7 Best Probiotics For Parasites
The National Institute of Health, USA, reports that every year up to 200,000 people die in the world due to infections caused by intestinal parasites.
These pathogenic organisms drain nutrients from your blood and destroy the natural gut microbiome, leading to severe ailments.
However, supplementing your natural microbiome with probiotic supplements can successfully cleanse your body from parasites.
But as you would need different strains to fight and kill different parasites, one probiotic product can’t fit everyone. To help you choose the right supplement, I have listed 5 of the best anti-parasite probiotics:
- Yourbiology Gut+ – Best Probiotics For Vaginal Parasites
- Biotics 8 – Best for parasite cleanse
- Culturelle Digestive Daily – Best Probiotics for Intestinal Parasites
- Optibac Baby Drops Probiotics – Best Baby Probiotics For Intestinal Parasites
- Probullin My Little Bugs – Best Anti-parasite Probiotic For Kids
- BioKult Advanced – Best Probiotics For Microscopic Parasites
- HomeBiotic – Best Probiotic Spray For Skin Parasites
Brief reviews of these products are given below, and if you are curious how I short-listed these supplements from the myriad options available out there, here are key points to remember when looking for the best probiotic supplement to kill enteric, vaginal, blood, or skin parasites;
How I Made Selections for the Best Probiotics for Parasites:
A probiotic supplement is good for parasites if:
Its Strains Can Fight Well Against Parasites
Some microbes compete with each other for the same type of nutrients, and if the probiotic content in your gut is significant, it will force the parasites to starve and die in deprivation. Besides competing for food, friendly bacteria also occupy more space on the gut lining, leaving no room for parasite colonies.
Others produce such secretions that kill parasites directly; for example, the acidic secretions of lactic acid probiotics kill vaginal parasites.
However, not all probiotics work the same for a parasitic disease. Instead, some microbes do not affect the growth of parasites or are too weak against them.
That is why it is necessary to choose a supplement with strains that will work against the parasite in the body and not in their favor.
It Delivers Live Microbes To the Gut
Besides the content, the type of encapsulation is very important when choosing a probiotic supplement.
That’s because probiotic microbes are usually very sensitive to temperature, moisture, and pH.
If the capsule opens soon after they are down your throat, it’s much anticipated that stomach acidity will most of them before they can reach the intestinal tract.
That is why enteric pH-sensitive capsules that open in the gut only where the pH is most suitable (in the large intestine).
Resultantly, you get most of the strains delivered to your gut microbiome and can avail the best results.
It has a High CFU Count
You would need a large number of probiotic strains to restore a healthy microbiome in your gut, skin, or vagina when infected with parasites.
Otherwise, the harmful microbes will overpower the small number of healthy bacteria and keep flourishing. That is why when searching for a probiotic for parasites, look for a product with a high CFU count.
Taking high CFU probiotic capsules is also necessary to make sure enough strains reach the microbiome, as some of the microbes inevitably die with time.
Usually, supplements with 1-10 billion or higher CFU numbers are considered the best. Therefore all the oral probiotics I have mentioned below are not only specified for related categories but also have CFU counts higher than 1 billion.
It does Not Contain Any Food Allergen
An important concern while looking for a dietary supplement is whether it can trigger an allergic reaction.
Supplements like probiotic pills, powders, and drinks may be manufactured in facilities where soy, eggs, fish, dairy, or peanut products are processed. So, there’s a danger of contamination.
The risk of milk allergy is the highest because often probiotic cultures are derived from whey.
Hence, it is necessary to ensure that the brand you are buying follows good manufacturing practices, ensuring zero contamination. (Companies print the certifications on the product label when the probiotic is allergen-free.)
It Can be Stored Without Refrigeration
While refrigeration keeps the probiotics in the best condition, it is not always feasible. Maintaining low-temperature storage is especially difficult when traveling long distances.
Adding to the trouble, the risk of parasitic attacks is the highest when you go to a far-off place, breathe in the air with unfamiliar microbes, and try new foods.
In such a situation, it’s likely that a parasite finds its way into your gut and bloodstream and starts flourishing there. But if you have a thermostable probiotic with you on your way and use it regularly, you can likely avoid such misery.
The cherry on top, all products mentioned below are shelf-stable and don’t need refrigeration. So you can carry them on long trips without concern.
