Chances are you have heard of probiotics and are already hooked on them. As a dietitian, I am frequently asked about probiotics and if supplementation for gut health is necessary. But in order to answer that question, there’s a few things to know and consider about probiotics.
You are basically filled with bacteria. But no worries because MOST of the bacteria are beneficial to our gut microbiome. The gut microbiome contains trillions of microorganisms that have critical functions in maintaining our health. Probiotics are live microorganisms often referred to as “good bacteria” that can improve our overall health. Some studies show that probiotics can support our digestion and promote regularity, help relieve IBS symptoms, and improve immune health.
Research is still limited and ongoing which makes it difficult to answer the question, “do I need a probiotic supplement?” Ideally, eating clean and having a diet that is varied, filled with fruits, vegetables, and whole grains is still considered a gold standard on improving gut health. Supplementation may be necessary if your diet lacks variety aka you eat the same thing everyday. In that case, let’s go over some of the things to look for in probiotics and take a deeper look into Vive Biotics by Perfect Origins.
Quick Summary of Vive Biotics Review
| Supplement: | Vive Biotics (Super Probiotic Formula) |
| Best for: | Promote optimal gut health |
| Contains: | 15 unique probiotic strains |
| Could help: | Stop bloating, better digestion, removal of harmful toxins, repair intestinal damage |
| Gluten-free: | Yes |
| When to see results: | Everyone's results will differ, but some can see results within the first week of use. |
| Cost: | $59 |
| Where to buy: | at Perfect Origins |
About the Brand Perfect Origins
Perfect Origins claim to make high quality supplements that are backed by science. The company has a scientific advisory board including Certified Chiropractic Wellness Practitioners and Naturopathic doctors who test products, provide education to consumers, as well as conduct research to support their products. What is interesting about this company compared to others, is that they ask you to reach out to them for a Certificate of Analysis to prove that what they say is in the bottle is ACTUALLY in the bottle.
There were three reasons for the creation of Perfect Origins, to help people decrease body fat, aid in weight management and create a cleaner environment with less toxins. The goal for Perfect Origins is to help their customers live a healthier life through high quality supplements. The team promises to provide a blend of ingredients that has been tested for its purity and effectiveness. They also state that there is a 180-day satisfaction guaranteed with all their products.
The company offers nine products ranging from Vive Biotics to Ketone capsules. Products are fairly priced between $27 to $57. Coincidently, Vive Biotics is the highest priced supplement that Perfect Origins offer.
About Vive Biotics
Vive Biotics is marketed as a “super probiotic formula” containing 15 unique probiotic strains. The claims made about this product include aiding in the repair of intestinal damage caused by gluten, inhibits growth of bad bacteria, aids in the breakdown and disposal of harmful toxins, supports better digestion and stops bloating. Sounds amazing, right? The bottle contains 0.5 ounces which gives you a 30 day supply. The recommended dosing is 4 drops, 2 times per day before meals. Before you press click to purchase, let’s continue to review the ingredients in this product as well as some of the claims the company makes about Vive Biotics.
What makes Vive Biotics a “super probiotic formula?” According to the National Institute of Health there are seven core genera of bacteria that are found in most probiotics. These include, Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, Saccharomyces, Streptococcus, Enterococcus, Escherichia, and Bacillus. In Vive Biotics, the 15 strain probiotic mix includes different species from Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, and Streptococcus. The unique bacterium that I found on the ingredient list was Pediococcus Acidilactici. Some studies suggest that P. Acidilactici can improve inflammatory response, immune response and has the ability to function in a pH of 3 which contributes to the viability in our stomach with a pH of 1.5-3.5. In other words, this bacteria has the ability to survive in our stomach’s acidic environment therefore can carry out its function.
Vive Biotics is not that unique as they claim BUT that is not a bad thing. The majority of their product contains the MOST researched bacteria for improving gut health such as Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, and Streptococcus. We don’t want to see bacteria in probiotic supplements that have not been extensively researched because it can pose a threat to our health and not be as effective in improving our gut microbiome.
