids in maintaining intestinal barrier integrity and alleviating gastrointestinal discomfort.
Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG – Supports digestive health and helps reduce antibiotic-associated diarrhea.
Streptococcus thermophilus St-21 – Assists in lactose digestion and supports gut health.
Lactobacillus casei Lc-11 – Promotes a balanced gut microbiota and supports immune health.
Lactobacillus paracasei Lpc-37 – May help reduce stress-related symptoms and support mental wellbeing.
Bifidobacterium animalis ssp. lactis HN019 – Improves bowel regularity and supports digestive health.
Lactobacillus rhamnosus HN001 – Supports immune function and may reduce the risk of eczema.
Bifidobacterium breve Bb-18 – Helps alleviate constipation and supports gut health.
Bifidobacterium longum Bl-05 – Contributes to maintaining a healthy gut microbiota and supports immune function.
Lactobacillus gasseri Lg-36 – May assist in weight management and support metabolic health.
Bifidobacterium infantis Bi-26 – Improves gut barrier function and may alleviate symptoms of IBS.
Lactobacillus delbrueckii ssp. bulgaricus Lb-87 – Aids in lactose digestion and supports a healthy gut environment.
Lactobacillus reuteri 1E1 – Supports oral health and may reduce dental plaque formation.
Collectively, these strains provide 32 billion colony forming units per capsule.
It is dairy-free, gluten-free and preservative-free. And it is vegetarian friendly and made in Australia.
Dosing
The dosing guidelines are to take one capsule per day.
Cost and availability
Life Space is widely available in Australia including supermarkets, chemists and on Amazon.
The best pricing seems to be on Amazon - with a 60-pack costing $30.
Probiotic strains - part 1
Probiotic strains - part 2
Summary
Rating: 4.25 stars out of 5.
Verdict: Life Space broad spectrum probiotic offers an impressive 15 strains of probiotics for a reasonable price. However, it doesn’t offer anything else like prebiotics or digestive enzymes.
Pros
15 strains of probiotics
32 billion colony forming units per capsule
cheaper than others
Cons
no prebiotics or digestive enzymes (which some alternatives offer)
no information on how well the probiotics survive your stomach acid to get to your lower gut alive
Read our full review of Life Space broad spectrum probiotic.
Other probiotic supplements in Australia
Now Probiotic-10
Now Probiotic-10 is a good value broad spectrum probiotic which also includes a prebiotic.
Now Probiotic-10 includes ten strains of probiotics which are:
Lactobacillus acidophilus (La‑14) – Supports digestion, promotes healthy gut flora and helps maintain vaginal and intestinal health.
Bifidobacterium lactis (Bl‑04) – Enhances immune function and may help maintain regular bowel movements.
Lactobacillus plantarum (Lp‑115) – Aids digestion, supports gut barrier function and may help reduce bloating.
Lactobacillus casei (Lc‑11) – Helps balance gut microbiota and may support immune health.
Lactobacillus rhamnosus (Lr‑32) – Supports digestive health, may help prevent diarrhoea and promotes immune function.
Lactobacillus paracasei (Lpc‑37) – Contributes to immune modulation and may help reduce symptoms of seasonal allergies.
Bifidobacterium breve (Bb‑03) – Supports healthy digestion, particularly in breaking down plant fibres, and may benefit skin health.
Streptococcus thermophilus (St‑21) – Aids in lactose digestion and contributes to healthy gut flora.
Lactobacillus salivarius (Ls‑33) – Supports oral and gut health and may help reduce harmful bacteria.
Bifidobacterium longum (Bl‑05) – Supports digestive comfort, helps maintain a balanced gut microbiome and may reduce inflammation.
Collectively, these strains provide 25 billion colony forming units per capsule.
It also includes a prebiotic fibre in the form of fructooligosaccharides (commonly known as FOS).
It is vegan friendly and doesn’t contain soy or gluten. It also doesn’t need to be refrigerated.
Dosing
The dosing guidelines are to take 1 capsule 1 to 2 times per day between meals or on an empty stomach.
Cost and availability
Now Probiotic-10 is available online through stores like iHerb or Amazon.
Prices vary between vendors and package sizes - however iHerb seems to offer the better value.
You can buy a 50-pack from iHerb for $30 or a 30-pack from Amazon for $30.
Summary
Rating: 4.25 stars out of 5.
Verdict: Now Probiotic-10 offers 10 probiotic strains and prebiotic fibre for a reasonable price. It is one of the better value options available.
