- Health
- Fitness
Top 5 Probiotics for Women Over 40
- Anita Quinn
- October 6, 2022
- 2:16 pm
- No Comments
If you’re a woman over 40, you’ve probably noticed you eat like you always have, but the ol’ bod’ doesn’t react the same. In fact, it feels like the cleaner you eat… the faster the weight piles on. Your skin is less elastic. You exercise 3 times a week, but just aren’t as “tight” as you once were.
Doctors will say it’s ‘a natural part of aging’ and there’s nothing women can do about it…But science says otherwise.
Recent research shows taking certain strains of probiotics can amplify the benefits of a healthy diet & exercise… to keep you looking fabulous well into your 40s and beyond.
It makes sense. Microorganisms comprise over 57% of the cells in your body. Your microbiome is the largest organism in the body. Microorganisms forming the microbiome fill your stomach and intestinal lining, regulating metabolism, aiding digestion and the absorption of nutrients.
Indeed, they play a role in nearly every aspect of your health—hair, skin, immunity, cognitive function, metabolism—everything. Seeding your microbiome with the high dosages of the right microorganisms helps women over 40 maintain healthy weight, look and feel more youthful and vibrant.
While all probiotic strains are beneficial to men and women, some unique strains are especially great at naturally combating the annoying symptoms – like weight gain, hot flashes & bloating – perimenopausal, menopasual and post-menopausal women face.
Our team independently reviewed 57 probiotic brands using data from independent consumer testing laboratories, Labdoor and ConsumerLab combined with our internal ratings system to determine the top 5 probiotics for women over 40.
5 Proven Benefits of Probiotics for Women and Over 40
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More Physical Fitness Naturally
A study of 207 subjects aged 65+, found that in-spite of higher caloric intake, subjects with an abundance of Bifidobacterium had greater fitness, leaner bodies, and lower blood glucose levels
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Weight Management and Fat Reduction
Another study found, Lactobacillus Gasseri increases fat emulsion and hydrolysis – which prevents fat buildup by breaking it down and passing it naturally through our system. Importantly, L. Gasseri was found to have the highest hydrolytic properties compared with four additional strains.
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Fewer Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)
Probiotics are great for decreasing urinary tract infections. They’re even being used by medical facilities as a treatment and may soon replace the most common treatment—antibiotics. UTIs are caused by unhealthy bacterial overgrowth. While antibiotics kill both good and bad bacteria… probiotics add healthy bacteria to counter overgrowth and treat UTIs by restoring the urinary tract’s microbiota.
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Reduce Menopausal Symptoms
According to a NewsWeek article, “Menopausal Women Need Probiotic Supplements.” In addition to countering weight gain and UTIs, probiotics have also been shown to reduce bloating, constipation, diarrhea, and abdominal pain associated with menopause. According to a peer reviewed study published in Nutrients, Journal of Human Nutrition, “evidence reveals probiotics and prebiotics modulate intestinal microbiota towards a healthier composition.
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Decrease Restlessness, Moodiness, and Hot Flashes
A rapid decline in estrogen levels typically causes restlessness, moodiness, and hot flashes in women over 40. Scientists have recently discovered gut flora, estrabolones, which regulate estrogen metabolization. Adding beneficial probiotics supports estrabolone colonization by increasing biodiversity and modulating declining estrogen levels for symptom reduction
What to Look for When Choosing Probiotics
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FDA Certification
Choose probiotics manufactured in an FDA regulated facility under GMP certified manufacturing processes. FDA and GMP certifications ensure your probiotics meet minimum quality standards and contain the CFU count of live active probiotics listed on the label.
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Beware of Fakes
According to the New York Times,5 1 in 4 products sold on Amazon are fake. This is especially true of nutritional supplements. Avoid buying supplements on Ebay. When you buy from Amazon, ensure you buy from the manufacturer’s Amazon store. Otherwise, buy directly on the manufacturer’s website. Buying fraudulent products could potentially cause nasty side effects - so be extra cautious about authenticity.
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High CFU Count
Your microbiome is composed of trillions of microbes. While all probiotics are beneficial, adding too few colony forming units (CFU) won't allow you to enjoy the best visible results. While eating probiotic-rich foods like yoghurt is good, you need to add a probiotic supplement for maximum benefits. Yogurt contains around 6 billion CFU. Most studies recommend 10-20 billion CFU for maintaining digestive health. Some studies suggest additional benefits at dosages beyond 20 billion.
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Prebiotics
Prebiotics are foods (plant fiber) probiotics eat. Probiotics containing prebiotics increase the likelihood of healthy colonization. In probiotic supplements, prebiotics are typically fructo-and-galacto-oligosaccharides.
