Nordic NaturalsNordic Flora Probiotic Women's Balance - 30 Capsules - 12 Probiotic Strains with 60 Billion Cultures - Intestinal Support, l Health - Vegan - 30 Servings

Thought I'd feed my immune system but pleasantly surprised these also quickly made normal, my runny stool. Very glad I purchased this.

We used to fight antibiotic gut with brand-name, live culture, probiotic yogurt but we love yogurt so we eat that stuff on a regular basis and don't usually need anything else for regulation. However, whenever my husband or I need an antibiotic (because we are stubborn about going to the Dr anyway) we have this to take during that treatment and it works better. Antibiotics can do what they need to do but sometimes they get the good gut fluora as well. This helps counter that.

I take probiotics for the benefits they provide, mainly: (i) maintain a healthy intestine flora, (ii) maintain a regular bowel movement, (iii) may help improve some mental health issues such as anxiety, depression and OCD, among others, (vi) may help keep a healthy heart, and (v) may reduce symptoms of digestive disorders. Furthermore, some recent studies suggest that Lactobacillus Rhamnosus, Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus increase the colony of Akkermansia Muciniphila, which is believed to reduce abdominal obesity by improving the body’s metabolism, reducing the metabolic disturbances associated with abdominal obesity, in addition to increasing the body’s immunity. In addition to an amazing 60 Billion CFU concentration of well-picked 15 probiotic strains, Nordic Natural's product is third-party lab tested for purity and potency, which to me is a wise way to build credibility. I am happy with this product and I recommend it.

I ordered Nordic probiotics because of their perceived quality. When I opened the bottle it wasn’t sealed. I refuse in this day and time to ingest something suspicious. Amazon will not allow me to return it. No more Nordic for me.

This is a very potent probiotic. At 90 billion CFUs, it's anywhere from 2 to 10 times the strength of most other probiotics. This is also a very high quality probiotic - every single probiotic strain in it has been clinically studied for efficacy and gut benefits, and the specific strain names used for each strain are given.For example, within the major strain of B.Bifidum, there are dozens of strains that a probiotic manufacturer can choose from. Some of those strains are much more beneficial than others, and many companies don't even tell you (or even know) the exact one they used. This product, however, tells you every exact strain (for B.Bifidum, this product uses Bb-02). By using these specified, clinically studied strains you know that you are a getting a proven, research based probiotic and not just some kitchen-sink probiotic, and you can look up the specific benefits and effects of each of these strains.I do wish Nordic Naturals gave a breakdown of this formulation and explain why they chose each of these specific strains. I went through and researched most of them, and they are all clinically proven with various effects ranging from bowel regularity, cognitive improvement, IBS reductions, etc - but they really should do a better job describing the specific strains.How to:---Take the probiotic with food or just prior to eating. In general, it is better to take probiotics with food because the food provides a buffer the stomach acidity, and makes it more likely for the probiotic to survive the gastrointestinal journey.---Store in the refrigerator. Even if probiotics are shelf stable, the CFU-count will stay much higher in the fridge rather than at room temperature.Thoughts:My bathroom regularity has really improved since I started taking this, and I feel like I am noticing some subtle cognitive benefits - improved mood and less brain fog. Most importantly, make sure you are eating lots of fiber and prebiotics (cashews, onions, leek, mushrooms, garlic, inulin, etc) when you're taking your probiotic. Prebiotics are food for the probiotic, and will turn that 90 billion CFU into trillions.