When we think of optimal gut health, probiotics likely come to mind. Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that maintain healthy balance in the body by supporting immune function, controlling inflammation, aiding digestion, preventing harmful bacteria from proliferating, and nurturing good bacteria throughout your system.
Keep in mind, probiotics differ from prebiotics. Probiotics are live microorganisms that must remain active when consumed to deliver health benefits. Numerous probiotic supplements exist, but this review focuses on one specific option: One A Day TruBiotics.
Does it contain the right ingredients? Does it deliver the benefits you need? What’s the cost? In this TruBiotics review, we’ll answer all those questions and more so you can determine if this probiotic suits your needs.
Let’s dive in!
What is TruBiotics?
TruBiotics is a probiotic supplement containing the two most clinically studied beneficial bacteria strains: Lactobacillus acidophilus LA-5 and Bifidobacterium animalis BB-12. If you’re reading this wondering what those terms mean, don’t worry! These are the two probiotics in this supplement that help replenish good bacteria in your body. More details about these strains follow.
TruBiotics also supports digestive and immune health. This supplement comes in easy-to-swallow capsules taken once daily with a meal. Packages vary between 30, 45, and 60 capsules.
TruBiotics Benefits
Probiotics provide numerous health benefits, many involving gut health. TruBiotics offers two main benefits, which we’ll explore below.
Maintain Digestive/Immune Health
Maintaining optimal digestive health is crucial for overall wellness. Nobody wants to constantly battle constipation, diarrhea, gas, bloating, or abdominal pain. TruBiotics helps maintain digestive balance by replenishing beneficial gut bacteria. We need these good bacteria to combat harmful bacteria that enter the gut and cause such problems. TruBiotics also maintains digestive and immune health by providing adequate CFU (Colony Forming Units) amounts. This product offers 2 billion CFUs, backed by research supporting this dosage. While this may seem high, the dose must be sufficient to provide benefits. Probiotics can also stimulate and regulate immune response in the gut by activating specific genes in host gut cells.3 Think of probiotics as emergency dispatchers—once the call is made, local patrol becomes alert and the immune response activates.
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Maintain a Healthy Metabolism
TruBiotics claims to support healthy metabolism by enhancing carbohydrate metabolism. Probiotics have demonstrated increased carbohydrate absorption and oxidation.4,5 In simpler terms, carbohydrates are absorbed and broken down for energy use. A double-blind placebo-controlled crossover study involving trained male cyclists showed a small but significant increase in total carbohydrate oxidation.4 Don’t worry—you don’t need to be a trained athlete for probiotics to break down carbohydrates in your body. Your body naturally does this, but probiotics can enhance the rate. Specifically, Bifidobacterium converts monosaccharides (carbohydrates) into short-chain fatty acids that convert to energy, benefiting the individual.
So, if many probiotics have similar digestive health effects, what makes TruBiotics stand out? The answer lies in the ingredients.
TruBiotics Ingredients
If you’ve stayed with me, you’ve reached the keys that unlock TruBiotics’ secret. TruBiotics contains two main ingredients: Lactobacillus acidophilus LA-5 and Bifidobacterium animalis BB-12.
As mentioned above, two keys define this probiotic supplement. Let’s start with the first.
Key #1: Bifidobacterium animalis BB-12
This Bifidobacterium has been used since 1986 and is associated with immune and digestive system support. Tested in clinical trials for over 25 years, it’s the world’s most documented probiotic. One reason this strain proves so effective is its ability to survive in the human gastrointestinal tract, allowing it to remain in the body and replenish good bacteria. An in vitro study assessed five Bifidobacterium strains on growth effects with various carbohydrates and gastric acid and bile tolerance. The BB-12 strain showed excellent survival rates at all pH values and had the best survival rate compared to other strains. BB-12 can also improve stool frequency and soften stool. Another randomized, placebo-controlled study on healthy men and women showed significant effects on stool frequency among those taking BB-12.6 This benefits both ends of the spectrum from diarrhea to constipation. In another study examining antibiotic-associated diarrhea, BB-12 reduced duration and severity caused by antibiotic use. Regarding abdominal pain and bloating, BB-12 has potential to decrease these effects as well, noted in a randomized placebo-controlled study. Most studies use doses between 1 and 10 billion CFUs. TruBiotics provides a combination of two strains totaling 2 billion CFUs. In some cases, higher doses didn’t indicate increased efficacy. Sometimes less is more.