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Multiple Clinically Studied Strains
Not all probiotics are equal. Are you taking the right ones that have been clinically-researched? Because of the promise probiotics offer for a variety of conditions, and advances made during the Human Microbiome Project, research into probiotics has exploded. Scientists now know some strains are more beneficial than others for certain conditions. For instance, we now know Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium strains are most beneficial for weight loss. Our top 5 probiotics contain clinically studied strains that have shown to be beneficial to perimenopausal, menopausal, and post-menopausal women.
Top 3 Strains for Women Over 40
B. Breve
Numerous studies show B. Breve fights weight gain, improves muscle function, boosts immunity, prevents cognitive impairment, and alleviates inflammation.
B. Lactis
Is clinically proven to fight inflammation, regulate female hormones, combat infection, relieve irritable bowel syndrome, and promote gut health.
L. Gasseri
Is shown to reduce visceral fat buildup, alleviates postmenopausal symptoms, supports gut health and reduces diarrhea, and combats yeast infections.
Here Are The Top 5 Probiotics for Women Over 40
1. Provitalize
Why we like Provitalize
Provitalize is the only probiotic in our list that contains all 3 of the best strains for women over 40. It’s uniquely marketed as a thermogenic probiotic with fat-excreting & metabolism-boosting properties. According to their official website, over 1,200,000 women have shed the stubborn weight with just two capsules a day. The thousands of glowing reviews on Amazon, Trustpilot & Okendo are undeniable proof that Provitalize is worthy of our top spot.
In addition to probiotics, Provitalize contains a herbal blend with demonstrated benefits for premenopausal, menopausal, and postmenopausal women including turmeric root extract, moringa leaf extract, and curry leaf extract. Together these have been shown to combat inflammation and bloating, decrease hot flashes, joint pain, and support healthy blood sugar and cholesterol levels.
Bioperene (black pepper extract) and sunflower lecithin are shown to enhance absorption of vitamins, minerals, and other beneficial properties of herbal formulas.
PROS
- FDA, GMP, and Certified Organic
- Vegan, keto, paleo friendly
- 100% natural, safe ingredients
- Thermogenic herbal assisted probiotic formula
- 12,989 Amazon reviewers report 84% positive results
- 4 Star Trustpilot rating
- 62 Billion CFU
- Clinically proven probiotic strains
- Vegan DR Caps
- Independently verified by Eurofins Testing Laboratory
- 90 day money-back guarantee
CONS
- No free trial
- <10% report no weight loss
2. **Best Value** Slim Gut Bundle (Provitalize + Previtalize)
Brand: Better Body Co
Want 50% faster visible weight results from Provitalize? Then the Slim Gut Bundle is for you. This holistic bundle combines the weight-management powers of Provitalize with ‘super fiber’ prebiotics in Previtalize.
The probiotics in Provitalize feed on these ‘super fibers’ to multiply faster in the gut. This means women can see faster visible results such as reduction of belly fat & cravings.
These healthy fibers include fructooligosaccharides, galactooligosaccharides, and inulin. Previtalize also aids digestion and stabilizes mood naturally.
We listed the Slim Gut Bundle 2nd only because it costs more than Provitalize alone. Other than that, we believe it’s the best-value-for-money bundle in the market right now.
PROS
- FDA, GMP, and Certified Organic
- Vegan, keto, paleo friendly
- 100% natural, safe ingredients
- Thermogenic herbal assisted probiotic formula
- 12,989 Amazon reviewers report 84% positive results
- 4 Star Trustpilot rating
- 62 Billion CFU
- Clinically proven probiotic strains
- Vegan DR Caps
- Independently verified by Eurofins Testing Laboratory
- 90 day money-back guarantee
CONS
- No free trial
- Slightly more expensive than Provitalize alone
3. ProbioSlim Extra Strength
Brand: Force Factor
PROS
- Well-known brand available online and through major retailers
- Clinically studied strains
- Money-back guarantee
- Made in the USA
- GNC award-winner
- Inexpensive
CONS
- Contains 100mg of caffeine
- Only 30 day money-back guarantee
- Not GMP, and Certified Organic
- Not Vegan, keto, paleo friendly
- Mixed weight loss reviews
4. Menofit
Brand: MenoLabs
PROS
- Clinically studied ingredients
- 2805 Amazon reviewers report 86% positive results
- 4.9% Google rating
- Good customer support
- 100% natural, safe ingredients
- 90 day money-back guarantee
CONS
- Not GMP, and Certified Organic
- Not all ingredients are clinically studied
- Expensive
5. Garden of Life Fitbiotic
Brand: Garden of Life
PROS
- Organic, vegan, gluten and soy free, non-GMO certified
- 50 billion CFU
- 14 beneficial strains
- Prebiotics
CONS
- No money-back guarantee
- Few online reviews
Anita Quinn
Anita Quinn (31) is a Staff Writer for The Daily Post focusing on Beauty, Fashion, and Health. Her extensive traveling for various environmental and wildlife conservation groups has taken her to 24 countries and 37 U.S. states. The three things she packs for every trip are: a good mystery novel, a moisturizer with a high SPF, and her mother's old camera.
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