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An alternative to L. reuteri yogurt?

By Dr. Davis | August 12, 2019

We make our Lactobacillus reuteri yogurt for the numerous benefits this microorganism provides that include:

  • Reduction in appetite—that can be profound
  • Increased dermal collagen that results in less wrinkle depth
  • Accelerated healing
  • Improved immune response
  • Increased libido
  • Unique probiotic benefits due to L. reuteri’s capacity to colonize the upper gastrointestinal tract and produce bacteriocins

Despite the easy and unique fermentation process we use that yields a rich, thick, and delicious end-product, some people still find making the yogurt a hassle or simply are unable to get it right.

There is now an alternative: the BioGaia Osfortis probiotic. While the original Gastrus product used to make the yogurt provided 100 million CFUs each of the two L. reuteri strains, a number I felt was too little for really meaningful biological effects, two Osfortis capsules provide 10 BILLION CFUs of the PTA 6475 strain (minus the DSM 17938) strain.

Is 10 billion enough? It’s not clear, as we have not yet had a chance to perform dose-response studies in humans, i.e., what are the oxytocin and other effects of 10 billion CFUs, 50 billion, 100 billion, etc.? Although we have not yet formally performed a bacterial count, simple arithmetic of bacterial doubling-time suggests that a one-half cup serving of the L. reuteri yogurt using my modified fermentation methods likely provides around 50-100 billion CFUS. Is the 10 billion of Osfortis therefore enough? I think it is, but I don’t yet know that for a fact.

Why “Osfortis,” by the way, and why is the product targeted for bone health? This is based on a recent clinical study in elderly women who, upon receiving 10 billion CFUs of the PTA 6475 strain of L. reuteri, experienced about half as much bone loss as women receiving placebo. (Note that these women were not taking vitamin D, K2, or any other efforts to preserve or increase bone density; this reflects the potential effects of L. reuteri alone, an insightful revelation: the composition of bowel flora markedly influences bone health.) Of course, this does not mean that the L. reuteri is only for women,

And is the PTA 6475 alone, less well-studied than the DSM 17938 strain, sufficient by itself? It likely is, given the experimental evidence and the overlap in similarities between the strains. But there may be limited or subtle differences that we are not yet aware of in supplementing the one strain alone.

Because I believe that this may be a viable alternative to our yogurt, I have added it to our Wheat Belly Marketplace for ease of availability. It’s not cheap, consistent with most other probiotic products. So our L. reuteri yogurt also remains a way to economize on the probiotic, since you make subsequent batches from prior batches, with no ongoing need for probiotic tablets.

Should you take the leap on the Osfortis, please return and report your experiences. Even better, if just starting out, perform a before/after selfie over some time period, e.g., 4 weeks, in addition to telling us about the other perceived effects.

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Filed Under: L reuteri yogurt Tagged With: oxytocin, probiotic, reuteri, undoctored, wheat belly

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About Dr. Davis

Cardiologist Dr. William Davis is a New York
Times #1 Best Selling author and the Medical Director of the Wheat Belly Lifestyle Institute and the Undoctored Inner Circle program.

Nothing here should be construed as medical advice, but only topics for further discussion with your doctor. I practice cardiology in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Comments & Feedback...

  1. Mike Cortopassi

    August 12, 2019 at 8:49 am

    I think many have had a similar concern, if these strains are so heat sensitive, how can I possibly consider ordering these through the mail, in summer, and not expect them at some point during the transportation to be at 130F or higher vehicle temperatures, effectively killing them?

    • Bob Niland

      August 12, 2019 at 9:56 am

      Mike Cortopassi wrote: «…if these strains are so heat sensitive…»

      That’s a reasonable concern. Although the images on the Amazon page don’t include it, one side of the carton, and part of the bottle label, and the Biogaia product page declare:
      Storage: Store in a dry place at room temperature (77°F) or below. Keep out of reach of children. Open container should be used within 60 days. Close the cap tightly after each use to reduce moisture.

      In my own use of the Gastrus® product, I’ve only ordered it in cooler seasons, and freeze the unused portions. But there have been infrequent reports of apparent yogurt failure from people who ordered in the summer. The problems may or may not have been due to damage in shipment, as we have contrary success reports from desert residents who ordered in summer.

      re: «…and not expect them at some point during the transportation to be at 130F or higher…»

      Anything over 122°F is likely killing some or all. Interestingly, some of the benefits of this strain are still provided when they are dead. It might not make yogurt, but for direct consumption, the Osfortis® might still be worthwhile.

