Align Probiotic, Probiotics for Women and Men, Daily Probiotic Supplement for Digestive Health*, #1 Recommended Probiotic by Doctors and Gastroenterologists', 28 Capsules

I was skeptical of “supplements” but this one actually worked!

I had heard for years about "probiotics" and "digestion balance" and usually ignored the entire idea that probiotics (ingesting bacteria) would have any effect at all. I have had digestive issues my entire life and recently it developed into Ulcerated Colitis / IBS, a truly debilitating condition. I tried to manage the condition with laxatives and Imodium, as necessary, but this only helped after problems arose and I never knew when an "attack" might come. Then I read an article on the Mayo clinic web site about probiotics which explained the scientific basis for the different strains of bacteria used in various probiotic products. I was looking for some clinical proof that probiotics worked. Most probiotic supplements did not score very high at the Mayo web site but one stood out. It was work that was carried out last year in Ireland at University College Cork and Cork University Hospital on a new strain of bacteria, B. Infantis 35624, that showed amazing results in colon related conditions like IBS and UC. In fact, last year they conducted a clinical trial with B. Infantis 35624 that showed amazing results in reducing inflammation and auto-immune reactions in colon diseases. The peer reviewed paper on the results appeared in the July/August 2013 issue of the Landes Bioscience journal "Gut Microbes". Honestly I was amazed with the results they achieved. The B Infantis microbes had reduced inflammation levels in the colon to normal levels with a corresponding reduction in symptoms. As the paper stated: "Chronic inflammatory diseases such as UC ... are characterized by an over-production of pro-inflammatory cytokines." and "In conclusion, oral administration of a single microbial agent, B. infantis 35624, was sufficient to reduce systemic inflammatory biomarkers in both gastrointestinal and extra-intestinal inflammatory disorders... to normal levels" This was a well designed, peer reviewed clinical study done by a university hospital that essentially showed IBS and UC patients being functionally cured by B. Infantis 35624. Further research led me to the Align supplement (which was actually used in the clinical study) and I purchased a box of 28 capsules. I have to say that part of me still believed that an over-the-counter supplement could not work as well as the FDA approved medications (which have some really horrible side effects). Well, within a few days of starting on Align the bloating seemed to disappear and, by the end of the first week (7 capsules) my diarrhea, constipation and bloating were gone. I could eat normally again without worrying about an IBS "attack". I am now on my second week and feel great, especially without the worry about when I would need to run to the bathroom. So is this a miracle cure for IBS/UC? For me it definitely is. I have my life back again. The paper did indicate that I will have to take one capsule every day from now on to maintain the active levels of the B. Infantis bacteria but it sure beats the other medicines I had to take almost every day. Will it work for you? Well, given that it has really been clinically tested and the results are out there in the medical literature, if you suffer from IBS or UC or just cramping and bloating, spend the $21 to try Align for 4 weeks. The chances are you will be more than happy with the results. And for you folks who think I may be a shill for the manufacturer, look at my other reviews on Amazon and you will see that I call it as I see it, sometimes the good and usually the bad. This time, thankfully, I can write a good review and maybe help other IBS and UC sufferers out there

130 persons found it helpful

Ditch the casing and un-necessary chemicals.

I have dealt with IBS for over five years. I was introduced to Align by my gastroentrologist. I took it for several months with good results and then I started having occular migraines. I stopped the Align for several days, the occular migraines stopped. Then took one again - another occular migraine. In spite of the relief of some of my IBS symptoms that I gained from Align, I had to stop again. Then I read in the reviews about the chemicals in the casing. Evidently the chemicals had built up in my system and reached an overload. It took me several weeks to realize that I could open the capsule empty the ingredients in food and throw away the casing and chemicals. I have done that for about a week now, with no occular migraine. So, I have ordered more Align from Amazon and hopefully, I will be taking it into the future

93 persons found it helpful

Don't give up taking them if you don't see any difference it takes time.

For the last 15 years I've had issues with digestive problems,diereha,bloating,gas.Doctors could not help they took the easy route and said I had IBS. I've tried a number of probiotics which helped a little but did not cure it .Then I was reading about Align and thought I've tried everything else let's try it. I bought the small box of 14 just to try out .The first few days were a bit rough but I figured out it must be doing its thing and from then on it seemed to get better and better only going ones a day instead of 3 or 4 times a day,more energy,sleeping better,and over all feeling 100% better.I highly recommended anyone with the same problems to try it.People say it takes time to work,in that case the best has yet to come as it only took almost 2 weeks to see a big difference Must admit its a little expensive but after 15 years of hell it is worth every penny

87 persons found it helpful

Please do your research first

I'm giving this product three stars only because I didn't do my research before purchasing, and had bad side effects from the active strain of probiotic in Align. I encourage everyone to do their research before buying probiotics. It's important to find the strains that are right for you. After taking this product I began to see my mood change drastically and felt depressed. I also had brain fog so bad at times that I felt as if could fall asleep mid conversation with someone. I thought this could all be from poor sleep or stress at work, but it wasn't until I did my research on probiotics and realized they could be causing my problems. Once I stopped taking this product, I felt normal again. Gut bacteria can directly affect your brain and how you feel

