In 2022 alone, global consumers spent nearly $60 billion on probiotic supplements, as people become more interested in holistic health and dietary changes that improve overall wellbeing.
Biotics 8 is a probiotic supplement that aims to calm digestion, eliminate gas and bloating, boost immunity, and enhance energy and focus. But are these claims supported by science?
Can Biotics 8 compete with larger probiotics brands? Is it worth the money? Check it all out by reading this Biotics 8 review.
About Biotics 8
Biotics 8 is a daily supplement for men looking to improve gut health and overall wellness. It is one of 12 supplement lines under Bauer’s brand.
Bauer is a Scottish supplement company that focuses on men’s health, hair growth, energy, weight, and sleep support as well as anti-aging and beauty.
Their mission is to deliver high-quality products at an affordable price. They aim to cut out unauthorized external retailers and control the entire process in-house, from development and production to sales and distribution of their products.
Biotics 8 Benefits
There are trillions of microorganisms that live in the gut, both good and bad, which are collectively known as the microbiome. The types of microbes present are largely determined by the foods we eat.
Probiotic supplements are made of good microbes (bacteria and yeasts) that colonize the gut and build a healthy microbiome. This helps keep bad microbes at bay, support digestion, provide key nutrients, and enhance immunity and recovery after illness.
Biotics 8 is a synbiotic because it provides probiotics (live microbes) along with prebiotics (fiber to feed them). It claims to benefit health by calming digestion, eliminating gas and bloating, boosting immunity, and enhancing energy and focus.
The fiber provided helps keep digestion moving and promotes regular bowel patterns. While the probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus along with digestive enzymes found in Biotics 8 have been linked to reduced digestive upset.
Good gut microbes make vitamin K, B vitamins, and short-chain fatty acids, which supports energy metabolism, fights inflammation, and promotes a balanced immune system.
Antibiotics wipe out bacteria in the body, including good and bad microbes in the gut. Saccharomyces yeast found in Biotics 8 helps rebuild the microbiome to promote a speedy recovery from illness.
Optimizing gut health also supports a balanced gut-brain axis, which is a communication network that connects the nerves of the gut and brain, to affect brain function.
Biotics 8 Ingredients
While Bauer claims transparency of their products, they use the term ‘proprietary blend’ to describe their special mixture of ingredients used without disclosing the exact details.
Biotics 8 does list probiotics from Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, and Saccharomyces families. However, the probiotic strain (letters and numbers after the name i.e. Lactobacillus casei ATCC 393) is not provided.
Without this information, consumers are unable to look at the science behind Biotics 8 to confirm the credibility of its health claims, as each strain acts differently on the microbiome.
Digestive Enzymes
Enzymes are proteins made in the body that digest food. Biotics 8 contains protease which breaks down protein, lipase which breaks down fats, and amylase which breaks down carbohydrates.
The enzymes found in supplements are taken from plants, fungi, or animal sources (pigs and cows). Bauer does not report sources making it unclear if people on special diets (kosher, halal, vegan, vegetarian diets) can consume this supplement.
Bauer also lists enzymes by weight (mg) which does not tell consumers about their strength. Without information on the source, processing (grinding, dehydrating), or storage (temperature, light exposure) methods, it is unclear how these factors affect enzyme strength.
Fiber
Biotics 8 contains soluble fiber (inulin and fructooligosaccharides FOS) which serves as the food source for the probiotics. This helps build a healthy microbiome that is less sensitive to changes in diet.
Vitamin D
Cholecalciferol (vitamin D3) is a precursor to active vitamin D which is key for bone health and supports immunity and brain function.
For adults, the recommended daily intake for D3 is 15-20 mcg. Biotics 8 provides a 10 mcg but includes a disclaimer that the value listed has ‘not been established’, making it unreliable.
Does Biotics 8 Work?
Experts recommend a dose of at least 10 billion CFUs (Colony Forming Units) or live microbes, that include a variety of beneficial microbes. Biotics 8 meets these standards to deliver 20 billion CFU as 10 different probiotics.
While Biotics 8 is likely to be effective in supporting gut health, consumers should understand that it is not a replacement for a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle.
How Does Biotics 8 Compare?
Consumers may need more information to make an informed decision on whether Bauer supplements are the best choice for them.
Probiotics that are comparable to Biotics 8 include BioGaia, Bio+K, and Culturelle.
- If interested in a probiotic with vitamin D, BioGaia offers a good alternative. BioGaia Immune Active provides five times more vitamin D and almost three times more probiotics than Biotics 8, in one capsule.
