Frequently Asked Questions
Dr. Axe Answers 

Ancient Nutrition co-founder, chiropractor, clinical nutritionist and certified doctor of natural medicine is here to answer your questions!

What does Bacillus subtilis do? 

Bacillus subtilis can manage the harsh stomach acid environment, allowing it to get to the digestive system and colonize its beneficial bacteria. Bacillus subtilis is truly a hardy, tough probiotic that is resilient and highly adaptable.

Do I need to refrigerate these probiotics? 

No, you do not need to refrigerate SBO Probiotics Ultimate because the strains are shelf stable. Our shelf-stable probiotics arrive active and can survive at room temperature without refrigeration.

Why should I give my gut extra support? 

Fact: Most Americans don’t consume enough probiotics in their diet due to modern processed foods, soil depletion and more. I believe most people are in need of probiotic support. 

Here’s why: Thanks to prescription antibiotics, high carbohydrate diets, fluoridated tap water and high levels of stress, the good bacteria in our guts are often diminished, and our bodies can't replace them at the rate required for optimal health.

Many of probiotics’ health benefits are gut- and digestion-related, so here are a few key reasons why gut health, in general, is so important to overall health:

  • Up to 80% of the immune system is housed in the gut.
  • Between 80% to 90% percent of the body’s serotonin, often referred to as a “feel good” or “happy chemical” which acts as a neurotransmitter, is found in the gut. Serotonin is thought to have many effects on the body, including the areas of digestion, sleep, memory, behavior and more.
  • Every bodily cell, tissue and organ depend on proper nutrient absorption and assimilation of food through healthy digestion, and, generally speaking, probiotics can play a supporting role in that.

What is the right amount of CFUs to be getting every day? 

It varies. For most people, I recommend a CFU count anywhere between 25 to 100 billion. This probiotic formula features 50 billion CFU* per serving. *at time of manufacture

What should I look for in a gut supplement? 

There are four specific things to consider when selecting a probiotic supplement:

  1. SBOs and Shelf-Stable: Make sure your probiotic supplement includes soil-based probiotics (SBOs) and is shelf-stable, meaning it doesn’t need to be refrigerated. While it might seem odd to "eat dirt," SBOs are truly probiotic superstars. They’re some of the same strains your ancestors took in while foraging and eating fruits and veggies straight out of the garden.
  2. Strain Diversity: Look for a probiotic supplement with strain diversity, not just one type.
  3. Survivability: Look for strains such asBacillus coagulans, Saccharomyces boulardii, Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus clausiiand other similar hardy cultures.
  4. Probiotics, prebiotics and postbiotics: To support the growth of probiotics once they get into your system, I believe it's important to choose a formula that incorporates prebiotics and postbiotics, too. Prebiotics act as fertilizer for probiotics. Postbiotics are the metabolites (enzymes and organic acids)) created by probiotics. By implementing all three, these probiotics can deliver a trifecta effect.

What is the complete list of organic botanicals in this product? 

One of the premium features of SBO Probiotic is the superfood botanical blend.

  • Ginger (root)
  • Turmeric (root)
  • Apple Cider Vinegar
  • Black Pepper Fruit
  • Turmeric Root CO2 Extract
  • Black Pepper Fruit Oil
Are these made without dairy? 

These probiotics are made without dairy — we removed the Lactobacilli strains found in the original formulation.

Generally, what makes soil-based probiotics different from other types of bacteria and yeasts? 

Soil-based organisms are often stronger than other forms of bacteria since they don’t require refrigeration (meaning they’re “shelf-stable”) or any special handling. They can generally survive the journey through the stomach to the intestines. 

Soil-based organisms are typically able to “seed” the digestive tract with beneficial bacteria which can grow and flourish to support health, including supporting healthy digestion and a healthy immune system.†