PROS OF THIS PRODUCT<br /><br />1. This product contains 10 billion CFUs per 1 capsule serving. CFU stands for colony forming units. It is a scientific term of measurement of viable probiotic cells. As a general rule, 1 billion CFUs is the minimum dose a probiotic supplement should contain because the recommended daily dose for both children and adults is between 1-10 billion CFUs. The manufacturer’s recommended dose of 2 capsules per day (making 60 capsules a 1 month supply) for this supplement is well above that recommended daily dose. You would be basically paying for two times more CFUs than you need if you take a full dose.<br /><br />2. This product contains an excellent combination of effective probiotic strains, including: Bifidobacterium bifidum, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Pediococcus pentosaceus, and Stretptococcus thermophilus. (See below for information on these probiotics.)<br /><br />3. This product contains the well known and well studied prebiotics, FOS and acacia fiber, which feed the healthy bacteria included in this supplement.<br /><br />4. This product is described as having NGProbiome® delivery technology. It is billed as being a type of enteric coating (see research below on the importance of enteric coating) which is acid resistant and pH sensitive. This is crucial, because otherwise stomach acid would simply wipe out all the expensive, healthy bacteria in this product.<br /><br />5. This product is vegan.<br /><br />6. The company offers a 90-day, money-back guarantee.<br /><br />7. I looked up the website for this company, which is located in Orange, California, but there is no information on the company itself other than their address, phone number and email. The company is not listed with the Better Business Bureau or Dun & Bradstreet. There is no way to know for sure where and how their products are manufactured just looking at their website. However, I did find one useful clue in the description of this product—the “NGProbiome® delivery technology” for the enteric coating of these capsules—that ultimately led me to the actual manufacturer of this product. The company that created this “technology” is Natura-Genics Labs (NGL). NGL is listed with Dun & Bradstreet, but it is not listed with the Better Business Bureau. NGL specialize in probiotics. It is located in Chino, California and advertises itself as a source for any small, nutraceutical company to purchase probiotics from NGL, with NGL putting that company’s name on the product label. NGL has scientists on staff and appears to manufacture all its probiotics right there in California. They are a member of the Natural Products Association, and they are certified CCOF (California Certified Organic Farmers), GMP, USDA organic, Kosher, and non-GMO. The company websites states it has been in business for two decades. It is listed as a government contractor on the USA Opps website, under the categories of Medicinal and Botanical Manufacturing, Pharmaceutical Preparation Manufacturing, and Miscellaneous Food Manufacturing.<br /><br />CONS OF THIS PRODUCT<br /><br />1. Natura-Genics, Inc. was sued in July, 2016, by the Environmental Research Center, as Green Wealth, Inc. dba Natura-Genics, pursuant to alleged violation of California’s Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986 AKA Proposition 65, for non-permissible amounts of lead in all of their products. Like many other food and supplement products manufactured in California, they were required to put a warning label on all their products. It wasn’t clear from the court filing exactly how much lead the products supposedly contain or what the source of the lead might be.<br /><br />EXPLANATION OF PROBIOTICS INCLUDED IN THIS SUPPLEMENT<br /><br />Bifidobacterium bifidum (B. bifidum). Several high-quality studies on this bacterium indicate that it shows promise in treating the following conditions: infection by Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), restoring the microbiome after chemotherapy, constipation, diarrhea, ulcerative colitis, necrotizing enterocolitis (infection in the intestinal lining).<br /><br />Lactobacillus acidophilus (L. Acidophilus). This beneficial bacteria creates lactic acid by breaking down carbohydrates, particularly the lactose in milk. Lactobacilli grow well in milk and foods made from milk. This bacteria serves much the same function as the enzyme lactase, which is also included in this supplement.<br /><br />Lactobacillus plantarum (L. plantarum): This particular probiotic is naturally found in fermented foods such as sauerkraut, kimchi, pickled cucumbers, and brined olives. It is also naturally present in the healthy microbiome of the intestine. There is some indication from research it can help heal the following conditions: irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), reduce inflammation, reduce eczema, improve cardiovascular health, improve immune function.<br /><br />Lactobacillus rhamnosus (L. rhamnosus). This is one of the most well-studied probiotic strains. The food industry frequently adds it to dairy products to make them more digestible. It belongs to the genus Lactobacillus, a type of bacteria that produce the enzyme lactase, which breaks down the sugar lactose, which is found in dairy products, into lactic acid. Far more than most other probiotics, L. rhamnosus can survive in both acidic and basic conditions within the digestive tract, and it is highly capable of adhering to and colonizing the intestinal walls. Its benefits include: preventing and treating diarrhea, relieving IBS symptoms, eliminating cavity-causing bacteria if dissolved in the mouth, preventing urinary tract infections (UTIs) by killing Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus saprophyticus, the two main causes of UTIs.