Our Top Rated Probiotics Review

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Looking for a new probiotic? There are seemingly endless options, and it can be hard to choose one. In fact, I updated a more comprehensive brand assessment a few months ago for cleangreensimple.com which you can find, here.

However, they’re worth including in your routine — thanks to the numerous benefits probiotics can offer for gut health, brain function, and immune support.

For women, certain strains may even help promote balance of the vaginal microbiome.

The women’s probiotic Routine contains strains that offer all of these benefits, along with ashwagandha to help promote relaxation.

Here are a few things to know about Routine before you order.

What Is Routine?

Routine is a probiotic that’s specifically designed for women. It contains a blend of well-researched bacterial strains that may help improve digestive health, immune health, mood, and vaginal microbiome balance. It also contains prebiotics, which are a food source for healthy gut bacteria, and ashwagandha, a botanical that may help relieve stress and promote relaxation.

In addition, a major selling point of Routine is that it’s made with simple and high-quality ingredients. 

It’s a subscription service, so you sign up for the starter kit, and then you’ll receive monthly refill shipments in the mail.

My Experience

I recently had the opportunity to try Routine. Here are my honest thoughts.

Shipping took about a week from once my order was entered, and an estimated tracking date wasn’t available — although I was able to guess roughly when it would arrive based on its location.

Still, I really liked the packaging. The starter kit comes with a reusable glass jar and refills are packaged in compostable pouches that — according to the Routine website — will compost within 8 to 12 months. The rest of the packaging is recyclable cardboard.

Routine probiotics for women packaging with a reuseable glass jar and pouch.

The jar looks really nice and can be kept out on display for easy access.

Routine glass jar filled with probiotic supplements.

The capsules are also easy to swallow, and they have no noticeable taste or aftertaste. I’m used to taking supplements, so it was no problem for me to remember to take them.

I can’t say that I’ve noticed any specific benefits from taking this probiotic yet, but I have been consistently taking probiotics for years. If you’re new to probiotics, you may have a different experience.

I will say that I’m generally the last person in my household to get sick whenever something’s going around, and I usually recover the quickest too. I credit that at least partially to probiotics — which have known immune support benefits.

I’m also really pleased with the ingredients in this supplement, which all seem to be very carefully chosen. 

One thing I always like to check when evaluating supplements is if they contain clinically relevant doses of ingredients like ashwagandha. This one does. Studies have shown benefits from taking 120 mg of ashwagandha, and Routine contains 150 mg per serving.

Overall, I think this is a great probiotic option for women who want a subscription to help them stick to a supplement routine — so it’s also very aptly named.

Potential Benefits

Probiotics are often thought of as “gut health” supplements. While that’s one part of the equation, probiotics can do a lot more than help regulate your digestion.

The potential health benefits of Routine include better digestion, vaginal health, weight management, immune support, and reduced stress.

Digestive Health

Bifidobacterium animalis subspecies lactis HN019 is a bacterial strain that has been linked to better gut health (1). 

Research shows that it can help strengthen the gut lining, the barrier that keeps the digestive tract separate from the rest of the body.

It can also help promote digestive regularity by reducing both constipation and diarrhea.

Routine contains two billion colony forming units (CFUs) of this strain per serving.

Vaginal Health

The vaginal microbiome hasn’t gained as much attention as the gut microbiome, but we are starting to learn more about it. The good bacteria in this part of your body help regulate the pH of your vagina and give it its self-cleaning properties.

Lactobacillus rhamnosus HN001 and Lactobacillus acidophilus La-14 may both help neutralize pathogens (harmful bacteria) that harm vaginal health (2).

Routine contains eight billion CFU of L. acidophilus La-14 and two billion CFU of L. rhamnosus HN001.

Weight Management

Routine also contains 10 billion CFU of Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis B-420. This strain of bacteria may help regulate metabolism and promote weight loss.

Research shows that it can help to correct some of the dysbiosis related to obesity, and it may also help to reduce daily calorie intake by about 200 calories per day (3).

Still, for successful long-term weight loss you’ll need to pair Routine with a healthy, moderately calorie restricted diet and exercise.

Immune Support

The digestive tract is one of the body’s major immune health organs, acting as a barrier against pathogens in food and drink. Additionally, 70% of the body’s immune cells are found in the gut (4).

Researchers have also found that Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis Bl-04 may even help offer some protection against the common cold (5).

Routine contains two billion CFU of this strain.

Stress and Mood Support

Finally, Routine also contains ashwagandha for stress relief and mood support.

Ashwagandha isn’t a probiotic, it’s a plant-based adaptogen — meaning it can help your body adapt to stress. Researchers have found that ashwagandha can help reduce stress, depression, anxiety, and even insomnia (6).

The supplement contains 150 mg per serving.

Cost

A one-month, one time purchase of Routine costs $39.95. However, you can save some cash by purchasing two or three months at a time. The most popular ordering solution is a 2 months supply, saving $30.

Subscribing will save another $10 or try it risk free with a one time purchase, and shipping is always free.

Alternatives

Although I’m pleased with Routine so far, there is one alternative I want to put on your radar. This one is a great fit if you have a bigger budget for supplements, and you really want to know more about your individual gut health.

It’s called Viome. With Viome, you first take a Gut Intelligence Test that assesses inflammation, microbial balance, and how well your body is able to digest a number of foods. 

From there, you can purchase custom-made probiotics and prebiotics based on your unique test results.

Clean Green Simple readers can use the code DEAL100 to get the kit for $149, normally $249 and $62.96 for the monthly custom probiotic supplement.

Viome probiotic packaging with the text: Your gut has a lot to say. We're just here to translate. Results within 2-3 weeks.
Photo courtesy of Viome

Takeaway

Routine is a women’s probiotic that contains targeted, carefully chosen strains that may help support digestion, immune support, metabolic health, and the vaginal microbiome. Additionally, it contains ashwagandha to help you manage life’s daily stresses.

I tried it myself, and really appreciate the simple formula and well-researched ingredients. I think it’s a great fit for women who are looking to add a probiotic to their daily routine.