Strain by strain
The strain dossier.
Ten strains, ten jobs. For each one below: why it’s in the bottle, whether it survives your stomach, whether it sticks around, and what studies have actually shown.
Lacticaseibacillus casei
Lc-11®
Digestive Diversity
The steady all-rounder. It’s here for everyday digestion rather than one specific issue.
Survives your stomachHandles stomach acid and bile well, per our supplier’s lab testing.
Where it goesGrips onto human gut-lining cells in lab tests.
What studies foundOnly studied as part of a blend so far, so there’s no solo dose to point to.
Lactobacillus acidophilus
La-14®
Women's Health
One of the best-studied acidophilus strains, and a long-time pick for women’s formulas.
Survives your stomachPasses our supplier’s acid and bile testing.
Where it goesGrips onto human gut-lining cells in lab tests.
What studies foundStudied in blends so far — often paired with a strain called HN001. No solo dose established.
Lacticaseibacillus paracasei
Lpc-37®
Mind-Gut Support
The stress one. Studied for how people cope with everyday stress, and for digestive comfort in kids.
Survives your stomachTested against acid, bile, and your digestive enzymes.
Where it goesTurns up in stool testing afterwards, so we know it makes the trip.
What studies foundLinked to feeling less stressed at 17 billion CFU a day, and to digestive health in children at 2 billion a day.
Ligilactobacillus salivarius
Ls-33®
Immune Support
The good gripper. It holds on well in the gut and has a modest link to immune support.
Survives your stomachHandles the acid and bile levels found in your gut.
Where it goesMakes the trip through, and holds on tightly to gut-lining cells in lab tests.
What studies foundMostly studied in blends. One study links 20 billion CFU a day to higher IgA — an antibody that lives in your gut lining.
Lactiplantibacillus plantarum
Lp-115®
Metabolic Health
The blood sugar one. Studied for supporting healthy blood sugar in women after menopause.
Survives your stomachHandles acid and bile, per our supplier’s safety paperwork.
Where it goesShown to stick to the mucus lining of the human gut in published research (Collado et al., 2007).
What studies foundA 2014 study linked 1 billion CFU a day to better blood sugar readings in post-menopausal women, compared with where they started.
Bifidobacterium lactis
Bl-04®
Immune Support
The immune workhorse — the most studied single Bifidobacterium strain for respiratory health in adults.
Survives your stomachPasses acid and bile testing (deposit number SD5219).
Where it goesFound in stool testing after people take it, so it gets where it’s going (Forssten et al., 2020).
What studies foundThis one stands on its own, not just in a blend: an immune benefit at 2 billion CFU a day.
What it’s been shown to do
Helps keep your breathing and nasal defenses healthy, supports a healthy immune response in active adults, and is built for everyday, year-round use rather than a seasonal fix.
Where it comes from
Sold by our supplier IFF as HOWARU® Protect Adult (HOWARU Bl-04™). Studies cited: West et al., 2014; Turner et al., 2017.
Bifidobacterium bifidum
Bb-06™
Digestive Diversity
Adds another kind of Bifidobacterium to the mix, so the formula covers more ground.
Survives your stomachAcid and bile tolerance on file with our supplier.
Where it goesNo data yet on this strain specifically.
What studies foundOnly studied in blends so far; no solo dose established.
Bifidobacterium longum
Bl-05™
Digestive Diversity
More Bifidobacterium variety, which helps keep your gut mix well-rounded.
Survives your stomachAcid and bile tolerance on file with our supplier.
Where it goesNo data yet on this strain specifically.
What studies foundOnly studied in blends so far; no solo dose established.
Bifidobacterium breve
Bb-18™
Digestive Diversity
A newer addition that widens the formula’s Bifidobacterium coverage.
Survives your stomachAcid and bile tolerance on file with our supplier.
Where it goesNo data yet on this strain specifically.
What studies foundNo studies yet — on its own or in a blend.
Lactobacillus bulgaricus
Lb-87
Digestive Diversity
The yogurt culture. A small amount rounds out the formula.
Survives your stomachAcid and bile tolerance on file with our supplier.
Where it goesNo data yet on this strain specifically.
What studies foundOnly studied in blends so far; no solo dose established.
Strain details come from our supplier IFF’s technical memos, safety statements, and HOWARU® benefit sheets on file.
