Florastor vs Culturelle

Probiotic supplements are designed to provide beneficial bacteria that can help to maintain the health and normal functioning of the digestive system. However, not all probiotic supplements are the same. Different products may use different strains and ingredients, and different strains may provide different benefits and potential side effects. Two of the most popular probiotic supplements on the market right now are Florastor vs Culturelle. So, what are the differences between the two supplements?

The Strains
Florastor and Culturelle use different strains, hence they may offer different benefits. Florastor contains Saccharomyces boulardii, and is said to be beneficial for intestinal health and treating diarrhea, particularly the diarrhea caused by an antibiotic. Saccharomyces boulardii is a tropical yeast species that is usually used to introduce beneficial active cultures to the small and large intestine and also to provide protection against pathogenic microorganisms. This species has been shown to be nonpathogenic and nonsystemic, as they remain in the gastrointestinal tract without spreading to other areas.

On the other hand, Culturelle use Lactobacillus rhamnosus. This supplement is said to be beneficial for digestive health, immunity, and treating auto-immune conditions. Studies have shown that Lactobacillus rhamnosus is very useful for treating female-related infections. It is able to regain control over dysbiotic bacterial overgrowth during an active infection. However, it may not be beneficial for a small group of people, most particularly people with weakened immune system and infants.

The Formulas
Florastor vs Culturelle have different formulas, and they each offer unique benefits. Florastor is gluten-free, but it is not certified to be free from sugar, lactose, and dairy. In addition, it only contains probiotic. It does not provide prebiotic that can promote the growth of the healthy bacteria. One great thing about Florastor is that it can be taken at the same time with an antibiotic.

Note that Florastor may contain sugar and lactose. These substances may worsen diarrhea symptoms, especially on kids. You should avoid this supplement if you have high sugar levels, lactose intolerance, or dairy allergy.

On the other hand, Culturelle is certified to be gluten-free, lactose-free, and non-dairy. So, this supplement can be your choice if you have to avoid gluten, lactose, or dairy products. Note that Culturelle is not entirely sugar-free; it does contain sucrose, albeit in a very small amount. Furthermore, Culturelle should not be taken with an antibiotic. It should be taken 1 – 3 hours before or after taking an antibiotic.

Effectiveness
Florastor for kids should be taken once or twice daily. The supplement comes in packets that allow you to easily mix it with other foods or drinks. Florastor has mostly positive reviews. Most users say that Florastor is useful for relieving diarrhea and occasional digestive upsets on kids. However, some other people say that Florastor doesn’t work for their kids.

On the other hand, Culturelle is recommended to be taken once daily. It also comes in neat packets. There are users who say that Culturelle is more effective than Florastor in relieving digestive problems on kids. This is probably because of the ability of Lactobacillus rhamnosusto slow down and take over the growth of pathogenic bacteria.

Conclusion
For relieving symptoms caused by an antibiotic, Florastor is more recommended. It is useful for relieving antibiotic-related diarrhea. You can take it at the same time as an antibiotic. However, for other stomach problems, Culturelle is more effective. Culturelle is gluten-free, lactose-free, and non-dairy.