Most people these days suffer from some degree of stress. Stress can cause the body and mind to work in strange ways, and can actually manifest into physical symptoms which can be very distressing on a daily basis. Stomach issues are certain only of those symptoms.
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Of course, you don’t have to be in the middle of a stressful period in your life to suffer from stomach disturbances. Conditions such as IBS, inflammatory bowel disease, and even Crohn’s Disease are so prevalent these days that you will almost certainly already know someone in your life who is struggling with the symptoms on a daily basis.
Even if you don’t have a specific complaint, regular issues such as bloating, excess gas, and general stomach discomfort can be enough to turn your day from a happy one, into one of total upset.
It’s no surprise that people look towards supplements to help iron out such conditions, with probiotics being one of the most commonly used.
A probiotic is a form of bacteria, and there are countless different strains to make use of. Many people worry about the word ‘bacteria’, but in this case there is no need; probiotics are good bacteria, which work to balance out the good versus bad in the gut and other areas of the body, such as the urinary tract, genital tracts, and even in the mouth.
When this balance is in harmony, less disruptive symptoms occur. There are also other health benefits to think about, including a boost to the immune system, and even improved skin.
Of course, supplements of any kind are not suitable for everyone, and in that case you should certainly speak to your doctor before deciding to take one. Before that however, you need to know what to be on the lookout for when choosing your ideal product.
Things to Consider Before Buying a Probiotic Supplement
There is no standard regulation in the supplement world, and that also means the probiotic world. For that reason, you should read reviews and really do your research on the specific product you want to take. This will cut down on wasted time and wasted cash.
There isn’t a lot of research which has gone into side effects of probiotics, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t any. For that reason, check with your doctor before taking it, as we mentioned before. If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, you should also avoid taking a probiotic supplement. There isn’t a huge amount of information to say that probiotics are unsafe at this time, but there isn’t enough to be conclusive. In this case, it is better to wait until a later, more suitable time.
The following are areas to think about before you go ahead and choose a specific probiotic supplement.
- The price of the product versus similar options
- The number of supplements within the pack, e.g. cost effectiveness over the long term
- How do you take the supplement? It is daily? Is it a capsule, a tablet, or a yogurt-style drink?
- The number and types of strains contained within the product and what they are most suited to
- The CFU amount, also known as the Colony Forming Units. Higher is better if you want to target a specific stomach complaint, however lower is fine for a general gut health maintenance supplement
- Are there other features, e.g. digestive enzymes or prebiotics contained within the supplement?
- Reviews by previous users
- The brand name and whether you recognise it – this will give you peace of mind
Plexus Probio5 In Review
The Plexus Probio5 is a probiotic supplement which you take daily, at a time of your choosing. Most people choose to take it in the morning however, so they don’t forget, and so the effects can begin.
The pack contains 60 capsules, and you take one per day. Therefore, this pack will last you for two months.
The Plexus Probio5 contains five different probiotic strains, namely L. acidophilus, B. longum, L. plantarum, B. coagulans, and S. boulardii. These are some of the most famous and most popular probiotic strains around and have a range of different benefits, but mostly for the gut and immune system in general.
The CFU however is quite low at 2 billion per capsule, so this is a good option for those who want a general gut health maintenance supplement and not for someone who is looking to target a specific condition, e.g. IBS and its associated symptoms.
In addition to the strains of probiotics, this product also contains digestive enzymes. These are enzymes which help the body to break down the supplement and therefore help it to be absorbed faster, but also helps with nutrient absorption in general, e.g. from your meals.
This is a great addition to the supplement and ideal for gut heath and overall immune system running. The pack also claims that it aids a huge 70% of your immune system from the digestive tract. For that reason, this product is ideal those who may feel run-down or need an immunity boost in general too.
Who is this product for? – Anyone who wants a product which helps with general digestive tract function, and also for those who would like to boost their immune system generally.
Who is this product not for? – Anyone who is pregnant or breast-feeding. If you have any specific medical conditions or you’re taking any medications, be sure to check with your doctor before taking this supplement. The low CFU also means this product may not be as effective if you are trying to focus on specific gut health conditions, e.g. IBS.
Pros of The Plexus Probio5
- Contains several high profile probiotic strains, which are ideal for a range of gut health symptoms
- Claims to improve 70% of the immune system from the digestive tract alone
- Contains digestive enzymes, for better nutrient absorption
- Large pack size, which will last two months, and a good price generally
Cons of The Plexus Probio5
- A low CFU count means this product may not be that effective for someone who is looking to target a specific gut health condition
- A large pack size may not be suitable if the product isn’t effective for you
Features & Benefits
The Plexus Probio5 gets its name from the fact it contains five high profile probiotic strains, which are ideal for helping to improve general gut health and immune system. It does however have a low CFU amount, at 2 billion.
