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TruBiotics

TruBiotics

Overall Rating

3.0

7 Customer Reviews

Summary

One A Day claims that you’ll support healthy digestive and immune function with the use of their truBiotics daily probiotic supplement. Evidence suggests that it may deliver on the company's claims.

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TruBiotics Review: Does This Probiotic Work?

By Anthony Dugarte, M.D., C.S.C.S

Updated on: Mar 24, 2020

What Is TruBiotics?

TruBiotics is a daily probiotic supplement from One A Day that aims to support your overall health and wellness.

In contrast to infection-causing bacteria, probiotics are those that populate your digestive tract and offer a vast array of health benefits above and beyond just supporting your digestion.

One A Day claims that you’ll reap these benefits with daily use of their probiotic supplement. According to their website, by taking 1 capsule daily with a meal you can expect to:

  • Replenish the good bacteria found in your gut
  • Support healthy digestion
  • Enhance your immune function
  • Boost your metabolism

While these health benefits may be desirable, it seems like a pretty tall order for one pill to accomplish.

In this article, we’ll help you determine if there is any merit to the claims made by One A Day by reviewing the available scientific support for the active ingredients.

The TruBiotics Active Ingredients: Do They Work?

It’s no secret that the proposed benefits of this supplement are thought to be related to the blend of probiotic strains included in each serving. We’ll dive deeper into these momentarily.

First, let's quickly discuss the ingredients that One A Day has included in a supportive role.

Vitamin A - 2500IU, Vitamin C - 60mg, and Vitamin E - 5mg

While each of these vitamins may offer many health benefits, their inclusion in TruBiotics is intended to bolster the nutritional content of this supplement. The actual probiotic blend does the heavy lifting.

Nonetheless, your overall health requires this vitamin.

Vitamin C is an antioxidant that can fight off free radicals, substances that cause harmful oxidative stress. Vitamin C may also help support immune function.

Vitamin E is also an antioxidant. It may play a role in boosting immune function, promoting blood flow, and preventing blood clots.

Vitamin A is important for healthy vision, normal growth and development, and may also offer anti-inflammatory benefits.

In each capsule, you’ll receive 50% of the RDA for vitamin A, 100% of your vitamin C needs, and about 25% of vitamin E recommendations.

Proprietary Blend - 2 Billion Cells

The proprietary blend found in Trubiotics is fairly straight forward. It contains just 2 probiotics: L. acidophilus LA-5 and B. animalis BB-12.

As the effects of probiotics are strain-specific, it is a major pro for One A Day products as they have shared the specific strains offered in their blend (LA-5 and BB-12).

As both strains have been studied, it is much easier to compare these ingredients directly to the available research.

Lactobacillus acidophilus LA-5

L. acidophilus are rod-shaped bacteria that may play a role in improving diarrhea, stomach discomfort, and immune function.

The LA-5 strain has been studied in animal and laboratory models, though there is data from human subjects as well.

Both LA-5 and BB-12 at 10 and 100 billion CFU doses boosted friendly gut bacteria levels in healthy adults throughout 4-weeks.

This same combination demonstrated an ability to affect the inflammatory response in subjects with inflammatory bowel disease.

While more work is needed to characterize the detail of this mechanism, this study highlighted the potential role of these strains in the treatment of this condition.

The combination of these 2 strains was also studied in subjects with type 2 diabetes; 10 billion CFU doses improved regulation of blood sugar levels.

While this probiotic has not been as extensively studied as BB-12, some results demonstrate a benefit of supplementation in individuals with digestive and metabolic issues.

Bifidobacterium animalis BB-12

B. animalis BB-12 is also a rod-shaped bacterium. According to this review, it has been discussed in over 300 scientific studies, nearly half of which included human subjects.

In a randomized trial, those treated with 1 billion CFU of BB-12 over 6-weeks boosted immune function when compared to those who took a placebo or another probiotic strain.

In terms of bowel function, BB-12 doses of 5 and 15 Billion CFU improved stool frequency in constipated subjects.

This particular strain has been investigated for over 30 years. While One A Day offers a larger dose comparable to what was needed to improve immune function, this dose is much smaller than what was found to improve digestions in some studies.

TruBiotics Safety and Side Effects

One A Day only provides the total amount of their blend as well as the details of the specific strains. The exact amounts in their blends allow us to compare this supplement to the available literature, assuming 1 Billion CFU of each strain is in each serving.

The good news is that each strain has been safely studied independently, and in combination with one another, at much larger doses than is offered in TruBiotics. Like most probiotic supplements, this one is also likely safe.

Serious side effects are extremely rare. Mild side effects, however, are common. You may abdominal pain, gas, bloating, and diarrhea.

Also, this product contains skim milk. If you have an allergy, you may want to avoid using this supplement.

Lastly, you should always consult your doctor before using any dietary supplement. If you are having symptoms that you feel are signs that your digestive or immune systems need a boost, take steps to figure out the underlying cause first.

TruBiotics Cost

Though you can’t purchase this supplement from the One A Day website, they do make it easy to track their products down.

They provide a link (“Where to Buy”) that directs you to a map. Simply plug in your zip code to find the nearest retailer. You’ll also find a printable “Save $2” coupon on this page.