Pros
- This probiotic supplement contains Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, and Streptococcus which are the most researched bacteria when it comes to probiotics.
- For those who HATE swallowing pills, this may be an alternative for you as the supplement is in liquid form and easy to administer.
- The pricing of Vive Biotics seems to be fair compared to other well-known brands.
- The bacteria in Vive Biotics go through a fermentation process which may improve the viability in our digestive tract. Therefore it may increase the effectiveness of the strains.
Cons
- There is no documentation about how many Colony Forming Units (CFU) Vive Biotics contain. The packaging and website states it has 15 strains but does not report the number of CFU, this is critical information. The general recommendation for CFU is about 1 billion.
- Probiotics in general are not regulated by the FDA which means companies can put what they want in their supplements and call it a probiotic without proving it does what the company claims.
- Vive Biotics is not third-party tested. This is important because it helps validate the effectiveness of the probiotic and ensures low quality supplements are not released into the market. Looking for certifications such as ConsumerLab, NSF and USP on the bottle shows that the product has been third-party tested.
What Are The Claimed Benefits?
The brand makes some bold claims for their users, so I wanted to break them down so you can get a good idea of what Vive Biotics can potentially do for you.
Supports Healthy Fat Loss
Vive Biotics claim to reduce body fat. Research supports that strains from Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium genus support weight loss, which include weight lost from total body fat. However most studies that were conducted also had their control groups on a calorie deficit. It remains unclear if probiotics can cause weight loss on its own or if dietary intervention plus probiotics are needed to achieve weight loss.
Defends Invading Toxins
Perfect Origins suggests that Vive Biotics is more effective than other probiotics because they use a natural fermentation process that helps prevent the destruction of bacteria as it passes through the acidic stomach environment. Generally speaking, the fermentation process lowers the pH in food. In theory, fermented probiotics would have a lower pH therefore be able to bypass the acidic stomach and be able to carry out health promoting functions.
Helps Enhance Digestion
It is suggested that taking Vive Biotics can improve digestion and decrease your risk of nutrient deficiency. Studies support having more bad bacteria such as Firmucutes compared to good bacteria such as Bacteroidetes can cause problems in digestion and lead to diseases such as Irritable Bowel Disease which can cause nutrient deficiencies.
Could Help Support Immune System
Vive Biotics is claimed to support your immune system by ensuring an ideal ratio of 85% good bacteria and 15% bad bacteria. Research shows that Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus , and Acidophilus which are commonly found in probiotics can stimulate the immune response by activating dendritic cells and T-cells.
Vive Biotics Ingredients Analysis
Ingredients used in supplements like this are the key to how well it performs. Let's take a look at the key ingredients used and why they are in Vive Biotics.
Lactobacillus Plantarum
Main function of Lactobacillus Plantarum is releasing antiinflammatory cytokines to help reduce inflammation in the body. Studies show that it can reduce bloating and abdominal pain in people who have IBS which is most likely the main reason why Perfect Origins included L. Plantarum in their ingredient list.
Lactobacillus Rhamnosus
Lactobacillus Rhamnosus is able to survive in low pH environments like our stomach. Studies show it can relieve symptoms of IBS such as diarrhea, bloating and abdominal pain. A meta analysis that included 12 random controlled trials showed children and adults who were supplementing with L. Rhamnosus GG had a reduced risk of antibiotic related diarrhea from 22.4% to 12.3%. L. Rhamnosus was most likely included in the formula of Vive Biotics due to its low pH properties and being able to function fully in the gut.
Bifidobacterium Bifidum
Bifodacterium Bifidum is a strain of bacteria found in our intestines and is responsible for protecting us from pathogens that can cause illness or disease. Studies show it also improves our immune response by enhanced production of interleukin 6 (IL-6) and IL-8 cytokines. B. Bifidum is most likely added to Vive Biotics to keep our immune function at its highest to fight off illness or disease.
Bifidobacterium Infantis
B. Infantis promotes gut health by maintaining intestinal barrier integrity which helps prevent the entry of toxins and pathogens. Some studies show that this strain can reduce the symptoms of IBS such as abdominal pain, bloating and gas. This strain was most likely placed in Vive Biotics to protect us from harmful toxins and pathogens as well as decrease bloating and other IBS symptoms.
