Vegetable Capsules, 90 Count

I got these because my lipid panel has been slowly but surely getting less favorable. I also have IBS and have taken several different probiotics, with differering levels of success, for that.I didn't really expect these to work much for the IBS - hoping instead for the longer term heart benefit. I haven't taken them long enough to comment on that yet, but I will say that they've been amazing for my IBS - as good or better than anything else I've taken. The one problem that I've had, and this is my fault, is that I didn't refrigerate them after I opened them. I've been taking probiotics that don't need refrigeration (yes, they really do exist), and I forgot that most need to stay cold. After 2-3 weeks of taking these, their effectiveness seems to be lessened, and I finally realized why. I will be ordering more and keeping them cold.Buyer beware - when I ordered them it was significantly cheaper to buy the smaller quantity - watch the pricing!

Product was received very promptly. I have not noticed any adverse side effects since starting it. Since I have not been on it very long, it is not possible to say whether the intended benefit of reduced LDL cholesterol will occur, but I will continue on it. When blood work is next done (August 2015), I may have a better sense of whether it has been effective. I rated it 4 stars because of the prompt delivery and lack of adverse side effects.

The media could not be loaded. The product works great as my cholesterol levels have flatlined while my eating habits have also stabilized (meaning I'm back to eating some saturated fat) but the packaging is horrible. More often than not, when I get the box and open it, all the capsules have come out of the bottle. This has happened on numerous occasions and have even sent the item back only to receive another one with the capsules open. Part of it is probably Amazon's fault in that its packaged only in a padded envelope so it is jostled around easily but also its the manufacturer's fault too as the bottle itself doesn't have any kind of seal. This would be so easily rectified if they just sealed it, or even just put a piece of tape on the lid prior to packaging it in the box. I've attached a video of the first box I got with the capsules out and of me opening the unopened second box. How did I know the second box's capsules were loose? You can hear them rattling around in the box when shaking it.

I have been taking this supplement for 3 full years. It just doesn't seem to work. My LDL is just about the same now as a year ago, so it doesn't seem to fluctuate. It was high and it remains high. I wonder if the lactobacillus reuteri NCIMB 30242 works in a laboratory setting, but doesn't actually survive in these capsules. I have no specific evidence for this, but the bottle these pills come in doesn't have any seal, which would keep out other bacteria, as well as moisture or humidity. Every other supplement I take comes in a screw top bottle with an extra seal. Culturelle, which I think of as a cheap, average probiotic, even comes in a blister pack protecting each individual capsule. This comes in a plastic tube with a lid that pops open. More than once the box has arrived and the tube inside popped open during shipment. That really doesn't instill much confidence that any high-priced bacteria inside are flourishing.

so far so good, seems to be working

Not sure how or why but for the first time in 15 years - my LDL's are below 100. I started using this product in May 2014. My Feb 2014 blood test showed my LDL's had gone up to 166. 112 is the lowest my LDL's have been. I was on my way to trying to control my cholesterol with statins. But I told my doc I wanted to try Cardioviva first. I've been a vegetarian for 35 years. I eat dairy but I try very hard to not eat saturated or trans fats. After menopause, my LDL's just started to clim, higher and higher each year. My HDL's have always been very high and that was my saving grace. That was until the 166 reading. My doctor was concerned. So May 2014 I started Cardioviva. I exercise a lot but fell off the fitness wagon in 2013. Sept 2014, I started working out 3 times a week. In Oct 2014, I started making my own Kombucha. My LDL's fell nearly 70 points!!! For the first time in more than 15 years my LDL's are 97. My HDL's went up 20 points too. I think it may be a combination of good probiotics and exercise. I can't believe the results! I'm telling anyone who will listen - statins are not the answer. Try this before you turn to pharmaceuticals. Statins treat the symptoms - they are not a cure. A 69 point drop in one year? It's amazing.

Unlike the prior review, I've actually been taking this product since it arrived in the states in end of May. I just received my latest test results. I know it's TMI, but here they are: Total Cholesterol went from 211 to 187, HDL from 42 to 44, LDL 146 to 126, TRIGLYCERIDE 133 to 85. A measurable improvement w/o change in diet or exercise. I plan on improving diet and increasing exercise to improve further.

Great price and quick delivery. Can be hard to find outside of Amazon.I have had no negative side effects from this product.I will buy again