      In any event, it would make sense to take whatever steps are available to minimize exposure to extreme shipping conditions. I’ve made an email inquiry to the US distributor (everidis) asking what store-front retailers carry the Biogaia line (and whether any mail resellers offer cold-pack). I’ll post a reply here if I discover anything useful.
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  2. Richard

    August 12, 2019 at 9:20 am

    I ordered Osfortis from Amazon – shipped to Florida in the summer heat and the product is fine. The BioGaia vendor ships via USPS Priority Mail and it is wrapped in paper inside an oversize box. How do I know it is fine? I’ve made two batches of yogurt with it.

  3. SGRettino

    August 12, 2019 at 9:55 am

    If the yogurt produces too little CFU for biological effect, is it still recommended? Can this new product be used to make yogurt or is it a supplement?

  4. S Dee

    August 12, 2019 at 10:23 am

    I cannot find this BioGaia Osfortis probiotic nor the Gastrus in Canada. Ibdud find this.
    .https://www.evitamins.com/ca/primadolphilus-reuteri-natures-way-12156?utm_source=google&utm_medium=google_shopping&utm_campaign=google_shopping_ca&gclid=CjwKCAjwnMTqBRAzEiwAEF3ndjuoC2rzY4nHnQ6sYSrBhPwcONPdsjIgXNSXhrOUaWpXalBvS1XXcRoCpHIQAvD_BwE

    Would this work?
    S Dee

    • Bob Niland

      August 12, 2019 at 11:41 am

      S Dee wrote: «I cannot find this BioGaia Osfortis probiotic nor the Gastrus in Canada.»

      According to Biogaia, only the Protectis® and Prodentis® products are available in Canada. They are, respectively, Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938 and DSM + Lactobacillus reuteri ATCC PTA 5289. I’ve not seen anything on how effective DSM is at high CFUs, and have no insight at all on ‘5289.

      People have reported being able to get Gastrus® from iHerb (Product Code BGA-46017). iHerb does not yet list Osfortis®, but it’s early — Osfortis only just became available in the U.S.

      re: «Ibdud find this.…»

      Depending on the truth of the complaint, and the status of the lawsuit by Biogaia vs. Nature’s Way, Lactobacillus reuteri HA-188 might actually be one of the Biogaia strains.

      If it’s not, we have no advice on benefits. If it is, two more issues arise:

      1. There may not be much of it in the blend. Note that it is last on the list, after Lactobacillus rhamnosus and Lactobacillus acidophilus. Although there’s 5B CFU total, the L.r.HA-188 might contribute a trivial amount.

      2. I have no guesses as to how the major bacteria would behave in the extended ferment time we use, nor how the 3 strains might compete with one another.
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  5. Clare Patricia Crawford

    August 12, 2019 at 12:37 pm

    I have ordered the Osfortis from Amazon and just starting out so I will report back at the end of September with results.

    My mother died due to severe osteoporosis (3 cervical vretebrae crumbled rendering her paralyzed from the neck down. To see such an active woman at age 92 so helpless for the last 8 weeks of her life terrified me.

    I am willing to try anything to ensure I don’t suffer from the same fate.

    I do suffer from oseopenia and believe that adding D3, K2, Boron and Magnesium water twice a day has brought up my proximal femur from -0.8 to -0.6. Although Lumbar vertebrae had a downward trend unfortunately but still osteopenia.

    I suffer from bad knees (meniscus issues) which has prevented me from working with weights but do walk about 2 miles a day.

    I am 59 years old – lost 1.5 ” in height – just like my mother & grandmother.

    Will be interesting to see what happens.

    • Bob Niland

      August 12, 2019 at 1:35 pm

      Clare Patricia Crawford wrote: «I have ordered the Osfortis from Amazon and just starting out so I will report back at the end of September with results.»

      Great. Keep in mind that Osfortis® (at ~US$1.63/day) is a lot less economical than making L.reuteri yogurt (~US33¢/day, with most of that being the H&H).

      I see Osfortis as being of major benefit for people not situated to make yogurt, which might be most of us when traveling. It may also prove to be a more attractive initial-batch starter (I expect to experiment with that shortly).

      re: «I do suffer from oseopenia and believe that adding D3, K2, Boron and Magnesium water twice a day has brought up my proximal femur from -0.8 to -0.6.»

      How’s your 25-hydroxy (not 1,25 dihydroxy) Vitamin D level?

      What K2 product are you using? Are you getting ample leafy greens for K1?

      What the hypothesis on the Boron? The subscription site has a Protocol for Osteopenia & Osteoporosis, and boron is not part of it. Strontium used to be, but may have been dropped due to availability of suitable supplements in most places, plus the confounding effect it can have in bone scans.