Key #2: Lactobacillus acidophilus LA-5
What makes this probiotic strain special from others, besides having a name that sounds like it came from a Dr. Seuss book? This probiotic strain comes from dairy cultures at Chr.Hansen and has been well-researched and used since 1979. This strain has proven to promote digestive health when consumed with the second main ingredient, Bifidobacterium BB-12.2 LA-5 can also survive acidic stomach environments and bile. This allows the strain to maintain good gut bacteria. According to the Probiotics Institute, LA-5 can improve irregular bowel movements, reduce radiation-caused diarrhea incidence, reduce antibiotic-caused diarrhea duration, and balance digestive bacteria after antibiotic use. A randomized placebo-controlled study showed significantly reduced diarrhea duration in individuals prescribed antibiotics. This key ingredient works better when combined with the first key, though an optimal dose remains unknown.
Other Ingredients
Note that this product contains milk, making it inappropriate for vegans or those allergic to milk/milk products. If that applies to you, dairy-free options like Vitamin Bounty Pro-50 or PROBIO-50 may be more suitable.
Does TruBiotics Work? For Who?
Now that we understand what makes TruBiotics unique, the real question is: Does it work? Simply put, yes—TruBiotics does work. This supplement contains two well-researched probiotic strains that have been around for years.
The real question is whether it will work for you. Many lifestyle factors can affect gut balance, including diet, age, stress, sleep, and travel. TruBiotics mentions this on their label, and I believe they avoid targeting specific groups to maintain claim validity. This is smart marketing. Many people experience stress and don’t follow healthy diets, so advertising that TruBiotics can help maintain balance during those times allows them to expand their clientele. Many studies focus on individuals with acute or chronic diseases rather than healthy individuals. Studies on healthy individuals did provide statistical significance, but indicated more research is needed for this group.
TruBiotics is a product that will work for the general population, but there’s no guarantee for how long it will maintain gut balance.
Claims vs. Reality
TruBiotics claims it naturally supports digestive and immune health. It also includes a disclaimer stating this claim hasn’t been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration, and the product isn’t intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease. So why state it can help with digestive and immune health? Simply because they can. Since this is a supplement and not a medication, it doesn’t require FDA approval, and they can sell the product while making those claims. Makes sense, right?
Even with extensive research on the two probiotic strains included in this supplement showing their digestive benefits, there’s still no guarantee it will work for everyone. Is it worth trying this product? Yes, this is a natural supplement with potential to significantly benefit your body.
One thing I noticed on the TruBiotics website is they claim there are five things to look for when choosing a probiotic, but only list four. I’m unsure why only four are listed, but it makes you wonder what the fifth criterion is for choosing a probiotic.
Is TruBiotics Safe?
The two probiotic strains used in this supplement have been deemed safe for human consumption and are both on the Qualified Presumption of Safety from the EFSA in Europe. BB-12 is also generally recognized as safe by the Food and Drug Administration. Even though this is a natural supplement, potential side effects include:
- Increased stomach gas or bloating
- Infection risk
- Allergic reactions9
It’s also important to note that certain drugs can interact with specific probiotics and increase side effect risk. Some interactions include antibiotics and antifungals.9
Individuals who are pregnant or breastfeeding should consult their healthcare provider before starting this supplement.
One important aspect of TruBiotics is the packaging. Probiotics must be live when consumed, and TruBiotics uses TruPreserve to keep them alive. TruPreserve protects probiotics from external elements like light, moisture, air, and heat. When protected from these elements, probiotics remain stable until the expiration date.
Where to Buy TruBiotics
TruBiotics can be purchased at traditional health food stores, pharmacies, supermarkets, and online. For a detailed list of purchase locations, visit: https://www.trubiotics.com/where-to-buy/
Prices vary depending on store and capsule quantity, ranging from $15 for 30 capsules to $26 for 60 capsules.
FAQ: TruBiotics Review
When is the best time to take TruBiotics?
Take once daily at any time with food. Taking it at the same time each day makes it part of your daily health routine.
Is TruBiotics a multivitamin?
No, TruBiotics is a probiotic, not a multivitamin. You should continue taking a multivitamin alongside TruBiotics. Some multivitamin options worth considering include Feel Multivitamins, Smarter Multivitamin, and Klean Multivitamin.
Is TruBiotics vegetarian?
Yes, these capsules are vegetarian. They do contain milk powder, though. So if you’re vegan, you’d want to avoid this probiotic supplement.
Is TruBioicts made in the US?
No, TruBiotics is made in Denmark.
