VSL3 Probiotic Review
VSL#3 is a probiotic supplement that contains as much as 900 billion live bacteria in each serving. Here’s our VSL#3 probiotic review.
What is VSL#3 Probiotic?
VSL#3 probiotic is a probiotic nutritional supplement that contains 8 different strains of live lactic acid bacteria. Each serving contains 112.5 billion live bacteria, although there are different versions of the supplement that contain 225 billion, 450 billion, and 900 billion live bacteria as well.
The supplement is officially classified as medical food due to its high potencies: this isn’t your average probiotic supplement you would pick up from Walmart. It’s a pharmaceutical-grade medical food designed to treat the symptoms of ulcerative colitis, irritable bowel syndrome, and other harmful diseases.
There are four different types of VSL#3 probiotic supplements, including:
— VSL#3: 112.5 billion live bacteria
— VSL#3 Junior: 225 billion live bacteria
— VSL#3 Packets: 450 billion live bacteria
— VSL#3 Double Strength (DS) Packets: 900 billion live bacteria
The VSL#3 DS supplement is so powerful it’s only available through prescription. It’s classified as a “prescription only medical food” on the official VSL#3 website, VSL3.com.
How Does VSL#3 Work?
VSL#3 works by colonizing the gastrointestinal (GI) tract with helpful probiotic bacteria. These bacteria line the walls of your GI tract, protecting your gut from pathogens and harmful bacteria.
By raising levels of probiotic bacteria in your gut, you accomplish two things:
— Optimize The Efficiency Of Your GI Tract
— Improve Your Immune System Functionality (70% Of Your Immune System Is In Your Gut)
Here’s how VSL#3’s manufacturer explains the supplement:
“At the cellular level, VSL#3 positively affects a variety of substances that are involved in gut function. This is important to ensure the correct absorption of nutrients and to maintain barrier function.”
There are a total of eight different strains of probiotic bacteria in each capsule of VSL#3, including all of the following:
— Bifidobacterium Breve
— Bifidobacterium Longum
— Bifidobacterium Infantis
— Lactobacillus Acidophilus
— Lactobacillus Plantarum
— Lactobacillus Paracasei
— Lactobacillus Bulgaricus
— Streptococcus Thermophiles
VSL#3’s manufacturer claims that this combination of bacteria has been chosen for its ability to work synergistically:
“The potential ability of individual strains become more successful when put together than used alone.”
How to Buy VSL#3
VSL#3 is available online from Amazon and from the official VSL3.com website. You can buy the main VSL#3 product with no prescription required. However, you’ll need a prescription to buy VSL#3-DS (it has 900 billion live bacteria in each serving).
The reason you need a prescription to buy VSL#3 DS is because it’s not classified as a nutritional supplement: it’s a medical food for the dietary management of an ileal pouch or ulcerative colitis. The capsule needs to be used under medical supervision.
Here’s how prices work for VSL#3:
Official Website (VSL3.com)
— VSL#3 30 Pack: $87.72
— VSL#3 Junior 30 Pack: $54.78
— VSL#3 DS 20 Pack (Prescription Only): Pricing available at your local pharmacy
— VSL#3 (Unflavored) 30 Pack: $87.72
— VSL#3 Capsules 60 Pack: $53
Amazon
— VSL 3 High Potency Probiotic Capsules for Ulcerative Colitis 60 Pack: $53.61 + $5.99 shipping
How to Use VSL#3
You can buy VSL#3 as a capsule or in a powder packet.
You mix the powder packets with cold water or food before consuming it. All powder packets have a lemon cream flavor. You cannot mix the powder with hot drinks or foods as the heat can damage the bacteria.
Store VSL#3 in the refrigerator when not in use.
Who Makes VSL#3?
VSL#3 is made by a company called Sigma-Tau Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
At its official website, that company describes itself as:
“A rare corporation dedicated to creating novel medicines for the unmet needs of patients with rare diseases.”
The company is headquartered in Maryland at the following address:
Sigma-Tau Pharmaceuticals, Inc.9841 Washingtonian Blvd. Suite 500
Gaithersburg, MD 20878
If you need to ask more questions or request a refund on your VSL#3 order, you can call customer service at 1-866-438-8753.