      The MG-water should cover the Mg.

      re: «I suffer from bad knees (meniscus issues) which has prevented me from working with weights…»

      Whatever axial impact exercise you can manage helps bones.
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  6. Eileen Lovell

    August 12, 2019 at 8:16 pm

    Maybe I missed it but how many tablets per day?

    • Bob Niland

      August 13, 2019 at 8:57 am

      Eileen Lovell wrote: «Maybe I missed it but how many tablets per day?»

      The label dose is two capsules per day to provide the 10B CFUs, and there’s nothing in the base article here to suggest varying from that.

      That said, beneficial effects might be seen with just one capsule per day. That’s 5B CFUs. People who have tried taking the BioGaia Gastrus® directly report that it takes 6 or more of them before effects are noted, which is a much lower 600M (0.6B) CFUs.
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  7. SGRettino

    August 13, 2019 at 10:15 am

    If the yogurt produces too little CFU for biological effect, is it still recommended? Can this new product be used to make yogurt or is it a supplement?

    • Bob Niland

      August 13, 2019 at 10:56 am

      SGRettino wrote: «If the yogurt produces too little CFU for biological effect, is it still recommended? Can this new product be used to make yogurt or is it a supplement?»

      The yogurt always produces ample CFUs (unless the ferment fails). The challenges are that the yogurt must be home-made, some ingredients can be hard to source in some regions, not everyone has the equipment, time and temperament to make it. Even if they do make it, they may not always be in a position to rely on it (such as travel).

      So the Osfortis® may be an alternative when yogurt is not available.

      The Osfortis may also be more convenient, and possibly more effective, as a yogurt culture, compared to the Gastrus®.

      So you can use Osfortis as a starter culture, or as a supplement.
      ________
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  8. capri

    August 14, 2019 at 10:12 pm

    I have two questions.

    Are there any contraindications for those utilizing HRT consuming the Osfortis or Biogaia yogurt?

    Can one consume too much of a good thing as in taking both Osfortis and having the yogurt daily ?

    • Bob Niland

      August 15, 2019 at 7:24 am

      capri wrote: «Are there any contraindications for those utilizing HRT consuming the Osfortis or Biogaia yogurt?»

      I don’t think that specific situation has been addressed so far, and I don’t have any insight on it.

      re: «Can one consume too much of a good thing as in taking both Osfortis and having the yogurt daily?»

      If you’re making the yogurt, also taking the Osfortis® is a waste of money. A serving of the yogurt contains vastly more CFUs of L.reuteri than the whole bottle of capsules.
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  9. MaryPat Kochenash

    August 15, 2019 at 12:08 pm

    Question about yogurt making, although I am considering the supplement. I have stated before on this website, I received a yogurt maker for free, it only goes up to 24 hours. Can I just restart the cycle or will that not work? TIA

    • Bob Niland

      August 15, 2019 at 1:05 pm

      MaryPat Kochenash wrote: «I received a yogurt maker for free, it only goes up to 24 hours. Can I just restart the cycle or will that not work?»

      As long as the cycle doesn’t include a pasteurization step, that should be fine. You can confirm that you are just re-starting normal temperature regulation (and verify the temperature) by running ‘batch’ that is just water, and checking with a probe thermometer.

      You also don’t need to wait 24 hours. You could restart it for 24h every 12 hours.

      Also check to see if the device can be set to arbitrary temps for arbitrary run times. This might be some cycle other than ‘yogurt’.
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  10. cecilia

    August 21, 2019 at 8:01 pm

    I have been eating the L. reuteri yogurt for 3 months now. I make it in the oven without any failures! However, I want to give the Osfortis a try per manufacturer’s claim about bone density.
    I should improve my bone density levels –have slight osteopenia @ age 72, but a disaster in the entire spine. Was told today that the recent CT Scans and MRI are worse than last year as to the lumbar spine situation. My case is being reviewed by a Ground Round Spine Clinic panel again to recommend surgical intervention. Today, was adviced I may need a more involved (read risky) procedure because of stenosis of all 5 lumbar vertebrae. Risking losing use of right leg if nerve continues to get impinged. I live in pain 24/7 and not much has helped. Please, Bob Niland, could you ask Dr. Davis if he has an understanding of how this particular strain of L. reuteri might improve the bone travecular structure and aid bone mineralization. I was told the auto-immune disorder (psoriatic arthritis mutilans) contributed to the degeneration of the spine structures. My Vit. D levels are above 60 after taking 10,000 units almost daily for past 2 years. Also take K-2. and the recommended supplements. Thanks Bob and Dr. Davis!

