ProbioSlim

What Is ProbioSlim?

ProbioSlim from Force Factor is a probiotic containing a blend of ingredients that will allegedly improve digestion and support weight loss.

In fact, according to their site, taking 1 capsule of ProbioSlim twice daily will:

• Relieve diarrhea
• Reduce Constipation
• Alleviate gas
• Minimize bloating
• Increase the growth of beneficial bacteria
• Reduce harmful bacteria
• Support weight loss

This is a tall order for any supplement, though these claims are not unusual for those that include probiotics.

These are the friendly bacteria that form your microbiome - the network of microorganisms within your gut. Probiotics differ from harmful bacteria in that they can offer a wide variety of health benefits.

ProbioSlim claims to support the actions of their probiotic with other ingredients to offer the maximum benefits.

In this article, we’ll dive into the scientific support for ProbioSlim’s ingredients to see if there is any merit to Force Factor’s claims.

What Are the Ingredients?

While the probiotic is the star of this supplement, there are many ingredients Force Factor includes in supporting roles. The combination of these ingredients may contribute to ProbioSlim’s proposed benefits.

Each capsule of ProbioSlim contains a total of 541mg of their Whole Health Superblend:

LactoSpore Bacillus Coagulans

This probiotic is thought to improve diarrhea, constipation, gas, and bloating. While the company shares the specific strain in their supplement, they do not detail the quantity they include.

We can get a sense of what this strain has to offer from the handful of available studies, though we are unable to determine if ProbioSlim has a large enough dose to be effective.

Force Factor claims that LactoSpore is designed to survive the harsh environment of your stomach to get to the intestines and exert its benefits. This seems to be in line with the scientific support for this strain.

A recent randomized trial demonstrated the ability of LactoSpore to improve symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in subjects with depression.

Those treated with LactoSpore at a daily dose of 2 billion CFU over 3-months improved digestive symptoms and reduced lab values for inflammation.

Though limited, there is available support for the proposed actions of LactoSpore. Keep in mind that although benefits were seen in subjects with Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), this does not necessarily mean that healthy individuals will benefit from use.

Green Tea Leaf Complex

Used for centuries in natural medicine, it Green Tea Lead Complex may boost energy and spark weight loss.

These effects are likely related to its caffeine and catechin content.

The combination of 200mg of caffeine and green tea at 90, 200, 300, and 400mg doses up to 3x daily all seemed to boost energy expenditure to the same degree. This illustrates that large doses of green tea are not needed to achieve this benefit.

The combination of 500mg of green tea and exercise improved body weight, BMI, waist to hip ratio, and body fat percentage more than exercise alone.

While the weight loss and energy benefits of green tea seem clear, Force factor doesn’t share details for how much of this supplements is inside ProbioSlim

Caffeine

One of the most commonly used substances worldwide, the inclusion of caffeine in ProbioSlim may help boost energy, combat fatigue, and support weight loss.

These effects are well-studied.

Caffeine at 3 mg/kg body weight doses given before physical activity resulted in more fat burning in healthy subjects. Doses at 3-6mg/kg body enhanced performance during endurance exercise.

A recent review of 13 studies found that caffeine can promote weight, BMI, and body fat reductions. Lastly, you may also be able to better maintain weight loss success by consuming caffeine.

Caffeine has a proven ability to boost energy and support weight loss; ProbioSlim offers 2 forms of caffeine but does not detail the quantity of either.

Prebiotic Fruit Extract

Kiwi, fig, and papaya extracts are included in ProbioSlim to act as a source of food to fuel LactoSpore.

Prebiotics are non-digestible substances or fiber that can improve health by stimulating the activity of probiotics.

But they may offer more than just support for probiotics.

Prebiotics may play a role in increasing the digestions and absorption of nutrients, decreasing harmful bacteria, reducing allergies, and improving immune function.

Safety and Side Effects

Serious side effects are extremely rare in probiotic supplements. You are most likely to experience mild side effects like abdominal pain, gas, bloating, and diarrhea.

These symptoms are relieved by lowering your dose or discontinuing use.

ProbioSlim is also a stimulant-containing supplement. As it offers 2 forms of caffeine, the risk for unwanted effects may be greater.

The FDA warns against rapidly consuming 1,200mg of caffeine, as this can cause seizures. Additionally, 400mg daily is understood to be the safest use of caffeine.

As Force Factor does not share the total caffeine content, consuming this supplement, along with your normal coffee, soda, and tea regimen, may put you in an unsafe range.

Consuming excess caffeine may result in restlessness, nausea, agitation, rapid heart rate, and elevated blood pressure.

For these reasons, be cautious with ProbioSlim and similar products. Always ask your physician about safety concerns before using probiotics. Consume probiotics only in the ways that are recommended.

What Does ProbioSlim Cost?

You can pick up your ProbioSlim online at Walmart and Amazon - their 60ct (1-month supply) is available for $53.56 or $35.76, respectively.

Naturally, this means that Amazon is the more cost-effective choice. Also, as Probioslim is prime eligible, you can take advantage of the free shipping and returns.

According to their site, your purchases are backed by a 30-day guarantee.

To process your return, simply call 1-800-429-0415 for an RMA number. The RMA number should be attached to the outside of your package and returned to:

Force Factor, 105 Commerce Dr, Aston, PA 19014

Alternatives

A quick internet search will reveal the vast number of combined pre and probiotic supplements similar to ProbioSlim that are currently available.

Complete Prebiotic & Probiotic from Olympian Labs is a great example. A 1-month supply is currently $21.99 at the Vitamin Shoppe.

This blend provides 25 billion CFU in each capsule and is more cost-effective than ProbioSlim.

You may also save money by purchasing your pre and probiotic supplements separately.

Lastly, you can obtain pre and probiotics naturally from consuming a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and fermented foods like yogurt, sauerkraut, kimchi, and kombucha. However, it would be challenging to be certain of which strains and how much you are getting.

The Bottom Line

While ProbioSlim contains ingredients that are backed by research, the company does not share details of the quantity of each.

This makes it impossible to determine if the amount of each ingredient is too little to be effective or how likely you are to experience side effects.

While the unwanted effects of pre and probiotics are mild, those related to excess caffeine can be dangerous. This seems to be reflected in the 3.7 rating at Amazon on over 700 reviews.

Those least happy cite a number of side effects that include hand tremors and digestive issues.

Pricing is another concern. You can save by purchasing at Amazon, but it is still a fairly pricey supplement.

If you’re experiencing symptoms you feel may be relieved by a dietary supplement, your first step should be discussing with your doctor.