Growing up, bacteria is one of the few things we’re taught to avoid at all costs. It’s the reason we shower every day, it’s why we clean our homes regularly, it’s why we wash our hands frequently, and it’s why the ‘five-second rule’ exists.
What many people don’t understand is that our bodies are actually made up of trillions of bacteria. There’s more bacteria in your body than there are cells, and a majority of the bacteria is found in your gut. As much as we want to avoid bacteria, we can’t — it’s impossible. In fact, researchers estimate the average human body contains around 40 trillion bacteria. In a healthy body, 85% of that bacteria is considered ‘good bacteria’ while the other 15% is considered ‘bad bacteria.’ Too much or not enough good or bad bacteria in the body is cause for concern.
For those that have too much bad bacteria or not enough good bacteria in their body, doctors often suggest the use of probiotics. They’re a special type of supplement that helps balance out the bacteria in your body, helping you achieve that 85-15 equilibrium.
Phillips’ Colon Health Probiotic is one of those supplements. The question is, though, is it really worth adding to your routine? Let’s dive into this probiotic supplement and see if it is truly all it’s cracked up to be in this review of Phillips’ Colon Health Probiotic.
What Is Phillips’ Colon Health Probiotic?
Phillips’ Colon Health Probiotic is a probiotic supplement brought to you by Phillips’ Daily Care, a company owned by Bayer. It’s designed to help boost the immune system and improve the digestive system. It boasts a 4-in-1 symptom defense against gas, bloating, constipation, and diarrhea.
Phillips’ Colon Health Probiotic promises 1.5 billion CFU’s at the time of expiry. CFU’s refer to colony-forming units, which is how bacteria is measured. Many probiotic companies promise around 1 billion CFU’s, but you never truly know how much you’ll get.
Since probiotics are live microorganisms, there’s no guarantee they’re all alive when you take the supplement. That’s why it’s extremely important to purchase a quality probiotic supplement and follow the directions carefully — especially the expiration date.
Phillips’ Colon Health Probiotic doesn’t use Soy, Gluten, Dairy, or GMO in their capsules, making them safe for most people. You can find it in most grocery and department stores that feature a pharmacy aisle, making them highly accessible for most people.
With over 12 years on the market, Phillips’ Colon Health Probiotic has had time to formulate an effective probiotic supplement. This one contains three different species of probiotics — Lactobacillus gasseri KS-13, Bifidobacterium bifidum G9-1, and Bifidobacterium longum MM-2.
Why Do Our Bodies Need Probiotics?
Earlier, we mentioned how our bodies consist of both good and bad bacteria. In a perfect world, our bodies keep a healthy balance of 85% good bacteria and 15% bad bacteria. Unfortunately, we don’t live in a perfect world, and this balance isn’t always met.
When the amount of bad bacteria increases, the amount of digestive issues and autoimmune issues in the individual rises. Eventually, bad bacteria start to thrive in your body — mostly in your gut — and it leads to a wide range of health concerns.
Probiotics are extremely important because they help even out this balance. Since good bacteria help fight off bad bacteria, probiotics bring your body back to that equilibrium it requires for optimum performance.
Probiotics are also helpful when an individual is instructed to take antibiotics. Although antibiotics are designed to kill bad bacteria, they also kill good bacteria in the process. Taking probiotics with antibiotics helps your body kill bad bacteria and replenish with good bacteria.
Are Probiotics The Same As Prebiotics?
Probiotics and prebiotics are two completely different supplements, but they work in conjunction with each other. We already know that probiotics are live microorganisms (bacteria) necessary for a healthy body and gut. We also know antibiotics kill bacteria, but what are prebiotics?
Think of prebiotics as food that probiotics use when functioning inside the body. Since probiotics are live microorganisms, they need food to survive. When you take prebiotics with probiotics, it ensures your probiotic supplement is as effective as possible.
It should be noted that probiotics don’t need prebiotics to work. They do, however, increase the effectiveness of the probiotic. If you’re looking to add a solid prebiotic to your routine, as well, some choices worth checking out include PrebioThrive, Performance Lab Prebiotic, and Dr. Tobias Prebiotics.
Are There Different Species Of Probiotics?
We now understand the difference between probiotics, prebiotics, and antibiotics. We also understand the importance of probiotics and how they interact with each other. Don’t worry; there’s more to it because there isn’t just one type of probiotic available.
In fact, there are hundreds of different species of probiotics found inside the gut, and some researchers believe there are thousands of species located throughout the entire body. Each of these species is unique in its own way. The good news is most supplements today focus on two distinct types — bifidobacteria and lactobacillus.
Bifidobacteria is a species that produces both lactic acid and acetic acid as metabolic end products of fermentation. For every 1 molecule of glucose, this species produces 2.5 molecules of ATP (energy), 1.5 molecules of acetate, and 1 molecule of lactate. It can’t live in the presence of oxygen.
Bifidobacteria is best known for its digestive benefits, as well as its ability to fight infections.