Pros
10 strains of probiotics
prebiotic fibre
good colony forming unit count (ie number of actual bacteria)
they claim some strains are ‘acid resistant’ (but they lack much information on this)
good value
Cons
no vitamin D or digestive enzymes (which some alternatives offer)
Inner Health advanced spectrum probiotic
Inner Health advanced spectrum probiotic is a good choice for those wanting a (fairly) broad spectrum probiotic which includes supporting vitamins.
Inner Health advanced spectrum probiotic includes nine strains of probiotics which are:
Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM – Supports digestive health, may help reduce occasional constipation and supports healthy immune function
Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG – Helps reduce the risk and duration of acute diarrhoea, supports healthy gut flora balance and may help maintain immune function
Bifidobacterium lactis Bl‑04 – Supports healthy immune function and may help reduce the risk of upper respiratory tract infections
Bifidobacterium lactis Bi‑07 – Supports digestive comfort, promotes healthy gut microbiota and may help reduce bloating in some individuals
Lactobacillus plantarum Lp‑115 – Supports healthy digestive function and may help maintain gut barrier integrity
Lactobacillus rhamnosus HN001 – Supports healthy immune function and may help reduce the risk of eczema in infants when taken during pregnancy and breastfeeding
Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis B‑420 – May help support healthy weight management when combined with diet and exercise and supports digestive health
Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis HN019 – Supports digestive health, promotes bowel regularity and may help reduce intestinal transit time
Lactobacillus paracasei Lpc‑37 – Supports immune health and may help reduce the frequency of upper respiratory tract infections
Collectively, these strains provide 36 billion colony forming units per capsule.
It is also vegetarian friendly and doesn’t need to be refrigerated.
Dosing
The dosing guidelines are to take one capsule per day.
Cost and availability
Inner Health advanced spectrum probiotic is available in Chemist Warehouse and perhaps other pharmacies too. It is also available online.
The recommended retail price for a 25-capsule pack is $37. While this is definitely not as cheap as others, I would say this price is fairly reasonable for what you get.
Review summary
Rating: 4.25 stars out of 5.
Verdict: Inner Health advanced spectrum probiotic provides a broad spectrum probiotic, along with supporting vitamins, for a fairly reasonable price.
Pros
nine strains of probiotics
good colony forming unit count (ie number of actual bacteria)
contains vitamins B1, B2 and D3 which bring various benefits
Cons
no prebiotics or digestive enzymes (which some alternatives offer)
no information on how well the probiotics survive your stomach acid to get to your lower gut alive
Read our full review of Inner Health advanced spectrum probiotic.
Blackmores Probiotics+
Blackmores Probiotics+ Daily Health is another decent mid-range choice for a probiotic supplement.
Blackmores Probiotics+ includes five strains of probiotics which are:
Lactobacillus acidophilus ATCC 700396 – Supports digestion, helps maintain a healthy balance of intestinal microflora and may aid in maintaining vaginal health.
Lactobacillus paracasei Lpc-37 – Contributes to healthy immune function and supports gut barrier integrity.
Bifidobacterium lactis Bi-07 – Promotes digestive health, supports immune system function and may help reduce intestinal transit time.
Bifidobacterium lactis Bl-04 – Supports healthy immune function and helps maintain balanced gut microbiota.
Bifidobacterium lactis HN019 – Supports gut motility, promotes regular bowel function and may help improve overall digestive comfort.
Collectively, these strains provide 30 billion colony forming units per capsule.
Blackmores Probiotics+ also includes a prebiotic fibre in the form of inulin.
They don’t state whether they are vegan or vegetarian friendly, however they do state there is ‘no added wheat or milk derivatives’. It is also gluten free.
Dosing
The dosing guidelines are to take one capsule per day with a meal.
Cost and availability
Blackmores Probiotics+ regularly costs $25 for a 30-pack from Chemist Warehouse - although the RRP is $33.
You can also sometimes find it on special in Coles and Woolworths.
Summary
Rating: 4 stars out of 5.
Verdict: Blackmores Probiotics+ presents a decent mid-range choice. It includes 5 probiotic strains and one type of prebiotic fibre for a fairly reasonable price.
Pros
good actual number of bacteria with 30 billion colony forming units per capsule
contains a prebiotic fibre
five strains of probiotics (but this is much below some other brands)
Cons
no vitamin D or digestive enzymes (which some alternatives offer)
no information on how well the probiotics survive your stomach acid to get to your lower gut alive
Nature's Way Restore probiotic
Nature's Way Restore is a basic probiotic supplement which is cheaper than some other brands.