7 Best Probtics for Parasites
1. YourBiology Gut+ – Best Probiotics For Vaginal Parasites
CFU: 40 billion CFUs
Dosage: 2 capsules daily
Probiotics Strains:
- Lactobacillus strains (L. acidophilus, L. plantarum, L. paracasei)
- Bifidobacterium lactis
Form: Enteric Capsules derived from Brown Seaweed
Certifications: GMP-certified
Storage: No refrigeration required, stable at room temperature
Cost:
- 1 bottle for $64.99
- 3 bottles for $129.99
- 5 bottles for $194.99
Yourbiology Gut+ is designed specifically for women, so it includes the strains best suited for killing vaginal parasites that cause severe inflammation and irritation.
The vagina naturally harbors different bacteria that maintain a stable vaginal pH, cleanse, and protect the vaginal lining from infection-causing agents like parasites and toxins.
Usually, the Lactobacillus bacteria have the highest population in this microbiome, but their number may be decreased by parasitic colonization.
Thus, taking a supplement rich in Lactobacillus species like Gut+ is an easy way to overpower parasites.
L. acidophilus can help treat bacterial vaginosis, killing bacterial parasites and increasing the number of friendly bacteria. This way, it helps restore the vaginal healthy microbiome.
And besides bacterial infections, this supplement is helpful for candidiasis (infection from a fungal parasite) owing to the anti-fungal properties of L. plantarum and L. paracasei.
Pros:
- Suitable for all women (premenopausal, post-menopausal, and pregnant)
- Vegan friendly
- Improves gut, vaginal, and urinary health
- Enhances immunity
Cons:
- Available for purchase only on Yourbiology’s website.
Where to buy:
- From Yourbiology’s official website, the price starts at $64.99.
2. Biotics 8 – Best Probiotic for Parasite Cleanse
CFU: 20 billion
Dosage: 3 capsules daily
Probiotic Strains: 10 strains
- Lactobacillus strains (L. casei, L. paracasei, L. plantarum, L. fermentum, L. longum, L. acidophilus, L. rhamnosus)
- Bifidobacteria strains (B. longum, B. breve)
- Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Form/Type: Enteric Capsules
Certifications: GMP-certified
Storage: Shelf-stable
Cost:
- 1 bottle for $64.99
- 3 bottles for $129.99
- 5 bottles for $194.99
Biotic 8 is the best probiotic product for parasite cleansing. What makes it most effective against parasites is its multi-strain formulation combined with beneficial additives like prebiotics, enzymes, and vitamin D.
Overall it delivers 10 probiotic strains, among which Lactobacillus species like L. casei, L. rhamnosus, and L. acidophilus are especially effective against parasites.
These lactic acid probiotic strains kill intestinal parasites like tapeworms and hooks by secreting acidic compounds that damage parasite membranes and make their eggs less viable.
Bifidobacteria and Saccharomyces strains also help by strengthening the immune system, making your body’s guard cells (macrophages) eat small parasitic invaders.
And to feed these friendly microbes, Biotics 8 also contains prebiotic fiber.
However, the characteristic I like the most about this product is the presence of digestive enzymes and vitamin D.
While enzymes prevent indigestion and food allergies, vitamin D increases strength and also protects against protozoic parasites like those causing Leishmaniasis.
Pros:
- Multi-strain product, effective for multiple parasites
- Contains prebiotics also
- Target-released Encapsulation
- Allergen-free supplement
Cons:
- Only available from the official website
- A highly effective anti-parasite strain, L. reuteri is missing
Where to buy:
- Only available on the Biotics8 website at the price of $64.99 per bottle.
- Discounts available on bundle deals
3. Culturelle Digestive Daily – Best Probiotics for Intestinal Parasites
CFU: 10 billion
Dosage: 1 capsule daily
Probiotics Strain; Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG
Form: Capsules
Certifications: N/A
Storage: Shelf-stable
Cost:
- $17.99 for 30 pills pack
- $23.99 for 50 pills pack
Culturelle Digestive Daily is a single-strain product, delivering 10 billion CFUs of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG).
Various studies have proven the efficacy of Lactobacillus probiotics as anti-parasite agents, and L. rhamnosus GG is one of the most effective strains in this class.
It helps in lowering the parasitic count in the gut using various mechanisms.
