Reviewed product: Dr. Natura Flora Protect Probiotic

General score: 5/5 stars

Form of presentation: capsules

Serving dimensions: 21mm x 7mm

Cost: $35.00

Recommended dosage: 2 capsules/ day

Bottle content: 60 capsules

Daily cost: $1.16

Viability: throughout expiration date

CFUs count: 8 billion

Ingredients: 8 strains (Bifidobacterium bifidum, Bifidobacterium lactis, Bifidobacterium longum, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus salivarius, Streptococcus thermophilus)

Customer satisfaction: guaranteed

Product category: daily usage probiotic and reliever for certain issues

Purchasing: via the manufacturer’s main website

General review

As can be seen from the 5/5 star review mentioned beforehand, the Dr. Natura Flora Protect Probiotic supplement was a very pleasant surprise in the probiotic market of nowadays. Even though it presented a couple of drawbacks, its advantages definitely outweigh its disadvantages and recommend this probiotic enhancer as a very good product of its type.

Firstly, Dr. Natura Flora Protect Probiotic impresses through its combination of blend simplicity and efficiency. With no artificial additives or flavourings, this 8 strain and 8 billion CFUs (colony forming units) supplement is marketed as being free of any traces of milk or dairy by-products, eggs, fish, gluten, wheat, etc. This translates into it being both vegetarian and vegan friendly. Not to mention that the gentler probiotic count it promotes is ideal for obtaining actual gut health while also staying clear of any secondary (and unwanted) symptoms (gas, bloating, abdominal pain, etc.)

The freeze-drying mechanism used to obtain the capsules also implies that the live microorganisms inside each individual dosing stay as such until the expiration date printed on the bottle. Thus, Dr. Natura Flora Protect Probiotic comes in the form of 60 ‘enteric coated Vcaps’, meaning that they only begin dissolving when found in the gastrointestinal system (where they can subsequently start to act beneficially towards the body in general).

Speaking of capsules, it stands to be noted that the actual administration ‘routine’ is very easy to remember: take 2 capsules of Dr. Natura Flora Protect Probiotic with water before going to sleep at night, preferably without having eaten recently prior to this moment (that is, on an empty stomach). Consequently, it can become simple to create a routine of taking these pills without ever having to skip a dosing out of forgetfulness or lack of time, let’s say.

Another great pro added to Dr. Natura Flora Protect Probiotic is its customer guarantee, which implies that you can actually return the product if you are unsatisfied with the probiotic experience it created for you. Simply send back the packaging and remaining capsules to the company within 60 days and you are to receive a repayment in full of your initial investment. Keep in mind that this is double the standard 30 days policy issued by many other supplement manufacturers, which gives you plenty of time to both try out Dr. Natura Flora Protect Probiotic and decide whether you are going to continue using it or not.

Nevertheless, there are also a few cons to using Dr. Natura Flora Protect Probiotic. For example, those who are allergic or highly sensitive to soy and/ or rice should either be cautious because the product contains peptides (soy protein) or even try to avoid its usage if possible.

Although the bottle does not require refrigeration – since the capsules are obtained through a technique called ‘freeze-drying’ – this procedure is still possible. The downside would be that it then requires keeping the content outside until it reaches room temperature before opening it, otherwise you run the risk of condensation and ultimately that of making the probiotic become inactive over time. It also does not help that the capsules are sensitive to moisture, which leads to the need for very specific storage conditions in order to keep the bacteria count live and beneficial throughout the administration period.

Moreover, the pricing for this supplement can also be seen as a bit too much: at $35 for one month’s worth of administration, each pair of Dr. Natura Flora Protect Probiotic capsules thus approximates at around $1.16. This amount clearly surpasses the $1 mark, which is generally seen as the difference between affordable and ‘expensive’ in the world of probiotic supplements.

Detailed description

Ingredient list

• Bifidobacterium bifidum – a normal presence within the intestinal tract, Bifidobacterium bifidum is beneficial towards gut health by balancing intestinal microflora, supporting active immune screening, and shortening the duration of diarrhea. What is more, the present bacterium has the capacity to fight off Candida and urinary infections, accelerate recovery after common cold episodes, and maintain overall wellbeing.

• Bifidobacterium lactis – is a common probiotic presence in various fermented foods and dairy products. As the name suggests, this ‘friendly’ bacterium has the ability to alleviate lactose intolerance by breaking down the sugars in milk during digestion, hence making them easier to process and subsequently assimilate. Other advantages of Bifidobacterium lactis include immunity boosting, reducing the duration of diarrhea episodes, easing bowel motility, etc.

• Bifidobacterium longum – does not constitute a particularly widespread presence inside the gut, but is nonetheless a very important one because this bacterium eases digestive processes and lactose decomposition through the creation of lactic acid. Furthermore, Bifidobacterium longum maintains immune protection by acting as an antimicrobial and allergen repellent, as well as lowering cholesterol readings and combating the formation of free radicals.

• Lactobacillus acidophilus – a favourite of specialized studies, Lactobacillus acidophilus has been popularized lately by natural yogurt commercials – and with good reason too. Aside from being a naturally occurring probiotic inside the human body, this ‘good’ bacterium can contribute to the elimination of various intestinal issues (like constipation and diarrhea, for instance), reduce high cholesterol levels, facilitate lactose tolerance, and soothe painful symptoms associated with IBS (irritable bowel syndrome), ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, and urinary tract infections.

• Lactobacillus casei – is used equally in the dairy production industry and supplement manufacturing one owing to its extended pH range and probiotic attributions. As a consequence, Lactobacillus casei demonstrates positive influence on diarrhea episodes (particularly those induced by prolonged usage of antibiotics), intestinal permeability, inflammation, and even more serious issues like pancreatic necrosis and colitis infections.

