Choosing the right probiotics for longevity is tricky.
The options out there vary enormously, but all seem to claim to “nurture your gut,” have “physician approval,” and contain “billions of CFUs.”
That’s why it’s important to base your decisions on criteria that ensure your gut health supplements are adequately tested, contain scientifically-backed strains, and are formulated to survive and thrive in your gut.
Based on the findings I discussed in my microbiome and longevity article, I carefully compiled a list of criteria for you (explained below), and provided a list of five probiotics that best meet this criteria!
And if you’d rather just see the list now (it’s written in alphabetical order both here, and in the rest of the article), here you go:
DoNotAge Probiotic | $24.99 for a 30 day supply |
Garden of Life Once Daily Probiotics (Women’s and Men’s) | Women’s: $32.14 for a 30 day supplyMen’s: $32.19 for a 30 day supply |
Live Conscious PRO45 Probiotics | $34 for a 30 day supply |
Seed DS-01 Daily Synbiotic | $49.99 for a 30 day supply |
Stonehenge Health Dynamic Biotics | $54.95 for a 30 day supply |
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Table of Contents
How I selected the best probiotics for longevity
To be included in this list, I reviewed each supplement based on the following criteria:
- Research-backed: Have clinical studies demonstrated longevity-related health benefits of the specific species or strain?
- Third-party tested: Since supplements aren’t regulated by the FDA, third-party testing for quality, allergens, and pesticides helps ensure your product actually includes what the label says it does.
- Potency: Is the CFU count high enough to be effective (at least 1 billion)?
- Viability/Efficacy: Does the supplement have some type of casing or coating ( , gelatin, etc.) to ensure the microbes survive their journey to the colon through your acidic stomach and small intestine?
- Strains/species linked to longevity: Does it contain any of the following species or strains that have been specifically linked to health effects that can benefit longevity?
- Various strains of Bifidobacterium, lactobacillus, Lachnospiraceae NK4A136 are associated with longevity in healthy older people.
- Lactiplantibacillus plantarum and Bifidobacterium lactis demonstrated to help lower blood pressure, triglyceride, and cholesterol levels for heart health.
- Lactiplantibacillus plantarum HY7714 may decrease symptoms of UV-induced photoaging.
- Bifidobacterium longum exerted anti-aging effects and reduced DNA damage in mice.
- Lactobacillus plantarum ECGC 13110402 helped reduce cholesterol and systolic blood pressure in adults.
- Lactobacillus sakei CJLS03 associated with significant reductions in body fat and waist circumference when taken for 12 weeks by adults.
- Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG improved markers of metabolic syndrome in mice.
- Lactobacillus paracasei BL23 reduced markers of inflammation in human colon cells.
- Bifidobacterium lactis HY8101 improved blood sugar control in mice.
- Bifidobacterium animalis ssp. Lactis is linked to immune support, pathogen inhibition, barrier function enhancement, improved bowel function, and protects against diarrhea.
After lots of research and brand comparisons, here’s the list of supplements I came up with!
The best probiotics for longevity
1. DoNotAge Probiotic
The cheapest option on the list, but still meets all the criteria. In addition to 10 strains of highly-studied bacteria, it includes the prebiotic fiber, inulin, and Vitamin B12!
Price: $24.99 for a 30 day supply
CFU Count: 30 billion
Key Features:
- Affordable option with six highly-studied strains of Lactobacillus and 4 strains of Bifidobacterium.
- Includes 100 mg of the prebiotic fiber, inulin, and 2.5 ug Vitamin B12 to help metabolism.
- Provides CFUs of each strain, and provides a solid total CFU count.
- Encased in a gastroresistant HMPC (hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose) vegetable cellulose capsule (protects contents from stomach acid degradation).
- No refrigeration needed, but store in a cool, dry, dark environment.
Testing and Compliance: DoNotAge quality guarantee, GMP compliant, and meet ISO9001 standards.
Longevity-related species/strains:
- Various species of Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus, which are associated with longevity in healthy older people.
- Bifidobacterium longum exerted anti-aging effects and reduced DNA damage in mice.
- Lactiplantibacillus plantarum and Bifidobacterium lactis demonstrated to help lower blood pressure, triglyceride, and cholesterol levels for heart health.
Other reasons why this is one of the best probiotics for longevity:
- According to the company, all ingredients in DoNotAge products are in their most form
2. Garden of Life Once Daily Probiotics (Women’s and Men’s)
The second cheapest option that meets all the criteria, can be found at Amazon/CVS/Target, and contains 16 probiotic strains and prebiotics!