47 persons found it helpful

This little product surprised me

I never expected I would be writing a review for a product like this, especially one that's so personal. But I feel like I need to share my story in hopes that it will help someone else. Over the last year, I have been trying to lose weight (halfway to my goal!). As some weight losers know, there sometimes comes a point during dieting where you can become constipated. About four months ago, I hit that point, which can be very disconcerting for anyone, let alone people trying to lose weight. I also suffer from occasional upsets(stomach pain from gas, potentially IBS, diarrhea, etc.). At my wits end, I decided on a lark to try Align based on the commercials, web searches and reviews here at Amazon. When you first start taking Align, it's recommended that you start tracking how you feel, stomach-wise. It comes with a four week chart, with helpful hints as to what you should expect, especially as you first start trying it. I was a bit concerned that the first week mentions constipation (when you're already suffering from it, the last thing you want to do is make it worse...), but I decided to just give it a try. The first few days, I didn't really notice much of a change. I still had occasional gas pain and the constipation. But as the week went along, I noticed some changes. I stopped following the chart because I'm forgetful and didn't really think about it until I started running out of pills. At that moment, I realized...hey, it'd been a few weeks since I was constipated, my stomach didn't feel upset with me and things were running as they should. But still, I was skeptical and I stopped taking the pills when my four week supply ran out. Within a couple weeks, I started noticing problems starting up again. A week and a half ago or so, I ordered a subscription to Align from Amazon (to get the discount) and within a week, I'm feeling a million times better. I'm more regular than I have been in quite some time, I have absolutely no pain and I'm losing weight again. I went into Align, thinking it was a load of you know what. I figured that I'd give it a chance but I was honestly expecting nothing out of it, except being $25 poorer. Two and a half months later and I'm pretty much a believer. I don't think Align will help everyone; it's obvious here on Amazon that you have a load of people who it's worked for and some it doesn't. But I would recommend that, if you're on the fence like I was, you order a box and give it a try. You've really got nothing to lose and it might just work for you like it has worked for me. It's expensive, but, hey, if it helps me with my weight loss goals and making me feel as great as I do right now, it's worth it

36 persons found it helpful

Weight Loss

I don't have digestive issues (at least I don't think I do); I just decided to try this because I've read a lot lately about the importance of gut health. I started taking it about 5 weeks ago, and to my absolute shock, I've lost almost 10 pounds. This whole pandemic I've been the same weight, haven't gained or lost, and then I start taking this and the pounds are just falling off. I haven't changed my activity level or what I eat, literally the only difference (as far as I know of) is taking this supplement. Amazing! I'm not affiliated with this company in any way. I don't even write reviews that often. But this just seemed like too significant a benefit not to share

27 persons found it helpful

Helps me with severe IBS

I have had severe IBS for about three years. It would fluctuate and be worse sometimes more than others, but it was definitely interfering in my life more often than not. I've had a particularly long stretch of it this year and completely reached my tolerance limit. All the fiber in the world, which doctors recommended again and again, just wasn't going to work. I found the IFFGD website and learned more about changing the way I eat (small meals 4-6 times a day) and the one _proven_ probiotic (all the acidophilus in the world wasn't working, either.) I decided to try one 28-day box of Align at the great price Amazon offers it. I still had disappointing results until near the end of the supply. I decided to try one more month and here I am at six weeks seeing a HUGE difference. There are still things that affect it - too large a meal, for instance - but to go out to breakfast with friends and not have to spend most of the time in the restroom, or having to rush home and run to the bathroom, is HUGE (if I may say it again!) Amazon's offer to set up recurring shipments for a discounted price is unbeatable as far as I've seen. I have one widely circulated coupon and P&G claims to give out coupons in their emailings, though I have not seen this yet. The P&G name, the clinical study, the money-back guarantee, and Amazon's price were all worth the first try for me

26 persons found it helpful

Saved me!

Bought this for some extreme Gastro affects due to my intestines rupturing and partially being removed 4 years ago. I was having massive daily gas and have been really happy this solved it all! I'd dealt with it for years and no probiotics helped, until this. Now I buy and take it regularly. So glad I found this, it's so worth the cost, to me

24 persons found it helpful

Definitely one of my favorite supplements

I've tried half a dozen probiotics before finally giving in and trying Align. I avoided it because it's so damn expensive and I thought it was just a big corporation jumping on the probiotic bandwagon. It's also just one strain so I figured some of the multi strain ones would be better. Turns out this is the best one I've tried. The only other one that had such an immediate and obvious effect is the Digestive Advantage brand. But ultimately DA made me a little constipated and just didn't feel quite right. By all means give it a try if money is an issue since it's much cheaper than Align. I also tried Culturelle which is ok but not nearly as spectacular as Align. Align not only reduces gas but makes it less malodorous. I noticed it working within 24 hours. I can't believe such a tiny pill can make a difference. I've been on it about a month. Last week I started drinking Goodbelly probiotics too. They sell it in the yogurt section and this stuff kicks ass too. With Align and Goodbelly combinded, I'm having WAY less gas. This is awesome. My other favorite supplement is Carlson's Magnesium Glycinate. Great for moods, energy, abnormal heart beats, and it also gives you awesome vivid dreams. (B6 gives awesome dreams too.

20 persons found it helpful

Eventually in my 30's I developed a lump in my throat and my doctor recommended I take Prilosec since a tight throat can be …

I've had stomach problems since my teens. Pain, bloating, etc. Eventually in my 30's I developed a lump in my throat and my doctor recommended I take Prilosec since a tight throat can be indicative of reflux. It worked. Yay. But every time I tried to go off Prilosec my stomach would hurt again. Tried Align for a month when it first came out years ago and it did nothing for me, so I was stuck on Prilosec for 14 years. A few months ago I began reading more about probiotics and decided to give it another try. Who knows why, but this time it worked! No bloating, gas, constipation anymore! And I was brave enough to try to give it a go without Prilosec and I've been Prilosec-free for 2 months now! Give it a try. If it isn't for you and you continue to have stomach issues then maybe give it a second chance. Got my husband started on them too

16 persons found it helpful