As a mom, I always want the best for my kids. Now, I don't have teenagers just yet, but I do give my kids probiotics that are designed for kids ages 3-17 years old. Not only do my kids like the actual probiotic supplement that they take (taste and texture), I also believe they are improving their gut health. Win / win.
In our community, we have been having parents ask, "what probiotics can my teen take and what are the best options?"
First and foremost, you'll always want to ask your doctor / medical professional if a particular probiotic is safe for your teenager.
However, I can provide great insight to what my kids take and other probiotic choices for teens that are out there - I have been covering probiotics for over five years. Some brands are great, others are flat-out not good.
This article will help provide you options for your teen - these are the best probiotic brands on the market, especially for teenagers!
Let's get into it!
The Benefits of Probiotics for Teenagers
There is a lot that occurs with the body of a teenager during these years of development. From a physical and mental perspective, maintaining a healthy microbiome is beneficial. Let’s take an in-depth look at some of the benefits of probiotics for teenagers.
Enhances Digestion and Nutrient Absorption
Teens typically have a pretty healthy appetite, but they are notorious for consuming foods and beverages that taste good but aren’t necessarily good for them. This can have a negative effect on the digestive tract, unfortunately. By adding probiotic bacteria to the gut, this increases the population of different types of positive bacteria in the microbiome. This enhances digestion and promotes more regular bowel movements by helping with the breakdown and movement of food and waste.
Probiotics have the unique ability to improve the absorption of vitamins and minerals by promoting a healthier pH level in a teen’s gut. This pH level will aid in the production of digestive enzymes that can help with the synthesis of nutrients. It can even help with the breakdown of cholesterol.
Boosts Immune System
Teens are always on the go. Whether they’re at school, at a friend’s house or attending one of their extracurricular activities, the average teen comes into contact with a lot of different germs over the course of a day or week. If your teen seems to always be catching a cold or flu, you can reap the benefits of probiotics to boost their immune system.
As much as 70% of a teen’s immune system is located in their gut. Because of this, it’s incredibly important to support the microbiome to enhance the body’s natural immune response. Depending on which probiotic your teen uses, different strains of beneficial bacteria can stimulate immune cells in the intestines, which will trigger certain immune responses.
Manages Mood Swings and Mental Well-Being
Any parent of a teenager knows all about the mood swings that can occur at any moment. Teens experience all kinds of fluctuations in hormones that can make them happy and easygoing one minute, with the next minute bringing a storm of anger and irritation. Your teen’s mental well-being is very important, and probiotics can be a very safe and natural way to support them.
The intestinal microbiome can influence a teen’s mood by way of the creation of neurotransmitters in the autonomic nervous system and endocrine system. Dopamine is just one type of neurotransmitter that can affect the mood, making your teen feel happier and calmer throughout the day.
Alleviates Skin Issues Common During Adolescence
Skin breakouts come with the territory of being a teen, unfortunately. You can stock your teen up with all kinds of face washes, scrubs, creams and lotions, but probiotics should be on this list as well. Some strains of probiotics can harness the potential of healthy bacteria to help balance the pH level of the skin. This helps protect against free radical damage, but it also helps heal the skin, keep pores healthy and reduce breakouts.
Factors to Consider When Choosing Teen Probiotics
It can be somewhat overwhelming to purchase a probiotic for the first time, especially if you’re trying to find one that will suit your teen. You want to find strains of beneficial bacteria that will be helpful, but you also want to make sure that you pick a product that will be easy on their GI tract. Let’s look at some of the factors that you should consider when choosing probiotics for a teen.
CFUs (Colony-Forming Units) and Dosages
Colony-forming units, or CFUs, refer to the number of microbial cells that are located in a specific probiotic supplement. The amount of CFUs that your teen needs depends on why they’re taking a supplement in the first place. If your goal is to help them simply repopulate their microbiome with the beneficial bacteria that should already be there, an average dose would be somewhere between 5 billion and 15 billion CFU. Keep in mind that beneficial bacteria can’t hurt your child. If they’re taking too much, they may develop a bit of GI upset. This could just be the initial experience of getting used to a probiotic supplement, however.
