Vitamin BountyPro 50 Probiotic with Prebiotics - 13 Strains, 50 Billion CFU, for Immune Support, Gut & Digestive Health, with Delayed Release Embocaps™ & Fermented Greens

I purchased this because of the selection of probiotics included. The probiotics included are well researched and demonstrated to improve gut health, and I like that it is supported by a prebiotic blend.

I'll just start off by saying that several years ago while on active duty in the Army, I started experiencing bizarre health problems. I was very athletic and very active, within months it took all my will to physically get out of bed and get dressed. I was being "treated" for a urinary tract infection that got worse after antibiotic, to the point that they put me on the highest allowable dosage of cipro for nearly 6 months. After this I was basically a corpse, my entire body was shutting down and not one doctor had any clue what was happening to me. I lost 50 pounds within 4 months, and I was already very lean. My standard labs were completely normal, so they just brushed me off, until I insisted I do some blood work through research I had done myself. All the labs were off but it wasn't enough for them to figure out what was going on, my blood pressure would shift violently, so much that I was hospitalized, and even then they couldn't figure out what was going on.This led to an extensive battle for my health for years, literally 5 years now. I spent over 10,000 dollars out of pocket on everything you could possibly imagine, did naturalpathic, homeopathic, and a host of procedures that vary from traditional to bordering on silly. I work in healthcare, so believe me when I tell you I did everything conventional medicine would give me. The only things that I noticed working for my multi system problems were probiotics, gut centered acupuncture, and loads of detox, gut health and antifungal supplements aimed at controlling a problem I believe started with an aggressive small intestine candida infection. I've taken dozens of probiotics supplements. I've found help from all of them in one way or another. After searching for a new probiotic I stumbled on this product that sort of floored me with its potency. More quality probiotics I've taken have between 5-20 million organisms and maybe 3-5 strains of the same basic strains. 13 strains piqued my interest, and I ordered immediately.Within 5 days something started happening in my gut, I try not to exaggerate but I just can't think of anything I've ever felt that was similar. Sort of like active bowel sounds, but everything felt tighter then loose, like something was getting worked out, or something was being untied (I understand that my bowel wasn't literally tied, just describing the sensation). Over the last 5 years I have progressively gotten better, but am still plagued with debilitating brain fog, fatigue, pain and skin problems. Today I haven't felt clarity of mind quite so crisp in what seems like years. Maybe it's divine intervention, or just a random spontaneous positive upswing in whatever it is that's been trying to kill me for 5 years, but this is the first probiotic product I've taken where I've felt results within days and not weeks. Very impressive product you have here guys.

