The company has. announced the expansion of its Pro line of probiotic dietary supplements in pharmacy channels outside of Quebec. Additionally, Bio-K+ has been named the #1 Pharmacist Recommended Probiotics Brand in Quebec for 2023. *
It all started with one goal: to inspire people to understand that gut health is the foundation of good health. For this reason, we recognize that only by providing science-based products to consumers can we make a lasting impact on their lives. Science and a passion for consumer health are the driving forces behind all of our product innovations, enabling individuals to take better care of their gut health.
Both products are now available nationwide through Shoppers Drug Mart and Pharmaprix, providing consumers with clinically supported natural over-the-counter drug solutions. Both products are vegan and gluten-free, have more than 100,000 documented patient cases in over 20 years of clinical research, and are generally considered safe. 1
“As a pioneer in probiotic supplementation, Bio-K+ has been at the forefront of helping consumers improve their health and well-being,” said Fan Bonnett, Vice President of Commercial, Bio-K Plus. “We have a responsibility to help consumers who are suffering from these uncomfortable situations.
New products must be formulated based on proven scientific evidence to provide effective health benefits to consumers. Therefore, our teams invest significant time in the development of these products to ensure maximum quality, safety and efficacy.
Our goal is to make our products reach as many consumers in need as possible. With the introduction of the Pro Series, we are paving the way for further expansion into more areas of use and to inspire a wider range of consumers. ”
Listed in the Clinical Guidelines for Probiotic Products Available in Canada, the Pro Series contains three unique, patented and science-backed strains of bacteria from Bio-K Plus. Bio-K+ IBS Pro, certified by the Digestive Health Foundation of Canada, addresses the specific challenges faced by the large population with diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D). The prevalence of IBS in Canada is one of the highest in the world, estimated at 18%, with 40% of cases associated with IBS-D. 2 In a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study, Bio-K+ IBS Pro reported a 65% improvement in patients’ quality of life, 3 a 50% reduction in days of abdominal pain, 4 a reduction in the amount of loose stools per week 30%4, stool consistency increased by 91%. 3
Bio-K+ Antibio Pro helps reduce the risk of antibiotic-associated diarrhea (AAD), including Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea (CDAD). Antibiotics are commonly used to treat infections, but up to 35 percent of patients are at risk of developing AAD5, which can lead to abdominal pain, bloating, increased susceptibility to infection, and even metabolic and immune disturbances. 6 A randomized, placebo-controlled study showed that Bio-K+ Antibio Pro was effective in reducing the risk of AAD by 65%, the risk of abdominal pain by 68%, the risk of CDAD by 95%, and the number of days on which symptoms occurred by 56%. 7
* Profession Santé 2023 Survey on OTC Counselling and Recommendations (re: pharmacists).
1. Bio-K+ Internal reporting. Updated May, 2021.
2. Lovell, R. M. et al. (2012). Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol, 10(7), 712–721.e4.
3. Preston, K. et al. (2018). Benef Microbes, 9(5), 697–706.
4. Ship, N. et al. (2019, October). Am J Gastroenterol, 114 (Supplement), S296–S297.
5. McFarland, L. V. (2008). Future microbiol, 3(5), 563–578.
6. Langdon, A. et al. (2016). Genome Med, 8(1), 39.
7. Gao, X. W. et al. (2010). Am J Gastroenterol, 105(7), 1636–1641.I
