Culturelle - The Probiotic Supplement With Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG
Culturelle® is a supplement form of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG marketed by Amerifit,Inc.
There are 8 products in 3 categories at the time of this writing :
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Kids' Health:
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Digestive Health:
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Immune Health:
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What Does Culturelle Do?
All of the products contain varying amounts (CFU) of the same L. rhamnosus GG, so the health benefits are similar with each product, mainly digestive and immune systems support. Those are the 2 systems that probiotics target and this bacterium does it well!
According to Amerifit, Inc., there are over 800 scientific studies using LGG.
For more information on the specifics of the probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG in Culturelle, including details of what studies have shown, look for "The Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG Guide" coming in the future.
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The Kids' Packets have this marketing:
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The Kids Chewables have this marketing:
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The Digestive Health capsules product is marketed to:
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The Digestive Health chewables product is marketed to:
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The Extra-Strength Digestive Health capsules have marketing that says it:
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The Health & Wellness capsule packages are marketed to:
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The Vegetarian Health & Wellness product marketing says it:
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The Advanced Immune Defense product is marketed to:
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What are the Ingredients in These Products?
According to a representative from the manufacturer, all Culturelle products are dairy-, lactose- and milk-free and the culture is grown on a proprietary non-dairy, non-animal and non-soy medium. It is also free from the FDA's eight most common allergens.
Please note that product formulations change all the time; always read ingredients and contact the manufacturer if in doubt.
The capsules and chewables are individually wrapped to keep out light, moisture, heat and air to assure stability and potency, and the packets are individual pouches. Each product contains the guaranteed CFU at the expiration date if stored properly (below 75 degrees F and out of direct sunlight).
Some packages say that refrigeration is recommended but not required. Personally, I refrigerate all of my probiotics (except lyophilized S. boulardii and Bacillus) for maximum potency. So once you buy the supplement, refrigerate it if you can.
Kids' Packets (5 billion CFU):
- Total carbs 1 g, Vitamin C 2 mg, 5 billion CFU at expiration
- Other ingredients: Mannitol, inulin, sucrose, maltodextrin, sodium ascorbate and silicon dioxide
- NO added colors, preservatives, dairy, lactose, milk, yeast, gluten or soy
Kids' Chewables (5 billion CFU):
- Total carb <1 g, o g sugar, 5 mg Vitamin C, 5 billion CFU at expiration
- Other ingredients: Xylitol, sucrose, microcrystalline cellulose, stearic acid, vegetable juice (color), maltodextrin, sodium ascorbate, natural berry flavor, magnesium stearate, citric acid, malic acid, silica
- NO synthetic colors, preservatives, dairy, lactose, milk, yeast, wheat, gluten or soy
Digestive Health capsules (10 billion CFU):
- 3 mg Vitamin C, 10 mg sodium, 10 billion CFU at expiration, 200 mg inulin
- Other ingredients: Gelatin, sucrose, maltodextrin, sodium ascorbate, magnesium stearate, silica and titanium dioxide
- NO synthetic colors, preservatives, dairy, lactose, milk, yeast, wheat, gluten or soy
Digestive Health chewables (10 billion CFU):
- 10 mg Vitamin C, 10 billion CFU at expiration, 200 mg inulin
- Other ingredients: Xylitol (corn or wheat), mannitol (corn or wheat), glyceryl behenate, microcrystalline cellulose, sucrose, maltodextrin, magnesium stearate, sodium ascorbate, citric acid, natural and artificial flavor
- NO added colors, preservatives, daily, lactose, milk, yeast, soy or gluten. Meets FDA’s requirements for gluten-free.
Extra-Strength Digestive Health capsules (20 billion CFU):
- 7 mg Vitamin C, 5 mg sodium,20 Billion CFU at expiration, 200 mg inulin
Other ingredients: Gelatin, sucrose, maltodextrin, colors (titanium dioxide, FD&C Red #3, FD&C Blue #1, FD&C Green #3), magnesium stearate and silicon dioxide - NO preservatives, dairy, lactose, milk, yeast, wheat, gluten or soy
Health & Wellness capsules (15 billion CFU):
- 3 mg Vitamin C, 15 billion CFU’s at expiration
- Other ingredients: Microcrystalline cellulose, gelatin, vegetable magnesium stearate, silica, titanium dioxide (color), sucrose, maltodextrin and sodium ascorbate.
- NO synthetic colors, preservatives, dairy, lactose, milk, yeast, wheat, gluten or soy.
