Bio-Kult Candéa is suitable for use during pregnancy and contains naturally occurring beneficial microorganisms which have been previously shown to be safe to take during pregnancy. However we recommend consulting your health care practitioner before taking any food supplements if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant.

If you are taking any medications, or have any medical conditions including allergies please consult your doctor before taking any food supplement.

Each of Bio-Kult specific live bacteria strains need various nutrition sources to aid in their growth in culture. Cow's milk and soya are used in the fermentation (manufacturing) process, (although it goes through a filtration process a number of times) and in our cryoprotectants (the protective coating used on our strains before freeze drying to enhance stability). 

On testing the final Bio-Kult products, small traces of milk proteins; casein and beta lacto globulin have been detected .Whilst there will be variations between batches, as an example, on last testing, the amount of casein per Bio-Kult Candéa capsule is roughly equivalent to that found in 0.028ml of semi-skimmed milk (that’s less than 1/100th of a 5ml teaspoon) and the amount of beta-lactoglobulin is even less. Therefore we do not recommend Bio-Kult for those with a severe milk allergy (to milk proteins). However, for others it is unlikely to have side effects.

Very small amounts of lactose are also detected in some of the final Bio-Kult products. As an example, on last testing, the amount of lactose per capsule of Bio-Kult Candéa is roughly equivalent to that found in 0.05ml of semi-skimmed milk (that’s less than 1/100th of a teaspoon). This is far below the amount likely to affect lactose intolerance sufferers (scientific studies and the European Food Standards Agency have found that the majority of people with lactose maldigestion will tolerate up to 12g of lactose as a single dose with no or minor symptoms and higher doses may be tolerated if distributed throughout the day). Tests have also shown that many of Bio-Kult strains produce lactase, the enzyme deficient in lactose intolerant sufferers necessary to breakdown lactose (the milk sugar). Bio-Kult products are therefore suitable for those with a lactose intolerance.

Results for soya were below the labs lower limit of detection. We can confirm that only non-GM ingredients are used.

Bio-Kult products do not contain gluten, nuts or eggs.

Some studies have shown that taking a daily live bacteria food supplement can reduce symptoms associated with such skin outbreaks. 

We would suggest you consult your healthcare practitioner to find out more about the management of these symptoms.

This product is suitable to be taken if you struggle with yeast infections.

We would suggest you consult your healthcare practitioner to find out more about research undertaken in the management of symptoms commonly associated with yeast infections.

The live bacterial strains contained in the Bio-Kult range have not been subject to genetic modification.

Any additional ingredients within the range are also not subject to genetic modification.

Individual bacterial strains have different requirements to aid their growth in culture and the human gastrointestinal tract. Bio-Kult is not marketed as a ‘starter culture’ to make yogurt or soured milk and the strains in Bio-Kult have not been chosen for their ability to ferment milk (namely species Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus).

Our strains are freeze dried to enhance their stability and shelf life and are believed to become active again once they meet the complex environment of the small intestine. However, some people have had some success culturing milk, but others have not. We complete rigorous stability testing on each batch of Bio-Kult enabling us to state a quantity of at least 2 billion live bacteria per capsule. This stability testing is undertaken every 3 months by an external laboratory for which we receive certification.

We also have a vast array of clinical trials that show beneficial outcomes of taking our multi-strain live bacteria products, implying they must be reaching the intestines alive.

Bio-Kult products contain a high concentration of live bacteria. If there is a pathogenic overload in your gut, and you start off with a high dose, in a small number of people a ‘die-off' side effect, such as bloating, may be experienced for a few days.

What are the possible symptoms?

Some individuals may experience temporary symptoms, such as bloating, gas, loose stools, constipation, nausea, headaches or flare-ups of previous symptoms. These symptoms can be negligible in some, whereas for a small number of individuals the symptoms can be enough to stop the supplements.

Why does it occur?

When certain pathogenic bacteria, viruses or fungi are destroyed, they release toxins, which can be absorbed into the bloodstream. This puts pressure on the liver to breakdown these by-products ready for elimination via healthy regular bowel movements. If there is an overgrowth that is killed off suddenly or the body is struggling to detox or excrete these toxins, the build-up could lead to the temporary symptoms mentioned above.

Managing the symptoms

Although it is an encouraging sign that pathogenic bacteria, viruses and yeasts are being killed off, the symptoms for some can be very unpleasant. To reduce the incidence and severity of this reaction we recommend building the dose up slowly, starting at ½ to 1 capsule. The capsules can be twisted and pulled apart and the powder added to water or cold/warm foods. If symptoms do occur we recommend reducing the dose, or having a break for a couple of days until symptoms subside before building up again slowly. It is important to not destroy pathogens faster than the body can eliminate the toxins.

Bio-Kult Candéa is an all vegetarian product approved by The Vegetarian Society. 

Our Bio-Kult are all vegetable based rather than gelatine, they are made of hydroxy-propyl-methyl cellulose. 

You will be fine taking Bio-Kult anytime of day and there are different schools of thought about this. The general recommendation is to take live bacterial supplements with food as the food buffers the acidic pH of the stomach that is designed to destroy bacteria. However, Bio-Kult is manufactured using a technology that helps protect against the harsh acidity of the stomach. Administration of live bacteria directly before food enables them to be buffered with the acidity but also to reach the bottom of the stomach before the bulk of the food is consumed. 

Traditionally, good bacteria have always been consumed as part of a fermented food source such as yogurt, kefir or sauerkraut.

Bio-Kult Infantis is suitable from birth, for infants who are breastfed or who consume less than 500 ml of milk formula per day, as well as for infants aged 6 months and above.

Bio-Kult Everyday, Bio-Kult Candéa and Bio-Kult S. Boulardii are suitable for children aged 3 years+

Bio-Kult Pro-Cyan is suitable for children aged 5 years+