In my opinion, there is a print ad for Bio-K probiotics, which is misleading and deceptive (I happened to see it in the Holiday 2008 issue of Viva Magazine).
First, I have not seen data that shows the microrganisms surviving stomach acids in the finished Bio-K product.
Second, it says “50 billion live and active fresh L. acidophilus and L. casei at consumption,” but what it doesn’t say is whether or not this is guaranteed through a printed expiry date. It also doesn’t give you a clear designation of the strain of L. acidophilus or L. casei, and it doesn’t tell you how much of each of these strains you are getting in the finished product. If you read the Bio-K label, there is an unclear designation that the L.acidophilus strain is CL1285, but it doesn’t tell you what the strain is of L. casei. I wonder if the reason they don’t designate the strain of this L. casei is because it could be an inexpensive “filler” microorganism.
Third, Bio-K is NOT the only probiotic to use the “finished product” for its research. I know for a fact that Natren has only used the finished product in clinical trials, and we know Yakult has, as well.
The next time you see one of these deceptive probiotic ads, which I have attached for your convenience, remember to always question, “What is the truth about probiotics?”
Bio-K ad
Say what you will about pro-biotics and Bio-K, but I think it’s great. I am taking Bio-K right now because I am on a heavy dose of antibiotics and I want to prevent antibiotic resistant infections that anti-biotics cause. However, I find it does a lot more than just that.
Now, I’ve tried some “high quality”/”high potency” refrigerated probiotic pills, but they don’t benefit me like Bio-K does. Bio-K keeps my stomach calm and also helps tremendously with my Upper GI and gas. I really feel awful the days I don’t take it, and it isn’t a placebo effect. I feel a tremendous amount of relief and it makes my gassiness disappear when consuming a bottle of Bio-K.
Even though Bio-K works amazingly for me, I would like to find an alternative that works just as well because it is so expensive (around $4 a bottle)! I’ve been wasting money at health food stores trying cheaper probiotics. I am so gassy, bloated, and even feel anxious without them.
If you know a product that is less expensive and works as good or better, please let me know. I prefer liquid products over capsules. $120 a month for probiotics is very expensive.
Hi Kyle–
First of all, thanks for all your comments. We appreciate every comment we receive on TAP. No one can ever dispute any person’s individual results with any one product– so we’re happy that you have experienced good results with Bio-K. What we can say, however, is that Bio-K contains no species or strain of bifidobacteria, which is considered to be the most important beneficial group of bacteria for human health by Japanese researchers. It is also the largest number of beneficial bacteria naturally found in the large intestine, aka the colon. Therefore, any product that doesn’t have the largest amount of bifidobacteria cannot improve overall health of the individual in the same way that a product can that contains both a bifidobacteria and a lactobacillus species. In conclusion, we do recommend Natren’s Healthy Trinity that is in a pill form that contains a total of 30 billion unique strains of both bifidobacteria and lactobacillus bacteria. In addition, if you decide that you do not like swallowing pills, you can revert to our powdered probiotics, which can be taken as a paste or made into a drink. Also, our Healthy Trinity product is much cheaper than Bio-K. If you take one pill a day– you’re looking at a $1-$2 commitment per day depending on which size of the HT you buy! It will halve the money you spend on probiotics. Below is an exact breakdown of the bacteria in Healthy Trinity. Please let us know if you have any further questions! One last exciting reason to try Natren: They have a 90-day money back guarantee on every single product that you try and purchase directly from them! On a final note, Natren is the only probiotic company that guarantees each strain in our products through a clearly printed expiry date on the bottle and complies completely to the probiotic standards read into congressional record.
PROBIOTIC STRAINS USED: 1 capsule of Natren’s Healthy Trinity contains:
Lactobacillus acidophilus , NAS 5 billion cfu
Bifidobacterium bifidum , Malyoth 20 billion cfu
Lactobacillus bulgaricus , LB-51 5 billion cfu
Sincerely,
The Team at TAP and Natasha
Hello Team at TAP and Natasha:
I read your posting on your website, http://www.TruthAboutProbiotics.com, “On a final note, Natren is the only probiotic company that guarantees each strain in our products through a clearly printed expiry date on the bottle…”
I understand that Metagenics ALSO offers a probiotic with both NCFM acidophilus, and bifidobacterium, guarantees viability at the date of expiry (clearly printed), and also performs DNA screeening on each batch to assure these strains have not mutated.
Does this reconcile with your posted claim? Thanks for your response.
Hi Tim–
NCFM is a strain of L. acidophilus; however, bifidobacterium is only a genus designation. Does the Metagenics label clearly state that it guarantees the amount of NCFM in its product and what the bifidobacterium species and strain is? Can I also ask what third-party, independent validation does Metagenics have of their potency and DNA screening claims? Natren’s Drug-GMP certified production facility is audited every 2-3 years by an international government agency that audits and certifies potency and DNA fingerprinting. If you can provide us with substantiated claims of what Metagenics is claiming on their label, we will definitely take it under advisement and review again.