Vegetarian Health & Wellness capsules (10 billion CFU):
- 3 mg Vitamin C, 10 billion CFU at expiration, 200 mg inulin
- Other ingredients: Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, sucrose, maltodextrin, sodium ascorbate, vegetable magnesium stearate, titanium dioxide (color) and silica
- NO synthetic colors, preservatives, dairy, lactose, milk, yeast, wheat, gluten or soy
Advanced Immune Defense capsules (2.5 billion CFU):
- Total carbohydrate >1 g, 20 mg Vitamin C, 3 mg zinc, 500 mg dried fermentate from Saccharomyces cerevisiae, 2.5 billion CFU at expiration
- Other ingredients: Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, microcrystalline cellulose, water, colors (titanium dioxide, FD&C yellow #6, FD&C red #40, FD&C green #3), sucrose, carrageenan, maltodextrin, potassium chloride, shellac and potassium hydroxide. Contains naturally-occuring sulfites.
What is the Recommended Dosage?
Kids' Packets (5 billion CFU):
- For Children 1 to 3: Empty entire contents of one (1) probiotic packet into cool food or drink. Mix until dissolved. Do not add to warm or hot food or beverage. Take one (1) probiotic packet daily to support digestive and immune health. To alleviate occasional digestive distress, take two (2) packets per day. If taking 2 packets, take one in the morning and one in the evening. If conditions persist, consult your physician. This kids' probiotic supplement can be taken with or without food at any time of day. This product should not be used by those with immune problems unless directed by a physician.
- For Kids 3 and Up: Culturelle Kids Chewable Probiotic is recommended for bigger kids. Take as directed on package.
- For Children Over 100 lbs: Try Culturelle Digestive Health Probiotic Capsules or Chewables instead. Take as directed on package.
Kids' Chewables (5 billion CFU):
- For Children 1 to 3: Use Culturelle Kids Probiotic Packets instead.
- For Kids 3 and Up: Chew one (1) probiotic tablet daily to support digestive and immune health. To alleviate occasional digestive distress, take two (2) probiotic tablets per day. If taking two tablets, take one in the morning and one in the evening. If conditions persist, consult your physician. This kids' probiotic supplement can be taken with or without food at any time of day. Not intended for children under 3 years of age due to risk of choking. This product should not be used by those with immune problems unless directed by a physician.
- For Children Over 100 lbs: Try Culturelle Digestive Health Probiotic Capsules or Chewables instead. Take as directed on package.
Digestive Health capsules (10 billion CFU):
- For children over 1 year of age: 1 capsule daily. Capsule may be opened and mixed into cool drink or food.
- For adults, 1 capsule per day. If experiencing digestive upset or traveling, increase to 2 per day, one in the morning and one at night.
Digestive Health chewables (10 billion CFU):
- For adults, 1 tablet per day. If experiencing digestive upset or traveling, increase to 2 per day, one in the morning and one at night.
Extra-Strength Digestive Health capsules (20 billion CFU):
- For adults, 1 capsule per day
Health & Wellness capsules (15 billion CFU):
- For children over 1 year of age: 1 capsule daily. Capsule may be opened and mixed into cool drink or food.
- For adults, 1 capsule per day.
Vegetarian Health & Wellness capsules (10 billion CFU):
- For children over 1 year of age: 1 capsule daily. Capsule may be opened and mixed into cool drink or food.
- For adults, 1 capsule per day. If experiencing digestive upset or traveling, increase to 2 per day, one in the morning and one at night.
Advanced Immune Defense capsules (2.5 billion CFU):
- Adults and children 12 years of age or older: 1 capsule daily. Should not be used by persons with immune deficiencies unless directed by a physician.
Where to Buy Culturelle Products?
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Culturelle Kids' Packets at my dispensary at Fullscript where you can purchase other supplements at a reader discount |
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Culturelle Vegetarian Health & Wellness capsules at my dispensary at Fullscript where you can purchase other supplements at a reader discount |
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Buy Culturelle products from Amazon.com here.
Buy Culturelle products from Amazon Canada here.
Buy Culturelle products from Amazon UK here.
Should You Buy Culturelle?
While I can't advise you on this website if you should or should not buy It, I can say that this probiotic supplement contains the well-studied and impressive of L. rhamnosus GG. However, the products contain a lot of additives.
Unfortunately, this supplement is the only OTC supplement that contains L. rhamnosus GG in therapeutic amounts. I contacted the co-discoverers of L. rhamnosus GG, asking them if they have any involvement in the manufacturing of the supplements. If so, I asked them to consider re-formulating the ingredients to take out the unnecessary substances.
My recommendation would be to avoid the chewables, extra-strength capsules and Advanced Immune Defense capsules and instead use the Digestive Health or Health & Wellness capsules, even for children over 1 year of age and older (opening the capsules for young children as directed above).
Remember, however, that Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG is not the only probiotic that lives in your flora, so I would combine the health benefits of it with the benefits provided by:
- Fermented raw, whole foods and drinks
- Probiotic-fortified food and drinks, and
- Other probiotic supplements, if you think you need them.
You may also consider nutrition consultations if you would like extra help with your health conditions or to know if LGG is right for you.
Other Probiotic Reviews
To read about my approach to supplement reviews, and about my reviews of other probiotic supplements, click here.
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