Nature's Way Restore includes two strains of probiotics which are:
Bifidobacterium lactis Bl-04 – Enhances immune function and may reduce the risk of respiratory infections.
Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG – Supports digestive health and helps reduce antibiotic-associated diarrhea.
While this supplement only includes two strains of probiotics, they are both well-researched strains.
Collectively, these strains provide 10 billion colony forming units per capsule - which is on the low side.
It also includes a prebiotic fibre in the form of inulin.
It is dairy-free, gluten-free and doesn’t need to be refrigerated.
Dosing
The dosing guidelines are to take one capsule per day.
Cost and availability
Nature's Way Restore is widely available in Australia including supermarkets, chemists and on Amazon AU.
The recommended retail price for a 90-capsule pack is $52.49 but you can often find it cheaper than this.
Summary
Rating: 3.25 stars out of 5.
Verdict: Nature's Way Restore is a solid, basic probiotic supplement option which also offers a prebiotic fibre. However, it only includes two strains of probiotics and the actual amount of bacteria is on the low side.
Pros
cheaper than others
includes a prebiotic
well researched strains of probiotics…
Cons
…but only 2 strains of probiotics
lower colony forming unit count than other brands
no digestive enzymes or vitamin D (which some alternatives offer)
no information on how well the probiotics survive your stomach acid to get to your lower gut alive
Swisse daily digestive probiotic
Swisse daily digestive probiotic is another simple supplement which doesn’t offer as much as other brands.
It includes three strains of probiotics which are:
Bifidobacterium lactis HOWARU® HN019 – Supports digestive health, promotes bowel regularity and may help reduce intestinal transit time
Bifidobacterium lactis Bl‑04 – Supports healthy immune function and may help reduce the risk of upper respiratory tract infections
Lactobacillus acidophilus La‑14 – Helps maintain healthy vaginal flora and supports balanced intestinal microbiota
While this supplement only includes three strains of probiotics, they are all well researched.
Collectively, these strains provide an impressive 35 billion colony forming units per capsule - which is more than most other brands.
It is dairy-free, gluten-free and doesn’t need to be refrigerated.
Dosing
The dosing guidelines are to take one capsule per day.
Cost and availability
Swisse daily digestive probiotic is widely available in Australia including supermarkets, chemists and online.
The recommended retail price for a 30-capsule pack is $35 or $83 for a 90 pack. While this isn’t super expensive, I don’t think it provides great value considering what they are offering.
Review summary
Rating: 3.25 stars out of 5.
Verdict: Swisse daily digestive is a simple probiotic supplement which includes three probiotic strains. It doesn’t bring a range of benefits like more premium supplements do, but it does have a high number of total bacteria.
Pros
good colony forming unit count (ie number of actual bacteria)
well researched strains of probiotics…
Cons
…but only three strains of probiotics
value is questionable
no prebiotics, digestive enzymes or vitamin D (which some alternatives offer)
no information on how well the probiotics survive your stomach acid to get to your lower gut alive
Factors we consider in our ratings
The factors we consider when doing a review (and the weightings of each of these) may vary depending on the product we are testing, but here are the key general factors we consider when we settle on a rating for a product.
Health benefits
We find out how the product will be good for your health and outline the benefits for you in simple language. This often involves doing research so you don’t have to. We often link to scientific studies or articles summarising scientific findings so you can dig deeper if you want to.
Things detrimental to health
We want to highlight where a product might include something bad for your health - even if it might be good for you in another way. This could include such things as pointing out certain additives it contains or high sugar levels.
How it’s made
This will vary depending on the product, but we want to see a quality process for making it and quality ingredients. For example, we want to see a kombucha traditionally fermented with lots of different microbial strains and we want to see a yoghurt made with fresh milk and not milk powders.
Price
While we expect quality products to be more expensive, they still have to be priced within reason. On the other side of things, a product which is priced very competitively will get a ratings boost based on the value it provides.
Flavour
For some products flavour won’t be a factor (eg probiotic tablets), but for others, like yoghurt or kimchi, flavour is a key aspect because these products are made to be enjoyed as well as being healthy! We will try to be as subjective as possible and describe the flavour in detail so you can get an idea of whether you would like it or not.
Your reviewer
This hands-on review was written by Travis, the founder of this website, long-time gut-health enthusiast, science nerd and passionate kombucha maker of over 10 years!
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