Strain Specificity and Diversity
Popular strains of probiotics that many supplements include and that are safe for teens include Lactobacillus acidophilus, Rhamnosus GG and Bifidobacterium. However, there are over 500 different species of probiotics. You’ll find all kinds of strains in supplements. The goal is to find something that will create a diverse profile of bacteria in the microbiome.
Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1 and Lactobacillus reuteri RC-14 are two strains of probiotics that are important for female health, as they promote optimal vaginal health.
Additional Ingredients and Potential Allergens
Some probiotic supplements will include additional ingredients, such as vitamins and minerals. If you look specifically for a product that is geared towards teens, additional components may include things like:
If your teen has specific allergies, read the product label very closely to ensure that it is safe. While that specific allergen may not be included in the formula of a supplement, many companies will manufacture their products in a facility or on a line that is not safe. Cross contamination risks are usually clearly indicated on a product label.
Probiotic Delivery Methods (Capsules, Gummies and Liquids)
Probiotics can be delivered to the body in a number of ways. By finding the method that your teen prefers, you can increase the chances of them actually taking their supplement on a daily basis. Some of the options are:
Our Top Picks For The Best Probiotics for Teenagers
Let’s take a look at some of the best probiotics for teenagers. We’ll do a review of the supplement, including pros and cons to take into consideration before making a purchase.
#1. Seed PDS-08 Pediatric Daily Synbiotic For Kids + Teens (ages 3-17)
Seed is a reputable probiotic supplement company that sells a pediatric synbiotic for kids and teens that are between the ages of 3 and 17. This product contains nine different strains of probiotics, along with prebiotic fiber (five grams) that will help with the growth of beneficial bacteria in the gut.
Use code FHM15 for 15% off!
What I Like
- This supplement has been created to survive the journey in the gut, so all of the beneficial ingredients get to where they need to be.
- You do not need to refrigerate this product.
- Prebiotic fiber has been added to help feed the beneficial bacteria in the gut.
- This product is free from many of the major allergens, such as soy and nuts.
- Seed claims this product is well tolerated.
What I Don’t Like
- The prebiotic portion of this supplement may cause a little bit of GI upset as your teen adjusts to it.
- It’s not cheap, priced at $49.99 per month.
Cost and Where to Buy
You can purchase Seed PDS-08 Pediatric Daily Synbiotic For Kids + Teens for $49.99 per month on the Seed website. Free shipping is offered in the U.S., and you can cancel or skip your deliveries at your discretion.
Use code FHM15 for 15% off!
#2. Ritual Synbiotic+
There are 11 billion CFUs of beneficial bacteria in Ritual Synbiotic+, sourced from two common strains of probiotics. Strains LGG and BB-12 have the potential to help support a teen’s GI system, reducing occasional bouts of bloating, gas and diarrhea. This is a delayed-release capsule that is designed to release its beneficial ingredients where they will be most beneficial (in the colon). There are also 15 mg of prebiotics in this supplement.
Use code TAMI for 10% off!
What I Like
- Ritual uses a great deal of research to confirm the purity and potential of their supplements.
- Great brand to buy supplements from.
- This product comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
What I Don’t Like
- This supplement wasn’t necessarily created with teens in mind, but it’s considered safe for them to use.
- Only two strains of probiotics are included in the formulation.
Cost and Where to Buy
You can purchase Ritual Synbiotic+ for $54 on the Ritual website.
Use code TAMI for 10% off!
#3. Manna Liposomal Pre + Probiotic
Manna Liposomal Pre + Probiotic contains 40 billion CFUs of probiotics, coming from an impressive 8 strains. Chicory root has also been added as a prebiotic fiber. The Manna brand claims that they have proven their supplement can boost immune function and help with digestion, and it supposedly absorbs 10 times better than your average probiotic.