• Lactobacillus rhamnosus – is a probiotic most renowned for its capacity to both prevent the installation of diarrhea (especially in children) and decrease the duration of these episodes. Because Lactobacillus rhamnosus is resistant enough to undergo all the pH changes of the passage throughout the gastrointestinal system (mouth, stomach, small intestine, and colon), it can better ensure gut health and immune protection for extended periods of time after supplementation.

• Lactobacillus salivarius – represents a type of probiotic which contributes to overall wellbeing, from dental hygiene to intestinal assimilation and immune protection. This is achieved through the probiotic’s natural capacity to act as an antimicrobial and pathogen remover along the gastrointestinal tract. Lactobacillus salivarius can additionally restore internal microflora after antibiotic treatments, prevent the installation of ‘traveller’s diarrhea’, and highly support immunity.
• Streptococcus thermophilus – presents a number of benefits to the human organism, among which we can mention its ability to alleviate symptoms associated with ulcerative colitis, irritable bowel syndrome, and leaky gut syndrome. Moreover, Streptococcus thermophilus has the ability to reduce abdominal discomfort caused by gas, bloating, diarrhea, etc., accelerate healing after urinary and/ or vaginal infections, boost digestion, and sustain immune screening.

Moreover, this dietary enhancer also contains fructooligosaccharides – or FOS – namely an alternative form of sweetening that is preferred nowadays for its probiotic effect at the level of the gastrointestinal system, where it can alleviate microflora imbalance, promote better calcium absorption, and act as a noteworthy source of fibre for the organism.

Allergenic potential

On the one hand, Dr. Natura Flora Protect Probiotic checks a lot of good points regarding allergenic concerns. Consequently, the present probiotic supplement is shown as being free of any contamination from shellfish, starch, yeast, gluten, salt, wheat, milk, and egg. In addition, its composition stays clear of any artificial colours and flavours, making both the probiotic blend and capsule itself friendly towards vegetarian and vegan lifestyles.

On the other hand, this nutritional enhancer specifies that it ‘contains trace amounts of soy protein (peptides)’. In simpler terms, this means that Dr. Natura Flora Protect Probiotic can potentially cause soy and/ or rice allergies to those who are already sensitive to such elements, which is why caution is highly advised in these instances.

Besides its 8 strains of probiotics, the Dr. Natura Flora Protect Probiotic contains ascorbic acid (vitamin C), cellulose (the capsules), enteric coating, fructooligosaccharides (or FOS, for short), magnesium stearate (vegetable source), and rice maltodextrin.

Overall cost

As mentioned above, you will be able to purchase a 60 capsule bottle of Dr. Natura Flora Protect Probiotic for $35.00. Since the bottle recommendations suggest taking 2 capsules daily as a normal dosage, this quantity ends up costing approximately $1.16 (at $0.58 for each individual capsule).

Although not the most expensive probiotic currently on the market, Dr. Natura Flora Protect Probiotic surpasses the $1 mark for every daily dosing, which nutritionists generally see as being the point past which probiotic supplements can be seen as ‘high-priced’. The plus side is that a bottle will last you for the entire month and also give you a good and manageable probiotic boost. Hence, if these aspects are a good enough indicative for you, then the price could be worth it in the end.

Side effects

While taking Dr. Natura Flora Protect Probiotic, I personally did not experience any sort of noticeable or discomforting side effects. This aspect is particularly crucial to probiotic supplements: since their administration involves producing a bacterial imbalance at the level of the gut (even if it is for the better in the end), these products usually produce symptoms like bloating, gas, and abdominal discomfort during the first few days to a week of usage.

This was not the case with Dr. Natura Flora Protect Probiotic. One reason for this outcome might be the fact that it has a milder probiotic composition when compared to similar products available nowadays on the market. As a result, the 8 billion CFUs in Dr. Natura Flora Protect Probiotic are much milder than the 20-40 billion CFUs normally endorsed by other supplements of the same type.

On the other hand, the labelling specifically advises pregnant and nursing mothers not to consume this probiotic supplement. The same warning is available for children under the age of 18 as well. Additionally, individuals suffering from major illnesses or who are aware of any allergy sensitivity should first consult with their personal doctor before starting administration.

Manufacturer guarantee

In terms of quality assurance, Dr. Natura Flora Protect Probiotic does indeed cater to its (potential) clients’ needs by offering a 60 days ‘money back’ policy. What does this mean? Well, it implies that you can order your bottle of probiotic and try it out on a regular basis to see whether the effects in real life are those you had envisioned to experience in the first place. In the case that you are unfortunately dissatisfied with the outcome, then all you have to do is send back the packaging with the remaining product (if any) within 60 days of the purchase and expect to receive your money back in full, no questions asked. Whereas other companies generally stick to the standard 30 days guarantee, this supplement doubles that amount of time for its customers’ benefit.

Moreover, Dr. Natura Flora Protect Probiotic also guarantees product viability by specifying that the live probiotic cultures will stay as such until the expiration date stated on the bottle. While this might seem like a normal specification, it is actually much more important for probiotics because it ensures that each capsule will have the same health and digestive effects as the previous one, until the end of that dosing size.

Purchasing

Dr. Natura Flora Protect Probiotic can be easily acquired through the manufacturer’s official website.

Dr. Natura Flora Protect Probiotic – general view

Category	Dr. Natura Flora Protect Probiotic
General rating	5/5 stars
Recommended usage	Daily usage probiotic and ailment for specific issues
Ingredients	8 probiotic strains, 8 billion CFUs
Allergenic potential	Soy and/ or rice
Cost	$35.00 (60 capsules)
Side effects	None
Manufacturer guarantee(s)	100% ‘money back’ policy within 60 days
Purchasing	Via the company’s official website