More and more research is showing just how much our gut health can impact us. It can influence our body composition, and perhaps even our mood and behavior. That’s a lot more important than just whether we feel bloated or not.
And as the importance of gut health becomes better known, probiotic supplements have never been so popular. Probiotics work by adding beneficial gut bacteria directly into our digestive system. While most are familiar with various brands of yogurt and cultured milk drinks advertising their probiotic content, today the most popular kind of probiotic supplements are available in simple pill form.
One company that has hopped onto the probiotic bandwagon is Plexus. For those not in the know, Plexus is one of those ‘direct marketing’ companies that could uncharitably be called ‘MLMs’ or ‘pyramid schemes’.
But Plexus’ business model aside, are their probiotic supplements worth considering? In this review, we will take a detailed look at Plexus probiotic offerings and whether or not they will be suitable for you, specifically the Plexus Probio5 and Plexus Vitalbiome
Topic Contents
Plexus Probiotic Supplements Review – Plexus Vitalbiome and Probio5
Aids 70% of your immune system in the digestive tract. Improves your digestive health. Aids your body in replenishing good bacteria.
Plexus currently has only two probiotic products in its lineup. They are:
Probiotic Content
In probiotics, the number of probiotics contained is denoted by CFUs, which stands for Colony Forming Units. A typical per serving dose would have anywhere from 1 to 50 billion CFUs, although extra strength products can exceed that amount. The probiotic content for Plexus products are as follows:
Product | Probiotic Content per Serving |
Plexus Probio5 | 2 billion CFUs |
Plexus Vital Biome | 20 billion CFUs |
Probiotic Strains
There are a myriad of different probiotic strains, and while they are all beneficial, some do confer a bit more specific benefits. Let’s take a look at which specific strains Plexus is using in its products.
Product | Probiotic Strains |
Plexus Probio5 | Bacillus Coagulans
Lactobacillus Acidophilus Bifidobacterium Longum Lactobacillus Plantarum Saccharomyces Boulardii |
Plexus Vital Biome | Lactobacillus Helveticus
Bifidobacterium Longum Bacillus Coagulans Bifidobacterium Lactis Saccharomyces Boulardii Lactobacillus Plantarum Lactobacillus Acidophilus |
Overall, looking at the probiotic content of both of Plexus’ products, we have to say that overall they are decent. Plexus Vital Biome contains all of the five probiotic strains found in Plexus ProBio5, plus an additional two strains. Let’s take a look at how each probiotic strain can benefit you.
- Bacillus Coagulans – Also known as lactobacillus sporogenes, studies have shown that this strain can help with constipation and irritable bowel syndrome. It may also aid in reducing cholesterol levels, muscle recovery, relieving symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.
- Lactobacillus Acidophilus – Research has shown that this strain may help with constipation and diarrhea. It may even help alleviate symptoms of depression and reduce bad cholesterol levels.
- Bifidobacterium Longum – This strain may help with constipation, cholesterol levels, and symptoms of anxiety and depression.
- Lactobacillus Plantarum – Another strain that can help with constipation.
- Saccharomyces Boulardii – This strain may help symptoms of acute diarrhea, irritable bowel syndrome, boost the immune system, and prevent gastrointestinal diseases.
- Lactobacillus Helveticus – This particular strain has been shown to help with symptoms of anxiety and depression, improve immune system function, and lower blood pressure.
- Bifidobacterium Lactis – In addition to helping with symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, this strain has also been shown to help with weight loss and combating obesity.
Looking at the strains above, Plexus Vital Biome contains additional Lactobacillus Helveticus and Bifidobacterium Lactis strains. This means that the product may be more suitable for those looking toward more weight loss goals, given the role of Bifidobacterium Lactis in promoting weight loss and fighting obesity. Plexus Vital Biome may also be slightly better at alleviating symptoms of anxiety and depression.
VitalBiome is a revolutionary probiotic with clinically demonstrated ingredients that help improve your health and your mood!
Other Beneficial Ingredients
Other than the active probiotic content, Plexus has also added several other beneficial ingredients to Plexus Probio5. Let’s take a look at what they are.
Product | Other Beneficial Ingredients |
Plexus Probio5 | Vitamin C (150mg)
Vitamin B6 (2.5mg) Grape Seed Extract (25mg) Enzyme Blend (200mg) Proteases Chitosanase Cellulase Serrapeptase |
Plexus Vital Biome | None |
Other than the slight amounts of Vitamin C and Vitamin B6, the main additional beneficial ingredients are the proprietary enzyme blend in Plexus Probio5. Protease is a protein-digesting enzyme and may aid digestion by helping to break down protein into its component amino acids.
