probiotics 101 products faqs where can I buy?
Educational Resources
Order samples for your patients
BioGaia faqs

WHAT IS BIOGAIA?

WHAT IS L. reuteri PROTECTIS?

HOW DOES BIOGAIA WORK?

WHAT IS GUT FLORA?

WHY IS BALANCED GUT FLORA IMPORTANT?

CAN I TAKE BIOGAIA EVERYDAY?

CAN EVERYONE TAKE BIOGAIA?

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE DOSAGE FORMS?

CAN I TAKE BIOGAIA IF I AM PREGNANT/NURSING/TRYING TO BECOME PREGNANT?

WHAT IS A PROBIOTIC?

HOW IS BIOGAIA DIFFERENT FROM OTHER PROBIOTICS?

IS BIOGAIA A DRUG?

DOES BIOGAIA CONTAIN SUGAR?

WHEN IS THE BEST TIME OF DAY TO TAKE BIOGAIA?

DOES BIOGAIA NEED TO BE TAKEN WITH FOOD?

WHAT IS BIOGAIA?
BioGaia is a brand of probiotic supplements designed for people of all ages. BioGaia contains L. reuteri Protectis, a natural lactobacilli that has been tested in numerous clinical trials and is safe for people of all ages.* [1-39]
back to top

WHAT IS L. reuteri PROTECTIS?
BioGaia's L. reuteri Protectis is a clinically proven, patented probiotic strain.* With its exceptional safety record and documented health benefits in several areas, it is a truly superior probiotic.* [1-39] Recommended by doctors around the globe. Over 1.5 billion doses have been delivered to people of all ages.
back to top

HOW DOES BIOGAIA WORK?

There is a constant battle going on in the gut between good and bad bacteria. Common gut problems are often a sign that the bad ones have the upper hand. The good bacteria, which are natural to the body, need reinforcements. BioGaia has been clinically shown to restore a natural balance in the gut, and calm and protect against digestive distress.* [1-3,5-14,17-21,25-29,31,37,38,40-42] back to top

WHAT IS GUT FLORA?

The body contains huge numbers of bacteria naturally. As a matter of fact, the number of bacteria in the gut is ten times the total number of cells in the entire human body. [43] While that sounds scary, it’s really not. These bacteria are part of a complex ecosystem in the gut called intestinal flora or gut flora. [44] The gut flora performs a number of useful functions in the body and is important for good health. [45]
back to top

WHY IS BALANCED GUT FLORA IMPORTANT?
Whether we enjoy good gut health or are susceptible to common digestive distress depends upon which bacteria are more dominant in our body – the good or bad. When we are in good health, the population of bacteria that lives in our gut is said to be balanced – the good bacteria outnumber the bad bacteria. We feel good, digestion and absorption are functioning properly to give us the nutrients we need to thrive. A proper balance of bacteria in our gut is an important part of good health.
back to top

CAN I TAKE BIOGAIA EVERYDAY?
Yes. Your gut gets bombarded daily by allergens and pathogens mostly through their food and drink. This constant exposure can upset the natural balance of your gut flora. BioGaia helps the good guys restore a natural balance to protect the gut.* [1,3,6,7,14,18-21,25-29,37,40-42]
back to top

CAN EVERYONE TAKE BIOGAIA?
Yes, BioGaia can be taken by people of all ages. Safety studies with BioGaia's L. reuteri Protectis have been conducted in healthy newborns, small children, adults and immuno-deficient adults over the past decade. [15-18,35,36,46] In all of these studies no side effects were experienced, even when given doses exceeding the levels normally administered.
back to top

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE DOSAGE FORMS?
BioGaia is available in three easy-to-use, innovative dosage forms designed for people of all ages.
back to top

BioGaia age chart

CAN I TAKE BIOGAIA IF I AM PREGNANT/NURSING/TRYING TO BECOME PREGNANT?
Probiotics have been taken during pregnancy, while breast feeding, or while attempting to become pregnant. Always consult a physician before taking any supplement or drug. [1,40,42]
back to top

WHAT IS A PROBIOTIC?
Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit. [47] Probiotics contain live cultures similar to those found in some yogurts and fermented milks. The word probiotic means "for life." Probiotics are supplements just like vitamins and minerals.
back to top

HOW IS BIOGAIA DIFFERENT FROM OTHER PROBIOTICS?
It is important to understand that probiotic supplements contain different strains of bacteria. Experts believe that these different strains have different health benefits. Therefore, it is important to choose your probiotic supplement carefully. Look for products that have been tested for safety and clinically shown to promote good health, like BioGaia.* [1-39]
back to top

IS BIOGAIA A DRUG?
No, BioGaia is natural.
back to top

DOES BIOGAIA CONTAIN SUGAR?
No. BioGaia does not contain sugar or preservatives.
back to top

WHEN IS THE BEST TIME OF DAY TO TAKE BIOGAIA?
BioGaia can be taken anytime of the day.

