When choosing a probiotic supplement for yourself, you need to be able to expertly navigate the vast range of products available. It can become a difficult and confusing process. To avoid this, we’ve chosen one of the best probiotic supplements on the market to review and deconstruct for you – 1MD’s Complete Probiotics Platinum.
1MD Complete Probiotics Platinum Review
Our Rating: 4.8/5 
“The gold standard in probiotics supplements. Formulated by doctors with a very high level of strain and CFU diversity. A must try for anyone looking for general digestive support ”
1MD Probiotics FAQ’s
Complete Probiotics Platinum is best taken between meals in the morning or afternoon.
Yes, even the capsules are vegetarian.
No. The capsules do not require refrigeration.
1MD is the company behind Complete Probiotics Platinum, located at 14900 Ventura Blvd #310 Sherman Oaks, CA. The product is created and backed by specialist gastroenterologist Dr David Kahana.
It is recommended to continue use for at least 3 months to experience the full benefit of the supplement.
Things to consider before buying 1MD Complete Probiotics Platinum
Before you even look into this product, it’s important to know if a probiotic will be something you can easily fit into your everyday routine. Probiotic-rich food and drink like kimchi, tempeh and kombucha might not be something you’re consuming regularly so a probiotic supplement is an excellent way to get your daily dose if your diet just isn’t cutting it.
Probiotics help with:
- Bolstering the immune system overall to protect you from bad bacteria
- Producing essential vitamins like A, K and B1
- Responsible for around 70% of your body’s immune response
- Regulating hormones in the body
- Maintaining urinary and colon health
- Managing and reducing symptoms of various conditions and infections, both chronic and otherwise
- Reducing bad cholesterol levels and increasing cardiovascular health
1MD Complete Probiotics – an in-depth review
Who is 1MD?
Located at 14900 Ventura Blvd #310 Sherman Oaks, CA. 1MD is a health supplement focused company that prides itself on sourcing the highest quality ingredients that are tested by their board-certified doctors rigorously before being released to the public. 1MD are an A- accredited business with the Better Business Bureau.
They create everything from krill oil and probiotics to digestive enzymes and women’s health supplements. They seem to be confident in their products. This is evidenced by their 90-day money back guarantee if you’re not satisfied with the results you see.
Formulated by Dr David Kahana
Complete Probiotics Platinum was created by specialist gastroenterologist Dr David Kahana. Dr Kahana is an advocate of probiotics for improving digestive wellbeing. He formulated Complete Probiotics Platinum (with the help of 1MD) to address what he saw as the lack of quality in commercial probiotic supplements currently in the market.
After partnering up with 1MD, Dr Kahana was able to formulate a high quality probiotic supplement that would give the beneficial bacteria the best chance of getting to the large intestines and deliver the greatest benefit.
We think he’s done a pretty good job.
Benefits of 1MD Complete Probiotics Platinum?
This is going to be a long list, so buckle in tight. 1MD Complete Probiotics Platinum is an absolute powerhouse probiotic product that really covers almost all bases, so it’s no wonder it’s among the best probiotic supplements on the market right now.
Here’s a quick look at what we found:
PRO’S
- 51 billion CFU per serving (1 capsule)
- 11 different strains of probiotic
- Delayed release, stomach acid-resistant capsules
- Prebiotics
- No unnecessary fillers
- Promising survey results
- Vegan, non-GMO, gluten, soy and preservative free
- 90 day money back guarantee if not satisfied
CON’S
- No added vitamins or minerals
- Expensive
Now let’s explore that in a bit more depth:
Demand over time:
Looking at Google Trends the demand for 1MD Complete Probiotics seems to be increasing over time since its inception in 2016:
Here is a list of the main sub-regions in the US that are purchasing Complete Probiotics Platinum the most:
| SUB-REGION | DEMAND |
| Florida | 100 |
| California | 96 |
| New York | 83 |
| Texas | 76 |
51 billion CFU per serving
This is a HUGE amount of CFU per serving, which is 1 capsule. Due to the large amount of CFU’s, this product could cause gastrointestinal upset if introduced to a body that’s not used to having so many probiotics. On the other hand, once you’re ready for this product you’re going to notice amazing benefits from all the live, viable microorganisms contained in each serving.
11 different strains of probiotic
Remember how we said that different strains of probiotic are better at improving different aspects of your health? Well, with this many strains all jam-packed into one serving, it’s likely you won’t have to worry about which ones are in here. It’s very likely you’re going to get the full spectrum of digestive health benefits.
