If you’re looking for a decent probiotic, you understand the benefits it can have for your digestive health. You may be the type of person who is drawn in by company reputation – but this Align Probiotic review proves popularity isn’t always a good indicator…
Probiotic supplements have gained immense popularity in recent years as people become more conscious of their gut health and overall well-being. There are plenty of different, high-quality ones out there, too – we are a little spoilt for choice.
Align Probiotic is one of the lead probiotics out there, with its claims to promote digestive health and balance gut bacteria. However, before we pick our probiotics, it’s important that we consider all the variables at work. Because, as we know, popular doesn’t always mean good – and, with Align Probiotic, popular really doesn’t mean good.
Quick Verdict
Overall, Align Probiotic falls short in various areas, especially considering some of the genuinely brilliant probiotic supplements out there.
Its limited formula with only one strain of bacteria, mixed reviews about its efficacy, and high cost makes it a poor choice. I don’t know why anybody would bother with it.
There are plenty of probiotics on the market that give you a far more comprehensive approach to digestive health and offer better value for money.
What is Align Probiotic?
Align Probiotic is a dietary supplement that aims to improve gut health and overall wellness. It contains the beneficial bacteria strain Bifidobacterium longum subsp. longum 35624, also known as B. longum 35624, which has been clinically studied and shown to have positive effects on digestive health.
B. longum 35624 works by replenishing the natural balance of beneficial bacteria in the gut – as all probiotics should. The theory is sound thus far.
Your gut is home to a complex ecosystem of bacteria, and when the balance is disrupted, it can lead to digestive issues. In fact, it can lead to far worse – think of any health concern going and it is probably impacted in some way by your gut health.
This isn’t hyperbole. Your microbiome, or the sum of all the good bacteria in your body, really does make that much difference. Taking a probiotic like Align Probiotic can help redress this.
Align Probiotic is made by Procter & Gamble (P&G), a multinational consumer goods company well-known for producing a wide range of popular household products, including cleaning supplies, personal care items, and healthcare products.
Founded in 1837, P&G has grown to become one of the largest and arguably most trusted companies in the world – though how far you can trust such a megalith is up for debate, of course. P&G’s commitment to research and development has allowed them to create effective and reliable solutions for many different consumer needs. Unfortunately, they haven’t managed that here.
Alongside their well-known household brands, P&G also offers a line of health and wellness products. This, of course, includes Align Probiotic.
As a reputable and established company, you would expect P&G to ensure that Align Probiotic goes through rigorous testing and quality control measures to meet the highest standards. This should ensure that consumers can have confidence in the safety and effectiveness of Align Probiotic.
Well, it’s all partly there. Align Probiotic is in many ways a decent product. It is available in capsule form and can be taken once a day to improve overall gut health and daily wellness. It is a trusted and effective solution for those seeking relief from occasional digestive upsets.
By introducing beneficial bacteria into the gut, it helps restore the natural balance of gut flora and provides relief from discomfort.
But there is a lot missing. Literally, there is a lot missing. As we’ll see, it skimps on the ingredients, harshly undermining its own efficacy and value for money.
How does Align Probiotic work?
Align Probiotic is designed to improve gut health and overall wellness. It should do this to a certain extent. However, do note it may not be the right choice for everyone. This is putting it mildly. Actually, I can’t think of anyone for whom it might be the right choice…
Whilst it contains a clinically studied strain of highly beneficial bacteria in B. longum 35624, there are some drawbacks and limitations to its use that may impact or even completely undermine its effectiveness.
Firstly, as we have seen, the active ingredient in Align Probiotic is Bifidobacterium longum subsp. longum 35624. This is its only active ingredient. While clinical studies have shown that this particular strain has positive effects on digestive health, it is important to remember that everyone’s gut microbiome is unique.
This means that not everyone may respond to the supplement in the same way, and some individuals may require different probiotic strains to achieve optimal gut health. Because of this, I usually like to see a range of strands included in any one supplement.
But no, Align Probiotic only contains one strain of beneficial bacteria. While this may be sufficient for some users, it is generally a good idea to use a broad-spectrum probiotic supplement that contains multiple strains of bacteria. Different strains of bacteria have different benefits – using a single strain will likely not provide anything like the comprehensive support for gut health that Align Probiotic claims to represent.
In addition, Align Probiotic may take some time to produce noticeable results. Clinical studies of the product showed that it took up to four weeks for participants to see any kind of improvements in digestive health (lucky them – I spent six weeks taking it and didn’t see any improvements. See below).
This means that it may not be the best choice for those of you who are seeking immediate relief from digestive discomfort or irregularity.
Align Probiotic is also expensive – eye-wateringly so, for such a feeble product. While the cost may be justified for similar supplements whose makers do their work and give you what you need, there is simply no justifying that cost here.
Finally, you may experience side effects when taking Align Probiotic. I did, and I generally tolerate supplements, especially probiotics, quite well. It may lead to mild digestive discomfort, such as bloating or gas, particularly during the first few days of use. Additionally, the capsules are relatively large, which can make them difficult to swallow for some individuals.
But I’m getting ahead of myself. For now, just know that it’s a sub-par, lightly dosed probiotic that comes with a ridiculously inflated price tag.
Align Probiotic ingredients
This is an easy list to write. As we have seen, Align Probiotic contains only a single strain of probiotic bacteria, Bifidobacterium longum subsp. longum 35624. While this bacterial strain has been clinically studied and shown to have positive effects on digestive health, the lack of additional probiotic strains in this product is a massive and unfortunate limitation.
This is particularly bad as it’s so easy to find broad-spectrum probiotic supplements that contain multiple strains of bacteria. This is because different strains of bacteria have different benefits and work together to support overall gut health. Without a diverse blend of probiotic strains, Align Probiotic may not provide comprehensive support for gut health.
