Created by microbiologist Dr Nigel Plummer, ProVen Probiotics was launched following more than 30 years of research and innovation.

ProVen Probiotics contain the unique Lab4 probiotic strains. This group of strains is one of the very few blends of live bacteria strains that have been rigorously studied over the past 20 years to demonstrate consistent wide-ranging health benefits ranging from allergy prevention in infants to reduction of all symptoms (bloating, pain, discomfort) in people suffering from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

ProVen Probiotics have also been developed based upon 30 years of research and development in probiotic bacteria and products. As well as the Lab4 bacteria, the team of scientists behind ProVen Probiotics have identified a process to add other nutrients, such as vitamins and immune-enhancing ingredients such as elderberry, to the supplements without destabilizing the Lab4 bacteria.

As a result, ProVen Probiotics offers a range of products that include continuously researched live bacteria and key nutrients to support health.

Our proprietary manufacturing processes mean that the live bacteria used in ProVen Probiotics are kept stable at all times and can be incorporated into many product formats, including capsules, tablets and powders.

These manufacturing processes also mean that the live bacteria can be combined in a single capsule, tablet or powder with vitamins, minerals and other nutrients.

The ProVen Probiotics range includes capsules, tablets and powders that combine a variety of ingredients depending upon the need identified for each particular product.

Lab4 is a consortium of probiotic bacteria, which has been developed by Dr Nigel Plummer and his team of scientists at Cultech Ltd in Wales, UK.

The scientists at Cultech have over 30 years’ experience of the discovery and development of probiotic bacteria and the production of probiotic products. Crucially, the Cultech research scientists have spent more than 15 years undertaking clinical research to prove the effectiveness of the Lab4 probiotic strains and this research is ongoing.

There are now three different groups of Lab4 bacteria. Lab4 was developed for adults and children aged four years and over and Lab4B for pregnancy and infants from birth to three years of age. More recently, the company has developed Lab4P, which contains the four core Lab4 strains with Lactobacillus plantarum, an additional strain of live bacteria native to the human digestive tract.

Lab4: Lactobacillus acidophilus (strain 1), Lactobacillus acidophilus (strain 2), Bifidobacterium bifidum and Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis.

Lab4B: Lactobacillus salivarius, Lactobacillus paracasei, Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. Lactis and Bifidobacterium bifidum.

Lab4P: Lactobacillus acidophilus (strain 1), Lactobacillus acidophilus (strain 2), Bifidobacterium bifidum, Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis, Lactobacillus plantarum.

This group of bacteria is supported by extensive clinical research, including the ProChild study, the Swansea Baby Trial, which investigated the effects of probiotics taken during pregnancy and infancy on prevention of allergies in children, and the Sheffield IBS Trial, which found significant improvement in total IBS symptoms in adults taking a high strength ProVen probiotic over eight weeks.

For further information on Lab4 probiotics, please click here.

The unique Lab4 blend of probiotics can be found in the ProVen Probiotics range of supplements developed with different formulations to suit all ages and lifestyles from pregnancy to 50+.

This can vary according to the individual, but most people experience effects within two weeks.

In our clinical studies with the Lab4 probiotic ingredient we found that many IBS sufferers found relief within two weeks. Similarly, with the Clostridium difficile study the effect was apparent within 2-3 weeks.

Our studies with children and newborn babies researched the preventative effects of the Lab4 probiotics and identifying these effects requires a longer period. As a result, the effects were established over a six month supplementation period.

Probiotic supplements are categorized as ‘Generally Recognized as Safe’ (GRAS) and ProVen Probiotics products have been subject to ongoing clinical research over the past 15 years, providing evidence of their safety.

As we are all individual, some people experience some mild digestive side effects when they first start taking probiotics. These side effects may include gas, bloating and flatulence and should last no longer than a week. If they are particularly uncomfortable for you, we would recommend reducing the dose, perhaps taking one capsule every other day (or as often as you feel comfortable) until the effects subside and then gradually increasing to the recommended dose.

ProVen Probiotics Pregnancy Plus contains an additional fish oil capsule to provide the omega 3 fatty acid DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) to support mom and baby in pregnancy.

The omega 3 fish oil in ProVen Pregnancy Plus is derived from tuna and is a highly purified stable fish oil that meets all the industry standards in relation to mercury and other heavy metals, PCBs, Dioxins, Furans and PAHs.

In addition to the tests our fish oil supplier conducts to ensure their compliance, we also rigorously analyze the oils at an external laboratory before using them in any of our products.

Some probiotics are enteric coated, which protects the contents of the capsule when passing through the stomach.

At ProVen Probiotics, we have the ability to enteric coat, but we choose not to as, in order for the bacteria to start colonizing, the enteric coating has to dissolve in the small intestine, the capsule has to be broken down and the contents of the capsule have to be released and activated.

As the small intestine doesn’t have the pummeling action or the acidity of the stomach and the transit time through the small intestine is only 2-4 hours, it is unlikely that the enteric coating will be broken down in time for the probiotics to have an effect.

Instead of enteric coating, ProVen Probiotics are provided in a variety of formats that are designed to travel through the stomach with food and to disintegrate as they do so, ready for use in the intestines.

The ProVen Probiotics powders and chewable tablets disintegrate immediately and the capsules disintegrate within 30 minutes. When taken alongside food, the bacteria then travel with the food through the stomach acid to the small intestine.

All friendly bacteria strains used in the ProVen products are both vegetarian and vegan. Some of our products contain vitamin D, which is from a vegetarian source, but is not vegan.

Our  Toddler product contains galactooligosaccharides (GOS), which is derived from the sugar (lactose) in milk and is therefore not vegan (and not lactose free).

Our Pregnancy Plus product contains a fish oil softgel alongside the probiotic and multinutrient capsule and is therefore neither vegan nor vegetarian.

The icons on our product pages indicate which products are vegan and vegetarian.

All bacteria strains used in ProVen Probiotics are free from gluten, dairy, soy and nuts.

Our Toddler product  is not lactose or dairy free as it contains galactooligosaccharides (GOS), which is derived from the sugar (lactose) in milk. 

The icons on our product pages indicate which products contain allergens.

Yes, the bacteria used in all ProVen Probiotics products are naturally sourced, fermented and cultured.

No, we do not use any GMOs in our products or manufacturing plant.

ProVen Probiotics are manufactured at Cultech Ltd (our parent company) at our own production facility in Wales in the UK. 
Cultech was established in 1994 and is a premium quality manufacturer of probiotics and other nutritional supplements.

With a specialist research and development team focused on research into the benefits of nutritional supplementation in general and specialising in the impact of probiotics on the gut microbiome, Cultech has become a world leader in the probiotics industry.

Cultech’s Lab4 probiotics are now used by companies around the world in their probiotics products and ProVen Probiotics’ products are available in an increasing number of countries, including South Africa, China, Hong Kong, United Arab Emirates, Norway and Spain.