Behind the Label: What Our Product Info Really Means for You

Bio-Kult is the UK's No.1 adult live bacteria supplement brand*, with this status having been earnt through 30 years plus of gut microbiome exploration. As a result, our extensive portfolio of clinical research allows us to take pride in our scientifically-developed products.

Our range includes combinations of live bacteria, heat-treated bacteria, yeast, and fermentable fibres, as well as vitamins, minerals and botanicals. These products are uniquely formulated and designed to complement a healthy diet and lifestyle.

We are, however, aware that navigating the ever-growing food supplement market can feel overwhelming at times. That’s why we’re providing the following information, to help you make your own informed choices and get the most out of what’s available.

Strain names

Our products’ packaging contains a lot of useful information that can help you to understand exactly what they are and if/how you would like to use them to supplement your diet.

For example, you may wonder what is actually meant by the strain names of our live bacteria. Research shows that bacteria work on a strain-specific basis, so strain names can tell you what a product has been designed for¹. For example, Bacillus subtilis PXN® 21® tells you the name of the genus (Bacillus), the species (subtilis) and the strain (PXN® 21®) of this particular live bacteria. Therefore, a strain is a specific type of bacteria, the same way that a Great Dane is a specific type of dog.

Other ingredients

Besides live bacteria, our products often feature other types of active ingredients too. Fermentable fibres, such as fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS) and gum acacia, are ingredients that help to feed our resident gut bacteria.

Another category of active ingredients that you might notice listed on our labels are heat-treated bacteria. These are inanimate, or ‘not-so-live’ bacteria, and work in a slightly different way to their live counterparts². In recent years, there has been growing scientific interest in the use of inanimate bacteria to support the microbiome, as demand for these ingredients increases.

Lastly, the majority of our product formulations include additional vitamins, minerals or botanicals, so it is not unusual to see these listed on our packaging either. These are carefully selected for a wide range of reasons, depending on the intended function of the product they are included in. For example, our Bio-Kult Brighten product contains vitamins B6 and B12, which contribute to normal psychological function and the reduction of tiredness and fatigue, as well as vitamin D3 and zinc which contribute to the normal function of the immune system³.

Dosage and storage

Our labels also provide the information needed for the products to be used safely and effectively. This includes the estimated amount, or dose, of bacteria provided by the product, expressed as ‘colony forming units’ (CFU).

As you may already know, there are a huge variety of live bacteria supplements on the market that provide different strains at different concentrations - ranging from around 100 million to 900 billion CFU per day. In most cases, it is a myth that a higher CFU count makes for a better product. This isn’t necessarily the case. To date there is limited clinical evidence of a ‘dose-response relationship’ for live bacteria supplements, and there isn’t enough data to make firm conclusions as to the most effective dosage for every use⁴. At Bio-Kult, we ensure that our products contain specific, scientifically-researched amounts of live bacteria

Furthermore, it is important to follow the storage recommendations stated on pack so to get the best use out of our products. When stored at room temperature, our live bacteria strains remain viable for a minimum of 2 years from date of manufacture (hence their 2-year shelf-life). They are also viable at higher temperatures making them suitable for travelling.

Additionally, if you are travelling to a hot climate for an extended period of time, there is no problem with storing Bio-Kult in the fridge should you wish to. With that said, the products should not be exposed to moisture, so keeping them in their original packaging is recommended.

Finally, it’s important to be aware that on all of our products, we state the recommendation that anyone who is pregnant, planning a pregnancy, taking any medication or that has a medical condition, should consult their doctor before taking any food supplement. This is simply to ensure that all factors are considered when introducing something new to your routine.

Conclusion

In summary, the tips below could help you to get the most out of supplementing live bacteria.

• Look for full strain names (e.g. Bacillus subtilis PXN® 21®) to understand what a product has been designed for.

• Check for other active ingredients like fermentable fibres, heat-treated bacteria, and added nutrients.

• Remember, a higher CFU count isn't always better; it's about scientifically-researched doses.

• Follow storage recommendations to preserve product quality, especially when travelling.

Of course, if you have any questions, or would like to discuss any of these topics further, we are always happy to help. You can email us at info@bio-kult.com or call us on +44 (0) 1460 243 230.

*Kantar FMCG purchase panel – Unit Sales - Vitamins & Mineral Supplements – Adult Digestive Health – Great Britain, 52 w.e. 29/09/24