Vital Flora Review: Does It Really Boost Gut Health?

Overview

The gut has a great influence over the rest of our bodies, from brain health to digestive health and immune health. A healthy gut is maintained by the gut microbiome (good bacteria), and as such, probiotic supplements can play an important role in improving our gut health. One such product is Vital Flora.

Vital Flora Ultra Daily Probiotic by Vital Planet claims to be a top-grade probiotic crafted to elevate both digestive and immune health. It contains 60 billion live cultures (CFU), which may offer a diverse probiotic blend that supports the gut microbiome population.

However, there is no clear proof that the dosage amount given would allow this product to deliver the exact given claims to every individual, owing to the fact that everybody is different.

Other than that, it also contains prebiotics that supposedly serve as food for the probiotics, thus helping sustain healthy gut activities. Vital Flora supplements are quite popular with users who claim the probiotics improve digestion, regularity, and overall health.

Here, we will take a closer look at this supplement, its ingredients, and what science says about them, benefits, pros and cons, manufacturer information, safety issues, and common questions regarding the product to provide you with a review that is not only fair but also based on facts. Read on to learn more…

What Is Vital Flora?

Vital Flora Ultra Daily Probiotic is a dietary probiotic supplement formulated with up to 60 billion CFUs from 60 different strains of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacteria. It also features 7 organic prebiotics that may work as nourishment for the probiotics.

This probiotic supplement is packed in delayed-release vegetable capsules to supposedly ensure their safety as they travel through the stomach, allowing most of the microbes to reach the intestines where they may offer their benefits.

Vital Flora claims to be vegan and free from food allergens such as dairy, gluten, and soy, making it suitable for most users, especially those with specific dietary restrictions. Its potential benefits include alleviating occasional bloating, constipation, and gas. It may also provide immune health support.

Using this supplement consistently is purported to be the key to yielding optimal results. However, the exact timeline for noticeable results will vary among users based on factors such as individual health and lifestyle.

How Does Vital Flora Rate?

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About the Brand/ Manufacturer

Vital Planet Inc. is the brand behind Vital Flora. It is an American company founded by Brenda Watson, a gut health and digestive wellness expert who gained national recognition through her televised PBS program, HOPE for Ultimate Health. The company prides itself in formulating products using natural human-grade ingredients and science-based formulations while adhering to certified quality standards.

Vital Planet’s ultimate purpose is to support overall health by dedicating its efforts to digestive health. This focus is backed by the company’s 25 years of researching, learning, and producing innovative products that may have helped millions of people resolve their occasional gut issues.

Moreover, Vital Planet has been approved to sell its products as a member of the National Animal Supplement Council (NASC). Their supplements are assembled in a cGMP facility, and ingredients undergo third-party testing for purity and potency.

How Does Vital Flora Work?

Vital Flora works to introduce probiotics and prebiotics into your digestive system. The 60 strains of Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus may potentially restore a healthy microorganism balance in the gut.

According to researchers Amy O’Callaghan and Douwe van Sinderen in Frontiers in Microbiology, bifidobacteria have numerous health benefits, including inhibition of rotavirus in infants, reduction in symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease, and improvement in colon regularity ^[1].

However, despite their positive effects, bifidobacteria are notoriously recalcitrant (uncooperative) to genetic modification, according to a review shared by Amy O’Callaghan in the Frontiers in Microbiology.

For this, future studies are necessary to help address the shortage of effective molecular tools that can unravel the molecular mechanisms that explain how bifidobacteria interact with their human host.

Prebiotics in Vital Flora further accelerate the effectiveness of this product as they serve as nourishment for the healthy bacteria. Sourced from plant-based materials such as apple fiber, these prebiotics may assist probiotic functions and viability.

Siyong You et al, in Frontiers in Nutrition, proclaim that prebiotic functions are regulating immunity, resisting pathogens, influencing metabolism, increasing mineral absorption, and enhancing health ^[2].

Lastly, the delayed-release capsule in which this supplement is encapsulated may also support Vital Flora’s efficacy. Designed to delay the release of the probiotics, they (probiotics) may not be exposed to stomach acid, which could potentially reduce their population. While this may be a positive feature, these capsules can potentially increase bloating, constipation, and gas.

