Lactobacillus Rhamnosus with FOS 5 billion CFU | 60 capsules | Swanson

Lactobacillus Rhamnosus with FOS from Swanson

Are you looking for a single bacterial strain instead of a mix of ten strains? This Lactobacillus rhamnosus from Swanson delivers 5 billion CFU per capsule, combined with 100mg NutraFlora® FOS. The capsule is vegan and acid-resistant. A bottle contains 60 capsules, and the recommendation is two per day with food.

What Lactobacillus rhamnosus is

Lactobacillus rhamnosus is a lactic acid bacterium. That is a group of bacteria that converts sugars into lactic acid, exactly what happens when milk turns into yogurt or kefir. You naturally find L. rhamnosus in fermented dairy and some cheeses. Good to know: since 2020, this species is officially called Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus. Scientists then split the large family of lactobacilli into smaller groups. On most packaging, including Swanson's, you still see the old, familiar name Lactobacillus rhamnosus. It is the same bacterium.

What CFU and FOS mean

Many people wonder what 5 billion CFU actually means. CFU stands for colony forming units. It is the measure of the number of living bacteria that can multiply. Each capsule contains 25mg Lactobacillus rhamnosus, which amounts to 5 billion CFU at the time of production. In addition to the bacterium, the capsule contains 100mg NutraFlora® scFOS. That abbreviation stands for short-chain fructo-oligosaccharides: small, plant-based fibers made from sugarcane or beet sugar. FOS also occurs naturally in small amounts in, among others, onions, leeks, and bananas. NutraFlora® is a brand name of the American ingredient manufacturer Ingredion.

Acid-resistant capsule and storage

The capsule is made of hypromellose, a plant-based material, and is acid-resistant. That means that the capsule remains intact longer in an acidic environment, such as the stomach, before opening. Swanson recommends taking one capsule twice a day, together with food and a glass of water. Living bacteria are sensitive to heat and moisture. Therefore, Swanson recommends storing the bottle in the refrigerator. This keeps the number of living bacteria at its peak for as long as possible. In addition to the active ingredients, the capsule only contains microcrystalline cellulose, silicon dioxide, and magnesium stearate as excipients.

In short: a single lactic acid bacterium, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, with 5 billion CFU per capsule and a little FOS as fiber. Vegan, acid-resistant, and with a clear composition. With two capsules per day, one bottle lasts a month.