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 why we’re here to help. We’re going to take a closer look at 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 out the answer to that question and many more in this Primal Harvest Probiotics review!
About Primal Harvest Probiotics
Primal Probiotics are a probiotic capsule supplement from popular supplement company, Primal Harvest. Known for supplements designed to provide for all 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 wide 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.
Others 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 include the 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.
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 as well as 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 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.
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, there is further research 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.
Marketed Ingredients
- Lactospore (Bacillus Coagulans) – Lactospore is a spore-forming, lactic acid producing, heat resistant bacteria 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 UABLA-1 – 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 provide beneficial effects on our gut bacteria, including reducing E-Coli and pro-inflammatory bacteria for a healthier gut environment [11, 12].
Majority of CFUs
- Lactobacillus Casei 12 billion – Studies show that Lactobacillus Casei can, directly and indirectly, affect human health; however, it is still not well understood and requires further study because of its complicated history and numerous strains. Its benefits are believed to range from enhancing brain function, anti-cancer activity, immune modulation, pathogen resistance, and enhance 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].
Is Primal Probiotics Safe?
Primal Probiotics is a potent probiotic supplement; however, side effects reported were limited and mild in nature, including upset stomach, diarrhea, gas, and bloating.
Probiotics are generally recognized as safe by the FDA because these microbes naturally exist in our body. 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 illness.
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.
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.
Get Up To 20% 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:
- 1 Bottle – $38.95
- 2 Bottles – $35.95/bottle
- 3 Bottles – $33.95/bottle
- 4 Bottles – $31.95/bottle
Primal Harvest also offers a subscribe and save option as well which gives you 20% off, bringing the price down to $31.16 per bottle of Primal Probiotics.
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.
Primal Probiotics ingredients appear to be well researched with a good diversity of strains as well as CFUs. Although it is relatively high in price for a 30-day supply, for those who are looking for a high-quality probiotic supplement, Primal Harvest Primal Probiotics is near the top of the list.
More reviews of Primal Harvest Products:
- Primal Flex Review
- Primal Harvest Multivitamin Review
- Primal Harvest Collagen Review
- Primal Greens Review
- Primal Gut Restore Review
- Primal Harvest Turmeric Complex Review
- Primal Mind Fuel Review
- Primal Greens Review
- Primal Total Cleanse Review
- Primal Harvest Keto Collagen Review
- Primal Omega 3 Review
- Primal Harvest Hair Growth Complex Review