Vital Flora Ingredient – Are they Safe & Effective?

Lactobacillus

A study in the journal Frontiers in Immunology found that lactobacilli are capable of preventing intestinal damage caused by certain bacterial infections, such as H. pylori and antibiotic-associated diarrhea. H. pylori causes stomach disorders such as peptic ulcers, chronic gastritis, and gastric cancer ^[3].

Bifidobacterium

Similar to lactobacilli, bifidobacteria are vital to the gut flora. According to studies in the Food Science and Biotechnology journal, bifidobacteria play a crucial role in generating SCFAs (short-chain fatty acids), highlighting a distinct metabolic capability ^[4].

Acacia Fiber

In a 4-week randomized controlled trial published in the European Journal of Nutrition, acacia fiber and probiotic supplements were found to have positive effects in relieving IBS-related symptoms such as stool frequency, reduced constipation, and IBS symptom severity compared to a placebo supplement ^[5].

Now, for this ingredient to be effective, a daily dose of 5 g to 30 g is required. However, in Vital Flora, the total prebiotic blend dose is 250 mg, meaning the acacia fiber does not reach the required dosage thus may not be as effective.

Potato Resistant Starch

Unlike regular starch, resistant starch is not digested in the small intestines, thus it is transported to the large intestine to be fermented by gut bacteria.

According to a study in the Food Chemistry: X journal, resistant starch moderates gut microbiome for health benefits. In fact, resistant starch diets have a positive effect against chronic diseases ^[6]. Notable also, for this ingredient to be effective, a 3.5 g daily dose is required, which is not the amount available in Vital Flora.

Cellulose

This insoluble fiber helps to increase bowel movements and stool bulk. A 2020 study published in the Gut Microbes journal set to find the effect of dietary cellulose on gut homeostasis by subjecting mice to a high-cellulose diet for 3 months. The study found that dietary cellulose plays a beneficial role in maintaining gut homeostasis through altering gut microbiota and metabolites ^[7].

While cellulose is considered to be generally safe, it can cause bloating, constipation, gas, stomach upset, and diarrhea especially in those with sensitive digestive systems.

How to Use Vital Flora?

The recommended dosage of Vital Flora is one capsule daily. You can take it with or without food. For optimal results, users are advised to take this supplement consistently. Once opened, this product requires refrigeration to preserve the quality and integrity of the prebiotics and probiotics.

Like with all other supplements, consult your doctor before using this probiotic if you are on medication, have an underlying health condition, and are pregnant or nursing. Doing this will ensure your safety while using the supplement.

Benefits of Vital Flora

• May provide gut and immune health support
• May improve bowel regularity
• May alleviate occasional digestive discomforts such as bloating, constipation, and gas
• May help nourish good bacteria through its prebiotics
• Most probiotics may reach the intestinal tract thanks to the delayed-release capsules
• May enhance gut microbiota population and diversity

Side Effects

Like with any other supplement, Vital Flora can cause mild and temporary side effects such as:

• Bloating – ingredients such as cellulose and acacia can cause bloating or exacerbate it during the fermentation process, where gas is produced.
• Gas – lactobacillus in Vital Flora could cause temporary gas as your gut adjusts to the introduced bacteria.
• Constipation – resistant potato starch in the supplement can cause constipation especially in the first week.
• Upset stomach – cellulose can cause stomach discomfort as it passes through the digestive system undigested.
• Diarrhea – bifidobacteria can cause temporary diarrhea that resolves in a few days or weeks.

These side effects may likely disappear as you get used to the supplement. However, for some users, the side effects could persist beyond the first few weeks. In that case, stop using this probiotic and seek medical advice.

Safety

Vital Flora’s ingredients are claimed to be of natural and human-grade quality, which may guarantee its safety. Additionally, this product has undergone third-party testing, thus may ensure safety and quality.

And to further prevent allergic reactions in its users, Vital Flora is free from dairy, GMOs, gluten, salt, shellfish, soy, sugar, wheat, and yeast. It is also suitable for vegans and vegetarians as it contains no animal-derived ingredients.