DOES BIOGAIA NEED TO BE TAKEN WITH FOOD?
No. BioGaia can be taken with or without food.
back to top

References:

1. Abrahamsson TR, et al. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2007;119(5):1174-80.
2. Reuter G. Curr Issues Intest Microbiol 2001;2(2):43-53.
3. Valeur N, et al. Appl Environ Microbiol 2004;70(2):1176-81.
4. Abrahamsson T, et al. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr 2005;40(5):PN1-17.
5. Romeo MG, et al. J Perinat Med 2006;34:A9, abstract MSL24.
6. Weizman Z, et al. Pediatrics 2005;115(1):5-9.
7. Ruiz-Palacios G, et al. Pediatr Res 1996;39(4):Part 2: 184A Abstract 1089.
8. Guerrero ML, et al. 1st World Congress of Pediatric Infectious Diseases Acapulco, Mexico, 1996.
9. Savino F, et al. Pediatrics 2007;119(1):e124-30.
10. Lionetti E, et al. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2006;24(10):1461-8.
11. Eom TH, et al. Korean J Ped 2005;48:986-9.
12. Shornikova AV, et al. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr 1997;24(4):399-404.
13. Shornikova AV, et al. Pediatr Infect Dis J 1997;16(12):1103-7.
14. Cirillo A, et al. Italian Society for Clinical Allergy and Immunology Congress Rome, Italy, 2005.
15. Weizman Z, Alsheikh A. J Am Coll Nutr 2006;25(5):415-9.
16. Connolly E, et al. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr 2005;41(4):489-92.
17. Karvonen A, et al. Clin Nutr 2001;20:63 abstract 216.
18. Ruiz-Palacios G, et al. Pediatr Res 1996;39:104A.
19. Dobrogosz WJ. Nutrafoods, vol. 4, 2005:15-28.
20. Connolly E. Nutrafoods, vol. 3, 2004:15-22.
21. Casas IA, Dobrogosz WJ. Microbial Ecology in Health and Disease 2000;12:247-85.
22. Elliott E, Teversham K. S Afr Med J 2004;94(2):121-4.
23. Temmerman R, et al. Int J Food Microbiol 2003;81(1):1-10.
24. Connolly E. NutraFoods, vol. 4, 2005:65-8.
25. Jakobsson T, et al. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr 2005;40(5):624.
26. Bjorkman P. Department of Food Technology Finland: University of Helsinki, 1999.
27. Tubelius P, et al. Environ Health 2005;4:25.
28. Imase K, et al. Kansenshogaku Zasshi (Journal of the Japanese Association for Infectious Diseases) 2007;81:387-93.
29. Saggioro A. Digestive and Liver Diseases 2005;37:S88.
30. Niv E, et al. Clin Nutr 2005;24(6):925-31.
31. Ouwehand AC, et al. Ann Nutr Metab 2002;46(3-4):159-62. 32. Krasse P, et al. Swed Dent J 2006;30(2):55-60.
33. Caglar E, et al. Acta Odontol Scand 2006;64(5):314-8.
34. Nikawa H, et al. Int J Food Microbiol 2004;95(2):219-23.
35. Wolf BW, et al. Food Chem Toxicol 1998;36(12):1085-94.
36. Wolf BW, et al. Microbial Ecology in Health and Disease 1995;8:41-50.
37. Betta P, et al. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr 2007;44(e127):Abstract PG 4-13.
38. Sinkiewicz G, Nordstrom E. Pediatr Res 2005;58(415):Abstract 353.
39. Gibson GR, et al., 2005.
40. Schultz M, et al. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr 2004;38(3):293-7.
41. Romeo MG, et al. J Perinat Med 2006;34:Abstract MSL_24.
42. Kalliomaki M, et al. Lancet 2001;357(9262):1076-9.
43. Walker WA, Dai D. In: Ziegler E, Moro G, eds. Nutrition of the Very Low Birthweight Infant Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott William and Wilkins, 1999:179-97.
44. Isolauri E, et al. Best Pract Res Clin Gastroenterol 2004;18(2):299-313.
45. O'Hara AM, Shanahan F. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol 2007;5(3):274-84.
46. Weizman Z, Alsheikh A. Clin Nutr 2003;22:S69-70.
47. Food and Agriculture Organization, World Health Organization, 2001
.


image of little girl

 

image of baby boy

 

Image of small girl

 

image of little boy with notepad