Thank You,
Sincerely,
Natasha Trenev
whatever the complaint that you have about bio k is, I think it is amazing. It cured a 4 day UTI, that 3 bottles of cranberry juice didnt cure (CJ usually cures in a few hours). It restored my immune system with the added bonus of glowing skin the next morning… LOVE IT.. though it is getting so expensive, now $5 per tiny bottle
Hi Lianne–
We can’t comment on individual results and no probiotic company can make claims about curing infections. Although, Natren does produce a clinically-tested vaginal health product called Gy-Na-Tren that is clinically-tested for the relief and prevention of re-occurring vaginal yeast infections. It is a unique probiotic and a homeopathic preparation. If you find that Bio-K is too expensive, we invite you to take the Natren Challenge and try one Healthy Trinity capsule a day, which will be significantly less expensive than what you are paying now (approx. $1.50 vs. $5 a day). Furthermore, Natren’s Healthy Trinity contains 30 Billion Living CFU per capsule that are guaranteed through a printed expiry date. All Natren Probiotics are audited by an international government agency, which is something (to the best of our knowledge) no other probiotic supplement manufacturer can claim. If you decide to try the Natren Probiotics, you have a 90-day complete-satisfaction, money-back guarantee. Good luck to you and we look forward to hearing from you!
Sincerely,
The Team at TAP
Awesome post! You have a great blog, absolutely the best Ive read so far. I will be looking forward to your next entry. Thanks again.
Well I am here to say that this particular product IS live on consumption as I worked for the company, did demos and people with mouth sores swished the stuff in their mouth and in five minutes the canker was gone (the intestinal track starts in the mouth), Ive personally met the scientist from the Pasteur Institute in France who discovered this particular strain of bacteria and it is so intense, doctors use it when all other probiotics fail. One has to start slowly as it is very intense and work up to a half or full bottle. For generalized probiotic maintenance, it’s too expensive and most likely too strong, but for long term intestinal issues and long term antibiotics …. it is worth trying. I’ve seen more long term results and even a woman with MRSA had to go it because everything else failed her.
I do not work the for the company and have not for quite some time. I think you’ve been quite harsh on the product without researching it fully. Most companies are freezed dried bacteria…this IS live on consumption and can handle going thru the stomach acids.
Hi Rickie–
Unfortunately, your statements are not based on science but company marketing positions regarding freeze-dried probiotic cultures. Furthermore, what you are relating is anecdotal evidence and biased because you did in fact work for the company. I don’t have anything personal against the people at Bio-K; in fact, I have met the president of the company on many occasions. I have asked him personally these questions and I have asked a representative, and they claim that two different organisms are combined in the product. A Lactobacillus casei and a Lactobacillus acidophilus. But, they don’t tell you how much of each of those organisms they have in their end product– they just give you a total cell count. Finally, they include no Bifidobacteria in their product, which is the predominant beneficial bacteria in the large intestine and colon, and according to Japanese researchers is the most important beneficial bacteria for human health. Other research has validated that Bifidobacteria is the predominant beneficial bacteria in the large intestine and the colon. It is our opinion that Bio-K’s product is not a complete probiotic product for the entire intestinal tract based on the organisms it claims to contain. We welcome your further input and open dialogue.
In Health,
Natasha Trenev
I find it interesting that you criticize Ricky’s comments as being biased and not based on scientific evidence when you yourself talk like a spokesperson for Natren…
I would very much like if you could link to the Japanese research about Bifidobacteria, and would like to point out that Natren’s “unique probiotic and a homeopathic preparation.” seems like a marketing gimmick. Any scientific knowledge would convince you that homeopathy is nothing more than illusionary nonsense.
I have trouble believing Bio-k is the miracle it claims to be but your suggestions don’t quite help in finding actual alternatives.
Hello M. Wonder–
You need to look up T. Mitsuoka, who is the Japanese researcher who claims that bifidobacteria are the most important beneficial bacteria for human health. He’s from the department of biomedical science, Faculty of Agriculture, at the University of Tokyo. Also, you should look into Drs. Jeremija Lj Rasic and Joseph J. Kurmann, who together wrote the definitive book called Bifidobacteria and Their Role. This is the definitive book on bifidobacteria that is virtually accepted by every scientist and researcher in the field. Natren’s only combination homeopathic and probiotic product is Gyna-Tren, which contains Boric Acid, which is a homeopathic element. It has been reviewed by the FDA, and it has an NDC number as a homeopathic plus probiotic treatment for recurrent vaginal yeast infections. This is Natren’s only probiotic product that has a homeopathic component. Bias is established when you misquote scientific literature. If you can show that my quoting of scientific literature was biased toward Natren, I will be happy to address that. We welcome any further input or concerns you may have.
Sincerely,
Natasha Trenev
Mr. Wonder is SOOOO right.
Hello Trish–
See below for Natasha’s response to M. Wonder. Let us know if you have any questions!