It isn’t only a lack of ingredients that undercuts Align Probiotic. It contains plenty of non-active ingredients that may not be suitable for all users.
These include microcrystalline cellulose, hypromellose, sucrose, magnesium stearate, and milk protein. The presence of milk protein is particularly odd as it’s unneeded and inappropriate for those who are lactose intolerant or have a dairy allergy.
Sucrose can be an issue for those of us who wish to avoid sugar in their diet. While the amount of sucrose in each capsule is likely minimal, it is still worth considering for those who are particularly sensitive to sugar. It’s a silly choice.
The capsules are made from hypromellose, a semi-synthetic polymer derived from cellulose. While hypromellose is generally considered safe for consumption, it is not a natural or organic material, which may be an issue for those of us who prefer to use products that are made from natural or sustainably sourced ingredients.
It’s a short and slightly baffling list. There really is nothing here for anyone looking for a high-quality, comprehensive probiotic supplement. Its lack of additional probiotic strains and inclusion of various other ingredients such as milk protein, sucrose, and hypromellose undercuts it entirely.
Using Align Probiotic
I always love a good probiotic – I’ve suffered with digestive issues on and off over the years and have a full and healthy respect for what a good probiotic can do for you. I was therefore very happy to give Align Probiotic a try. I had heard positive reviews about its ability to improve gut health and alleviate discomfort.
However, after giving it a fair shot (and I really did, despite my puzzlement when reading the ingredients list), I have to say that Align Probiotic didn’t really work for me.
I started taking Align Probiotic as directed, hoping that it would give the positive changes it promised. The packaging boasted about its clinically studied strain of Bifidobacterium longum and the benefits it could provide. I had low expectations, of course, but unfortunately even those were not met.
There was no change in how I felt. My digestive health didn’t improve, nor did I experience any of the numerous benefits I would usually expect to find with any good probiotic supplement.
While the single strain of bacteria included in Align Probiotic’s formula may be clinically studied and have positive effects for some, a broader spectrum of probiotic strains would have been more effective. It certainly couldn’t be less. It felt limiting to rely on just one strain, especially when the best probiotic supplements on the market offer a wider variety.
This is all whilst paying through the nose. Align Probiotic is not a cheap supplement. In fact, it’s rather a rip-off compared to other probiotic supplements available. I had hoped that the investment would be worth it, considering the manufacturer’s and the product’s many health claims. However, I didn’t find anything to justify the high price tag.
I also experienced some side effects while taking Align Probiotic. Although they were relatively mild, I noticed an increase in bloating and gas after starting the supplement. While these side effects may be temporary and dissipate over time, they were nonetheless uncomfortable and added to my overall dissatisfaction with the product. What’s the point in the side effects if the main benefits were so elusive?
All this and I took it for six weeks. That’s more than enough time to expect results in – it’s as fair a chance as any for a supplement to prove its mettle.
Basically, it’s an expensive way to give yourself gas without any benefit whatsoever.
Alternatives
Don’t buy Align Probiotic. Yourbiology is a much better bet. With its carefully selected blend of probiotic strains, high-quality ingredients, and positive customer reviews, Yourbiology offers a comprehensive solution for anyone looking for improved gut health and overall well-being.
One of the main advantages of Yourbiology is its broad-spectrum formula. Unlike Align Probiotic, Yourbiology uses several strains that work synergistically to support gut health. This means that Yourbiology addresses a wider range of digestive issues and provides a more comprehensive approach to improving the balance of gut bacteria.
The carefully selected blend in Yourbiology includes popular and extensively studied strains like Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium lactis, and Lactobacillus rhamnosus, among others.
Each of these strains has been shown to have specific health benefits, such as supporting digestion, boosting immunity, and improving nutrient absorption, alongside the broader wellbeing benefits offered by a generally improved microbiome.
By combining these strains, Yourbiology ensures that users receive a diverse array of health benefits for their digestive system and overall wellness.
Yourbiology also emphasises high-quality, natural ingredients. In an age of turning away from highly processed foods, this is a must – it is a big deal to me and, I suspect, will be to many consumers. It’s completely free from artificial additives, fillers, and preservatives, which makes it a healthier choice for those of us who quite rightly prioritize clean and natural products.
Yourbiology is smart in its design, too. It uses a delayed-release capsule to protect the probiotic strains from stomach acids, ensuring that they reach the intestines intact and maximizes their effectiveness.
This is a big deal – it’s often what can make inferior probiotic products pretty much useless. Getting the probiotic strains through the stomach is just about the best thing they can do for improving overall efficacy.
All this, and it’s far cheaper than Align Probiotic. There is no competition. None at all.
And if you’re not happy? Well… The manufacturer is devoted to transparency and customer satisfaction, and also offers a money-back guarantee. They can afford to – they are rightly confident that you will like it.
Yourbiology beats Align Probiotic in pretty much every area going. Its broad-spectrum formula, high-quality ingredients, positive customer reviews, affordability, and commitment to customer satisfaction make it a far, far better choice for anybody seeking to improve their gut health.
Skip Align Probiotic and go straight for the good stuff – and save yourself some money in the process.
Final verdict
Align Probiotic is kind of pants. It falls well short of the mark – it’s uneffective at what it’s meant to do, presents a list of side effects that you could really do without (especially given that they come with no benefit whatsoever), and you pay a ridiculous amount of money for it.
There really is nothing to recommend it – I cannot see why anybody would buy it except out of understandable ignorance. You don’t have that excuse. You’re in the know – please don’t buy it.
There are plenty of really, really good, far more affordable alternatives out there. For my money (and with my money), I would go with something like Yourbiology. It’s everything that Align Probiotic should be. It’s everything that a good probiotic supplement should be.
