If you have researching which gut health product to buy you will have no doubt come across Dr. Ohhira Probiotics. It is advertised as the only 3 year fermented food supplement that contains additional prebiotics and postbiotics.
Dr. Ohhira’s Probiotics Quick Look: There is little doubt that anything under the Dr Ohhira brand is highly reputable.
This particular product is worthy of consideration even if we feel the price is too high. The main caveat though is the inclusion of the controversial ingredient (explained further down in the review). For this reason we would recommend another supplement.
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Our preferred product is 1MD Probiotic Platinum – It has been formulated by a gastrointestinal doctor (Dr. David Kahana, MD) – an expert in gastrointestinal health. It
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Dr. Ohhira’s Probiotics (Original Formula)
Dr. Ohhira’s Probiotic Supplement is a health and wellness product that has a lot of credibility. Unfortunately, it’s let down by the use of a controversial ingredient and by the overinflated price.
On the plus side, the capsules are nice and small. Most people will find them very easy to take.
Unfortunately, the price is not so easy to swallow. Using Dr. Ohhira’s Probiotic Supplement is going to entail a cost of close to $2.50 per day.
The probiotics in the capsules are fermented for three years, alongside prebiotics, organic acids, nutrients, and enzymes that aid digestion.
It’s actually quite an impressive product that provides 12 strains of friendly bacteria and is only 900 Million CFU (culture forming units).
Most probiotic supplements contain one to several billion CFU. The fact that this one does not should lessen the chances of initial side effects and allow it to be easier on the stomach.
Dr. Ohhira also has a second version of the product. It’s called Dr. Ohhira’s Probiotics Professional Formula. The only difference is the probiotics are fermented for five years instead of three.
Dr. Ohhira’s Probiotics Benefits
- Balances and supports your unique personal bacterial fingerprint
- Maintains healthy digestive function and intestinal pH
- Relieve occasional gas and heartburn
- Aids nutrient absorption from food and supplements
- Support healthy immune system response
- Provides live, viable bacteria (never freeze-dried)
- Convenient blister-packed capsules that remain stable at room temperature
Manufacturer Credibility
Dr. Ohhira Probiotics is a respected brand that provides probiotic supplements and cosmeceuticals developed by Dr. Iichiroh Ohhira.
Dr. Ohhira was a renowned Japanese microbiologist who was considered a visionary in the field of microbiology and biochemistry. He died in 2016, at 80-years-old.
How Does Dr. Ohhira’s Supplement Compare to Other Probiotic Products?
Dr. Ohhira’s Probiotic Supplement differs from the alternatives in many ways. For one thing, it’s an extremely high-quality supplement that takes several years to make.
It’s also a probiotic that does not require refrigeration. That’s another favorable point.
The low CFU (in comparison with most other probiotics) also makes this product a little different.
Don’t make the mistake of thinking it’s always a case of the more the better. Dr. Ohhira’s Probiotic Supplement contains some very good strains that release a lot of beneficial compounds during the fermentation process.
However, regardless of its many virtues, it’s still hard to justify the high price. That’s something that makes it different from a lot of the alternatives as well and not in a way that will entice people to buy.
The formulation also contains carrageenan. That’s something that’s going to put a lot of people off. We’ll explain more about that later on in this Dr. Ohhira’s Probiotic supplement review.
Some other similar supplements that Dr. Ohhira’s Probiotic compares with are Nature’s Bounty, Plexus Probio 5 and Gundry Total Restore.
Dr. Ohhira’s Probiotic Supplement Ingredient Profile and Value
As you can see, this is anything but a simple probiotic formulation. It contains prebiotics as well. More interestingly, it has postbiotic compounds too.
Many alternative products have prebiotics. The postbiotics are an unusual addition that develops naturally in this product during the long fermentation period.
Proprietary Fermented Food Concentrate
This is an interesting blend of fruits, vegetables, and mushrooms. It has some seaweed as well.
All the inclusions are nutritious and some of the seaweed extracts will provide iodine, which supports good thyroid health and may assist with weight-loss.
However, this prebiotic fermented food concentrate is included to feed the probiotic bacteria during the fermentation period and when it finally arrives in the gut. It should serve that purpose very well.
Probiotics
Dr. Ohhira’s Probiotic Supplement contains 12 probiotic strains. All of them are good. There isn’t any dead weight.
Let’s take a look at the things some of them can do.
Bifobacteria Breve
Bifobacteria Breve is probiotic bacteria that’s crucial for good health. It has antimicrobial capabilities that help the body to fight disease and can be good for rectifying gastrointestinal disorders.