You can pick up TruBiotics in-store or online from Walgreens, CVS, and Rite Aid.

  • Walgreens: 30ct at $18.99 and 45ct is $29.99
  • CVS: the 30ct is $21.99.
  • Rite Aide: the 30ct at $14.99.

The Bottom Line

TruBiotics contains 2 extensively studied probiotic strains. There is evidence supporting the claims made by One A Day, though some studies used much higher doses to achieve results.

Nonetheless, having specific strains that are backed by research using human subjects is definitely a plus.

Reviews also seem to be positive. At Walgreens, 85 users rate TruBiotics 4.6 stars. Happy customers mention experiencing more energy and less sick days as the reasons for their good experience with this supplement.

Lastly, TruBiotics seem to be reasonably priced compared to many of the probiotic supplements we have reviewed.

Therefore, TruBiotics may offer a reasonable option for digestive, immune, and overall health, though you should speak with a physician before use.

Customer Reviews

3.0 Stars out of 7 Reviews
5 Star:42% 4 Star:0% 3 Star:14% 2 Star:0% 1 Star:42%
57% Recommend This Product
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Posted on Jul 22, 2015

Great for IBS

By Tracy Lynn, Raleigh, NC, Verified Reviewer

I have tried numerous things for my IBS from prescription to over the counter, the results usually end with me being constipated or going the other way, and not leaving the bathroom altogether, after 7 days I have had nothing but GREAT results.

Time will tell, but as of right now, it has worked far better than anything I have been given to try or I purchased to try.

Bottom Line: Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

Helpful Review? 14 People Have Voted

Posted on Jul 20, 2015

Constipation and stomach pains

By Alicia , Pennsylvania

I started taking this about six months ago for four days, and it constipated me and gave me horrible stomach pains. So I stopped it just in case that was the problem. I just started taking it again four days ago, and lo and behold, the horrible stomach pains and constipation started again. Obviously it is the Trubiotics and I won't take it again. I never have trouble with constipation. It's usually the other way around. I thought, and my doctor thought, I needed more probiotics, etc.

My doctor actually advised me not to take this since this has happened twice. So it doesn't always mean you have an underlying condition and that's why you can't take it, per the person that wrote before about having an underlying condition. Some things just don't work for everyone. Our bodies are all very different and respond differently to foods, medicines, etc. It's not rocket science to figure that out.

I don't like yogurt, so I thought this would be a good way for me to get the probiotics, but it's obviously not the answer for me. It's always good to try different things to see if they work for you, but be sensible about it and listen to your body. If you feel bad, stop taking it and see what your doctor advises you to do. I wish it would have worked for me.

Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend

Helpful Review? 11 People Have Voted

Posted on Feb 7, 2016

Terrible experience, ended up in the ER

By Stephanie , St.Louis, MO

I started taking TruBiotics to help with my constant diarrhea. After about a week, I was so constipated and bloated that I couldn't even pass gas. I ended up in the ER with a distended abdomen, decreased bowel sounds and was so backed up that I needed two enemas, along with orange juice mixed with mineral oil. I've always battled diarrhea until I took these, and I will never take them again.

Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend

Helpful Review? 10 People Have Voted

Posted on Jan 25, 2016

Digestive issues

By Tammi McCoy , Dallas, TX

I had problems with my digestive system but since I've been taking TruBiotics I have no more digestive problems. Those little capsules that I take with a meal everyday for 30 days have regulated my system. Very good supplement, worth every penny, and I would recommend it to my friends and family.

Bottom Line: Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

Helpful Review? 9 People Have Voted

Posted on Jul 13, 2015

Good product

By Kevin ,

This product eliminated morning allergies for me entirely. I never had any cramps. It's only 1.5B dose which is very low. If this makes you sick, you either didn't wait long enough or you have an underlying condition and it's simply trying to fight (see a doctor). It's also eliminated all heart burn for me. My trouble foods are no longer trouble. I am a 46-year old male.

Bottom Line: Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

Helpful Review? 8 People Have Voted

Posted on Feb 5, 2015

Stomach pains and diarrhea

By Joyce Pontow , Lake Mills, Wi

After taking the pill for 4-5 days, I started getting stomach pains and diarrhea. Also, I've experienced bloating and a lot of gas. After going through this for 3 days, I quit taken it. This did not work for me, but my son has been taken it for a while now and it has helped him. It's like anything else, Try it, may work for you and may not.

Bottom Line: Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

Helpful Review? 8 People Have Voted

Posted on Nov 15, 2015

Not much change, but didn't make me sick.

By Nicole Meehan , Collins, Ohio

I've been looking into different supplements and a probiotic was suggested. I purchased TruBiotics about 4 months ago. I take them daily with a multi, fish oil, and biotin. I do not have any health concerns, just want to make sure I'm taking care of my body. These pills are very easy to take and I haven't had any break open. I just really haven't noticed a difference. Although I do get a little gas and bloating, but from what I've researched this is totally normal for probiotics. I appreciate the other reviews and hope everyone found something that made them feel better.

Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend

Helpful Review? 3 People Have Voted
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