How to choose the best probiotic for your gut health and more

Have you been struggling with bloating, digestive issues, or even mood swings recently? All these common problems often point to an imbalance in your gut microbiome– the trillions of bacteria, fungi, and viruses living in and on your body.

When this delicate ecosystem is out of balance, it can affect not just your gut, but also your overall well-being.

That’s where probiotics can help. These live microorganisms, found in fermented foods like yoghurt, kefir, or kombucha, as well as in dietary supplements, help restore microbial balance and support optimal health.

But not all probiotics are created equally. In this article, you’ll discover how to choose the best probiotic supplement for your health and learn how the right probiotics can transform your digestion, immunity, mood, and overall well-being.

What is the gut microbiome?

The gut microbiome includes all the microorganisms like bacteria, viruses, fungi, living in your gut. Often called the “second human genome,” the gut microbiome is even considered a separate “organ” due to its distinct metabolic and immune functions.

These trillions of microorganisms aren’t just passive residents—they form a symbiotic relationship with us, influencing health and disease. Their diversity, shaped by diet, lifestyle, and environment, is key to gut health, with greater diversity linked to better health.

In a nutshell, your gut microbiome play vital roles such as:

Extracting energy from food
Balancing good and bad bacteria
Producing neurotransmitters like serotonin (happy hormones)
Synthesising enzymes and vitamins (e.g., K and B)
Supporting immune and metabolic functions
Maintaining gut barrier integrity to protect against harmful substances

What’s dysbiosis?

An imbalance in gut microbiome occurs when the healthy balance of beneficial and harmful bacteria in the digestive system is disrupted. This is often referred to as dysbiosis, now considered a hallmark of ageing.

Dysbiosis contributes to chronic inflammation (inflammageing), weakens your immune response, and impacts metabolic and cognitive functions over time.

Factors that affect your gut microbiome

As we age, the diversity of our gut bacteria naturally declines, reducing resilience against stressors, infections, and diseases.

But, lifestyle factors such as a poor diet high in processed foods, chronic stress, lack of physical activity, overuse of antibiotics, and inadequate sleep can all contribute to microbial imbalance.

How your gut microbiome impacts your overall health

Dysbiosis can accelerate biological ageing, making it harder for your body to maintain homeostasis, fight inflammation, and repair itself efficiently. An imbalance in the gut microbiome has been linked to several conditions, including:

Digestive issues
Bloating
Weakened immunity
Chronic inflammation
Mood disorders
Metabolic dysfunction
Fatigue

What are probiotics?

Probiotics are live microorganisms that provide health benefits when consumed in sufficient amounts. Often called “good” or “friendly” bacteria, they support digestion, immunity, and overall gut health.

These beneficial microbes belong to different bacterial groups, with Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium being the most common, and recommended by the American Gastroenterological Association.

Each group contains multiple species, and within each species, various strains—making probiotics highly diverse. Certain yeasts, like Saccharomyces boulardii, also function as probiotics.

Probiotics can be obtained through fermented foods like yoghurt, kefir, kombucha sauerkraut, and kimchi, or via high-quality probiotic supplements. Their effectiveness depends on the specific strain and dosage consumed.

How can probiotic supplements help?

If you’re struggling with a condition like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), a leaky gut, or just want to keep your microbiome in the best possible condition, probiotic supplements might be appealing to you.

The more we learn about the gut microbiome, the more we realise its importance in preventing and treating various conditions.

Research has shown that probiotics can support gut health by improving digestion, stool consistency, and reducing the risk of gastrointestinal disorders. They boost immunity, helping to shorten and reduce the severity of infections.

Some strains improve metabolic health, assisting in weight management, blood sugar control, and lipid balance. Probiotics also possess antioxidant properties, reducing oxidative stress. Last but not least, probiotics benefit brain health, improving mental flexibility and lowering stress levels.

Note that these benefits are usually strain-specific, dose-dependent, and vary by individual, since everyone has a unique microbiome. Thus, choosing the right probiotic supplement depends on your health goals.

What should you look for in a probiotic supplement?

You’ve made it this far, which means you already know probiotics are good for you—but with so many options, how do you make sure you’re not wasting your money?

Maybe you’ve tried a probiotic before and didn’t notice a difference. Maybe you're struggling with bloating, digestion issues, or low energy, and you're looking for real results.

Here’s what actually matters when choosing a high-quality probiotic supplement:

1. Well-researched probiotic strains

The seven main groups (or genera) used in probiotic supplements are Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, Saccharomyces, Streptococcus, Enterococcus, Escherichia, and Bacillus. In short, these are well studied non-pathogenic bacteria, shown to deliver results.

Note that different probiotic strains (specific types of bacteria) provide different health benefits. Some support digestion, others boost immune health, or some improve mood. So choosing a probiotic supplement, whether it’s in capsule, powder, or beverage form, really depends on your specific needs.

2. High CFU counts

Probiotics are measured in colony forming units (CFU), which indicate the number of viable cells. For instance, amount may be written as 1 x 109 for 1 billion CFU or 1 x 1010 for 10 billion CFU on the supplement packaging.

Most supplements come with around 1 to 10 billion CFU per dosage, but some go as far as 50 billion CFU. However, a higher CFU count doesn’t necessarily guarantee better results.