Both the women’s and men’s versions have longevity-related strains; however, the contents of the women’s supplement slightly differ due to the focus on vaginal health.
Price: $32.14 on Amazon for 30 capsules
CFU Count: 50 billion CFUs
Key Features:
- No refrigeration needed
- Contains whole food (potato & acacia) prebiotic fiber blend
- Contains 16 species of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium
- L. reuteri and L. fermentum specifically support good bacteria and pH levels for vaginal health
- Vegetarian capsule, gluten free, dairy-free, soy-free non-GMO certified
Testing & Compliance: Garden of Life probiotics are third-party tested for potency and purity, and adhere to GMP standards.
Longevity-related species/strains:
- Various species of Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus, which are associated with longevity in healthy older people.
- Bifidobacterium longum exerted anti-aging effects and reduced DNA damage in mice.
- Lactiplantibacillus plantarum and Bifidobacterium lactis demonstrated to help lower blood pressure, triglyceride, and cholesterol levels for heart health.
Other reasons why this is one of the best probiotics for longevity:
- Can be purchased at Amazon/Target/CVS
Price: $33.58 on Amazon for 30 capsules
CFU Count: 50 billion CFUs
Key Features:
- No refrigeration needed
- Contains whole food (potato & acacia) prebiotic fiber blend
- Contains 15 species of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium
- Vegetarian capsule, gluten free, dairy-free, soy-free non-GMO certified
Longevity-related species/strains:
- Various species of Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus, which are associated with longevity in healthy older people.
- Bifidobacterium longum exerted anti-aging effects and reduced DNA damage in mice.
- Lactiplantibacillus plantarum and Bifidobacterium lactis demonstrated to help lower blood pressure, triglyceride, and cholesterol levels for heart health.
Testing & Compliance: Garden of Life probiotics are third-party tested for potency and purity, and adhere to GMP standards.
Other reasons why this is one of the best probiotics for longevity:
- Can be purchased at Amazon/Target/CVS
3. Live Concious PRO45 Probiotics
This probiotic meets all the criteria, contains 11 clinically-backed strains, and utilizes a trusted prebiotic, NutraFlora!
Price: $34 for a 30 day supply
CFU Count: 45 billion
Key Features:
- No refrigeration needed
- Contains 11 clinically backed strains (8 lactobacillus, 3 bifidobacterium) with no fillers or additives.
- Includes the fructo-oligosaccharide (FOS) prebiotic, NutraFlora, which has been shown to support beneficial gut bacteria growth.
- Delayed-release cellulose capsule that protects contents from stomach acid degradation
Testing and Compliance: Live Conscious is third-party tested and meets current good manufacturing practices (cGMP) standards.
Longevity-related species/strains:
- Various species of Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus, which are associated with longevity in healthy older people.
- Bifidobacterium longum exerted anti-aging effects and reduced DNA damage in mice.
- Lactiplantibacillus plantarum and Bifidobacterium lactis demonstrated to help lower blood pressure, triglyceride, and cholesterol levels for heart health.
Other reasons why this is one of the best probiotics for longevity:
- 365 day money-back guarantee
- Average 4.5 star rating on Amazon & the company’s website
4. Seed DS-01 Daily Synbiotic
This probiotic meets all the criteria, contains prebiotics, and utilizes sustainable packaging. Seed provides thorough scientific reasoning for each of their supplements’ ingredients.
Price: $49.99 for a 30 day supply.
CFU Count: 53.6 billion AFU; no refrigeration required.
Key Features:
- Contains 24 unique strains not commonly found in other probiotics or foods.
- Specific strains to support digestive health, gut immunity, gut barrier integrity, dermatological health, cardiovascular health, and micronutrient synthesis.
- Prebiotic outer capsule derived from Indian pomegranate, which allows the pill to survive digestion.
- No refrigeration required.
Longevity-related species/strains:
- Various species of Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus, which are associated with longevity in healthy older people.
- Bifidobacterium longum exerted anti-aging effects and reduced DNA damage in mice.
- Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG improved markers of metabolic syndrome in mice.
- Lactiplantibacillus plantarum and Bifidobacterium lactis demonstrated to help lower blood pressure, triglyceride, and cholesterol levels for heart health.
Testing and Compliance: Seed follows good manufacturing practices (GMP) and has undergone third-party testing.
