Me First Living Probiotic 40 Billion CFU Supplement with MAKTREK Bi-Pass Technology, Triple Strength, Non-GMO, for Men and Women - 60 Capsules

First, I need to disclose I take massively high amounts of probiotics and have for over 6 months dealing with numerous dysbiosis issues in 3 different lower bodily systems which includes the reproductive area. I didn't realize until a few months ago, if you have issues in that area you need one that is geared for vaginal care since a lot of these can't make it past the gut so you're not even treating what you need it. You also might need much larger quantities than the dosage if you are really struggling. My issues have been resistant to any treatment, and after a month and a half of constant failed attempts I decided to go the alternative route. I was getting concerned about a month and a half of antibiotics as well, because that actually created an even bigger problem. It wasn't until I started taking large amounts of probiotics several times a day that I started to see improvement. I did that instead of killing everything off since that wasn't working for me. My skin has never looked better. I'm over 40, and I can honestly say that it is from the probiotics. I used to have breakouts here and there and big breakouts during massive issues in my life and I can't believe how beautiful my skin is. I will never stop taking probiotics. Anyway, because I'm taking such large amounts and for a long period of time I can't tell you if this one is any better than all the others. All I can say is my results are the same and fabulous, and I am not having any negative problems. Be mindful if you're just starting out on probiotics you might have some discomforts and issues for a few weeks while it works on things and your body adjusts. Sometimes they add things in there that can irritate things as well. I don't have any complaints.

I was diagnosed with IBS nearly 4 decades ago and need to take daily probiotics and fiber supplements to help manage my symptoms. In general one probiotics supplement works as well as another for me regardless of the number of bacteria strains or the CFU count. There have been exceptions here and there but for the most part, they all seem to work about the same--except for gummy probiotics which don't do anything whatsoever. Probiotic bacteria need to be alive to do anything in your gut and the whole gummy delivery system isn't good for keeping bacteria alive.As a general rule of thumb when looking for a probiotic you want a little variety in terms of strains--somewhere between 3 and 5 is generally a good number. When you get into a double-digit number of bacteria strains many doctors believe the supplement may do more harm than good so I would consult with your doctor before using a probiotic containing that kind of number.Capsule or powder form is also strongly preferable to hard tablet form because the process involved with making tablets involves chemicals and heat that kill the good bacteria needed for a probiotic to be effective.In independent verification by a recognized third-party lab is also great if you can find it but expect to pay four or five times as much as you would for supplements without that verification. The GMP stamp means nothing--anyone can put that on their product and when a bottle claims to be independently tested instead of including the logo from an established testing company that is also completely meaningless.Since this isn't a $50 probiotic there was no independent lab testing which is to be expected with any probiotic at this price point but these do work which is ultimately all that matters to me. The label lists 4 different probiotic bacteria strains which is a good number. Maktrek B-Pass Technology is probably a gimmick but it supposedly prevents the bacteria from being destroyed in your stomach and allows it to survive all the way to your digestive tract which is where the probiotic bacteria need to work. I say that Maktrek B-Pass Technology is probably a gimmick because I see it listed on many brands of cheap probiotics so either the Maktrek Technology adds very little to production costs or it doesn't exist except as something else to slap on the label.The bottle lists 40 billion CFU per two capsules when generally 10-20 billion CFU is considered more than adequate for most people. That means you can probably take one of these per day instead of the two recommended on the label (which is what I've been doing) and make this 30-day bottle last for two months.Me First Living Probiotics works and that's what ultimately matters when choosing this type of product.

Let me start off by saying that I'm EXTREMELY particular with probiotics. I've got IBS and an extremely sensitive stomach, so I've got specific needs that this probiotic doesn't meet. Luckily, I got this for my husband that's got a normal GI tract. Overall this is an average probiotic with some good and some just ok-ish aspects to it. Let's start with the good. The MAKTREK Bi-Pass Technology is one of the most important things that a probiotic needs. Probiotics work in the intestines, so they need to get through the stomach and into the intestines before the capsules start to break down. If they don't have this technology and the capsules break down in the stomach acid, they're basically useless to you. They come in a solid colored bottle that protects the capsules from light and oxygen, which is important. Now onto the just ok-ish stuff. This formulation has below the recommended minimums for probiotics, which are at least 50 billion CFU's and 10 probiotic strains. This is close in regards to CFU's at 40 billion, but greatly lacking with only 4 probiotic strains. More strains are recommended to give you more effective results. Then there is the dosage. This bottle contains a 30 day supply when you take 2 a day. The directions say to take one during the day and one in the evening. That right there tells me that the product is not as effective as suggested because you have to take 2 a day. A truly potent and highly effective probiotic should have the least amount of fillers possible in it and you should only need 1 per day, taken in the morning. Overall this is an average quality probiotic, but not worth the $25 price tag. You can get a higher quality probiotic for the same price and get better results. I'd pass on this and keep looking for a better one.