Probiotic Pill Reviews
How Safe and Effective is this Product?
Expert Rating: 3 / 5.0
Probiotics are supplements that contain living microorganisms, also known as “good” gut bacteria, which help to re-culture and balance your gut against the “bad” bacteria. A quality probiotic is essential to keeping your digestive system in balance and improving your overall health and vitality. Probiotics do work, but the reality is that not all probiotics are created equal.
As with every probiotic, it is important to look at the pros and cons of VSL#3. Be sure to closely review the ingredients, the number of strains and Colony Forming Units (CFUs), and do your own due diligence so you can better understand what VSL#3 Probiotic has to offer. Read on to find out.
What is VSL#3 Probiotic?
VSL#3 is designated by the FDA as “medical food,” specifically for symptoms related to irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and ulcerative colitis (UC). It comes in a pill or powder form. This probiotic is considered only appropriate for those with those specific medical conditions.
How Much Does VSL#3 Probiotic Cost?
In comparison to other probiotics on the market, VSL#3 is considered to be very expensive. A 30-day supply cost $61.17 for the capsule form and $105.31 for the powder form. This breaks down to a daily cost of $2.04 to $3.51. VSL#3 can cost you as much as $1,263.72 per year! Keep in mind that to achieve any benefits, you will need to keep taking VSL#3 month after month, so plan (and budget) accordingly.
Which strains are in VSL#3 Probiotic?
VSL#3 contains 8 different strains of probiotics: L. plantarum, L. delbruekii Bulgaricus, L. casei, L. acidophilus, B. breve, B longum, B. infantis, and S. thermophiles.
The good news is that this brand contains quality strains which all have been researched throughout the years with indications that they are effective at fortifying the gut with “good” bacteria. The challenge we find VSL#3 is that most of their strains are focused on battling irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and ulcerative colitis (UC). We prefer to see a larger diversity of strains in a probiotic. Optimally a probiotic should contain 12 or more ‘diverse’ strains. The brands that made the top of our list contained similar strains to that of VSL#3 as well as many others critical strains that are effective in addressing a wide range of gastrointestinal issues.
How many CFU’s are in VSL#3 Probiotic?
In the pill form, this probiotic has 112.5 billion CFUs, and 450 billion CFUs in the powder form. The number of CFUs in VSL#3 is generally considered too high for the average person. We prefer to see a probiotic contain between 40-50 billion CFUs. Much higher then that could potentially cause diarrhea and cramps. The high CFUs in VSL#3 is really intended for those who have been diagnosed by their physician to have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or ulcerative colitis (UC).
What Are the Pros and Cons of VSL#3 Probiotic?
VSL#3 probiotic may be very effective for those who have been diagnosed by their physician as having irritable bowel syndrome or ulcerative colitis. It is intended for those conditions specifically and to be used under the care of a physician.
➣ Considered “medical food” by the FDA limited to irritable bowel syndrome, ulcerative colitis, or pouchitis.
➣ High number of colony forming units (CFUs).
➣ Comes in easy-to-swallow capsules or powder that can be mixed with water.
There are a few potential downsides of taking VSL#3 Probiotic, and it is important to weigh those drawbacks against the potential benefits. Here are some weaknesses we found with VSL#3 Probiotic.
➣ Not ideal for the vast majority of people with gastrointestinal issues.
➣ Extremely high CFU counts may cause diarrhea, constipation, or cramps.
➣ Costing as much as $100 for a one-month supply, it is considered very expensive when compared to many other top-rated brands. High cost can limit a consumers ability to keep up with the regimen.
➣ Does not accept returns or offer refunds if the product does not work for a consumer.
➣ VSL#3 contains ‘cornstarch’ which can cause a serious anaphylactic reaction for those with a corn-related allergy.
Is VSL#3 Probiotic the Best Option for Me?
Overall, we found VSL#3 probiotic to be most appropriate for those who have been diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), ulcerative colitis (UC) or pouchitis. However, high price, low number of diverse strains, and possible side effects of the extremely high CFU count makes it not an ideal product for the average person.
Below you will find our list of the most effective probiotic supplements on the market. The ranking is based on crucial factors including CFU count, the number of unique strains, inclusion of prebiotics, if the product comes in a dark amber glass bottle, refrigeration requirements, price point, and the depth and credibility of the research behind their product. Ultimately, we were able to determine the overall value of each probiotic supplement, allowing us to rank them.
Our top picks below, are updated each month using our below listed key evaluating criteria.
#1 Stonehenge Health Dynamic Biotics Probiotics |
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#2 HyperBiotics Pro-15 |
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#3 MegaFlora Plus Probiotics |
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#4 Garden of Life RAW Probiotics Ultimate Care |
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#5 Innovix Labs Multi-Strain Probiotic |
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#6 Culturelle Probiotics |
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#7 TruBiotics |
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#8 Schiff Digestive Advantage |
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#9 Align Probiotic |
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#10 Probiotics One |
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