After reading "The Maker's Diet" about five years or so ago we began using this product. I always seemed to have an upset stomach after dinner. Years earlier I had been treated from an Ulcer and so was always on the lookout for something to counter stomach acid after eating - the cure was some strong antibiotics that killed some bacteria I had in my stomach. Before that diagnosis and cure I had tried a couple of pharmaceutical antacid approaches to what I mistakenly thought was excess stomach acid but while they reduced stomach acid (heartburn) they seemed to also have unwanted side effects. Again, the Ulcer was caused by the bad stomach and intestinal bacteria and the cure was a strong targeted antibiotic ...which I knew would also kill all the other possibly good bacteria in my gut...and so the notion behind this Probiotic was replenishing your gut with what is suppose to be good bacteria. It does work and it seems to be one of the keys to a good immune system and health. I know this, when we stop taking this probiotic within a few days we begin to notice how we are more lethargic and don't seem to digest our food as well