- If pill burden and affordability are a concern, Bio+K Daily Care delivers 30, 50, or 80 billion CFU in just one capsule daily. Each bottle provides a full month’s supply and ranges from $30-60, depending on the product.
- If looking for a synbiotic with clear labeling, Culturelle Digestive Daily presents a non-GMO, vegetarian option free of major allergens like wheat, dairy, tree nuts, eggs, and peanuts. One to two capsules daily provide 10-20 billion CFU, to deliver a half or full month’s supply per bottle.
Who Is Biotics 8 Best For?
Biotics 8 is advertised for men, although there are no disclosed ingredients that make it inappropriate for women.
This product is ideal for adults looking for improved digestion and overall gut health. It is best for those committed to taking a daily supplement, on a long-term basis.
Claim vs. Reality
To prioritize transparency, Bauer claims to control the sourcing, manufacturing, and sales of their supplements, to deliver affordable products. They market Biotics 8 as a high-performance probiotic with premium ingredients.
Bauer fails to provide clear information on the ingredients used, the manufacturing process, or the science behind Biotics 8. They also negatively impact affordability and access to their product by cutting out external retailers.
Biotics 8 claims to improve digestion, eliminate gas and bloating, boost immunity, and enhance energy and focus.
Most of these claims are general benefits of a healthy microbiome, making it likely for Biotics 8 to live up to the hype. However, it is unlikely that a probiotic supplement would eliminate gas and bloating entirely.
Is Biotics 8 Safe?
It is important to know that probiotic supplements are not regulated by the FDA or required to meet safety or quality standards. This means the ingredients and dosage are not guaranteed, and claims are not necessarily supported by science.
They are safe for the general population with complications being rare.
Side effects may include digestive upset (gassiness and bloating) as gut bacteria are changing. This can be reduced by starting at a lower dose and increasing slowly.
The dose for Biotics 8 is three capsules per day, which provides 20 billion CFU. Bauer recommends taking one capsule daily for three to four days, followed by three capsules daily. This triples the dose overnight and may lead to digestive upset for some.
Where to Buy Biotics 8
Biotics 8 is strictly sold through Bauer’s website. They prioritize customer service claiming a 60-day 100% satisfaction guarantee and rapid, same-day shipping.
Shipping quotes more accurately describe the time for the product to be shipped, rather than the timing to the customer. Bauer claims next-day delivery for UK orders, up to five days for European orders, and up to seven days for US orders.
A single bottle of Biotics 8 contains 60 capsules and costs roughly $60. At the recommended dose of three capsules daily, each bottle would last 20 days. Bundle pricing options are available and bring down costs to $36-40 per bottle.
International shipping costs are free, although customers who wish to return and receive refunds are required to cover shipping costs.
Biotics 8 provides the recommended dose and blend of probiotics and presents little safety risk to the general public. However, consumers may need more information to decide if it is the best choice for them.
Pros
- Probiotic supplements are safe for the general public and complications are rare.
- Biotics 8 meets standard dosing requirements of 20 billion CFU and provides a blend of probiotics, including Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, and Saccharomyces, which are linked to research supporting positive impacts on gut health.
- It contains both probiotics and prebiotics to act as a synbiotic and support a microbiome that is less sensitive to changes in the diet.
- It contains 50-66% of the daily vitamin D needs for adults making it safe to use with other vitamin or mineral supplements.
- Bundle pricing makes it more comparable to competitors and more suitable for long-term use. There is also free shipping, with no hidden fees or added charges.
- Shipment quotes are rather quick, especially for international orders to the US.
Cons
- At three capsules daily, it has a large pill burden, with one bottle providing just a 20-day supply. Competitors provide a higher dose per capsule to deliver a 30-to-60-day supply with each bottle.
- Competing brands are readily available across retailers, improving access, shipping, and affordability of their products compared to Biotics 8.
- Lack of labeling details and use of the term ‘proprietary blend’ to avoid disclosing exact ingredients.
- It is unclear if Biotics 8 is appropriate for people with food allergies, those on kosher, halal, vegan, and vegetarian diets, or with celiac disease. It is also unclear what the ‘8’ in Biotics 8 stands for.
- Lack of sourcing, production, or shipping information which can negatively impact the strength and quality of the product. There are also no guidelines for storage or if refrigeration is necessary for preserving live microbes. Probiotic strains (i.e. Lactobacillus casei ATCC 393) are not provided, which limits traceability and ability to confirm health claims with research.
