FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

What are probiotics?

A probiotic is a live beneficial bacterium that has adapted to survive in the human digestive system. In turn, it provides a health benefit to that person. By definition, to be a true probiotic, it has to be an organism that has evolved to become exposed to a human host through consumption (typically via the food supply); have the capability to naturally survive the harsh environment of the stomach, and have the ability to effectively colonize in the intestines where it provides health benefits. Any bacterium that is unable to naturally survive the harsh environment of the stomach and upper digestive system cannot be a true probiotic.

 

Why are they important?

Studies have shown that the 100 trillion bacteria cells in the digestive system have a profound effect on overall health and wellness. They play a critical role in the digestion and assimilation of nutrients from food. They also protect the body from harmful organisms by strengthening the immune system. They modulate the immune system to help prevent undesired immune responses like allergies, autoimmune, etc. Recent studies also have linked a healthy gut flora to better emotional health, weight control, sexual function, and improved cognitive function.

 

Can’t I get probiotics from food?

Unless you consume specific fermented foods, probiotics are no longer naturally available from food. The food production systems are sterilized in an effort to extend the shelf-life of processed foods; usually three to nine months. This eliminates most of the beneficial bacteria that normally would have been available from the food source. Our ancestors ate and lived off the land. They were exposed to a significant number of environmental bacteria on a daily basis – this includes bacillus spores (those found in Just Thrive®). This is nature’s true design for daily probiotic exposure. Due to the sterilization process, beneficial organisms are no longer naturally available in traditional food sources and so have to be supplemented.

 

I take vitamins. Do I really need Just Thrive®?

Absolutely – Just Thrive® is a critical, daily nutrient and will not interfere with the vitamins you take. In fact, it can be argued that Just Thrive® is even more important than your daily vitamin as Just Thrive® is your only source of these key probiotic strains whereas vitamins can be found in a variety of foods and supplements. Just Thrive® is a necessary nutrient that is not found in the daily diet.

 

Since stress contributes to digestive issues, if I alleviate the stress in my life, will I still need probiotics?

Yes. From processed food and environmental toxins to antibiotics and alcohol usage, the digestive system and the beneficial bacteria that reside there face daily assaults. A daily probiotic like Just Thrive®, which is designed by nature to be a true probiotic, is the best protection you can possibly provide for your body. In addition, your immune system is designed to receive daily stimulation in order to remain primed and ready for action, this is why over 70% of your immune system is found in your digestive tract.

 

Product Information

Why doesn’t Just Thrive® contain any lactobacillus or bifidobacterium species?

There are more than 1,000 different species of bacteria living in each individual, but very few of those are actually probiotics –designed to be consumed on a daily basis in sufficient quantities to illicit a positive health effect. Although lactobacillus and bifidobacterium are among the predominant species of bacteria found naturally in the human intestines, they are not necessarily probiotics because in nature they are never consumed.

The overwhelming numbers of species found in the human digestive tract (which includes lactobacillus and bifidobacterium species) are first transferred from mother to infant during childbirth. That is the only time nature designed them to be introduced into the body. They simply don’t survive outside of the body and certainly cannot survive when re-entering the body through the digestive tract on a daily basis. These species are anaerobes – they need to live in an oxygen-free environment to survive. Nature did not design these strains to be cultivated in factory tanks, encapsulated, and then put in a bottle. That is why most lactobacillus-based probiotic products are found refrigerated in health food stores; the companies are hoping to keep the strains alive. They are very unstable when outside of the body as they are not designed by nature to leave the body and re-enter via oral consumption. Think about it, if they can’t survive at room temperature on the store shelf, how can they survive 98°F and acids in the human stomach? The answer is they simply don’t.

 

I have seen many probiotic products that contain 10 billion or up to 50 billion cells, why does Just Thrive® have just three (3) billion?

It is important to remember that most of the products available with 10 billion or even as high as 100 billion cells are formulated with lactobacillus and bifidobacterium strains, which are strains that are not probiotics by all scientific definitions. Companies that use these non-probiotic strains look to compete with others by simply increasing the cell count in each capsule, but is this effective? Numerous published studies have shown that no matter how many billions of cells you have of lactobacillus and bifidobacterium species, they simply do not survive the stomach, they don’t get to the intestines alive and so the count is irrelevant. In addition, if they did happen to survive somehow, would they be effective probiotics then? The answer is no! Even with 100 billion cells of lactobacillus and bifidobacterium species, they are not delivering an “effective dose”. What makes an effective dose isn’t how many probiotic cells are in your probiotic capsule. An effective dose is defined by how that amount of probiotics in your capsule compares to the population of that same species naturally found in your gastrointestinal system. There are over 10 TRILLION lactobacillus and bifidobacterium cells in your digestive system, thus adding even 100 Billion is less than 0.1% of the existing population, and your body doesn’t even notice it. It’s like adding a single penny into a bucket with 4000 quarters; you would never notice it and it doesn’t add any value to what is already there. Just Thrive is made up of key strains whose numbers tend to remain low in the digestive system. Typically they have a population of around 5-6 million cells in the digestive system. When you add 3 billion cells from Just Thrive to a population of just 5-6 million, you get a massive, positive stimulation as your effective dose exceeds the native population by over 500 times. It’s like adding 20 quarters to a cup that contains just 1 penny – you are adding a lot of value.

 

Are spores safe?