On one side, it fights harmful organisms directly. For instance, it competes with bacterial pathogens and irritates larger parasites with its acidic secretion.
And on the other side, it strengthens immune cells, enabling them to fight and kick off the parasitic particle more effectively. It also strengthens the intestinal barrier, restricting the entry of parasites into the blood during digestion.
A research paper from the NCBI library also suggests LGG supplementation, a useful therapy against parasites causing giardiasis and other intestinal infections.
That’s why many users declare Daily Digestive an effective solution for occasional gut issues.
Pros:
- Fights infectious organisms
- Improves intestinal barrier against germs
- Helps with digestion
- Vegan and allergen-free
Cons:
- Lacks many useful anti-parasite strains except LGG
Where to buy:
- Available at the Culturelle website, the small pack (30 pills) for $17.99 and the larger pack (50 pills) for $23.99.
- Also sold at different local and online marketplaces like Amazon, Walmart, CVS, Target, etc.
4. Optibac Baby Drops Probiotics- Best Baby Probiotics For Intestinal Parasites
CFU: 1 billion
Dosage: 8 drops daily
Probiotic Strains:
- Bifidobacterium breve
Form/Type: Liquid drops
Certifications: Non-GMO certified
Storage: Refrigerate if using a dropper in the mouth; otherwise, it can be stored at room temperature
Cost: $19.99
Optibac produces probiotic products formulated for different age groups and genders.
Similarly, they have designed Probiotic Baby drops to take care of your newborn’s health. Due to high efficacy and safer formulation, this product has won the 2020 National Parenting Product Awards and Nutra Ingredients Asia Award 2019 for Ingredient of the Year: Infant Nutrition.
It is easy to use and can be given to the baby directly as mouth drops or mixed with milk.
Strain concentration as high as 1 billion CFU/serving makes it a strong protector of your baby’s tummy against parasites.
B. breve is known for its antibacterial properties against microscopic intestinal parasites like those causing diarrhea and abdominal pain.
Research shows that this probiotic strain is highly effective against C. difficile, a common enteric parasite causing diarrhea and inflammation of the colon.
Hence, with these drops, you will not only promote better digestion in your baby’s gut but also safeguard him against common parasites.
Also, you can safely use this probiotic supplement with colic relief medicines. In fact, it will enhance the treatment efficacy.
Pros:
- Award-winning probiotics for babies
- Improves digestion and bowel movement
- Enhances immunity against diseases
- Allergen free
Cons:
- Lacks prebiotics
Where to buy:
- Available from Optibac website in packing of 30 servings (10 ml) per bottle for $19.99
- Optibac Amazon store
5. Probullin My Little Bugs – Best Anti-parasite Probiotic For Kids
CFU: 5 billion
Dosage: 1 capsule daily
Probiotics Strains: 15 strains
- 7 Lactobacillus strains (L. acidophilus, L. rhmnosus, L. bulgaricus, L. fermentum, L. helveticus, L. brevis, L. reuteri)
- 3 Bifidobacteria strains (B. lactis, B. longum, B. bifidium)
- Saccharmyces boulardii
- 2 Pediococcus strains (P. acidilactici, P. pentosaceus)
- Propionibacterium freudenreichii
- Streptococcus thermophilus
Form: Chewable Tablets
Certifications: Third-Party Lab tested
Storage: shelf-stable
Cost: $26.99
Probulin My Little Bug probiotics are a yum and fun way to keep your children safe from gut parasites. This supplement comes in a tasty watermelon flavor, which makes your kids taking their probiotics no hustle.
Coming to the formulation, these chewable have 15 strains, unlike most supplements that only have Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, or Bacillus species.
Thus, taking these gummies daily would enhance the child’s natural microbiome, enabling him to fight pathogenic diseases better.
Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium species are known to keep the growth of microscopic parasites in check inside children’s intestines. Similarly, yeast probiotics like S. boulardii and S. thermophiles are effective against infecting bacteria and fungi.
S. boulardii is a great tool to keep your child safe from a common germ, Entamoeba histolytica, which causes amoebic dysentery.
And the best thing is you can give these tasty chewables to children without the fear of food allergies, as these pills are free from dairy, eggs, wheat, soy, shellfish, gluten, artificial colors, sweeteners, flavors, and magnesium stearate.