Vital Flora Price

According to Vital Planet’s official website, the price details for this product include:

• 30-capsule bottle – $46.99
• 60-capsule bottle – $74.99

Buying the 60-capsule bottle, in our opinion, is more budget-friendly because you get to save $28.00 compared to if you were to buy two 30-capsule bottles.

You can opt to buy this product as a one-time purchase or subscribe to the company’s monthly subscription, which helps you not run out of supplies. Whether you subscribe or buy as a one-time purchase, the prices are the same.

For added convenience, you can also search for this supplement on third-party retailers such as Amazon and Walmart, though availability and pricing may vary.

Vital Flora Review – FAQs

Q: Who Can Use Vital Flora Ultra Daily Probiotic?

A: Any individual keen on improving their digestive health and immune health can benefit from these supplements. Individuals looking to address occasional constipation and bloating can also use this product to their advantage.

Q: Who cannot use Vital Flora Ultra Daily Probiotic?

A: People with severe illnesses, weakened immune systems, premature infants, and those with conditions such as acute pancreatitis and short bowel syndrome should not use this product. In the case that a healthcare provider approves, they can use this probiotic.

Q: Is Vital Flora Suitable for Vegetarians?

A: Yes, this product is free from animal-based ingredients.

Q: What Should I Do If I Miss a Dose of Vital Flora Ultra Daily Probiotic?

A: In the event that you miss a dose, simply continue with the next dose. Do not take an extra dose to compensate for the missed dose.

Q: Can I Use Vital Flora Alongside Other Supplements?

A: Before combining this probiotic with other supplements, consult your healthcare provider.

Q: What is Vital Flora’s Return Policy?

A: This is a non-returnable product due to the risks associated with it. However, if you receive an order that is defective or damaged, you may be able to request a replacement or a refund from the seller.

Customer Reviews for Vital Flora

We found most of the customer reviews for this product on Amazon. On the official website, there are no reviews yet. On Amazon, this product has a whopping 4.5 out of 5 stars rating from 147 customers, which is quite impressive. These positive reviewers found the supplement to be high potency and appreciated the many strains present in the probiotic. Some of these customers said:

Rating: 5/5

Great microbiology for today’s processed foods without an upset digestive system. –Michael N.

Rating: 4/5

Used this as a probiotic. Didn’t see any difference in my digestive system. –Diva 2007.

Rating: 2.5/5

Although the probiotic has numerous strains, I did not see the benefits I was hoping for. My digestive issues remained the same, which might be due to individual differences in how probiotics affect people. This product may not be right for everyone. –Mark.

Rating: 1.5/5

Vital Flora seemed promising at first with its high CFU count, but it didn’t agree with my stomach. I experienced discomfort after taking the capsules, which was disappointing. It could be more suitable for those with different gut profiles. –Lisa.

Vital Flora Review – Final Verdict

Vital Flora Ultra Daily Probiotic is a supplement that may help improve your digestive health and function as well as your overall immune health. Packed with diverse strains of probiotics, it works to populate and diversify your gut microbiome, which further improves how your gut digests food and absorbs nutrients. It may also help to diminish occasional digestive issues that are not only annoying but could be downright uncomfortable.

That said, Vital Flora may work differently for all users based on their health, gut profiles, and lifestyle. Going by the customer reviews, we can agree that while this product worked for some users, it disappointed others who experienced no effects or stomach discomfort. Therefore, using this product is not an assurance that your gut issues will go away; instead, you will have to try it first to know if it agrees with you.

Moreover, this product falls under the mid-range price for a 30-day supply. While its price is understandable for a high CFU count probiotic, it could be quite pricey for some users. For this reason, many users may opt for basic probiotics with lower CFUs that are priced around $15 to $30.

If you are impressed by this product, you can purchase it on Vital Planet’s official website or on Amazon. But if you feel this product doesn’t meet your unique needs, then there are lots of probiotic supplements on the market that could appeal to you. Do your research and go for a probiotic that aligns with your user goals and budget.