Plexus Vitalbiome Reviews & Side Effects: Scam or Legit?

Vitalbiome is a probiotic supplement sold by the company “Plexus”. According to the advertising claims, the product promotes “healthy gut and happy mind”.

In this article, we are going to take a detailed look at the Vitalbiome formula. We are not seller/ambassador of Plexus, so what you are going to read is an objective and honest review.

Vitalbiome: The ingredients

Each capsule of Vitalbiome contains 20 billion CFU of the following bacteria strains:

Lactobacillus acidophilus
Lactobacillus plantarum
Lactobacillus helvceticus
Bifidobacterium lactis
Bifidocaterium longum
Saccharomyces boulardii
Bacillus coagulans

Note that the bacteria are categorized with genus, species and strain name.

For example, for Lactobacillus acidophilus, the genus is Lactobacillus, and the species is acidophilus.

Most of these strains are well-researched. A randomized controlled trial conducted in Netherlands found that four weeks of probiotics administration (including the few major strains in Vitalbiome formula) helped people to feel better [R1].

Recommended reading: Do this simple 2-minutes ritual to lose 1 pound of belly fat

Here’s a breakdown of the ingredients inside Vitalbiome

Lactobaccilus acidophilus : it is a type of bacteria naturally found in the mouth, intestine, and vagina. The bacteria is vital to digestive health and it ensures proper nutrient absorption. L. acidophilus can be found in some fermented foods, e.g. saukerkraut, miso and tempeh.

Some doctors recommend the probiotic supplement with L.acidophilus while taking antibiotics to restore intestinal balance. This is because when you are taking antibiotics, it kills both good and bad bacteria. L.acidophilus can help to replenish the good intestinal bacteria after antibiotic treatment.

Other well-researched benefits of L.acidophilus include:

It may help to improve lactose intolerance [R2]

It may lower your cholesterol level [R3]

It may help to treat antibiotic-associated diarrhea [R3]

Note: people with weakened immune system, stomach disorder, and short bowel syndrome should approach lactobaccilus with caution. [R4]

Lactobacillus plantarum: this bacteria is commonly found in many fermented foods (including kimchi, sauerkraut, brined olives, sourdough), fermented plant material and human saliva. It has been suggested for a number of remedies and conditions, including

Treating Colitis
Improve immune function
Lowers inflammation
Improve digestive health
Improve brain development

Studies show that Lactobacillus plantarum may help to improve symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome [R5], and maintain the intestinal permeability [R6]

In addition, the combination of L. Plantarum and L. Paracasei reduce the risk of common cold infections. [R7]

Lactobaccilus helveticus: it’s a lactic-producing bacteria commonly used in the production of cheese such as Emmental, Gruyere, Grana Padano and Parmigiano Reggiano [R8].

Here are the top benefits of L. Helveticus that are supported by human studies:

The combination of L. Helveticus and Bifidobacterium longum (another strain included in Vitalbiome) may help to improve anxiety and depression [R9]

L. Helvceticus fermented milk may improve sleep quality in elder people [R10]

L. Helvceticus decreases blood pressure [R11]

L. Helveticus increases calcium level [R12] and it demonstrates positive effects on calcium metabolism [R13]

Bifidobacterium lactis: this bacteria is reported to improve constipation in adults [R14], improves digestive conditions in the body, decrease the toxic effects of gluten on the intestinal wall [R15], and strengthen the immunity.

Bifidocaterium longum: this bacteria occur naturally in the GI tracts of human and animals. It’s a popular ingredient in probiotic supplements due to its many health benefits. It has been shown to treat constipation, boost immunity [R16] [R17], reduce inflammation [R18], lower cholesterol level [R19], alleviate symptoms of certain allergies, and help with depression. [R20]

Saccharomyces boulardii: in alternative medicine, this bacteria has been prescribed to treat Crohn’s disease, diarrhea, irritable bowel syndrome and ulcerative colitis. Limited studies suggest that Saccharomyces boulardii may be beneficial for the prevention and treatment of several gastrointestinal diseases, including antibiotic-associated diarrhea, acute diarrhea, irritable bowel syndrome, and parasitic infections. [R21]

Bacillus coagulans: it’s another beneficial bacteria that is commonly used to treat diarrhea, general digestion problems, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) [R22]. Human studies show that it may improve abdominal pain and bloating in irritable bowel syndrome patients [R23] and increase the immune response to viral challenge [R24].

Vitalbiome: The potential side effects

According to the Mayo Clinic, if you are sensitive to lactose, you experience stomach discomfort from product contains L. acidophilus (a strain of Vitalbiome formula).

As well, few people may experience side effects like gas, stomach upset, and diarrhea [R25].

Other possible side effects of lactobaccillus include: arthritis, bloating, blockage of a lung artery, diarrhea, disease of the esophagus, heart inflammation, liver infection, skin reactions, stomach cramping, stomach lining inflammation, stomach rumbling, and vaginal burning and discomfort. [R26]

One problem with Vitalbiome
According to the label, Vitalbiome formula contains 20 billion CFU “at time of manufacture”. But, it doesn’t mean that there are 20 billion live bacteria in your newly purchased Vitalbiome. It’s because the living bacteria die naturally over time. And, some bacteria can be killed during the shipping process. So.. be sure to check the expiration date before you buy Vitalbiome.

Should you buy Vitalbiome?
We like that Vitalbiome contains few important strains like Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus plantarum, Bifidobacterium lactis, and Bifidocaterium longum in high potency (20 billion CFU). Also, there’s evidence that Vitalbiome may work as advertised although the product itself has not been clinically studied.

Vitalbiome is a new product so there isn’t many customer feedback yet. Remember that if you are not happy with the results, the company has a 60 days money back guarantee.

Recommended reading: Do this simple 2-minutes ritual to lose 1 pound of belly fat

Notes:
#1. According to the FAQ section of Plexus official website, “it is not necessary to refrigerate VitalBiome”. However, probiotics are live organisms that that easily die when exposed to high heat and moisture. Refrigeration is strongly recommended, especially during summer months to promote probiotic stability.

#2. Vitalbiome is sold as a probiotic supplement and therefore is not approved by the FDA. You should not replace it with medication prescribed for you by your doctor.

#3. The best way to support digestive health is to eat more probiotic foods, especially yogurt, fermented vegetables, and kefir.

Caution
If you are allergic to soy and dairy products, please consult your doctor before using Vitalbiome.