Some studies show Bifobacteria Breve can also relieve allergy symptoms. It’s a well-studied bacteria strain that offers value in many areas and plays a key role in supporting good health.
Bifobacteria Longum
Bifobacteria Longum is another multi-functional probiotic that has been subjected to a decent amount of research. It’s good for relieving intestinal disorders and supporting healthy immune function.
Lactobacilli Brevis
Research shows Lactobacilli Brevis supports the activity of natural killer (NK) cells in older adults. These cells destroy pathogens and help prevent the growth of cancer cells.
Streptococcus Thermophilus
Streptococcus Thermophilus appears to boost immune response. It also aids nutrients absorption. By doing this, it helps you to get the maximum value from your food.
Lactobacilli Acidiphilus
This is another probiotic that has the benefit of a lot of research behind it. Lactobacilli Acidiphilus aids digestion and helps support overall good health.
One of the many things it does is help the digestive system process lactose and other sugars, turning them into lactic acid.
Lactobacilli Acidiphilus may have value as a treatment for chronic fatigue syndrome. It also seems to offer benefits to the brain and is one of several probiotic strains that may help prevent and/or alleviate depression.
Lactobacilli Plantarum
Again, Dr. Ohhira has chosen another well-researched strain. Lactobacilli Plantarum boosts immune function, alleviates intestinal disorders, and may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Postbiotics
Probiotic bacteria have some interesting abilities. While they are feeding they produce byproducts that can be beneficial to the human-machine.
These “postbiotic” compounds include vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and short-chain fatty acids.
All things considered, you could say Dr. Ohhira’s Probiotic Supplement is a probiotic supplement that offers a little bit more.
How to Use Dr. Ohhira’s Probiotic Supplement
The dose is one capsule, taken twice per day, on an empty stomach, 60-90 minutes before meals.
Potential Side Effects and Other Health Considerations
As with all probiotics, Dr. Ohhira’s Probiotic Supplement has the potential to cause stomach discomfort and other minor side effects but, should such reactions occur, they will probably only last for a few days.
After the body gets used to the presence of extra probiotic bacteria things should settle down.
Dr. Ohhira’s Probiotic Supplement only contains 12 strains of bacteria and each capsule is less than one billion CFU. These are factors that should greatly reduce the chances of side effects.
Unfortunately, there is another issue with this product and you need to be aware of it. Dr. Ohhira’s Probiotic Supplement contains carrageenan. It’s a seaweed extract that is often used as a thickening agent and preservative.
Although the FDA still approves the use of carrageenan in food, it’s a very controversial ingredient and has been since the 1960s, when various safety issues were raised.
Some evidence indicates the ingredient may cause gastrointestinal ulcers and inflammation. It may also increase susceptibility to certain diseases including inflammatory bowel disease and arthritis but evidence to support such claims is limited. That’s possibly why the FDA still permits its use.
However, many people are campaigning to get carrageenan removed from the market and, bearing in mind the many alternatives, it’s hard to understand why Dr. Ohhira chose to use it at all.
As with any other probiotic, Dr. Ohhira’s Probiotic Supplement will not be suitable for people who have weak immune systems.
Women who are pregnant or nursing a child should check with a doctor before using Dr. Ohhira’s Probiotic Supplement. So should people who have any existing health issues or would need to use Dr. Ohhira’s Probiotic alongside their regular medication.
Customer Feedback
Customer reviews are predominantly good. Lots of people are saying the probiotic does what they want it to do. Some people even say they find it “life-changing.”
However, a lot of people complain about the high price and many are equally annoyed about the presence of carrageenan.
The Best Place to Buy Dr. Ohhira’s Probiotics
You can buy Dr. Ohhira’s Probiotic Supplement via the manufacturer’s website. Each box contains 30 capsules and generally retails at $35.95. That may not appear unreasonably expensive at first blush but, at a dose of two capsules per day, a box will only last for 15 days. That means using Dr. Ohhira’s Probiotic Supplement is going to cost over $70 per month and, just in case you are wondering, there is no money-back guarantee.
Dr. Ohhira’s Probiotics Review Conclusion
Love the product but hate the price. Dr. Ohhira’s Probiotic Supplement may have a lot of outstanding qualities but there are cheaper options that can do similar things. You buy a product like this because you want a healthy gut and all the additional benefits that entails. Many routes arrive at the same destination. There is no need to pay through the nose.
The fact that the product contains carrageenan is also a big issue with this product. A lot of people are actively avoiding anything that contains it.
However, carrageenan still has FDA approval. Make of that what you will. In the end, it’s got to come down to a matter of personal choice. You are the only person who can decide if you are happy to consume carrageenan. The same is true for Dr. Ohhira’s Probiotic Supplement.