Cellulase breaks down cellulose into glucose which may again potentially help with digestion. Cellulose is found in the cell walls of fruits and vegetables.
Chitosanase is an enzyme that breaks down chitin. If it sounds familiar, chitin is what the exoskeletons of insects are made of. Chitin is also found in some weight loss supplements such as Chitosan. Not a lot of research has gone into chitosinase, but there is some research claiming some health benefits.
Serrapeptase, another protein digesting enzyme has been shown to decrease inflammation and pain related to inflammation.
Finally, research has shown that grape seed extracts to be beneficial in increasing blood flow and reducing blood pressure. However, it should be noted that the quantities used were 6 to 32 times higher compared to the quantity available in one serving of Plexus ProBio5.
Note: Both Plexus ProBio5 or Plexus Vital Biome contain yeast, with the latter also containing milk and soy.
Price per Serving
All serving sizes for the below are one capsule. Prices are based on retail customer pricing on the official Plexus website.
Product | Price per Serving |
Plexus Probio5 | $0.67 (For the latest prices and discounts, check here) |
Plexus Vital Biome | $1.33 (For the latest prices and discounts, check here) |
Plexus Vitalboime and Probio5 Review: The Final Verdict
So, after considering all the information above, you want to know, “Are Plexus Probiotic products worth my time and money?”
The answer we have come up with is that when it comes to probiotic supplements, you would be better off with another company. Here’s why.
First, let’s just say right off the bat that there’s nothing inherently wrong with the probiotic content in either Plexus Probio5 or Plexus Vital Biome. In fact, the probiotic strains that they decided to include in the products is an overall positive, not a negative.
We like that they included strains such as Lactobacillus Helveticus and Bacillus Coagulans; highly beneficial strains that we don’t often see in other probiotic products.
Here’s the main reason why you’re better off not using Plexus Probiotic products. They are quite simply way too overpriced. Looking at the per serving costs of Plexus Probiotic products, they don’t seem that expensive. However, consider that $0.67 per serving for Plexus ProBio5 is for a mere 2 billion CFUs while $1.33 per serving for Plexus Vital Biome is for only 20 billion CFUs.
Aids 70% of your immune system in the digestive tract. Improves your digestive health. Aids your body in replenishing good bacteria.
VitalBiome is a revolutionary probiotic with clinically demonstrated ingredients that help improve your health and your mood!
Compared to other brands, this is much more expensive for little-added benefit. At that price point, other brands are giving us as much as 3 to 10 times the amount of probiotics! Plexus ProBio5 is particularly expensive when considering how low the probiotic content is.
Of course, this isn’t really surprising considering Plexus’ business model. One of the main criticisms levied against these direct marketing companies, in general, is that the products, while decent, are just simply overpriced.
We should also highlight that the FDA issued a warning to Plexus in 2014, noting that the way it had promoted its products, including ProBio5 would classify it under ‘drugs’. According to the warning, Plexus has previously marketed ProBio5 as being able to cure “jock itch, migraine headaches, recurring cystitis/vaginal infections…”!
Thus when considering how little value for money Plexus probiotic products offers, in combination with the generally bad reputation of the company, we would advise you to look elsewhere. So the next time your long lost Facebook friend tries to sell you some Plexus probiotic supplements, you will be a better-informed customer.
Quick Review Table
Advantages | Disadvantages |
Some rare but highly beneficial probiotic strains | Extremely overpriced |
Contains digestive enzymes | Bad reputation of company |
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Last updated: December 16, 2019
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What do you recommend in place of Plexus? Is there another company that is better priced? I’m all for saving money!
Thank you.
Laura
I’d recommend Dr. Tobias GutMeister as an alternative or Ultimate Flora Probiotic (although I’d say price is “comparable” here).
You don’t need high CFU with freeze dried probiotics because they actually get into your stomach and into your gut. Live cultures, your not even close. These products are NOT expensive, and the company does not have a bad reputation. They are debt free. All the products are 100% clean, no gmo, vegan and vegetarian friendly. Most of their products are also soy and dairy free. The probio 5 has helped me more than any prescription medication with my fibromyalgia. This company has been a God send. They truly care. Every product they have is 100% natural and backed by science. I honestly, think this is a totally biased review. I researched tons of products and finally settled on Plexus. There are no negative side effects to any of their products. If you eat out a lot of have a latte every day cut those out completely and you save a ton of money. Your health is important. I want the best products in me, and I can tell you that these are it. My friend who also takes Plexus went to school for nutrition and used to work at GNC. These are the best supplements she has come across. $30 for 60 tablets is not a bad price. I don’t know what planet you are on, where you find that expensive.