Research-Based

Primal Harvest Probiotics Review – Can It Really Boost Your Gut Health?

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By Meghan Stoops, RDN

Reviewed by Juliana Tamayo, MS, RDN - Last Updated

Primal Harvest Probiotics Review

Primal Harvest Probiotics is a pre and probiotic supplement that supports a healthy gut microbiome and immune system.

Probiotics have skyrocketed in popularity over the last few decades and for good reason. With extensive research ranging from benefits for gut and immune health to weight loss and even mental health benefits, everyone wants a piece.

However, the potential benefits of probiotics highly depend on the strain, the amount of colony-forming units (CFUs), and many other factors. This makes choosing a high-quality probiotic supplement a challenge for the average consumer. That’s where we come in.

Today’s article reviews a popular option, Primal Harvest Probiotics (also known as Primal Probiotics). Marketed with a holistic philosophy, Primal Harvest products have been featured on CNN, Good Housekeeping, and People, but does their popularity really prove quality? We’ll find the answer to that question and many more in this Primal Harvest Probiotics review!

primal harvest probiotics review

About Primal Harvest Probiotics

Primal Probiotics are a probiotic capsule supplement from a popular supplement company, Primal Harvest. They are known for supplements designed to cater to the needs of your overall health.

Primal Probiotics contains 31 billion CFUs from 12 different beneficial bacteria sources, including Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium strains.

Founded in 2018 by Dan Harper in Farmingdale, New York, Primal Harvest boasts a holistic philosophy, encouraging supplements over pharmaceuticals. 

Their website reports their supplement ingredients are based on scientific research and standardized clinical studies. Additionally, all Primal Harvest products are made in the United States and are Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) certified.

Primal Probiotics Benefits

“Probiotics are defined as “live microorganisms that, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host” [1].

Our digestive system contains a microbiome of bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms that, in a healthy person, would exert positive functions such as aiding in metabolism and protecting us from pathogenic organisms.

With a broad spectrum of potential health benefits ranging from gut health to immune function, probiotics are still being extensively studied for their use in human health.

Evidence shows probiotics can help to prevent and/or treat certain conditions, including bowel disorders such as diarrhea (antibiotic-associated and infectious), lactose intolerance, and allergy symptoms. 

Other benefits show promise; however, they remain controversial due to the limited research available in human trials on their safety and efficacy [2].

Other possible benefits of probiotics are included below.

Gut Health

Probiotics are believed to help balance good bacteria in our gut for improved digestion and decreased digestive upset symptoms such as constipation and diarrhea.

Primal Harvest Primal Probiotic - Improved Digestion

Mental Health

Some studies have shown probiotics to improve some mental health disorders such as anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and even cognitive disorders such as memory loss [3].

Heart Health

Probiotics are believed to be able to improve heart health by reducing our bad cholesterol (LDL) levels and even possibly improving our good cholesterol (HDL) levels [4].

Allergies and Immunity

Some studies have shown probiotics to help improve allergy symptoms and immune system function. Because most of our immune system functions within our gut, these healthy bacteria can help to support our body’s ability to fight illness and infection [5, 6]

Weight

Probiotics have also been linked to aiding in weight loss through many potential pathways, including the excretion of dietary fat and increasing our feeling of fullness during meals [7].

Does Primal Harvest Probiotics Work?

Primal Probiotics consumers have reported experiencing improved gut health with a reduction in symptoms for various complaints such as IBS and Crohn’s, as well as general diarrhea or constipation symptoms.

Primal Harvest Primal Probiotic - Benefits

Claims vs. Reality 

Primal Probiotics claims to “promote good gut bacteria growth and improves immune response.”

These are the same claims favored by numerous research studies; however, further research is needed on these supplements and their potential benefits and safety of use.  

Primal Harvest Probiotics Ingredients

Primal Probiotics’ formula contains 31 billion CFU from 12 different beneficial bacteria sources.

