Medicinal Ingredients (per 2 capsules):
Lactobacillus casei (HA-108)……………………..7.0
Lactobacillus rhamnosus (HA-111)…………..7.0
Bifidobacterium breve (HA-129)……………….5.0
Bifidobacterium longum (HA-135)……………5.0
Lactobacillus paracasei (HA-108)……………….4.0
Bifidobacterium bifidum (HA-132)……………3.0
Lactobacillus acidophilus (HA-122)…………..2.0
Bifidobacterium animalis (HA-194)………….2.0
Lactobacillus plantarum (HA-119)……………..2.0
Lactobacillus fermentum (HA-179)……………2.0
Lactobacillus salivarius (HA-118)……………….2.0 (A minimum of 40 Billion CFU guaranteed at expiry date. A minimum of 66 Billion at time of manufacture).

Non-Medicinal Ingredients:
Fructooligosaccharide, Silica/e, Hypromellose

Recommended Dose:
Adults: 1 Capsule 2 times per day.

Cautions and Warnings:
If you have fever, vomiting, bloody diarrhoea or severe abdominal pain, consult a health care practitioner prior to use. If symptoms of digestive upset (e.g. diarrhea) occur, worsen, or persist beyond 3 days, discontinue use and consult a health care practitioner.
Do not use if you have an allergy to dairy or soy product.

Q: What are the Health Canada approved uses for this product?
A: This product is approved by Health Canada (NPN 80071438) for the following uses: helps support a healthy gut flora; helps reduce the frequency of colds; helps relieve gastrointestinal symptoms associated with antibiotic use; and promotes a favourable gut flora. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Q: What does "40 Billion CFU guaranteed at expiry" mean?
A: CFU stands for Colony Forming Unit the standard measure of viable, living probiotic bacteria. Many probiotic supplements state their CFU count at the time of manufacture, but probiotic bacteria die over time even in encapsulated form. This formula guarantees a minimum of 40 Billion CFU per serving at the expiry date. To achieve this, it is manufactured with a minimum of 66 Billion CFU per serving a 65% overage to account for natural bacterial die-off during storage. The guarantee applies from the first capsule to the last, regardless of where the product is in its shelf life.

Q: What strains are in this formula and how are they distributed?
A: The formula contains 11 strains across two genera. The Lactobacillus strains are: Lactobacillus casei (HA-108) at 7.0 Billion CFU, Lactobacillus rhamnosus (HA-111) at 7.0 Billion CFU, Lactobacillus paracasei (HA-196) at 4.0 Billion CFU, Lactobacillus acidophilus (HA-122) at 2.0 Billion CFU, Lactobacillus plantarum (HA-119) at 2.0 Billion CFU, Lactobacillus fermentum (HA-179) at 2.0 Billion CFU, and Lactobacillus salivarius (HA-118) at 2.0 Billion CFU. The Bifidobacterium strains are: Bifidobacterium breve (HA-129) at 5.0 Billion CFU, Bifidobacterium longum (HA-135) at 5.0 Billion CFU, Bifidobacterium bifidum (HA-132) at 3.0 Billion CFU, and Bifidobacterium animalis (HA-194) at 2.0 Billion CFU. The Bifidobacterium strains together contribute approximately 15 Billion CFU, representing approximately 37% of the total guaranteed CFU count.

Q: What makes Bifidobacterium animalis significant in this formula?
A: Bifidobacterium animalis (HA-194) is notable among Bifidobacterium species for its resilience and ability to survive transit through the gastrointestinal tract. Probiotic bacteria must survive the acidic environment of the stomach and the bile salts of the small intestine before reaching the large intestine, where Bifidobacterium species exert their primary effects. B. animalis is among the most studied Bifidobacterium species for gastrointestinal transit survival and is one of the most commonly used Bifidobacterium strains in clinical probiotic research. Its inclusion alongside B. breve, B. longum, and B. bifidum gives this formula a comprehensive Bifidobacterium profile covering multiple species found in the healthy adult gut microbiome.

Q: Why does this formula emphasize Bifidobacterium strains?
A: Bifidobacterium species are among the most important beneficial bacteria in the human large intestine (colon), where they are among the most abundant bacterial genera in healthy adults. They ferment dietary fibers and prebiotics such as FOS in the large intestine, producing short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) including acetate and lactate, which are the primary energy source for colonocytes — the cells lining the colon. Bifidobacterium species also interact with immune cells in the gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT) and play important roles in maintaining the intestinal environment. Critically, Bifidobacterium species decline in relative abundance with age in adults, making their supplementation increasingly relevant as part of a gut flora support strategy. A formula with strong Bifidobacterium representation addresses the large intestine microbiome specifically, complementing the small intestine focus of Lactobacillus species.

Q: What is FOS and why is it included?
A: FOS (fructooligosaccharide) is a prebiotic a non-digestible carbohydrate that selectively feeds beneficial bacteria in the gut. It is found naturally in chicory root, Jerusalem artichoke, garlic, onion, leek, asparagus, and banana. FOS passes intact through the stomach and small intestine to the large intestine, where it is selectively fermented by Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium species the same genera present in this formula. By including FOS alongside the probiotic strains, this formula provides the bacteria with a preferred substrate to support their survival and activity in the gut. A product that combines both probiotics and a prebiotic is called a synbiotic, making this a synbiotic formula.

Q: Why is Lactobacillus rhamnosus particularly relevant for antibiotic use?
A: Lactobacillus rhamnosus (HA-111) is one of the most extensively researched probiotic species globally and is among the most studied strains specifically for use during and after antibiotic therapy. Antibiotics disrupt the gut microbiome by reducing populations of beneficial bacteria alongside the targeted pathogens, which is the primary cause of antibiotic-associated gastrointestinal symptoms including diarrhea, bloating, and abdominal discomfort. L. rhamnosus is among the most documented probiotic species for supporting gut flora restoration during and after antibiotic use. At 7.0 Billion CFU, it is one of the two highest-CFU strains in this formula. Health Canada has approved this product (NPN 80071438) for helping relieve gastrointestinal symptoms associated with antibiotic use.

Q: What is the daily dose and how long does one bottle last?
A: The suggested use is 2 capsules per day, providing a minimum of 40 Billion CFU. The 60-capsule bottle provides a 30-day supply at this dose. Consult your healthcare provider to determine the appropriate dosage and timing for your individual needs.

Q: Is this product suitable for vegans and vegetarians?
A: Yes, this probiotic supplement is 100% vegan and suitable for both vegans and vegetarians. The probiotic strains are bacteria, not animal-derived. The capsule shell is made from hypromellose (vegetable cellulose), not gelatin. The FOS prebiotic is derived from plant sources. All non-medicinal ingredients (fructooligosaccharide, silica, hypromellose) are plant-derived or mineral-based. The product is also non-GMO and free from gluten, dairy, and soy.

Q: Are there any safety considerations I should know about?
A: Consult a healthcare professional before use if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have a compromised immune system, or have a central venous catheter. Individuals with severely compromised immune systems should consult a healthcare provider before using probiotic supplements. May cause mild gastrointestinal discomfort including bloating and gas during the first few days of use as the gut flora adjusts; this typically resolves with continued use. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.