The Best Dairy-Free Probiotic Supplements Plus Essential Label Reading Tips

This is the flagship post in our dairy-free probiotics section, which I will continue to update. Finding dairy-free probiotic supplements used to be a challenge, but these days there are quite a few options. Technically, probiotics themselves are free of all food. They’re live bacteria and yeasts that occur naturally in our digestive tracts. But two primary food issues can arise with probiotic supplements.

Probiotics and Dairy

Supplements often contain fillers, binders, and other types of ingredients to bulk them up and create a functional pill. Getting live bacteria to our guts without a transport system would be next to impossible. But these ingredients can include food, like dairy. Most of the time it’s lactose (milk sugar), but other dairy ingredients might be used. Nonetheless, the ingredients should be clearly visible on the label.

And the probiotics themselves must be grown on a medium. This is often dairy. The bacteria is removed from the medium, and in theory shouldn’t be problematic for most people with a dairy issue. The bacteria itself doesn’t contain properties, like proteins, of the dairy it was grown on. However, there can be a concern for trace cross-contamination, and vegans might object to dairy being used in the process. Like food, it’s important to contact the manufacturer to find out if their processes are safe and suitable for your needs.

If you see a probiotic that states “contains milk,” even though the ingredients appear to be dairy-free, it’s reasonable to assume that one or more of the strains might have been grown on a dairy medium. But it’s important to contact the manufacturer to confirm if you are dairy-free and still considering the supplement.

The Bacteria Itself is Not Milk

Don’t let the names of the different bacteria fool you. You will see probiotic strains called lactobacillus acidophilus (L. acidophilus), lactobacillus casei (L. casei), and bifidobacterium lactis (B. lactis). But in the world of bacteria, lactobacillus and and lactis doesn’t mean it contains lactose, and casei isn’t referring specifically to casein. And these types of bacteria weren’t necessarily grown on a dairy medium. In fact, these bacteria naturally occur in the human gut, even in those of us who are dairy free!

The Best Dairy-Free Probiotic Supplements

These are probiotics that are marketed as dairy-free, that we have used ourselves, and/or that we’ve been able to confirm as dairy-free. As I learn more about these products, I will add information. And always contact the manufacturer to confirm the product’s safety for your needs, particularly if dealing with a severe food allergy. This is for informational purposes only, and it shouldn’t replace your doctor’s recommendation or your own research.

Klaire Labs Ther-Biotic Complete

This brand was recommended to me by my doctor nearly a decade ago. He touted it as a medically-backed, trustworthy company, and we’ve used their products over the years. Most of their probiotic supplements are touted as “hypoallergenic.” It comes in both capsule and powder formats.

• Bacteria Strains: Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Bifidobacterium bifidum, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus salivarius, Bifidobacterium longum, Streptococcus thermophiles, Lactobacillus bulgaricus, Lactobacillus paracasei, Bifidobacterium lactis, Bifidobacterium breve
• Bacteria Count: 25 billion (1 capsule)
• Product is Labeled As: Free of the following common allergens: milk/casein, eggs, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, gluten, and soybeans.
• Storage: Refrigerated

GoodBelly Probiotic Supplement

You might know this company for probiotic shots and juices, but GoodBelly also has a probiotic supplement. Like their drinks, these supplements are marketed as dairy free, and I have used them myself.

• Bacteria Strains: LP299V (lactobacillus plantarum 299v)
• Bacteria Count: 10 billion (1 capsule)
• Product is Labeled As: Vegan, Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free, Soy-Free
• Storage: Shelf-stable

MegaFood MegaFlora Probiotic Supplements

According to MegaFood, “All of our products are tested and verified to be free of gluten, in addition to dairy and soy.” I’ve spoken with representatives from their company, and was very impressed by their commitment to quality and dairy-free testing. They have a small range of dairy-free probiotic supplements for men, women, and different ages, but I’m focusing on their base MegaFlora blend.

• Bacteria Strains: Bifidobacterium lactis, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus salivarius, Lactobacillus brevis, Lactobacillus bulgaricus, Lactobacillus gasseri, Lactobacillus lactis, Bifidobacterium longum, Bifidobacterium bifidum, Bifidobacterium infantis, Streptococcus thermophiles
• Bacteria Count: 20 billion (1 capsule)
• Product is Labeled As: Vegan, Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free, Soy-Free
• Storage: Refrigerated

Ora “trust your gut” Vegan Probiotics

It’s hard to find dairy-free probiotic supplements with L. reuteri, which has been touted for women’s health. So this vegan brand is a find. I only wish it contained L. rhamnosus too. Nonetheless, it does contain organic prebiotics from Jerusalem artichoke.

