− Product Review –

Reviewed product: LES Labs Probiotic 12+

General score: 3/5 stars

Form of presentation: capsules

Serving dimensions: 6mm x 19mm

Cost: $29.99

Recommended dosage: 1-2 capsules/ day

Packaging content: 60 capsules

Daily cost: $0.49 – $0.99

Viability: through/ at expiration date

CFUs count: 10 billion CFUs

Ingredients: 12 distinct probiotic strains (Bifidobacterium breve, Bifidobacterium lactis, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus fermentum, Lactobacillus helveticus, Lactobacillus paracasei, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus reuteri, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus salivarius, Streptococcus thermophilus) and fructooligosaccharides (FOS 50 mg)

Customer satisfaction: guaranteed

Product category: daily usage probiotic and particular ailments

Purchasing: via the manufacturer’s main website

General review

With an overall score of 3 stars out of a maximum of 5 stars, LES Labs Probiotic 12+ currently classifies as an above average probiotic supplement.

One of its main advantages is the serving dimensions: at just 6mm x 19mm, the Probiotic 12+ capsules are small enough to be easily swallowed once or twice a day even by those who normally don’t enjoy taking pills of any sort. This then helps preserve the probiotic organisms alive and active, since tampering with the capsule (for example, breaking or chewing it) means reducing the potentially good effect of these probiotics at the level of the gut. This aspect is further covered by Probiotic 12+ through an acid-resisting delivery system embedded in the capsules themselves, hence enabling the live bacteria to reach the stomach without being destroyed in the process.

This then takes us to the potency of Probiotic 12+: as mentioned on the label, this USA-produced and GMP-certified supplement contains 12 different strains of bacteria, mainly from the Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium families, which are otherwise renowned for their fermentative, digestive, and immune boosting properties.

The aforementioned microorganisms amount to 10 billion CFUs (colony-forming units) per each serving dosage, which is a pretty good amount if we were to take into consideration that the normal human gut contains anything between 1-100 billion CFUs on a day-to-day basis. Moreover, there are few filler ingredients besides the ‘friendly’ microorganisms and almost no allergy concerns related to Probiotic 12+ (with the sole exception of white rice powder).  

So why does Probiotic 12+ reach just a 3/5 stars rating? Among the reasons why this supplement doesn’t receive a higher score is the fact that it requires refrigeration after unsealing, which takes away from the product’s practicality and versatility. What you might also find confusing it that the label specifies the need for refrigeration during usage, while the main website denies this piece of information. And, since the actual printed recommendations take precedence in such cases, it’s safe to say that you won’t be able to carry around Probiotic 12+ while travelling or during hectic workdays.

In addition, Probiotic 12+ has been shown to cause substantial side effects during the first days of administration. Even though such symptoms are not uncommon, experiencing visceral pain and discomfort for almost a week at the start of the treatment is not something in favour of the product at all. It is to be noted that these symptoms then gradually subside, but their initial presence is one that influences the perceived quality of Probiotic 12+ in a negative manner. In the end, you start taking a probiotic supplement so as to improve your digestive health, not make it worse, right?

At a global scale, Probiotic 12+ manages to score 3/5 stars owing to its simple administration format and dimensions alike, alongside its potent CFUs count and varied probiotic strain selection. The features which then prevent this product from receiving an even higher ranking are the need for refrigeration during administration and unwanted side effects.

Detailed description

Ingredient list

• Bifidobacterium breve – is a friendly microorganism that naturally inhabits the gastrointestinal system. Here, Bifidobacterium breve helps regulate digestive patterns, enhance immune protection, and improve overall health. In addition, it can reduce the duration of antibiotic-induced diarrhea and prevent E. coli infestations, as well as protect the vaginal system against Candida albicans overgrowths.

• Bifidobacterium lactis – represents a ‘good’ bacterium that – as the name itself suggests – is being widely employed as a starter culture for numerous dairy products from today’s markets. Owing to its fermentative properties, Bifidobacterium lactis can help the human organism get rid of abdominal discomfort, reduce the symptoms of chronic diarrhea, alleviate gut inflammation, and quicken the healing time for ulcerative colitis.

• Lactobacillus acidophilus – this ‘acid-loving’ microorganism can be used to boost digestive rhythms and enhance immunity control at the same time. One of its main functions is that of decomposing tough to process sugars into lactic acid, hence being a great helper for those who usually struggle with lactose sensitivity or even intolerance.

• Lactobacillus casei – among the many and varied health benefits brought about by Lactobacillus casei we can include less instances of bloating and gas, better management of Clostridium difficile infections, and significantly reduced gut permeability after inflammatory responses. Moreover, external supplementation of Lactobacillus casei translates into the transference of its fermentative potential into a more regular digestive process and meliorated bowel motility.

• Lactobacillus fermentum – is a probiotic member of the Lactobacillus family with a high resistance to pH, bile, and temperature variations, meaning it can resist for longer periods inside the gut and promote better intestinal health as a result. Furthermore, Lactobacillus fermentum has been shown to reduce cholesterol readings, restore microflora colonies after prolonged antibiotics treatment, and aid in immunity protection.

• Lactobacillus helveticus – aside from normalizing blood pressure, Lactobacillus helveticus is a key component of the gastrointestinal environment through its ability to speed up the decomposing process of food and hence result in more regular bowel movements and better assimilation of essential nutrients inside the gut.

• Lactobacillus paracasei – once established, colonies of this particular probiotic can thrive in the stomach and intestines alike, therefore leading to both improved digestion and absorption of nutrients at the level of the intestines. In terms of immune screening, Lactobacillus paracasei fights against pathogens like Helicobacter pylori and Salmonella enterica and actively wards the organism against such infections over time.