This isn’t an issue if you are simply looking for a regular supplement to improve gut health and immunity, but if you have a specific digestive system complaint, e.g. IBS, and you’re trying to improve those symptoms, you may be better off with a product containing a higher CFU amount.
Overall however, this particular product is quite positive, and is well received by previous users. Let’s check out some of the main features and benefits of the Plexus Probio5.
Contains Five High Quality Probiotic Strains
This supplement contains five of the most well-known probiotic strains within one serving. These are L. acidophilus, B. longum, L. plantarum, B. coagulans, and S. boulardii. All of these are known for their gut health prowess, as well as a range of other benefits, such as boosting the immune system.
The fact you are getting five quality probiotics in every serving is a good boost, even though the CFU is relatively low at around 2 billion. As we mentioned before, if you’re simply looking to banish general symptoms, such as bloating and gas, this may be a good option, which will keep your gut health ticking over nicely.
For a more visual idea of how these types of probiotic strains help the gut, check out this video.
Contains Digestive Enzymes
This product also has the added benefit of including digestive enzymes. These enzymes are fantastic for overall gut health, because they help the body to absorb nutrients from food.
Obviously, this is not just beneficial for the gut, but for the entire body too. In terms of absorbing the supplement, the enzymes also help to break down the capsule and absorb the strains into the body, so they can do their good work faster.
Again, check out this video for a more visual take on how digestive enzymes work.
Large Pack Size
There are 60 capsules contained within one pack, and a serving is one per day. This means one pack will last you two months and the price is very competitive too. This is certainly something you need to think about when choosing a supplement you’re going to be taking daily.
Gluten Free Capsules
The capsules are also easy to swallow and free of gluten, so they are suitable for anyone with a gluten sensitivity or intolerance also. They may not however be suitable for vegans, as they contain Lactobacillus strains, which may have remnants of dairy within them. This is something you will need to weigh up in terms of benefit versus your vegan diet.
Social Proof
To take the hard work out of finding a supplement which is ideal for you, we’ve scoured the Internet for the general consensus on the Plexus Probio5. Overall, most users stated they liked this product and that it certainly helped with general gut health.
Most people mentioned that bloating and excess gas were a thing of the past. Others mentioned that they felt they had more energy from taking the supplement daily.
A few users did mention that they needed to take the supplement for around 10 days before noticing any major improvement.
Alternatives
Of course, it is entirely your choice whether you choose to purchase the Plexus Probio5 or not, and in that case, let’s check out a couple of possible alternatives. This will help to give you all the information to decide which is the best product for your individual needs.
The alternatives we have chosen are:
- Hyperbiotics Pro 15 Probiotics
- Ultra 15 Probiotics
Hyperbiotics Pro 15 Probiotics
This product is a very popular one and it contains 15 quality probiotic strains, with a CFU count of 5 billion. This number is still considered to be ideal for those who simply want a maintenance supplement for general conditions.
For that reason, many people do find great benefit from this product, regardless of what their gut health status is. This product also uses time release capsules, which means the probiotic content is released slowly and is able to bypass strong stomach acids as a result.
This product is different to Plexus Probio5 because – It has a higher number of strains contained within one serving and uses the time release capsules to avoid stomach acid.
You can read our detailed review of Hyperbiotics PRO-15 here.
Complete Probiotics Platinum
Complete Probiotics Platinum is a powerful supplement, containing 11 different probiotic strains, with a CFU of 51 billion. If you have a specific stomach complaint you want to target, this may assist. For its power, this is a mid priced probiotic supplement, and it has small capsules, which those who find large capsules hard to swallow, may prefer.
This product is different to Plexus Probio5 because – It has a higher CFU count and more strains, which may make it ideal for those who suffer from specific gut health conditions, such as IBS.
You can read our detailed review of Complete Probiotics Platinum here.
Conclusion
Overall the Plexus Probio5 is a great choice for anyone who wants to target gut health generally and eradicate troublesome symptoms such as bloating and excess gas. There are five strong and positive probiotic ingredients contained within this product, which all have fantastic benefits in their own right, and the addition of digestive enzymes is a plus point.
If you’re interested in purchasing the Plexus Probio5 supplement, check it out today.
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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