Removing dairy from your diet, as veganism requires, can mean fewer ‘good bacteria’ in your digestive system. Yoghurt and some cheeses contain these good bacteria which are essential to maintain a healthy gut microbiome.
But then you already knew that because you’re reading this page 🙂
VitaBright Bio Cultures Probiotics Capsules
I have used and I can recommend this product:
Quality : 5 / 5
Price : 4 / 5
Potency : 5 / 5
Efficacy : 4 / 5
Vegan : Yes
Amazon Rank : 4.4 / 5
This probiotics supplement from VitaBright is 100% vegan and according to the manufacturer, contains 45 billion CFUs (colony forming units) comprising 17 different strains of good bacteria.
This is an excellent bacteria count compared to many other brands and VitaBright have earned a reputation for delivering high quality products into this saturated market without pedalling misleading claims.
It’s exactly because this is such a crowded marketplace, many (less than honest) manufacturers use the numbers relating to the ‘source powder’ which is the raw material used to make the finished product.
Probiotics begin to degrade from before the moment they are packaged so an accurate CFU count per dose is the number you need to be looking at when making your decision.
If claims are made based on the source powder then you have no idea how much potency has been lost during the manufacturing process. Let’s just say some companies’ quality control protocols are less than desirable.
Which Strains Are In VitaBright Probiotics Complex?
VitaBright have chosen 17 different probiotic strains for this formulation which are listed below:
- Lactobacillus Acidophilus LA85
- Bifidobacterium Longum BL21
- Lactobacillus Helveticus LH76
- Lactobacillus Rhamnosus LRa05
- Lactobacillus Plantarum LP90
- Bifidobacterium Breve BBr60
- Streptococcus Thermophilus ST81
- Lactobacillus Casei LC89
- Bifidobacterium Lactis BLa80
- Lactobacillus Reuteri LR08
- Lactobacillus Brevis LB01
- Lactobacillus Bulgaricus LB2
- Lactobacillus Salivarius LS97
- Lactobacillus Gasseri
- Bifidobacterium Bifidum BBi32
- Bacillus Coagulans
- Lactobacillus Lactis BL99
Strains are selected for specific attributes and the effect they have in the gut. Some are chosen for their immuno-enhancing features and others for improving digestion, for example.
Companies do need to be very careful when making specific, condition-related health claims for probiotic products as you can land yourself in hot water with the regulatory authorities. It is actually quite difficult to prove the efficacy of any probiotic.
We do have plenty of scientific studies and reams of anecdotal evidence to draw on though.
There are well over 500 different species of probiotic that we know about. Likely many more. Each species has a number of different strains and each has a different effect on the human digestive system. Some work in the small intestine, others in the colon, etc.
If you do have a specific issue with your digestion it’s worth taking some time to research the strain which might be the most effective to treat your condition. There are endless scientific studies out there to help you with this.
For example, here is a study from the NCBI in the US exploring how Lactobacillus Acidophilus may play a role in defending the body against viral attack by promoting an immuno-defensive response [1].
Just one of hundreds of scientific, peer-reviewed studies out there.
It might be worth visiting a registered nutritionist to help with your diagnosis. Just remember, a health practitioner can be held liable if they claim a specific condition can be improved using a certain species, strain or blend of probiotic strains.
Focus: What Is Acidophilus Lactobacillus Used For?
Probiotics is a colossal subject matter and we’re finding out more about gut health every day. There are hundreds of scientific studies on the gut microbiome.
But oddly, the probiotics market is largely unregulated and many unscrupulous vendors have cashed in on this situation as a result. If you see a product pushing treatment for specific diseases then be very wary.
Having said that, there are some suggestions we can make about certain strains, based on expert scientific evidence. Companies like VitaBright pay attention to the science!
The subject is too vast to explore here in any detail but as an example, studies have shown a link between L. Acidophilus and prevention of colon cancer [2].
Another observable effect is the production of antioxidants in the GI tract [3]. It is well known that antioxidant activity reduces the further through the intestines you progress.
Assuming it can be shown the probiotics survive the journey through the stomach and successfully colonise the intestine then antioxidant levels in the gut improve, providing the host with a greater ability to fight off free radicals.
It’s a fascinating area of nutrition. We could go on and on delving into the health claims of probiotics. If you enjoy reading scientific studies (who doesn’t!) then check out a couple of the sources linked at the bottom of this article as a starting point.
Probiotics vs Prebiotics: What’s The Difference?
VitaBright Probiotics Bio Cultures Complex are a live culture product and as such need a food source to survive. When residing in your gastrointestinal tract, they feed on the indigestible carbohydrates consumed – generally, high fibre foods.
Vegans tend to include plenty of high fibre foods in the diet so there should be no shortage of sustenance for those little bacterial warriors in your gut to feed off if you’re eating lots of fresh vegetables and fruit.
This VitaBright product also contains prebiotics so when you consume the capsule you can be sure the live cultures are reaching your gut in optimal condition. They have been able to feed while in storage and stay alive.
Many lower quality products do not include prebiotics and as such, there is no guarantee you’re getting the stated dose of beneficial bacteria. If the probiotic has no food, they will die and for all you know, you’re taking a product which may have no active cultures left!
VitaBright Are a Trusted Brand With a Good Reputation
Here’s a company which has been in the supplements business for over 10 years and they have painstakingly built a solid reputation for supplying products of the highest quality.
Just have a quick look at some of the reviews on Amazon for this probiotics offering.
Personally, I’ve tried many of their supplements and could not be happier. Yes, they’re not the cheapest but a lower price often translates to an inferior product. As the old saying goes, you get what you pay for … usually!
Their supplements are formulated by healthcare professionals and they adhere to GMP standards (manufacturing benchmarks set out by the FDA in the US). Vitabright are a trustworthy company and I’d be shocked if your dealings with them were not positive.
VitaBright probiotics bio cultures vegan capsules are readily available on Amazon and in other health food stores. If you’re looking for a good all-round probiotic then you can’t go far wrong with this product.
If you decide to buy from VitaBright, or even if you don’t, please leave your thoughts below in the comment section.
Have a great day!
Rohan.
[1] – Weiss G, Rasmussen S, Zeuthen LH, Nielsen BN, Jarmer H, Jespersen L, Frøkiaer H. Lactobacillus acidophilus induces virus immune defence genes in murine dendritic cells by a Toll-like receptor-2-dependent mechanism. Immunology. 2010 Oct;131(2):268-81. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2567.2010.03301.x. PMID: 20545783; PMCID: PMC2967272. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2967272/ [2] – Kumar M, Kumar A, Nagpal R, Mohania D, Behare P, Verma V, Kumar P, Poddar D, Aggarwal PK, Henry CJ, Jain S, Yadav H. Cancer-preventing attributes of probiotics: an update. Int J Food Sci Nutr. 2010 Aug;61(5):473-96. doi: 10.3109/09637480903455971. PMID: 20187714. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20187714/
[3] – Ljungh A, Wadström T. Lactic acid bacteria as probiotics. Curr Issues Intest Microbiol. 2006 Sep;7(2):73-89. PMID: 16875422. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16875422/