3. Microbial diversity

Microbial diversity refers to the number of different species in your gut microbiome and how well they are distributed throughout your gut. Your microbiome is, in itself, a naturally multi-strain, multi-species environment. It thrives on a variety of beneficial bacteria, not just ‘’a lot’’ of bacteria.

While different species have different functions, they tend to have symbiotic relationships with each other, further enhancing each other’s individual benefits. Studies show that low microbial diversity has been linked to various diseases, including inflammatory bowel disease, type 1 diabetes, obesity, among others.

4. Effective delivery systems

Many probiotics on the market may contain a “good dose” of bacteria, but they do not guarantee that these bacteria will survive the harsh environment through the digestive system and actually reach their intended destination. This is because probiotic bacteria are delicate and can easily die due to exposure to heat, moisture, or the acidic environment of the stomach.

Science-backed probiotic supplement: AVEA Biomind

Considering all the above factors, AVEA developed Biomind — a next-generation probiotic supplement. Here’s why you should try it:

1. AVEA Biomind contains 10 carefully selected probiotic strains (Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, and Streptococcus) from Nordic Biotic, a renowned Danish leader in probiotic research. With 8 Nordbiotic strains and 2 patented Avea strains validated both through in vitro and clinical studies, AVEA Biomind ensures efficacy and safety when it comes to supporting a healthy nervous system and enhanced digestive health.

2. Since probiotics must be consumed alive to provide health benefits, and they can easily die in their shelf life, AVEA Biomind provides a powerful dose of 30 billion CFUs, ensuring that the probiotics effectively reach your gut for maximum results.

3. AVEA Biomind is a multi-strain probiotics combining 10 different strains (Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, and Streptococcus), known to work in synergy to alleviate bowel conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), inhibit pathogenic bacteria, and modulate the immune and nervous system.

4. AVEA Biomind uses the innovative Duocap® technology from Lonza, enhancing the effectiveness of our probiotics. It’s a capsule-in-capsule system that protects the live bacteria and ensures they reach your intestines alive. This targeted delivery boosts probiotic survival rates by up to 4 times, ensuring maximum impact where it’s needed most—your gut.

Why is our multi-strain probiotic unique?

Biomind goes beyond traditional probiotics by combining our 10 probiotic strains with Panax Ginseng and vitamins B6 and B12. Panax Ginseng, used for millennia in Eastern medicine, is known for improving focus and reducing mental fatigue. Meanwhile, EFSA backs the essential roles of vitamins B6 and B12 in supporting energy production, nervous system health, immune function, and reducing tiredness and fatigue—making them key ingredients in Biomind holistic formula.

Let’s see the benefits you can reap from taking AVEA probiotic supplement daily.

Benefits of taking AVEA Biomind

1. Supports digestive health

Strains used in Biomind like Lactobacillus rhamnosus and Bifidobacterium longum improve gut barrier function, enhance nutrient absorption, and support the breakdown of complex carbohydrates. Clinical studies show our diverse probiotics can regulate bowel movements, reduce constipation, and support a healthy intestinal lining, contributing to optimal digestive health.

2. Reduces bloating

Bloating often results from an imbalance in gut bacteria, leading to excess gas and poor digestion. Biomind’s targeted strains, such as Lactobacillus plantarum and Bifidobacterium breve, help reduce bloating by restoring microbial balance and supporting the breakdown of fermentable fibres. Besides, a 2020 study showed that multi-strain probiotics significantly reduced abdominal discomfort and bloating in those with digestive issues, improving overall gut comfort.

3. Supports gut-brain axis and nervous system health

The gut-brain axis is the communication network linking your gut and brain, primarily through the vagus nerve. Biomind supports this connection with probiotics that influence the production of neurotransmitters like serotonin and GABA, essential for cognitive health. Additionally, the inclusion of Panax Ginseng and vitamins B6 and B12 supports nerve function and enhances neurotransmitter synthesis. Studies show that probiotics can modulate the gut-brain axis, improving both mental clarity and neurological resilience.

4. Balances out mood and stress

Around 95% of serotonin, the “feel-good” hormone, is produced in your gut. Biomind’s combination of probiotics, Panax Ginseng, and B vitamins helps regulate this process, supporting mood stability. By reducing inflammation and balancing the microbiome, Biomind promotes emotional well-being, helping to manage stress and improve overall mood.

How to get the optimal benefits from probiotics

Taking Biomind daily is key to unlocking its full potential. Consistency helps maintain a balanced gut microbiome, supporting long-term benefits for digestion, mood, and immune health.

We recommend sticking to your new routine for at least 3 months to experience noticeable results, as the probiotics and nutrients work at the cellular level to promote lasting gut balance.

Remember, everyone’s body is different, and results may vary.

Key takeaways for buying a probiotic supplement

The effectiveness of probiotic supplements depends on several key factors to ensure you’re getting real, lasting benefits.

Clinically studied strains – Different strains provide different benefits. Know what you’re looking for. Is it for bloating or constipation issues? Is it to improve your daily mood?
High CFU count – Look for at least 30 billion CFUs for maximum effectiveness. 10 billion might be too little, while 50 billion too high.
Multi-strain formula – A diverse microbiome is a healthy microbiome. Seek microbial diversity to enhance your gut resilience.
Advanced delivery system – Ensure the probiotics can actually survive stomach acid and reach your gut.
Synergistic ingredients – Some probiotics come with added adaptogens and vitamins to enhance gut and brain benefits.

If you’re serious about your gut health, just like AVEA is serious about delivering results, check out Biomind.