Lactobacillus is a species of bacteria that produces lactic acid only. For every 1 molecule of glucose, this species produces 2 molecules of ATP (energy) and 2 molecules of lactate. It can live in the presence of oxygen.
Lactobacillus is best known for its ability to strengthen the lining of your intestines and improve gut health.
The Claims For Phillips’ Colon Health Probiotic
Much like any other supplement you come across, Phillips’ Colon Health Probiotic makes a variety of claims about their product. As we go through the list of ingredients, we’ll be able to see if those claims are true, but first, let’s take a look at what those claims are.
- Contains three different types of good bacteria from both bifidobacteria and lactobacillus species
- Replenishes good bacteria in the body, especially the gut
- Improves digestive system and colon health
- Protects your body against gas, bloating, diarrhea, and constipation
- Delivers 1.5 billion CFU’s of good bacteria at the time of expiry
- Free of gluten, soy, dairy, and GMOs
On the surface, Phillips’ Colon Health Probiotic looks like an effective probiotic supplement that improves digestion in a variety of ways. It largely focuses on the gut and colon, hence the name. It’s also designed to be taken daily, which could be beneficial to those with frequent symptoms.
Phillips’ Colon Health Probiotic Ingredients
Now that we have a solid background of what Phillips’ Colon Health Probiotic is and what it’s designed to do in the body, it’s time to take a long look at the ingredients found inside each capsule. This is the most important step when searching for a new supplement.
The ingredient label tells you everything you need to know when purchasing a probiotic. It shows you the species and different types of bacteria you’re consuming, as well as the expected dosage and any extra ingredients included.
Although Phillips’ Colon Health Probiotic doesn’t contain any extra ingredients, let’s take a closer look at the three different types of bacteria used in their formula — Lactobacillus gasseri KS-13, Bifidobacterium bifidum G9-1, and Bifidobacterium longum MM-2.
Lactobacillus gasseri KS-13
Lactobacillus gasseri KS-13 has become extremely popular in recent years. It’s naturally found in the genitals, urinary, and digestive systems. A majority of the research today suggests it could benefit weight loss and obesity treatment. Of course, research is ongoing, and more is needed to fully support this.
In some studies, this strain of bacteria prevents body weight and fat accumulation, as well as having pro-inflammatory properties. It may also lower bad cholesterol, total blood cholesterol, and triglycerides in the body.
This strain is also available in Better Body Co Provitalize.
Bifidobacterium bifidum G9-1
Bifidobacterium bifidum is the most common probiotic found in the entire body, which is likely why Phillips’ included it in their Colon Health Daily Probiotic formula. It helps the body ward off bad bacteria, helps keep a healthy balance of good bacteria, improves digestion, and enhances the immune system.
What makes Bifidobacterium bifidum so wonderful in the gut is it attaches itself to cells in the intestines. By inhibiting these cells, they prevent bad bacteria from doing the same and causing harm. When there are no cells for bad bacteria to cling on to, they simply pass through the gut without harming anyone.
This strain of bacteria is also known for reducing allergy symptoms, improving nutrient absorption in the body, and having anti-inflammatory properties.
Bifidobacterium longum MM-2
While it’s not the most common strain, Bifidobacterium longum MM-2 is another extremely popular probiotic found in a wide range of supplements today. It’s naturally present in the gastrointestinal tract and provides a variety of benefits in the body.
For example, some studies show it improves the immune system, and other studies suggest it helps modulate the intestinal environment. Much like the other strains, more research is needed to fully support these claims, but that will come in due time.
Phillips’ Colon Health Probiotic Pricing
Phillips’ Colon Health Probiotic looks like any other probiotic supplement you’ll find at a department store, such as Target or Walmart. It’s not to say it doesn’t look like an official supplement, but it comes in the same-sized box and has a similar design on the front.
The front of the box is mostly purple and has a human body outline in the background. Aside from the name of the supplement, the company also showcases the ‘4-in-1 symptom defense’ claim and details the fact you only need one capsule per day.
The label on the back has a lot of information. It shows you the three probiotic strains found in the formula and tells you to take one capsule each day with a meal. While it tells us there’s 1.5 billion cells per capsule, it doesn’t tell us how much CFU of each strain.
The label also notes that potato starch, gelatin, and silicon dioxide were used. These are ingredients for the capsule itself and help with the delivery of the supplement to the gut.
Each box of Phillips’ Colon Health Probiotic contains a pill bottle with 60 capsules inside. You can find the box at Target, Walmart, and any other department store with a pharmacy section. A 60-ct bottle generally costs under $25. At one capsule per day, the bottle lasts you two months.
Phillips’ Colon Health Probiotic Pros vs. Cons
By now, we’ve had a chance to view Phillips’ Colon Health Probiotic from top to bottom. We have a solid idea of what it is, what it’s supposed to do, and what we can actually expect it to do. Overall, it’s a good probiotic that millions of people utilize often.