<br /><br />Pediococcus pentosaceus (P. pentosaceus). Researchers view this probiotic as a promising strain of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) for use in health supplements, the food industry, and biological research applications. As a food additive, it improves the taste and nutrition of food, and it is a healthy, non-harmful, antimicrobial food preservative. Research indicates its health benefits include: anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antioxidant, detoxification, and improvement of cardiovascular health by lowering blood levels of lipids.<br /><br />Streptococcus thermophilus (S. thermophilus). This beneficial bacteria is widely used in the dairy industry. It is a lactic acid bacterium used as a starter culture in cheese, yogurt, and other cultured dairy products. It ferments a limited number of sugars including lactose, fructose, sucrose, and glucose.<br /><br />AN ALTERNATIVE TO EXPENSIVE PROBIOTICS<br /><br />Hundreds of scientific studies (see: Tomova and Glick-Bauer below) have revealed that the most powerful way one can enhance the beneficial bacteria in the colon is not by taking a supplement such as this one. It is to avoid animal products and become a vegan, or at the very least a vegetarian. Animal products, especially red meat, have a well documented toxic effect on the colon, in particular increasing the risk of colon cancer. (See Aykan and Vulcan below.) In addition, non-organic meat products are filled with antibiotics, which act to kill off the beneficial flora in the colon. (See Martin below.) In contrast, a diet filled with an abundance of high-fiber fruits, vegetables, whole grains and legumes has an extremely healthy impact on the colon.<br /><br />The purpose of taking probiotics is to, hopefully, promote the healthy functioning of beneficial bacteria within the colon, which are collectively called the “microbiome” or “microbiota” or “microflora.” The microflora in the colon have a primary task of fermentation, which is the enzymatic decomposition and utilization of carbohydrates, particularly dietary fiber. (See Williams below.) During the process of fermenting fiber, these microflora release short-chain fatty acids (SCFA), such as acetate, propionate, and butyrate, and also bacteriocins. (See Silva below.) SCFA serve multiple important functions: (a) SCFA are a major source of energy for colon cells. (b) Along with the above mentioned bacteriocins, SCFA provide an antibacterial function, which stabilizes the normal, healthy microflora population in the colon by preventing the implantation of pathogens in the walls of the colon. (c) SCFA play a key role in the regulation of the neuro-immuno-endocrine system. Research has indicated that the nervous system, immune system, and endocrine system are anatomically and functionally interconnected. What affects one system also affects the other two when their homeostasis (a healthy state of stability and proper function) is disturbed by inflammation, stress or infection. When the microflora in the colon are operating at peak efficiency, producing adequate SCFA, then the healthy functioning of the nervous system, immune system, and endocrine system is enhanced. But in the reverse, if the microflora in the colon are not efficiently producing SCFA, then those three crucial systems in the body are negatively impacted.<br /><br />REFERENCES<br /><br />Aykan, N. Red Meat and Colorectal Cancer. Oncol Rev. 2015 Feb 10;9(1):288.<br /><br />Chesnokova, V., et al. Minireview: Neuro-Immuno-Endocrine Modulation of the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) Axis by gp130 Signaling Molecules. Endocrinology. 2002 May 1;143(5):1571–1574.<br /><br />Glick-Bauer, M., et al. The health advantage of a vegan diet: exploring the gut microbiota connection. Nutrients. 2014;(6):4822–38.<br /><br />Ianiro,, G. Digestive Enzyme Supplementation in Gastrointestinal Diseases. Curr Drug Metab. 2016 Feb;17(2): 187–193.<br /><br />Kapoor, D., et al. Drug Delivery Systems, Chapter 14 Coating Technologies in Pharmaceutical Product Development, in Advances in Pharmaceutical Product Development and Research. 2020;14:665-719.<br /><br />Litvak, Y., et al. Colonocyte metabolism shapes the gut microbiota. Science. 2018 Nov 30;362(6418):eaat9076.<br /><br />Long, M., et al. Drug Release Test Methods for Enteric Coated Products, Chapter 14 Dissolution Testing of Solid Products, in Developing Solid Oral Dosage Forms. 2009;14(4.1):319-340.<br /><br />Martin, O., et al. Antibiotic suppression of intestinal microbiota reduces heme-induced lipoperoxidation associated with colon carcinogenesis in rats. Nutr Cancer. 2015;67(1):119-125.<br /><br />Salonen, A., et al. Impact of diet on human intestinal microbiota and health. Annu Rev Food Sci Technol. 2014; (5):239–62.<br /><br />Shortt, C., et al. Systematic review of the effects of the intestinal microbiota on selected nutrients and non-nutrients. Eur J Nutr. 2018;57(1):25-49.<br /><br />Silva, Y., et al. The Role of Short-Chain Fatty Acids From Gut Microbiota in Gut-Brain Communication. Front. Endocrinol. 2020 Jan 31.<br /><br />Tomova, A., et al. The Effects of Vegetarian and Vegan Diets on Gut Microbiota. Front. Nutr. 2019 Apr 17.<br /><br />Vulcan, A., et al. Intake of different types of red meat, poultry, and fish and incident colorectal cancer in women and men: results from the Malmö Diet and Cancer Study. Food Nutr Res. 2017 Jul 18;61(1):1341810.<br /><br />Williams, B. Gut Fermentation of Dietary Fibres: Physico-Chemistry of Plant Cell Walls and Implications for Health. Int J Mol Sci. 2017 Oct; 18(10): 2203.