Here’s the strains 1MD has included and some of the benefits of each:
- Bifidobacterium lactis – Fights tumour growth, improves digestion and immune function
- Lactobacillus acidophilus – Fights off unnecessary yeast, aids in nutrient absorption and can treat acute diarrhea
- Bifidobacterium longum – Resistant to gastric acid and bile, improves allergies, vaginal health and digestion
- Bifidobacterium bifidum – Protects against nasty bacteria that cause infections and synthesizes vitamins such as B12, K2 and biotin for easier absorption
- Lactobacillus casei – Helps regulate digestion and treat infectious/traveller’s/antibiotic-associated diarrhea
- Lactobacillus plantarum – Lowers blood pressure, cholesterol and inflammation
- Lactobacillus gasseri – Reduces inflammation and aids in metabolic function to promote fat loss
- Lactobacillus salivarius – Lowers cholesterol, tissue inflammation and metabolizes carbohydrates
- Lactobacillus rhamnosus – Prevents and treats gastrointestinal infections and disorders
- Lactobacillus bulgaricus – Reinforces intestinal walls and ferments lactose to produce lactic acid which allows better nutrient absorption
- Lactospore (bacillus coagulans) – Lowers insulin levels and cholesterol
Delayed release, acid-resistant capsules
To make sure as many of those CFU are delivered straight into your small and large intestines, 1MD has specially designed their capsules to be resistant to stomach acid. The delayed release means you’re less likely to get an upset stomach from an onslaught of 51 billion CFU all at once. Additionally, your probiotics and therefore their benefits are spread out more evenly so you get the longest lasting, most consistent results each day.
Prebiotics
This is an important one. Without prebiotics, probiotic are like humans who have been sent to work with no food to eat all day, pretty useless. Although you can easily get your prebiotics from your food as we mentioned earlier, a synbiotic product ensures that your prebiotics and probiotics are being delivered into your intestines at the same time meaning they can get to work right away instead of hanging around waiting for fuel. Complete Probiotics Platinum uses the tried and tested ‘NutraFlora Prebiotic Fiber’ to get your probiotics working.
No unwanted extras
The only other ingredients in 1MD’s Complete Probiotics Platinum are rice flour and vegetable cellulose (for the veggie capsule). The rice flour is used as a carrier for the probiotics, called an ‘excipient’. This is technically a filler, but an essential one and one that doesn’t do any harm to you or the product’s potency. This product is also gluten, soy and preservative free, vegan and non-GMO.
Survey results
1MD conducted a survey in December 2016 that came back with some amazing results. 93% of users reported they had more energy when using this product and an overwhelming 96% of users reported better digestion. We’re not sure of the extent of this survey and the accuracy, so take these results with a grain of salt.
Capsule size
The capsules are quite small compared with many other probiotics brands in the market. Here is a snapshot of the capsule alongside a standard paperclip and a $100 bill:
As you can see the capsule is a little smaller than standard size and would be relatively easy to swallow.
Here’s a couple of the less impressive aspects of this 1MD product:
No added vitamins or minerals
Some leading probiotic supplements will include a heap of your daily vitamins and minerals so that you can kill two birds with one stone. Effectively combining your daily multivitamin and probiotic intake. 1MD has chosen not to add any extras of this kind into their capsules. Whether this is because it’s already packed full of probiotic and there was no room, or they believe the product works well enough without them, it’s a difference between them and their competitors.
Price
Depending on how you look at this, it may or may not be an issue for you. 1MD chooses to use the highest quality ingredients they can. This drives up the price of their products, making them a bit more expensive than their competitors. This may be a strain on your budget, but you also have to consider whether it’s worth putting a price on your health or not.
What the reviews are saying
Now that we’ve taken a look at the good and the not-so-good of 1MD’s Complete Probiotics Platinum, it’s time to deep dive into the reviews. Reading information about the product from the company that sells it is one thing, but researching reviews from real users and understanding their experiences before you make your purchasing decision, that’s an essential step that shouldn’t be skipped.
Mixed reviews
The reviews are an uneven mix of a few customers reporting that they haven’t noticed any differences at all versus the majority of customers who claim this is the best probiotic they’ve ever tried and that other brands simply don’t stack up when compared to 1MD.
Overall, the product has a 3.8/5 star total on Amazon, of which about 50% of those reviews are 5 stars.
It’s possible that this product is not one that works for everybody, or some users may have gotten a batch of probiotics that weren’t as potent as other bottles. This suggests that 1MD may have a quality control issue.
More reviews
You can read the reviews in more detail by going to 1MD’s website directly via this link.
Once you’re there scroll to the top of the page and click on the reviews tab to read the most recent reviews from customers.