Pros:
- Good-tasting chewables for kids
- Complete parasite cleanse with multiple strains
- Third-party tested
- No allergens or preservatives
Cons:
- Tablets lose the targeted-release capacity once chewed
Where to buy:
- From the Probulin website at the price of $26.99 per bottle (30 tablets)
6. BioKult Original – Best Probiotics For Microscopic Parasites
CFU: 2 billion
Dosage: 1-2 capsules daily
Probiotics Strains:
- 4 Bifidobacterium strains (B. bifidum, B. breve, B. infantis , B. longum)
- 7 Lactobacillus strains (L. acidophilus, L. delbrueckii ssp. bulgaricus, L. casei, L. plantarum, L. rhamnosus, L. helveticus, L. salivarius)
- Lactococcus lactis ssp. lactis
- Bacillus subtilis
- Streptococcus thermophilus
Form: HPMC capsule
Certifications: N/A
Storage: Shelf-stable
Cost: $19.95
BioKult is a multispecies, multistrain probiotic that provides protection against many parasitic microorganisms. Its 14 strains include Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, Bacillus, Lactococcus, and Streptococcus bacteria.
All these microbes play against harmful microbes in the intestines through multiple mechanisms. Firstly, they utilize most of the food available in the gut, leaving the parasite deprived of nourishment.
Besides that, the friendly bacteria also secrete organic acids, bacteriocin,, and anti-biotic compounds to damage the cellular structure of the parasites. Secretion of anti-inflammatory substances further enhances the resistance against parasitic infections.
Lab analysis of intestinal tissues proves that supplementation with a multi-strain probiotic improves the intestinal barrier and keeps microbial parasites from entering blood through the gut lining.
On top of it all, species like Streptococcus and Bacillus actively stimulate the immune system to produce cytokines and antibodies against parasitic organisms.
Pros:
- High probiotic diversity, 14 strains
- Improves gut function and resistance against parasites
- Kills parasitic cells with probiotic secretions
- Can be used with antibiotic medicines.
Cons:
- Contains Milk and Soy Allergens
- No yeast probiotic included
Where to Buy:
- From the BioKult Website, the price is $17.95 for a 30-capsule bottle.
- 60 capsules and 120 capsules bottles are also available
- From Amazon and other supplement stores
7. HomeBiotic – Best Probiotic Spray For Skin Parasites
CFU: Millions of probiotics in each spray (exact amount not specified, though)
Dosage:
- Non-edible, 1 spray/2 square feet
- Spray once daily for the first week, then once a week
Probiotic Strains: Soil-based probiotics (patent formulation)
Form/Type: Anti-allergen spray
Certifications: N/A
Storage: shelf-stable
Cost: $19.95
When it comes to parasites harboring the skin microbiome and causing superficial diseases, tropic creams, and sprays are more effective than oral supplements.
It’s mostly because tropic probiotics come in contact with parasites sooner than the strain you ingest.
And Homebiotic is a product that keeps you and your family safe from a variety of skin parasites and allergens.
This spray is filled with millions of soil-based probiotics.
These earthly microbes are highly effective against skin parasites like Staphylococcus aureus, a bacteria that trigger and worsen Eczema flare-ups.
Homebiotic will help you avoid the Eczema itch and redness on the skin.
Besides that, this spray keeps your home free of molds and fungal allergens, helping you relish beautiful, rash-free skin.
Pros:
- Protects against skin parasites
- Keep your home free of molds
- Keeps the air clean from dust and allergens
Cons:
- Probiotic strains not declared clearly
Where to buy:
- Homebiotic Website, paying $19.95 for a bottle of 120 ml
FAQs
Do probiotics help with intestinal parasites?
Yes, probiotics help you get rid of parasites. Friendly bacteria compete with parasites for food and space, irritate them by secreting anti-biotic compounds and trigger immune responses against them.
Which probiotics kill parasites?
- Lactobacillus strains can kill most intestinal and vaginal parasites.
- Saccharomyces strains are effective against yeast parasites and protozoans like Antamoeba histolytica.
- Soil-based probiotics like Bacillus sp. Kill Candida Albincans, the fungus that causes Candidiasis.
Can probiotics help parasites?
No, mostly, probiotics play against parasites, helping you get rid of these harmful organisms.
Do probiotics feed parasites?
Probiotics do not feed parasites; instead, they compete with parasites for nutrients and colonization space in the gut.