    • Bob Niland

      August 21, 2019 at 10:01 pm

      cecilia wrote: «I have been eating the L. reuteri yogurt for 3 months now.»

      What diet and lifestyle have you been on, and for how long?

      re: «However, I want to give the Osfortis a try per manufacturer’s claim about bone density.»

      I haven’t personally read all the cites that Biogaia relies on (there’s 203 of them), but we can draw some inferences. These studies would have been based subject populations on standard diets, and are unlikely to have included any specific arms on enlightened ancestral lifestyles. Standard diets are awful for bone health, and it doesn’t take much to generate detectable improvements.

      If a material fraction of the Osfortis® results are due to the Lactobacillus reuteri ATCC PTA 6475, you’ve probably been consuming dramatically more of that in a serving the Gastrus®-derived yogurt, than you’d get in a whole bottle of Osfortis.

      If a material fraction of the Osfortis results are due to the 400 IU of Vitamin D₃, you’ve already dramatically out paced that deminimus dose with your 10,000 IUs.

      I’m no expert on bone health (and had never even heard of psoriatic arthritis mutilans until now, and it hasn’t arisen on the Inner Circle site). My guess is that adding Osfortis to your diet isn’t likely to have a significant impact on your spinal situation over and above whatever benefit you’re getting from what you are already doing. The subscription site has a Protocol for osteopenia and osteoporosis, but those aren’t necessarily what you have, and you are likely already doing most of it, other than one exercise type that might be unwise at the moment.

      What K-2 product are you using, and are you getting ample K-1 from leafy green vegetables (rather than a supplement)? I presume you are taking magnesium Have you have your RBC-Mg level checked?

      re: «I was told the auto-immune disorder (psoriatic arthritis mutilans) contributed to the degeneration of the spine structures.»

      Was this diagnosed via antibodies?

      re: «…could you ask Dr. Davis…»

      I’m pretty sure he reads all the blog comments. If he has some leads, he may reply, or direct me to do so.
      ________
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  11. Soloartista

    August 24, 2019 at 10:59 pm

    I bought some BioGaia Osfortis capsules but learned the product involves barley in it’s manufacture. I don’t know if that is part of the maltodextrin but I read it’s not a gluten free product. I have celiac so unless I learn it isn’t a problem I won’t be able to take the capsules.
    Doggone It! I was hoping I could use the capsules when we travel in our van over the fall and winter. I’ve been making the L Reuteri yogurt and will have to make it when we travel.

    • Bob Niland

      August 25, 2019 at 9:32 am

      Soloartista wrote: «I bought some BioGaia Osfortis capsules but learned the product involves barley in it’s manufacture.»

      That was just reported, based on the Q&A presently visible on the Amazon page for Osfortis®. Note that this information is provided by Everidis Health Sciences, the U.S. distributor, and not Biogaia® itself:
      Question: Is this gluten free?
      Answer: … Osfortis is not gluten free as the probiotic is grown on a barley medium. The finished product will likely have around 20 ppm of gluten. …

      20 ppm (parts per million) is the 2015+ FDA threshold for “gluten free”, and is actually not low enough for anyone with an acute reaction to gluten proteins (which isn’t necessarily just people with Celiac disease, nor all people with Celiac). This barley issue likely also applies to the Gastrus® tablets (which likewise makes no claims about being GF). People directly consuming the tablets or capsules need to know this.

      This hasn’t arisen as an issue to date, perhaps because directly taking the Gastrus tablets isn’t recommended, due to the low CFUs. And making yogurt dramatically dilutes any residual gluten proteins. Based on the Size 0 capsule for Osfortis, 20 ppm in the cap becomes less than 20 ppb (parts per billion) in a quart of not-a-yogurt.

      re: «I have celiac so unless I learn it isn’t a problem I won’t be able to take the capsules.»

      Do you have any notion of your sensitivity threshold?

      re: «I was hoping I could use the capsules when we travel in our van over the fall and winter. I’ve been making the L Reuteri yogurt and will have to make it when we travel.»

      We may have more insight on this shortly. In any event, my family’s travel plans include taking along yogurt in a cooler. The yogurt provides conjectured additional benefits that even the capsules do not, principally vastly higher CFUs, and metabolic by-products of the fermentation.
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  12. Soloartista

    August 25, 2019 at 12:12 pm

    To be safe I’ll just make the yogurt which I really like. It will be difficult at times since we travel for months at a time in our 19 1/2 ft van. I’ll do it even though more difficult than when at home because I’m seeing and feeling great results…in my skin, muscle, heart rythm, and increased empathy.

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