Product Review
koena™ Probiotic
Pronounced koh-eh-na, which means ‘balance’ in Hawaiian, this multi-strain probiotic is designed to support gastrointestinal health in adults and adolescents 14 years of age and older. It consists of 15 different probiotic strains and has 300 billion colony-forming units (CFU) per sachet. It is a unique probiotic supplement with its combination of a multi-strain formulation and a high number of live cells.1
The product contains both beneficial bacteria (probiotics), in the form of several coded strains of lactobacilli and bifidobacteria, and prebiotics, in the form of xylooligosaccharides (XOS) and inulin, a fructooligosaccharide (FOS). Strains of the Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium bacterial genera are widely used in humans to promote a strong gut microbiome. XOS is a prebiotic fibre naturally occurring in plants such as wheat bran, barley hulls, almond shells, bamboo, and corn cob.2 Inulin is a starchy product from a variety of plants, including whole grains, bananas, leeks, artichokes, asparagus, and onions. Probiotics consume prebiotics, allowing them to reproduce and take over a higher proportion of your microbiome than harmful bacteria.
Several studies have shown the effectiveness of multi-strain probiotics in improving symptoms from digestive conditions.3,4 All of the bacterial strains in this product have been evaluated for their safety. Having a high number of live cells with different probiotic strains increases the product’s ability to be effective and adaptive to our inherent microbiome differences, and it also ensures that more cells will successfully pass through the stomach and reach the intestine intact and active.
Since the bacteria are freeze-dried, it is safe to store the product at room temperature, unlike the many other probiotics that require refrigeration. However, you should avoid exposing it to excessive heat and moisture. It is also accessible and portable in individual sachets and you can dissolve the powder in cold water or any non-carbonated drink. Once it is dissolved, you must consume it immediately. If you are on any antibiotics, take the probiotic at least 2-3 hours before or after taking the antibiotics.
koena™ probiotic is allergy-friendly and suitable for individuals with food intolerances and restrictions. It is vegan, non-GMO, dairy-free, gluten-free, soy-free, and contains no dyes or artificial flavours.
The koena™ Adult Acute Care does not have an approved treatment indication at this time; therefore, it is for general gastrointestinal wellness and not to treat a specific digestive disease or disorder. The manufacturers hope to conduct future clinical studies to demonstrate effectiveness of these probiotics for specific digestive conditions.
This probiotic supplement can be found in a variety of stores and pharmacies and online. We recommend you discuss probiotic use with your physician, as those with a weakened immune system from diseases and long-term use of certain medicines should always avoid probiotic treatment unless specifically prescribed by a physician.