What I Like
- The Manna brand claims this product can be used to promote healthy and clear skin, which is great for teens!
- Can relieve occasional GI discomfort.
- Comes in a tasty lemon cake flavor.
- This is a liquid supplement, allowing your teen to properly dose how much they need.
What I Don’t Like
- Liquid supplements can be a bit messy, especially for a teen who is prone to leaving messes everywhere that they go.
- Manna claims you have to be consistent with this supplement, taking it at the same time every day. It can be difficult to get teens to be consistent with anything.
Cost and Where to Buy
You can purchase Manna Liposomal Pre + Probiotic on the Manna website for the price of $49.95 for a one-time purchase. The brand offers a subscription discount of 43%. This brings the price down to $39.96 monthly.
#4. Hiya Kids Probiotic
Hiya kids probiotic is a probiotic supplement that has been specifically formulated with children in mind. It contains 10 billion live cultures in each dose, with strains chosen to support a normal immune response, gut health and optimal nutrient absorption. It’s recommended for children over the age of two, so you can be pretty confident that this supplement isn’t going to cause GI issues for your teen. This is a formula that has been created by pediatricians.
What I Like
- You receive 50% off your first order.
- The bottle can be decorated, maybe making it more likely that your teen will reach for it each day.
- Refills come in eco-friendly pouches. You reuse the original bottle.
- You receive a discount if you’re purchasing for multiple children.
- Doesn’t contain any sugar.
What I Don’t Like
- This is a supplement for children over the age of two. It’s not necessarily formulated for teens.
- Contains 15 different vitamins and nutrients, which may or may not be something you also want included in your teen’s probiotic supplement.
Cost and Where to Buy
The current cost of Hiya Kids Probiotic is $15 for one child. The price varies depending on how many children you’re purchasing it for. You can buy it directly from the Hiya Health website.
#5. 1st Phorm Probiotic
1st Phorm’s Probiotic supplement contains a blend of 8 billion CFUs of probiotics in each dose. The predominant strain in this product is the commonly used Lactobacillus acidophilus. There are nine other strains as well. Keep in mind that this product is not to be used by anyone under the age of 18, so this is a supplement you would strictly want to use for your older teen.
What I Like
- There are minimal other ingredients included in this product.
- No sugar has been added.
- 1st Phorm claims this product can support the body’s natural immune response, boost gut health and support a healthy metabolism.
What I Don’t Like
- This is not formulated specifically for teens
- The capsules are a bit large, which may make it difficult for your teen to take.
- It’s for teens over the age of 18. This doesn’t apply for those younger teen years.
Cost and Where to Buy
The cost of 1st Phorm Probiotic Digestive Health Formula is $34.99 for a one-time purchase. You can subscribe for regular shipments of the product, but this doesn’t affect the price.
#6. Mindbodygreen Probiotic+
Mindbodygreen Probiotic+ contains four strains of probiotics in each dose, coming from 32 billion CFUs of shelf-stable bacteria. The strains used are B. lactis Bi-07, B420, HN019 and L. acidophilus NCFM. The brand claims that this product can be used to boost gut health, reduce bloat, improve nutrient absorption and support regularity. These are all common issues that many teens face.
What I Like
- This product can address a lot of different gut health and abdominal issues that cause discomfort.
- This is a vegan-friendly supplement.
- Subscribing and purchasing multiple bottles of product can help you save some money on your purchase.
- It doesn’t contain any artificial sweeteners, colors or unnecessary additives.
What I Don’t Like
- Can be used to support a healthy weight, which may not be something you want your teen to focus on too much. This is a time in a teen’s life where they are already very focused on their appearance.
- The Mindbodygreen brand claims this product has been reviewed by a team of experts, but this list of “experts” includes a cookbook author / dietician and a podcast host. We would like to see more medical professionals included.
