Vegan Probiotics

The conditions in which probiotics are grown, however, are not necessarily vegan. Of all the many species of bacteria and yeast that comprise your gut microbiome, the most abundant type are bacteria in the genus Lactobacillus. From the Latin lact meaning milk, lactobacillus strains naturally are associated with dairy sources. Lactobacillus varieties are what ferment dairy products such as cheese and yogurt and are even found in human breast milk, providing infants with healthy gut microbiota.¹  Because of this, manufacturers of probiotics traditionally cultured their organisms in milk or liquid containing dairy-derived proteins and nutrients. However, with the increased interest in veganism and awareness of lactose intolerance and other food allergies, you can now find more and more probiotics cultured in non-dairy media, such as soymilk, fruit and vegetable juices, and grain-based beverages.²

Prebiotics are extra ingredients that support the viability and proliferation of the beneficial microbes in your intestines. These are all insoluble fibers- plant-derived carbohydrates- which feed the microorganisms, such as oligofructose, inulin, and pectin.  Sometimes, these are combined with probiotics in supplements known as synbiotics.³

The capsules which contain probiotics are made from tough, water-resistant yet digestible polymers. In non-vegan supplements, capsules are made of gelatin. You will see "gelatin" on the list of ingredients on the back of the bottle. This gelatin is made most commonly of Bovine (cow), porcine (pork) or fish byrproducts.⁴ 

In vegan probiotics, the capsules SHOULD be made from plant-derived compounds such as starch, cellulose, or hypromellose. You should not see gelatin. Be sure you check the ingredient list on the back of the bottle for that. 

Foods can be an excellent source of dietary probiotics, and with them you can be sure that your probiotics are from a vegan source. Fermented foods are especially good sources of beneficial yeast and bacteria.  Some plant-based sources of probiotics include:

• Soy yogurt and other fermented soy products⁵
• Kombucha⁶
• Sauerkraut (unpasteurized)⁷
• Kimchi- a traditional Korean dish of fermented cabbage and spices⁸

To supplement your diet with a healthy and clean source of omega 3, Try these vegan probiotics produced completely from vegan sources:

1. BioGanix BIOPRO-50 Probiotic
2. Dr. Stern Rebalance Essential Probiotic + Glutamine
3. NOW Probiotic-10
4. Origin Essentials Probiotic
5. Deva Nutrition Vegan Probiotic