Primal Harvest supplements do not contain any gluten, eggs, dairy, or soy in the capsules due to allergy concerns, and they are vegetarian-friendly. Their supplement does not require refrigeration like some other probiotics, such as You Gut This, making Primal Harvest Probiotics more convenient for most consumers.

Below, we’ve detailed some of the bacterial strains in Primal Harvest Probiotics.

Marketed Ingredients

  • Lactospore (Bacillus coagulans) – Lactospore is a spore-forming, lactic acid-producing, heat-resistant bacterium that is more likely to survive in our digestive tract as well as during the heating and processing of food and supplement production than other probiotic forms. Lactospore is reported safe by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and European Union Food Safety Authority (EFSA). It is on the Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) list and the Qualified Presumption of Safety (QPS) list [8].

Studies have shown Lactospore to improve bloating, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and stool frequency for IBS patients [9].

  • Bifidobacterium Lactis  – Those with IBS experience a reduction in the variety of healthy organisms in their gut, often with low levels of lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium. The Bifidobacterium Lactis strain has been shown to reduce abdominal pain severity in IBS patients and normalized stool type when added as a supplement [10]. 
  • Preforpro Probiotic Booster – Similar action to a prebiotic, Preforpro acts as a bacteriophage (a virus that infects and replicates within bacteria) and is said to work with a broad spectrum of probiotics to boost their function. Preforpro does not cause gas or require large amounts to function, which gives them an advantage over starch-based prebiotics.

Several small studies found Preforpro to benefit our gut bacteria, including reducing E-Coli and pro-inflammatory bacteria for a healthier gut environment [11, 12].

primal harvest probiotics supplement facts
  • Lactobacillus Casei 12 billion – Studies show that Lactobacillus Casei can, directly and indirectly, affect human health; however, it is still poorly understood and requires further study because of its complicated history and numerous strains. Its benefits are believed to range from enhancing brain function to anti-cancer activity, immune modulation, pathogen resistance, and improved barrier function [13].
  • Lactobacillus Plantarum 8 billion – Studies have shown Lactobacillus Plantarum benefits ranging from improving our immune response to antioxidant and antigenotoxic properties. However, like Lactobacillus Casei, more research is still needed to fully understand and isolate the mechanism of action for these various strains in regard to human health [14].

Primal Probiotics Safety

Primal Probiotics is a potent probiotic supplement, and the side effects reported were limited and mild, including upset stomach, diarrhea, gas, and bloating.

The FDA generally recognizes probiotics as safe because these microbes naturally exist in our bodies. These supplements are not recommended or should be used with caution for those who have a weak or compromised immune system which can put you at risk for developing illnesses.

Who is Primal Probiotics Best For?

Those who wish to improve digestion or who suffer from a digestive ailment such as IBS or Crohn’s, or who struggle with getting enough probiotics from food sources might benefit from this probiotic supplement.

Natural food sources of probiotics include fermented dairy products such as yogurt or kefir and other fermented foods such as pickles, kimchi, sauerkraut, miso, and tempeh.

primal harvest probiotics review

Get Up to 25% Off

Primal Harvest Probiotics

  • Formula includes 31 billion CFUs
  • Benefits good gut bacteria growth and immune response
  • Gluten-free, Egg-free, Dairy-free, and Soy-free

Where to Buy Primal Harvest Probiotics

Primal Probiotics can be found online on Primal Harvest’s website. Each bottle contains 30 capsules, with the recommended use of 1 capsule per day taken with your morning or afternoon meal. Primal Harvest offers a variety of sizing and pricing options for Primal Probiotics, which we will detail below.

Primal Probiotics One-Time Purchase Pricing:

Primal Harvest also offers a subscribe and save option, which gives you 20% off, bringing the price down to $31.16 per bottle of Primal Probiotics.

primal harvest probiotics price

If you purchase from their website, Primal Harvest offers a 90-day money-back guarantee so that you can test out their products without worry.

Final Thoughts: Primal Harvest Probiotics

Primal Probiotics ingredients appear to be well researched with a good diversity of strains as well as CFUs. Also beneficial is its inclusion of prebiotic components to support and sustain the probiotic colonies.