• Bacteria Strains: Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus reuteri, Bifidobacterium bifidum, Bifidobacterium breve, Bifidobacterium lactis, Bifidobacterium longum
• Bacteria Count: 16 billion (2 capsules)
• Product is Labeled As: Vegan, Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free, Soy-Free
• Storage: Shelf-stable

Yuve Vegan Probiotic Gummies

If you don’t do pills, and have a sweet tooth, then probiotic gummies might be your answer. A lot of vegan supplement gummies fall short in taste and texture, but these are loved by most people. Surprisingly, these gummies should be refrigerated. If you need a shelf-stable vegan probiotic gummy option, Vibin might work well.

• Bacteria Strains: Bacillus coagulans
• Bacteria Count: 5 billion (2 gummies)
• Product is Labeled As: Vegan, Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free, Soy-Free, Sugar-Free
• Storage: Refrigerated

Dr. Bo’s Advanced Strength Probiotic

These dairy-free probiotic supplements are recommended for men, women, and kids, because they are very small, easy-to-swallow capsules. But check with your pediatrician – they might not want your child to take 2 capsules.

• Bacteria Strains: Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium bifidum, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus salivarius, Lactobacillus bulgaricus,Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus brevis, Bifidobacterium lactis, Bifidobacterium longum
• Bacteria Count: 4.4 billion (2 capsules)
• Product is Labeled As: Vegan, Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free, Allergen-Free
• Storage: Shelf-stable

Dairy-Free Probiotic Supplements Specifically for Kids

Consult a pediatrician to find out if your child is old enough for, or needs, dairy-free probiotic supplements.

Klaire Labs Ther-Biotic Children’s Chewable

This variety of “hypoallergenic” dairy-free probiotic supplements is similar to Ther-Biotic Complete, but it comes in a chewable cherry flavored tablet. It also has a different range of strains that I assume are more suited to little tummies. The manufacturer states that this probiotic is designed for children 2 years of age and older.

• Bacteria Strains: Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus salivarius, Lactobacillus paracasei, Bifidobacterium infantis, Bifidobacterium bifidum, Bifidobacterium longum, Bifidobacterium breve
• Bacteria Count: 25 billion (1 tablet)
• Product is Labeled As: Free of the following common allergens: milk/casein, eggs, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, gluten, and soybeans.
• Storage: Refrigerated

MegaFood Kids N’ Us MegaFlora Probiotic Supplements

This dairy-free brand also has a popular kids probiotic supplement, which they say was created with kids aged 5 and up in mind. It appears to be a “light” version of their MegaFlora flagship probiotic.

• Bacteria Strains: Bifidobacterium lactis, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus salivarius, Lactobacillus brevis, Lactobacillus bulgaricus, Lactobacillus gasseri, Lactobacillus lactis, Bifidobacterium longum, Bifidobacterium bifidum, Bifidobacterium infantis, Streptococcus thermophiles
• Bacteria Count: 5 billion (1 capsule)
• Product is Labeled As: Vegan, Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free, Soy-Free
• Storage: Refrigerated

Renew Life Ultimate Flora Kids Probiotic 

This is one of the most popular kids brands of probiotics, and its a great dairy-free, gluten-free, and sugar-free option. Both kids (over 2 years of age) and adults seem to like the berry-licious flavor. If your child prefers gummies, Renew Life does make Ultimate Flora Kids Probiotic Gummies. They are also dairy-free (and soy-free) and well-loved for taste and texture, but they do contain wheat and gelatin and have less probiotics (strains and overall quantity) than these chewables.

• Bacteria Strains: Bacillus coagulans, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium lactis, Bifidobacterium breve, Lactobacillus salivarius, Lactobacillus plantarum
• Bacteria Count: 3 billion (1 tablet)
• Product is Labeled As: Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free, Sugar-Free
• Storage: Shelf-stable but best if refrigerated

Pure Encapsulations Probiotic 123 Powder

This is a pediatric product, formulated specifically for kids, and recommended for ages 1 and up. But many adults love this probiotic too. Powders like this can be added to smoothies or spreads for a seamless, pill-free delivery.

• Bacteria Strains: Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium bifidum, Bifidobacterium lactis
• Bacteria Count: 2.25 billion (.5 gram scoop)
• Product is Labeled As: Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free, Soy-Free, Hypoallergenic
• Storage: Refrigerated

What Are Your Favorite Dairy-Free Probiotic Supplements?

Comment and share your favorite brand of vegan, hypoallergenic, or dairy-free probiotic supplements.

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