Other reasons why this is one of the best probiotics for longevity:
- Seed provides a thorough list of studies that they used to formulate their synbiotic.
- Sustainability: After the first month, you keep your refillable glass jar and receive refill packets instead of entire new packaging.
- Seed provides an active fluorescent units (AFU) count, which measures the amount of all active cells, as opposed to only culturable cells counted by CFUs. AFU counts may provide a more accurate measurement of viable cells in probiotics than CFUs.
5. Stonehenge Health Dynamic Biotics
This supplement meets all the criteria, specifies the probiotic strains it includes (good indicator of quality), and contains the prebiotics inulin and NutraFlora.
Price: $54.95 for a 30 day supply, but price lowers with subscriptions.
CFU Count: 55 billion across 16 strains.
Key Features:
- CFUs of each strain are not specifically listed; however, particular strains are included.
- Delayed-release capsules protect microbes from stomach acid degradation.
- Contains NutraFlora prebiotic, which has been shown to support beneficial gut bacteria growth.
- Contains prebiotic inulin as well.
- Vegetarian, no preservatives, non-GMO, gluten free.
Longevity-related species/strains:
- Various species of Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus, which are associated with longevity in healthy older people.
- Bifidobacterium longum exerted anti-aging effects and reduced DNA damage in mice.
- Lactiplantibacillus plantarum and Bifidobacterium lactis demonstrated to help lower blood pressure, triglyceride, and cholesterol levels for heart health.
Testing and Compliance: Stonehenge Health products are GMP certified, and third-party tested for purity and potency.
Other reasons why this is one of the best probiotics for longevity:
- Stonehenge lists specific strains (indicated by the numbers next to the species names), as opposed to just species names. This specificity is a good indicator of quality.
“But what about ____?”
Prebiotic sodas like Olipop
Olipop, a popular prebiotic soda, contains two prebiotic soluble fibers, inulin and resistant dextrins.
A 12-oz can of Olipop contains 9 g of these soluble fibers, and 2-5 g of sugar.
These fibers come from plant foods, which naturally contain both soluble and insoluble fiber. The inulin comes from chicory root and Jerusalem artichoke, and resistant dextrins from cassava root fiber.
To make the soda, Olipop isolates the soluble fiber from the plants through a purification process. Soluble fiber dissolves in water, and may aid digestion and blood glucose control.
Insoluble fiber, on the other hand, attracts water to your stool and aids insulin sensitivity and bowel regulation.
Without a doubt, Olipop is healthier than traditional sodas like Coke, since it contains much less sugar (2-5 g vs 39 g in a can) and some fiber as well. However, drinking Olipop everyday with the goal to significantly improve your gut may not be reliable.
In fact, both Olipop and Poppi, another popular “probiotic soda” that contains only 2 g of inulin per can, are facing lawsuits for exaggerating the health benefits of their products.
While Olipop’s 9 g of soluble fiber may help nourish your gut microbes, as experts tend to recommend 6-8 g per day of soluble fiber, Poppi’s 2 g of inulin is unlikely to.
Overall, these probiotic drinks are healthier alternatives to traditional sodas, but I wouldn’t say they are the end-all-be-all of prebiotic sources. And although it contains less sugar, Olipop can still spike your blood sugar, as many Tiktokers with blood sugar sensors have taken to the internet to prove. The spike was less than half of that caused by Coke, but still important to consider if you’re concerned about your blood sugar levels.
Probiotic gummies
When writing this list of recommendations, I also avoided probiotic gummy supplements for a few reasons:
- Probiotic strains delivered via a gummy, as opposed to a stronger outer coating or HMPC capsule, may struggle to survive the path to your gut through the harsh, acidic stomach environment. If the microbes are wiped out in your stomach, they can’t help nourish your gut.
- The sugar and additives in gummy probiotics may undermine their benefits by feeding harmful gut bacteria.
The research on the effectiveness of gummy probiotics is very limited, so if you’re looking to purchase a probiotic supplement that will survive your stomach more reliably, it may be better to opt for one with a proven gastroresistant capsule for now.
Any other favorite probiotics for longevity?
Have you taken any other probiotic supplements that meet our criteria for the best probiotics for longevity and have measurably improved your gut health? Let us know in the comments!
I joined the Longevity Advice team shortly after college, where I studied Physiology and Human Biology & Society. I’m excited to explore a range of topics through the lens of longevity, such as contraceptives, the epigenome, and biohacking. Apart from writing, I enjoy making jewelry, exercising, and nail art!