Q1. What does Flora-17 do?
It's a vegan, multi-strain probiotic — 17 billion CFU from the HOWARU® Restore II blend — that supports everyday digestive health and a healthy, balanced gut flora. It's a nutraceutical for general gut support, not a medicine and not a treatment for any diagnosed digestive condition.
Q2. Why these four specific strains?
Because with probiotics, the strain is everything — effects are specific to the exact strain, not just the species. Flora-17 uses HOWARU® Restore II, whose four strains (Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM®, L. paracasei Lpc-37®, Bifidobacterium lactis Bi-07® and Bl-04®) are among the most-characterised, research-backed probiotic strains available. Naming them is the point.
Q3. When and how should I take it?
One capsule a day, after dinner, with a glass of water. Taking it with an evening meal helps the cultures survive stomach acid, and taking it at a consistent time each day helps you stick with it.
Q4. How long until I notice a difference?
It varies. Some people feel a change in digestion within a few days; for many, digestive comfort and regularity settle over one to two weeks as the strains establish. Probiotics reward consistency, so give it a few weeks of daily use.
Q5. Does it need to be refrigerated?
No — it's designed to be stable at cool, dry room temperature. Just keep the bottle away from heat, humidity and direct sunlight to protect the live cultures. Refrigeration isn't required, though a cool spot never hurts.
Q6. Is it really vegan?
Yes. The capsule is HPMC (plant cellulose), the carrier is pea protein, and there's no dairy anywhere in it — which is genuinely uncommon for probiotics, many of which are dairy-associated. It's also free from soy, gluten, nuts, added sugar, artificial colours, fillers and preservatives.
Q7. Can I take it while I'm on antibiotics?
Probiotics are often used around a course of antibiotics, but this is something to run past your doctor — and it's usually advised to separate the probiotic and the antibiotic by a couple of hours. Never stop a prescribed antibiotic to take a probiotic.
Q8. Will it give me gas or bloating?
Some people get a little gas or bloating in the first few days as their gut flora adjusts — it's common and usually settles within a week. If it's uncomfortable or persistent, ease back to every other day or pause and check with your practitioner.
Q9. Is it meant for a specific gut problem, like IBS?
No — Flora-17 is general digestive-health and gut-flora support, not a treatment for IBS or any diagnosed condition. If you have a specific or ongoing digestive issue, see your doctor; a probiotic may be part of the picture, but it should be guided by them.
Q10. What does “17 billion CFU” actually mean?
CFU stands for colony-forming units — essentially the number of live, viable cultures in each dose. 17 billion is a meaningful daily amount. Just remember the number isn't the whole story: which strains they are, and whether they stay alive to reach your gut, matter just as much.