Primal Harvest Primal Probiotics is near the top of the list for those looking for a high-quality probiotic supplement. We think primal harvest probiotics is well worth the try if you can afford it.

More reviews of Primal Harvest Products:

Overall Rating:
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Meghan Stoops, RDN

Meghan Stoops is a Registered Dietitian and licensed Nutritionist with a bachelor’s in Dietetics from San Diego State University. Meghan developed an interest in dietetics early on through her own personal struggles with nutrition misinformation. She began doing her own research, which sparked her passion for nutrition and it’s impact on our physical and mental health. Today, she takes take a non-diet, all-foods-fit approach to nutrition, and is devoted to teaching others that eating healthy does not mean restriction or sacrifice.

  • Lebeer, Sarah et al. “Identification of probiotic effector molecules: present state and future perspectives.” Current opinion in biotechnology vol. 49 (2018): 217-223. doi:10.1016/j.copbio.2017.10.007
  • Kechagia, Maria et al. “Health benefits of probiotics: a review.” ISRN nutrition vol. 2013 481651. 2 Jan. 2013, doi:10.5402/2013/481651
  • Wang, Huiying et al. “Effect of Probiotics on Central Nervous System Functions in Animals and Humans: A Systematic Review.” Journal of neurogastroenterology and motility vol. 22,4 (2016): 589-605. doi:10.5056/jnm16018
  • Begley, Máire et al. “Bile salt hydrolase activity in probiotics.” Applied and environmental microbiology vol. 72,3 (2006): 1729-38. doi:10.1128/AEM.72.3.1729-1738.2006
  • Cuello-Garcia, Carlos A et al. “Probiotics for the prevention of allergy: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.” The Journal of allergy and clinical immunology vol. 136,4 (2015): 952-61. doi:10.1016/j.jaci.2015.04.031
  • Resta-Lenert, S, and K E Barrett. “Live probiotics protect intestinal epithelial cells from the effects of infection with enteroinvasive Escherichia coli (EIEC).” Gut vol. 52,7 (2003): 988-97. doi:10.1136/gut.52.7.988
  • Angelakis, Emmanouil et al. “Related actions of probiotics and antibiotics on gut microbiota and weight modification.” The Lancet. Infectious diseases vol. 13,10 (2013): 889-99. doi:10.1016/S1473-3099(13)70179-8
  • Konuray, Gözde, and Zerrin Erginkaya. “Potential Use of Bacillus coagulans in the Food Industry.” Foods (Basel, Switzerland) vol. 7,6 92. 13 Jun. 2018, doi:10.3390/foods7060092
  • Majeed, Muhammed, et al. "Bacillus coagulans MTCC 5856 supplementation in the management of diarrhea predominant Irritable Bowel Syndrome: a double blind randomized placebo controlled pilot clinical study." Nutrition Journal 15.1 (2015): 1-10.
  • Martoni, Christopher J et al. “Lactobacillus acidophilus DDS-1 and Bifidobacterium lactis UABla-12 Improve Abdominal Pain Severity and Symptomology in Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Randomized Controlled Trial.” Nutrients vol. 12,2 363. 30 Jan. 2020, doi:10.3390/nu12020363
  • Febvre, Hallie P., et al. "PHAGE study: effects of supplemental bacteriophage intake on inflammation and gut microbiota in healthy adults." Nutrients 11.3 (2019): 666.
  • Rasmussen, Torben Sølbeck, et al. "Bacteriophage-mediated manipulation of the gut microbiome–promises and presents limitations." FEMS Microbiology Reviews 44.4 (2020): 507-521.
  • Hill, Daragh et al. “The Lactobacillus casei Group: History and Health Related Applications.” Frontiers in microbiology vol. 9 2107. 10 Sep. 2018, doi:10.3389/fmicb.2018.02107
  • Garcia-Gonzalez, Natalia et al. “Health-Promoting Role of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum Isolated from Fermented Foods.” Microorganisms vol. 9,2 349. 10 Feb. 2021, doi:10.3390/microorganisms9020349