Bidifobacterium Longum
B. Longum plays a role in immune function by improving the intestinal barrier which can help decrease the risk of illness or disease. Studies show that this strain can help with bowel movement regularity which can aid in weight management. B.Longum is most likely in the formulation of Vive Biotics as it can help with regularity and improve immune function.
Lactobacillus Acidphilus
L. Acidphilus can aid in the treatment of infectious diarrhea. A meta-analysis involving 304 children between the ages of 1-48 months showed that supplementing with L. Acidphilus reduced the duration of diarrhea. This strain also aids in keeping an acidic environment which prevents harmful bacteria from growing. L. Acidphilus was most likely used in the Vive Biotic formula due to its ability to reduce duration of diarrhea and prevent the growth of harmful bacteria.
How to take Vive Biotics
The directions on Vive Biotics are SUPER simple. The suggested use is to take 4 drops, 2 times per day before meals. The company advises to take this supplement on an empty stomach to increase the absorption of the bacteria in the gut.
Vive Biotics Side Effects
Perfect Origins claim Vive Biotics will pose no side effects as it is dairy-free, gluten-free, wheat-free, and soy-free. In general, probiotics may cause some diarrhea, bloating or gas as a result of the gut microbiome changing.
Customer Success Stories, Average Product Rating and Reviews
There are several success stories on Perfect Origins website. However the majority of the success stories involve LivLean which claims to promote liver health. The reviews include several people having success with weight loss, one story included a woman who lost about 90 pounds in one year. It is important to note there is a disclaimer under each review stating “results are not typical” which is interesting and seems to be hinting that the majority of people do not see improvements in their weight. Overall, the reviews that were shared on Perfect Origins website show cased success in weight loss, decreasing frequency of migraines, and increasing energy levels.
Alternatives Compared to Vive Biotics
Vive Biotics isn't the only product on the market that can provide these types of benefits. Before purchasing it, consider these alternatives from some of the best wellness brands out there.
Ritual Synbiotic+
Unlike Vive Biotics, this synbiotic has probiotics AND prebiotics. Prebiotics are important because they serve as “food” for the probiotics and induce activity of the probiotics. The other BIG difference maker is that Ritual Synbiotic+ is third party tested and states how many CFUs on the bottle, 1 billion to be exact. The pricing is $50 for a 30 day supply which is slightly less than Vive Biotics.
Mindbodygreen Probiotic
This probiotic contains 32 billion CFUs, which is a TON. This supplement has about four strains and claims to help digestion, support a healthy weight, and ease bloating. It is pricier compared to Vive Biotics at $80 dollars for a 30 day supply. Just to note, there is not much research on if having too much GOOD bacteria is more beneficial than just sticking with the recommended CFU amount of 1 billion.
Primal Gut Restore
Primal Gut Restore contains 3 billion CFU and is USA made. Their products are made in a GMP-certified facility which means all supplements are produced and controlled by quality standards. Current pricing for this supplement is $49.95 for a 30 day supply.
Zuma Nutrition Multi Strain Probiotic Complex
What is different about this probiotic complex compared to the other ones above is that it claims to improve mood by improving neurotransmitter health. It is a blend of 8 probiotic strains with 30 billion CFUs. Zuma labs are also GMP-certified which ensures the quality of the supplements that consumers receive. The price is the lowest of them all at $44.95 for a 30 day supply.
The Bottom Line
Although probiotic supplements are flooding the market, further research is still needed on how exactly they improve our health. I would recommend you find something that is third-party tested to ensure the utmost quality. Look for ConsumerLab, NSF and USP emblems on the supplement bottle to tell if it is third-party tested. It is important to remember, supplements of any kind are not miracle drugs, the quality of your diet has a HUGE impact on your gut microbiome. Incorporating a variety of fruits, veggies, and whole grains will promote a diverse and flourishing gut microbiome. As a reminder, ALWAYS consult your doctor before starting a new supplement.