*** Update from August 20, 2019 ***Pro 50 worked all right. These days, I use another excellent economic option for maintenance: Code Age, Gut Health. The label says 3 caps a day but I only use one in the morning with my pea protein shake. Does the trick. I also used their SBO probiotics initially and it worked very well - similar or possibly better than Pro 50.Another addition to my diet: apple cider vinegar (ACV). Seems like fake medicine... But after years of pushing back on the idea of drinking "just vinegar", which sounds so simple it would have no incidence on my digestion, it turns out a couple of spoons of AVC a day mixed 1:3 with water seems to do make everything more solid when my digestion seems to accelerate after I eat something harder to digest...*** Original Review from February 20, 2019 ***I was diagnosed with SIBO-D a few years ago. Lost over 30lbs at first (180lbs down to 150 and possibly below). I was treated with antibiotics early on and now watch my diet closely (not by choice - my gut will punish me if I don’t): mainly no diary, no egg, limited/no wheat. I won’t digest properly without probiotics so these are literally vital for me. I am now at 160+lbs and stable. Otherwise very healthy and athletic.With pro 50 i feel finally just the way I was before getting sick... including during bathroom breaks. And at the gym too. Amazing product. I still avoid diary and egg at all costs.To be clear: This is the ONLY thing that has worked. Pretty much fixed me within a week (besides for diary and egg which seem to be no go for the rest of my life - fine with it). Noticed positive effects right within the first day. I am finishing my first bottle and ordered a new one for maintenance.It’s also by far the most economical option.For those interested (I wish I had that list instead of spammy website garbage lists) Probiotics I tried in order of effectiveness:1/ Pro 50 (this one) by and FAR the most effective2/ prescript assist *in combination with* atrantril = near perfect results3/ DR axe *in combination with* atrantril = satisfactory results but still at times some minor troubles.—————————BELOW THIS LINE ARE THOSE THAT HAVE NOT BEEN EFFECTIVE MAKING THINGS WORSE AT TIMES4/ megaspore5/ anything from Jaro (best one by far is the ideal bowel support - rest is garbage)6/ mostof the regular crap on a cvs shelf - don’t even bother. Garden of life, now, ultimate flora, generic pharmacy brands, etcSide note: Atrantril is not a probiotic. It s a formulation that prevent the growth of some of the strains that harm you and your digestion. It works but as soon as you stop taking it, everything comes back. With Pro 50 I only took it once early on when I went a little crazy on the food and maybe it was a little too early on and threw my gut balance off. I can now afford to eat without pretty much ever taking atrantril and only pro 50.Atrantril is worth a try if you have fairly diee symptoms or are going thru a flare up but also expensive - especially when compared to pro 50. With pro 50 you might not need it at all.I kept on skipping it thinking it was another cheap and likely worthless probiotic. Well... my mistake. I hope others can benefit from it.Hope this helps those with SIBO/IBS and other digestive troubles!

What happened to the glass bottle? My last 2 deliveries have been in a plastic bottle. Disappointing. The product itself has provided great benefits and I would have given 5 stars, but am evaluating any differences since I’ve just started taking from first plastic bottle. Will be checking for alternatives that are in glass.

There are many benefits taking a quality probiotic during pregnancy. Pro-50 delivers 13-strain 50 billion cfu per serving, they don't have to be refrigerated, have delayed release so they make it to your gut and have barley grass ,oat grass wheat grass and alfafa. I first found this on a best probiotics list of 2019! I will continue to purchase these.Here are the reasons why to take probiotics durning pregnancy-.1 Probiotics reduce risk for preeclampsiaPreeclampsia is the number one reason for maternal death in the United States. A study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology did an analysis of more than 33,000 women in Norway to find that women who ate 4.7 ounces of fermented milk products during the first half of their pregnancy had a reduced risk for developing preeclampsia. Probiotics help to reduce inflammation in the intestines, which is believed to lower blood pressure.2 Probiotic intake during the first trimester helps lose postpartum weight fasterResearch in the British Journal of Nutrition has found that women supplementing with probiotics that contain Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium during the first trimester and until they stopped breastfeeding (up to 6 months) were associated with less central obesity one year after giving birth. (Central obesity is defined as a body mass index of 30 or more).3 Probiotics helps digestion and nutrient absorptionProbiotics help to break down proteins, carbs and fats and converts the fiber into healthy fatty acids that nourish the cells that lines the intestinal wall. This can help reduce gas, bloating, heartburn and constipation. When the intestines are sealed (aka leaky gut syndrome) the better our bodies absorb the nutrients from the foods we consume. The more nourishment moms get, the more the baby gets, too. Probiotics also help the intestines make short-chain fatty acids, which contribute to the overall health of the body.4 Probiotics can help reduce the risk for postpartum depressionMedscape Medical News reported the connection between the gut and brain is very real. Preliminary research is finding the importance that taking probiotics can alter the neurotransmitters in the gut, boosting the ability to deal and cope with anxiety and depression.While it is important to take probiotics during pregnancy, it is more important that both mom and baby take probiotics postpartum. Renew Life Critical Care Blend is a high dose blend that help. New Chapter Prenatals also has probiotics in its vitamins, but it may not be high enough to support the immunity for both mom and baby. When in doubt talk to a nutritionist that specializes in maternal and infant health and nutrition to find out what’s best for you and your baby.