Price
The other controversial issue is the price. This is especially so when comparing the product to cheaper options that have worked for them in the past. However, those users who report this product has worked for them say that the benefits are definitely worthwhile and they will continue to purchase it monthly. If that’s the case look at buying in bulk to save yourself some money.
| # Bottles | Price | Price Per Bottle |
| 1 | $49.99 | $49.99 |
| 3 | $131.97 | $43.99 |
| 6 | $227.94 | $37.99 |
Further to that, we noticed a discrepancy in price between Amazon and 1MD’s website. We decided to get in touch with 1MD directly to negotiate a price for our readers. If you’re looking for the best rate as at February 2020 then click this link below. You’ll be able to get it for as low as $37 per bottle instead of $73.
Lowest price (60 caps) on 1MD.org
Improvements overall
Lots of different users are reporting that they’re having many different health benefits. From improvement on upset stomachs and digestion to assisting with IBS, antibiotic recovery, energy and general wellbeing. When this product works, it seems to be working across the board, efficiently and quickly. Some users reported noticeable differences within just a couple days.
Alternatives for 1MD Complete Probiotics Platinum
So that you can compare your options on the probiotic market, we’ve rounded up 3 of 1MD’s biggest competitors.
#1 Garden of Life – RAW Probiotics Men
Variety is the spice of life
If you’re looking for a probiotic supplement that covers all bases, then this might be the one for you. This is a probiotic specifically targeted at men’s health with 85 billion CFU and 31 different strains of probiotic along with added vitamins for an extra boost. This Garden of Life probiotic outshines 1MD Complete Probiotics Platinum on the CFU, strains and vitamins front.
Three capsules a day
We can see how three capsules a day could become a bit tedious. However, some users may enjoy this as they can modify their dosage to suit them. The recommended daily intake is 3 though so keep this in mind if it sounds less convenient than one-a-day dose.
Price: (90 capsules) on Amazon
PRO’S
- 85 billion CFU
- 31 different strains
- Added vitamins and minerals
- Targeted for men’s health
CON’S
- 3 capsules daily
- Limited to men
- Similar price point to Complete Probiotics Platinum
- Requires refrigeration
#2 BioSchwartz Advanced Strength Probiotic
Guaranteed potency
Some probiotic supplements don’t guarantee that their probiotics will be viable all the way up until their expiry date – probiotics naturally lose potency over time. However, BioSchwartz claims that at least 20 billion CFU will be ready to get to work all the way up until the expiration date.
Price: (60 capsules) on Amazon
PRO’S
- 40 billion CFU per serving
- Third party tested
- Refrigeration not necessary
- Guaranteed potency until expiry date
- Contains prebiotic
CON’S
- Twice daily dose
- Only 5 strains
#3 Renew Life: Women’s Vaginal Ultimate Flora Probiotic
Targeted strains for healthy vaginal flora
The Lactobacilli species are known to make up healthy vaginal flora and this product contains 8 different lactobacillus strains along with two bifidobacterium strains. Targeted strains equal less thrush and bacterial vaginosis with this once daily capsule (containing 50 billion CFU).
Price: (90 capsules) on Amazon
PRO’S
- 50 billion CFU
- 10 different strains targeted for feminine health
- Vegetarian
- 1 capsule a day
CON’S
- Refrigeration required
- No added vitamins or minerals
- More expensive then the price we secured with 1MD direct
Are there any side effects of probiotics?
Initially, some users may report side effects. An upset stomach, bloating and gas are common as your body gets used to the influx of probiotics. This usually subsides after a couple weeks though.
If you have any kind of histamine (molecules produced by your immune system when threats are detected) intolerance then some strains of probiotic can increase these histamines and cause uncomfortable symptoms like a runny nose, itchy or watering eyes and even breathing difficulties.
Additionally, if you have a suppressed immune system, have been in hospital for an extended period or have undergone surgery recently then some yeasts or bacterias in probiotics can react badly with your body and cause infection. This is very rare and will only occur for an estimated 1 person out of a million.
PRO TIP: It’s best to speak to your doctor before starting probiotics, the majority of users don’t have any negative side effects but it’s always better to be safe than sorry.
Conclusion
1MD’s Complete Probiotics Platinum is a quality probiotic product. It’s filled with all the necessary probiotic requirements to confer a wide range of health benefits. It’s one of the leading products on the market with a reputable company backing it. When you factor in the 90 day money-back guarantee, we really can’t think of any reason not to give this product a go.
If you were thinking of taking the step towards better health, and 1MD Complete Probiotics Platinum is the path you’d like to go down then you can purchase it here. Click on the link below for the best price as of February 2020.
You’ll be able to get it for as low as $37 per bottle instead of $73.
Lowest Price (60 caps) on 1MD.org
Adele Taylor
Writer, Product Tester.
Adele is a budding content writer with a passion for all things health and fitness related. In her time off Adele enjoys reading, travelling and exploring Sydney’s culinary delights.
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