• Lactobacillus plantarum – is a ‘friendly’ microorganism that promotes intensive antimicrobial and digestive action inside the body. As a result, you will experience less instances of abdominal discomfort, digestive imbalances (like lactose intolerance or IBS flare-ups), and illness episodes (whether related to the gastrointestinal system or not).

• Lactobacillus reuteri – represents a beneficial bacterium capable of acting as a natural antibiotic within the organism, where it inhibits the development of harmful pathogens and improves the overall levels of digestive microflora. Once established in the intestinal lining, Lactobacillus reuteri fights against indigestion, lactose sensitivity, and E. coli infestations as well.

• Lactobacillus rhamnosus – the most prominent benefits of Lactobacillus rhamnosus include reduced instances of eczema breakouts, respiratory tract infections, and peanut allergies (especially in infants). Because this ‘good’ bacterium can help digest food more easily, it can also improve IBS symptoms and drastically ameliorate abdominal discomfort.

• Lactobacillus salivarius – as the name obviously implies, Lactobacillus salivarius is a probiotic that inhabits the entire length of the gut, from the oral cavity to the stomach and intestines alike. As a consequence, it can reduce the occurrence of microbes, fungi, and other such pathogens, as well as accelerate digestive motility and nutrient assimilation.
• Streptococcus thermophilus – has the ability to transform milk sugars into lactic acid, therefore improving digestive response to lactose in sensitive and/ or intolerant individuals. Streptococcus thermophilus can also restore probiotic colonies after antibiotic treatments (which usually generate extensive diarrhea episodes) and alleviate digestive issues caused by chemotherapy treatments in cancer patients.

Allergenic potential

As the label and ingredients list show, Probiotic 12+ is a very allergen friendly product because it does not contain any of the major triggers such as fish and shellfish, nuts and tree nuts, eggs, dairy (lactose), soy, etc. The only other components besides the probiotic strains are vegetable cellulose, gellan gum, magnesium stearate, and silicon dioxide, which are mainly used as a basis for the capsule containing the ‘friendly’ organisms themselves.

The only red flag Probiotic 12+ raises is the fact that it utilizes white rice powder in its composition. Some people do have a certain sensibility towards this particular ingredient, so caution in administration is therefore advised in order for you to avoid unwanted reactions.

As the label recommendations, you should consult with a specialist prior to administering this product if you are pregnant, lactating or undergoing additional medical treatment for any serious medical condition. In addition, usage by children is strongly discouraged under all circumstances.

Overall cost

As previously mentioned, each bottle containing 60 capsules of Probiotic 12+ will cost you around $29.99. This translates into you paying $0.49 for every individual capsule, meaning way below the standard price of a good quality probiotic ($0.69-$0.70). All in all, it’s a pretty good deal for 10 billion CFUs from 12 strains on a regular basis.

That is, of course, if you stick to an administration dosage of only 1 capsule daily. But, since the Probiotic 12+ label states that this serving can be equally doubled throughout the course of the day, then the total price would go up to $0.99 for your habitual probiotic boost.

Almost $1 for a regular dosage of probiotics is therefore a bit steep when compared with other quality products on the market, but it depends on the needs of your own digestive system whether you will need 1 or 2 capsules each day throughout the usage period.

Side effects

One downside of Probiotic 12+ is that it indeed causes a number of side effects during the first days of administration. While it is not completely unusual to experience abdominal discomfort, bloating, and bowel irregularity when introducing a new probiotic supplement into your diet – after all, the microflora has to adjust  to a whole new balance of ‘good’ versus ‘bad’ bacteria – these are nevertheless inconvenient and can interact with your regular life activities in a negative manner.

As such, the stomach sensitiveness and visceral pain caused by Probiotic 12+ are a source of discontent with the product. One additional explanation in this sense might be the mildly elevated CFUs count of the probiotic supplement (10 billion microorganisms per capsule), which can easily become even more potent if the dosage is doubled. Consequently, be careful to start off with the minimal dosage if you are more sensitive in order to reduce the side effects caused by Probiotic 12+ in the beginning.

Manufacturer guarantee

On the plus side, Probiotic 12+ comes along with a very satisfying customer guarantee from the LES Labs manufacturer. This means that you can try out the product for 60 days after you’ve bought it and only then decide if the experience was a pleasant one or not. If it is the latter case, then all you have to do is return the bottle with the remaining capsules before this timeslot has ended and you will receive your investment back.

The only drawback would be that there are a few conditions to this refunding: first, you can only send back one bottle per order, which is disadvantageous if you’ve ordered more from the start. Secondly, you won’t get your money back on large orders (such as wholesale, bulk or subscription) and neither on the shipping costs. Finally, the restocking fee for sealed bottles is $5.

So, at an overall level, having a return policy is a big plus for Probiotic 12+, but you also have to be aware of the company stipulations that govern the chances of you receiving your money to begin with.

Purchasing

You can buy LES Labs Probiotic 12+ through the manufacturer’s official website.

LES Labs Probiotic 12+– general view

Category	LES Labs Probiotic 12+
General rating	3/5 stars
Recommended usage	Daily usage probiotic; specific digestive issues
Ingredients	10 billion CFUs, 12 distinct strains of probiotics
Allergenic potential	Minimal allergenic potential (white rice powder)
Cost	$29.99 for 60 capsules (1-2 months’ worth of administration)
Side effects	Abdominal discomfort during the first days of administration
Manufacturer guarantee(s)	60 days money-back policy
Purchasing	Via the company’s official website