The Bacillus spores used in Just Thrive® are absolutely safe. In fact, they are a normal part of the human micro flora. They have been used in the pharmaceutical market for more than 50 years. In addition, they have been found to be functional probiotics in hundreds of different living organisms, making them a universal probiotic.

 

 

Benefits of Just Thrive®

There are scores of probiotic supplements on the market. What makes Just Thrive® unique?

Just Thrive® is the only probiotic available comprised of four (4) key strains of nature’s own design for a true probiotic. The bacillus strains found in Just Thrive® are abundant environmental organisms that have evolved to be consumed by humans on a daily basis and then thrive in the digestive systems. Once there, they perform critical functions, such as the development of the immune system; reduction of inflammation; digestion and absorption of nutrients from food, and the production of important functional compounds, like antioxidants. Just Thrive® is the only product on the shelf to contain the patented Bacillus Indicus HU36®, a strain that produces high levels of antioxidants. Once ingested via the intestines, Bacillus Indicus HU36® becomes an important source of daily antioxidants.

Simply put, Just Thrive® is a TRUE probiotic by all scientific definitions and over 95% of other products on the market just are not probiotics.

 

What is the source of the antioxidants in Just Thrive®?

A patented strain in Just Thrive® called Bacillus Indicus HU36® actually produces a variety of antioxidants in the digestive system right where they are best absorbed by the body. Studies have shown that supplemented antioxidants do not effectively survive the stomach and so the actual absorption rate is low when taken as a supplement by mouth. With Just Thrive®, however, the body becomes a super-antioxidant factory right in the digestive system at the site where these important nutrients are absorbed. It’s right at the site of absorption where CoQ10, alpha and beta carotene, lycopene, lutein, astaxanthin and zeaxanthin are produced!

 

Why are antioxidants important?

Antioxidants protect the body from the daily onslaught of harmful and toxic chemicals and compounds. Oxidation causes significant tissue damage at the cellular level and antioxidants protect against this damage. Maintaining high levels of antioxidants in the body has been linked to lower incidences of cancers, heart disease, diabetes, etc.*

  

Does Just Thrive® need to be refrigerated?

No. Any true probiotic should never need refrigeration. Think about it this way: If nature intended that a particular organism be a probiotic, how did our ancestors gain access to them? They certainly did not have refrigerated sections of health food stores. If they can’t survive at room temperature on the store shelf, how can they survive 98°F and acids in the human stomach? The answer is they simply don’t.

  

Usage

What’s the dosage for Just Thrive®?

Adults and children above the age of 3: One (1 ) capsule per day or as directed by your physician. Capsules also can be opened and mixed with food for consumption. We recommend starting out slowly to avoid any gastrointestinal discomfort especially if you have feel you are dysbiotic (imbalanced).

 

Are they safe for children?

Yes. Just Thrive® can be mixed in different foods to be given to children over the age of 3.

 

How will I know they’re working?

Because Just Thrive® is such a potent product, many users feel the difference in just two to three dosages. If you tend to have gastrointestinal disturbances, you should see a calming effect on your system. If you tend to have irregular bowel movements, you should experience some improved regularity. For people without evident digestive issues, just like you take a daily multivitamin but don’t necessarily FEEL the benefits, you can be confident knowing that your overall health is improving by a daily dose of Just Thrive®. In general, users have reported more energy, better sleep and just an overall “good” feeling. Your entire system benefits when your gut is healthy!

 

Is it OK to take Just Thrive® with medication, such as antibiotics?

Because antibiotics can damage the good bacteria that already exist in your gut, it is even more important to take Just Thrive® while taking antibiotics. A unique feature of Just Thrive is its ability to remain completely stable in the presence of antibiotics, while most other common strains found in probiotics are destroyed by the presence of antibiotics. However, if you are taking any medications, it is always best to first check with your doctor or healthcare provider.

 

I’m a vegetarian. Is Just Thrive® okay for my lifestyle?

Absolutely – there are no animal-derived products found in Just Thrive®, making it the perfect product for vegetarians and vegans.

 

What is the source of the antioxidants in Just Thrive®?

A patented strain in Just Thrive® called Bacillus Indicus HU36® actually produces a variety of antioxidants in the digestive system right where they are best absorbed by the body. Studies have shown that supplemented antioxidants do not effectively survive the stomach and so the actual absorption rate is low when taken as a supplement by mouth. With Just Thrive®, however, the body becomes a super-antioxidant factory right in the digestive system at the site where these important nutrients are absorbed. It’s right at the site of absorption where CoQ10, alpha and beta carotene, lycopene, lutein, astaxanthin and zeaxanthin are produced!

 

How many capsules are in each bottle of Just Thrive® Probiotic and how many should I take each day?

There are 30 capsules in each bottle of Just Thrive Probiotic. It is recommended to take one capsule daily, preferably with your largest meal of the day. (Some customers elect to take 1/2 a capsule per day (mixed into food or beverage), or one capsule every other day. If you're unsure, we advise you speak to your doctor or nutritionist, and listen to your body, to help determine the correct dose for your specific needs.

 

How many capsules are in each bottle of Just Thrive® Vitamin K2-7 and how many should I take each day?

There are 60 capsules in each bottle of Just Thrive Vitamin K2-7. It is ideally recommended to take two capsules daily. If you're unsure, we advise you speak to your doctor or nutritionist to help determine the correct dose for your specific needs.