To give you a clear, straight-forward breakdown of what we like and what we don’t like about Phillips’ Colon Health Probiotic, let’s take a look at our pros and cons with this supplement.
Pros
- Phillips’ company has over 150 years of experience in the industry
- Phillips’ Colon Health Probiotic has been around since 2008
- Bifidobacterium longum helps reduce inflammation, cholesterol, allergies, and constipation
- Bifidobacterium bifidum helps ward off bad bacteria in the gut
- Lactobacillus gasseri improves the body’s immune system and digestive system
- Contains three different types of good bacteria from both bifidobacteria and lactobacillus species
- Replenishes good bacteria in the body, especially the gut
- Improves digestive system and colon health
- Protects your body against gas, bloating, diarrhea, and constipation
- Delivers 1.5 billion CFU’s of good bacteria at time of expiry
- Free of gluten, soy, dairy, and GMOs
- Not very expensive and easy to maintain
- Only need to take one capsule per day
Cons
- The 1.5 billion CFU is rather low compared to other formulas on the market
- This formula is rather outdated to some of the other options available today
- Doesn’t include Lactobacillus rhamnosus or Lactobacillus acidophilus
- Doesn’t include Bifidobacterium lactis
- Doesn’t include prebiotics, such as Inulin
Claims vs. Reality
Earlier in the review, we took a close look at some of the various claims Phillips’ makes with their Colon Health Daily Probiotic formula. After taking a long and hard look at this supplement, there’s certainly a lot to like when compared to other probiotics.
For example, Align Probiotic only contains one strain of probiotic (Bifidobacterium longum) — opposed to the three found in Phillips’ Colon Health Probiotic. Since both of them are generally found in the same department stores and online retailers, you can certainly see why Phillips’ Colon Health Probiotic is a better option.
While the formula is designed to support the claims, that doesn’t guarantee anything. The supplement hasn’t been evaluated by the FDA, despite the amount of research around these strains. It’s a well-built formula, but it won’t work for everyone.
In addition to that, there are other formulas that utilize a more diverse combination of strains. For example, it would’ve been nice to see Lactobacillus rhamnosus or Lactobacillus acidophilus in this formula — or even Bifidobacterium lactis.
Phillips’ Colon Health Probiotic Alternatives
Phillips’ Colon Health Probiotic might be better than some formulas, such as Align Probiotic, but there are others that might be a better option — if you’re willing to spend the money.
I wouldn’t really consider Align Probiotic a competitor, especially since it’s a one-strain formula and costs over $60 for a two-month supply — opposed to the $22 it costs for Phillips’ Colon Health Probiotic.
With that being said, there are a few supplements that give Phillips’ Colon Health Probiotic a run for their money. Let’s take a look at two of our favorites — including Daily Care Probiotic and Seed Synbiotic Subscription.
Daily Care Probiotic
Much like Phillips’ Colon Health Probiotic and Align Probiotic, Daily Care Probiotic is found in most department stores. We like this probiotic because it offers a diverse range of strains. In fact, there are a total of 12 different strains in their formula.
The Lactobacillus blend (total of 7 billion CFU) includes L. acidophilus, L. rhamnosus, L. bulgaricus, L. fermentum, L. helveticus, L. brevis, and L. reuteri. The Bifidobacterium blend (total of 3 billion CFU) contains B. breve, B. lactis, B. longum, B. bifidum, and B. infantis.
Daily Care Probiotic also contains 100mg of Inulin to provide the probiotics with prebiotics. That means your live microorganisms get the food they need to perform their best. A two-month supply of this costs you around $50, as opposed to the $22 it costs for Colon Health.
Seed Synbiotic Subscription
If you’re looking for more of a modern experience with probiotics, Seed Synbiotic Subscription is definitely for you. As the name suggests, this formula contains both probiotics and prebiotics, which is what synbiotic means.
The formula contains 24 different strains of probiotics and prebiotics to give each customer maximum benefit. A one month’s supply costs $50, and you’re signing up for a subscription, so they continue to send you a new supply each month.
In total, there are over 53 billion AFU per capsule. The capsules are scientifically designed with 2-in-1 delivery technology. The outer prebiotic capsule provides the food, and then the inner probiotic capsule delivers the live bacteria.
Final Verdict: Phillips’ Colon Health Probiotic
In the world of probiotics, there are a lot of different companies and brands that all claim to have the best formula. When looking at Phillips’ Colon Health Probiotic, it falls somewhere in the middle of the competition. It’s not the best option out there, but it’s not the worst either.
If you’re at the department store and need a probiotic, I suggest going with either Phillips’ Colon Health Probiotic (if you’re on a budget) or Daily Care Probiotic (if you have the money). If you want a more extensive experience with probiotics, go with Seed Synbiotic Subscription.
All in all, Phillips’ Colon Health Probiotic is a fine choice. It’d be better with prebiotics and a more diverse group of strains, but it should benefit your gut nonetheless.
