LOS ANGELES–In a recent review of probiotic supplements for adults, children and pets by natural products industry watchdog group ConsumerLab.com, both Jarrow Formulas’ Jarro-Dophilus EPS® and Fem Dophilus® were found to contain the listed amount of probiotic organisms and were free of microbial contamination.
ConsumerLab.com purchased leading probiotic products sold in the United States and Canada and tested them to determine whether they possessed the claimed amount of viable bacteria listed on the label and at least 1 billion live organisms per suggested daily serving; were free of contamination with other yeast, mold, or types of bacteria with disease-causing potential; and disintegrated properly (if in tablet form) so that their contents would be released, or if enteric-coated, their contents would be released after passing through the stomach.
When purchasing products labeled as “requiring refrigeration” (not just after opening), ConsumerLab.com had them shipped in refrigerated packaging, and they were maintained under refrigerated conditions throughout testing.
Twenty-seven probiotic supplements were tested — 23 marketed for human use and four for use by pets. ConsumerLab.com selected 13 of the products. Fourteen others were tested at the request of manufacturers/distributors through ConsumerLab.com’s Voluntary Certification Program. Additionally, two products that are the same as the one that passed, but sold under different brand names were also listed in the results.
Pointing out that neither FDA nor any other federal or state agency actually tests probiotics for quality, ConsumerLab.com examined the viability of probiotic organisms in each product, the presence of any contaminating organisms, and the protection of active or survivable organisms.
Jarro-Dophilus® EPS combines both room temperature stability and enteric coating to protect against stomach acid. Jarro-Dophilus® EPS is formulated with eight different species of friendly bacteria from four genera: Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, Pediococcus and Lactococcus. At the time of manufacture, each capsule contains 5 billion probiotic organisms per vegetarian capsule. Jarro-Dophilus® EPS is especially helpful to people who do not eat a balanced diet, consume little fiber or fermented foods, take antibiotics, are under stress, travel, or want to strengthen their intestinal immune system.
Fem-Dophilus® features the world's most documented probiotic strains for women's health, Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1® and Lactobacillus reuteri RC-14® discovered and developed by Drs. Gregor Reid and Andrew Bruce of Urex Biotech, Inc., and is produced and marketed globally by Chr. Hansen, a world leader in probiotics. According to Jarrow, Research has confirmed GR-1® and RC-14® taken as an oral supplement colonize and protect the vaginal tract. More than 20 years of research has shown that GR-1® and RC-14® help to restore and maintain the balance of flora important to vaginal health and the health of the urinary tract overall.