Sincerely,
The Team at TAP
Probiotics aside, my gassiness and bloating totally disappeared when I started strict adherence to the South Beach diet (based on the glycemic index).
Hello Cindy–
We at TAP recommend Dr. David Holland’s Limited Carb Diet. For more information, you can visit http://www.thinkfungus.com
Good Luck,
The Team at TAP
I am an acupuncture, herbalist and nutritionist in NYC. I have ulcerative colitis. I have tried numerous probiotics over the years and have had either no results or worsening of symptoms. I used VSL-3 for 4 months during which time I was hospitalized for the most severe colitis flareup in 18 years. My colitis was completely out of control and my medication stopped working. Then I tried Bio-k and was shocked to find the bleeding stop after 4 days on the bio-k. Mind you I was taking 4 bottles a day. Only after that experience did I find out that bidfidus sometimes worsens the symptoms of colitis. So it is still unclear if the reason why my symptoms cleared is from taking a probiotic that has no bifidus or if the symptoms cleared because of the quality of the Bio-k. It is very expensive for me to take 4 bottles a day of bio-k so I am looking into the custom probiotic blend that contains no bifidus.
Hello Stephanie– Natasha Trenev has never seen any data that Bifidobacteria inflames colitis. If you have any data, please email it to us at asknatasha@natren.com, Natasha would love to review it. Also, Natasha recommends calling VSL and sharing your experience and getting some more answers from them. Unfortunately, since we are not medical doctors, we cannot comment on your condition. However, we can refer you to a clinical pharmacist who is very familiar with probiotics. His name is Dr. Gene. If you email us, at the email address above, with your phone number, we will pass your information along to Dr. Gene.
Best of Luck to You,
The Team at TAP
Bio-k, in conjunction with heavy dosage Flagyl, cured a serious C.diff infection. i was misdiagnosed for over 9 months, resistant to treatment for an additional 6 – until added Bio-k, and continued with various probiotics (according to my own exhaustive research). i was a 36 year old mother of three that had dropped to 86 lbs. it is very clear that all the many manufacturers of probiotic products will all claim the best, the most stable, the most hearty, the most beneficial etc and so on. each insists that thier strain or blend is the miracle the consumer needs. the point is this: this site’s words, “research” and perspective is no more or less factual than any other, particularly with the repeated mention of one specific product. Personal experience and education outweigh internet testimonials every time.
how can i buy this product.is it in nigeria
Hello Esther,
At the present time Natren’s line is not sold in Nigeria.Nevertheless our probiotics are recommended worldwide and we have many International distributors.Please visit http://www.natren.com and go to: “contact us” to see the list.I believe “G&G Vitality House” in UK does ship to Nigeria.
Good Luck to You!
Annabelle.
Could the fact that Natasha’s bias towards Natren products and the fact that she sounds like a spokesperson for Natren be due to the fact that she is the co-founder of it?
If you wish to present yourself as an unbiased source of information and not a profit seeking pill pusher, I suggest transparency regarding your motives.
Sure, it’s quite possible, that as a passionate player in the field of probiotics, you created this website to help consumers identify between facts/myths, and provide answers for curious browsers, but let’s respect people’s intelligence and clearly state that “Hey, I challenge Bio-K because I am their direct competition, and I’d rather you purchase my product.”
One google search of your name provides me with the above. If you come out and say so yourself, perhaps the reception would be less cynical.
I guess throughout a long family history of making yogurt for Kings, no one ever ventured into a school of Commerce, or learned anything about brand integrity.
If the product you are advicating is so good, then why don’t you just speak of it on its own merits rather than criticising another product?
Hi there,
I’m moving to Bahrain (United Arab Emirates) temporarily and want to know if Bio- K is available there. Also, I was wondering if there’s a mini travel pack for the days I’m travelling? Thanks!
Hello Meg,
Natren offers travel sizes of the best probiotics known to man!Please feel free to contact one of Natren’s authorized international distributors at:http://www.natren.com go to: “contact us” and they will gladly assist you and ship the product to you in Bahrain.If your situation allows, we would also recommend that you take our travel size NATREN Healthy Trinity with you when you travel since you might be exposured to bacteria you would not encounter at home.Natren probiotics may help against occasional:Traveler’s Diarrhea,Bloating,Abdominal pain and Constipation.
Safe and Healthy Travels to You!
Annabelle:)
I meant:”exposed” not “exposured”, sorry for the typo!
I find this “blog” to be very biased! Ricky Gordon didn’t misquote scientific literature (which is how you defined bias), he (or she) merely reported personal experience/anecdotal evidence. You stated the information was biased because they worked for the company, but it’s clear you work for Natren and while you may be a scientist, in no way are you coming off as objective. I feel just as much in the dark about probiotics as I did before coming to this “site” for answers. I believe I have merely come to a place intended for marketing Natren products that is disguised as being objective, scientific and comparative. You should really identify yourself as a Natren site.