High-end or everyday? How to choose the best probiotic supplement for your needs

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- Probiotics are a hot topic on social media, and you'll often see content from famous spokespeople, such as Oscar-winning actress Halle Berry.

But is the regular probiotic at the pharmacy just as good, or do you need something fancier?

We all remember the famous scene in "When Harry Met Sally."

But experts say "I'll have what she's having" is not the best method to choose a probiotic supplement, even when you admire or trust a celebrity spokesperson or love how great they seem to look.

"You may have different conditions. You may have different things that have happened to you," says registered dietitian Kelly Jones. "You may just have a different microbiome profile."

Chances are, a dietitian can add that trendy strain into your menu for a lot less money.

And in general, with trillions of strains in your gut, focusing on one or two is not the ticket.

"The more strains that you're getting there, the greater the chance that you're going to get some that are actually beneficial to you and what your body may be lacking," says Jones.

So, what about those probiotics at high-end grocery stores, often kept in the refrigerated section?

They offer many more strains, but they can cost much more.

Still, without proper guidance, it may just make you feel posh, not better.

"It doesn't have to be the fanciest, most expensive one to have beneficial effects," says Jones.

So, check your symptoms against the US Probiotic Guide online and talk to your doctor.

Don't be surprised if they recommend Align or another not-ritzy old standby.

"They have a lot of data," says Jones. "They've been around for a while, and they do tweak things and have different formulas that might benefit certain conditions."

There are also probiotic powders you can add to drinks, but a reminder not to just grab them off the internet. Make sure you talk to a doctor about which one and how much.