The product is of excellent quality for the money. It's a complete package of pre-, pro-, and post-biotic supplements. I am using them in a protocol to treat my own Rheumatoid Arthritis symptoms and so far they have had a significant effect in lowering my pain and increasing my energy level.

So I just purchased my fourth bottle as I did not want to place a review prematurely.<br /><br />My daily routine is taking two pills in the morning FIRST thing along with two TABLESPOONS of optifiber by kirkland. Since I have started this, I no longer have bloating issues and am not gassy at all! Also, I have always been lactose intolerant. Now with my rountine, I have had Coldstone again and no cramps or noises or unhappy moments of regret on the loo.<br /><br />I also had been at the same weight for months and finally with this products' help, I have lost more weight! Almost too my goal weight of 145 or lower. When I started these pills I was at 165.<br /><br />I will never be without my daily routine! So happy to have found this awesome product!

It’s been 3years my wife bought and give to me every morning<br />She is little bit picky about choosing vitamins<br />I think this is best for antibiotics supplements<br />Cause she doesn’t change<br />We are seniors and for virus immunity<br />I’ll recommend

Healthy humans have trillions of bacteria living in their intestines, but it’s not something to worry about. These are good bacteria that actually help the body. You can find them in cultured foods like yogurt and they can survive the digestive process. They then take up residence in the intestines.<br /><br />These gut bacteria can help with digestive issues (like diarrhea), boost the immune system, benefit the skin, and even improve your mental health. Scientists are constantly discovering more about the link between the digestive system and the nervous system.<br /><br />However, many people don’t have a lot of good bacteria in their intestines due to overuse of antibiotics and poor diet. This is where supplementation or eating more foods with probiotics can help.<br /><br />This formula contains probiotics, but also prebiotics and postbiotics. Prebiotics are what the bacteria feed on and postbiotics are their waste, which is beneficial. I’ve never seen anything quite like this in years of taking probiotic supplements!<br /><br />Pro Formulations MD tests all of their batches for potency and quality. This product is “shelf stable” meaning that you don’t need to put it in the fridge. Remember, you’re dealing with living organisms here, so personally, I refrigerate all my probiotics to be on the safe side.<br /><br />This is a very unique formula that includes prebiotics, probiotics, and postbiotics. Research them and see if you can benefit.

I took these pills for two weeks and didn't see any results whatsoever and you gotta take 2 pills instead of one for the 20b which I find annoying. I have moderate constipation, nothing too serious, but I these didn't work for me.