- -It’s incredibly expensive if you’re making a one-time purchase.
Cost and Where to Buy
The current cost of Mindbodygreen Probiotic+ is $80 per bottle for a one-time purchase. The price drops to $69 per month if you subscribe for a monthly delivery. This supplement can be purchased directly from the Mindbodygreen website.
#7. Primal Harvest Probiotic
Primal Harvest has created a probiotic supplement that is designed to support gut health and regularity while also supporting an optimal immune response. It’s not designed specifically with teens in mind, but it can be used by this demographic. There are 31 billion CFUs in each dose of Primal Harvest Probiotic, sourced from 12 different shelf-stable probiotic strains. Common and beneficial strains are included, such as L. acidophilus and L. reuteri.
What I Like
- Contains 12 different strains of probiotics.
- Primal Harvest has included red raspberry seed and their proprietary PreforPro as prebiotics.
- This supplement comes in a delayed-release capsule for optimal absorption.
- A 90-day money-back guarantee is offered by Primal Harvest.
- Made in the U.S.A.
What I Don’t Like
- While it’s beneficial that there are a lot of strains of bacteria in this product, it has the potential to cause GI discomfort.
- This product is exceptionally affordable, but only if you subscribe for regular deliveries.
Cost and Where to Buy
Primal Harvest Probiotic costs $38.95 per month on the Primal Harvest website. You can drop the cost to $31.16 if you subscribe for monthly deliveries. This is a savings of 20%.
Integrating Probiotics into Your Teen's Daily Routine
Trying to convince a teen to do anything can be a battle. If you get past that roadblock and your teen is willing to incorporate a probiotic into their daily routine, there are some things to keep in mind.
Consulting a Healthcare Professional Before Starting Supplementation
It’s always a good idea to speak with your teen’s pediatrician before you start administering probiotics on a daily basis. They can help you determine which product might be the best option for your teen and their specific health needs.
It’s also important to speak with your teen’s doctor if they have any kind of medical condition that could impact their ability to take probiotics or certain vitamins or nutrients.
Incorporating Probiotic-Rich Foods Into the Diet
In addition to using a probiotic supplement, there are certain foods that can be consumed that will add beneficial bacteria to the gut. This includes things like yogurt and fermented foods like sauerkraut. If you have a teen who likes to grab a caffeinated beverage now and again, you may want to introduce them to kombucha, which contains limited amounts of caffeine and beneficial probiotics.
Establishing a Consistent Probiotic Regimen for Optimal Results
In order to feel confident that your teen is going to take their probiotic on a daily basis, help them get into a routine with their supplement. It’s usually easiest to add a probiotic to a morning routine, possibly taking the dose with breakfast. This gets the regimen out of the way before your teen leaves the house and begins their busy day. Most teens are coming and going from morning until night, so it’s a good idea to encourage your teen to pick a time that is convenient and consistent.
Precautions and Possible Side Effects
As with any supplement, there are some precautions and possible side effects to consider when giving your teen probiotics.
Allergies and Sensitivities
Certain probiotic supplements can include ingredients that are a no-go for teens with allergies or sensitivities. There are brands that go to great lengths to avoid using common allergens while also reducing the risk of cross-contamination. However, there are plenty of brands that come with warnings on the label. If you don’t find the information that you’re looking for, you can reach out to a brand to find out more about their manufacturing processes.
Temporary Digestive Discomfort
Taking probiotics for the first time can result in some temporary digestive discomfort. This is caused by the changes that are occurring in the gut. Rest assured, it’s a perfectly normal thing to experience. However, make sure these symptoms are tolerable before advising your teen to continue with the use of their probiotic.
Monitoring Any Unexpected Reactions
Watch your teen closely and ask them how they’re feeling during the first few days or weeks of taking a new probiotic supplement. If they experience any kind of unexpected reaction, reach out to their pediatrician for advice.