Provitalize Review: Evidence for Weight Loss, But Not Much More

Things Provitalize Gets Right

• It contains research-backed probiotic strains that may help with weight loss and bloating.
• Uses natural ingredients with a good safety profile.
• Its herbal ingredients may provide anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits.
• The capsules are covered in a delayed-release coating to optimize absorption.

Important Considerations

• Provitalize’s herbal ingredients don’t have evidence to support their benefit for certain menopausal symptoms.
• The supplement is more expensive than some comparable products.
• Consumer complaints about customer service issues, mainly around getting a refund.
• The supplement is not third-party tested for ingredient quality and purity.
• The brand’s website has discrepancies. No mention of a scientific board behind the supplement or who is behind the brand.

Provitalize at a Glance

Provitalize from Better Body Co. is a probiotic supplement marketed to women going through premenopause, menopause, and postmenopause that is claimed to help with weight management, gut health, and other menopause symptoms.

Weight gain can be a concern for many women during menopause. The hormone changes during menopause can make it easier to gain weight, especially around the abdomen. (1)

However, weight gain does not happen due to hormonal changes alone. Loss of muscle mass related to aging slows down your metabolism — causing weight gain. Other menopause symptoms, such as hot flashes and poor sleep, may make it more difficult to be active, which further contributes to weight gain.

While eating a healthy diet, getting plenty of physical activity, and prioritizing sleep remain the best natural ways to manage menopause symptoms, products like Provitalize offer women additional help.

Certain probiotic strains, some of which are included in Provitalize, have been shown to help manage weight and improve digestion. The downside is that these effects may go away once you stop using the product, and the weight usually returns — although it does depend on each individual. (2)

However, when combined with proper nutrition and physical activity, probiotic supplements could be a great solution.

How to Take

Provitalize uses a delayed-release capsule to help ensure the probiotics are alive when they reach the large intestine, where they will be the most helpful.

A serving of Provitalize is 2 capsules. They can be taken with or without food. Better Body Co. recommends taking the capsules first thing in the morning for the best results.

The company states that the product does not need to be refrigerated like many other probiotics as long as it is kept at room temperature or in an otherwise cool, dry environment.

On Amazon, many users report that the capsules are easy to swallow and that keeping up the regimen was easy.

What Ingredients in Provitalize Can (and Can’t) Do for You

The probiotic strains in Provitalize have some clinical research supporting their uses for weight management and reducing digestive issues like bloating or diarrhea — which can be common during menopause. However, there is no evidence that these probiotic strains or the other health-promoting herbal ingredients in this supplement can offer direct relief for other common menopause symptoms, such as hot flashes or hair loss.

Below we will explain the ingredients in this supplement and their role.

Lactobacillus Gasseri

L. gasseri has some evidence of its ability to support female health by preventing bacterial vaginosis (a claim not made by Better Body Co.), as well as supporting digestive health and some weight loss. (3)

Specifically, two studies we reviewed showed that women taking L. gasseri for 12 weeks experienced some reduction in abdominal fat and weight. However, one of the studies explained that the weight was regained once the women stopped taking the probiotic. (4, 5)

​​Additionally, in one randomized controlled trial, researchers noted that people with dyspepsia (stomach pain) who ate yogurt containing L. gasseri daily for 12 weeks had less bloating and intestinal discomfort than those who ate a placebo yogurt. (6)

Bifidobacterium Breve

Bifidobacterium breve is a bacteria that lives symbiotically in the human intestinal tract and is often used to manage digestive conditions like constipation, diarrhea, and irritable bowel syndrome.

One 2018 study lasting for 12 weeks showed B. breve to be effective at lowering body fat mass and percent body fat among pre-obese adults. (7)

Other randomized controlled trials have also noted that, as part of a probiotic blend, B. breve could help reduce weight and fat mass in obese or overweight people. (8, 9)

Bifidobacterium Lactis

Bifidobacterium lactis is a bacteria found throughout the digestive tract and is said to improve immune function and digestive issues.

Studies have shown that B. lactis may relieve bloating and other digestive symptoms like diarrhea in people with constipation. (10, 11, 12)

Another 8-week study confirmed similar results by showing that B. lactis may help reduce bloating among people with functional bowel disorders. (13)

Finally, this strain may also boost immune function, increasing resistance to common respiratory infections and seasonal allergies. (14)

Turmeric Root Extract

The active compound in turmeric is curcumin, which is responsible for most of its benefits. Due to its anti-inflammatory properties, turmeric may reduce inflammation, knee pain at night, and knee pain while standing. (15, 16)

A 2019 review of 21 studies, which collectively included 1,604 individuals, concluded that curcumin taken by people with metabolic syndrome (conditions that increase your risk for heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and stroke) was linked to a significant reduction in weight, waist circumference, BMI, and leptin (a hormone primarily made by fat cells that regulate energy balance and gives you a feeling of fullness). (17)

Moringa Leaf Extract

This extract comes from the Moringa oleifera tree, native to North India. It’s rich in antioxidants, especially vitamin C, which help fight oxidative stress induced by free radicals, which can lead to inflammation and chronic disease. (18)

Powdered moringa is also rich in vitamin E, another antioxidant that may have benefits for mild cognitive impairment related to an aging brain. That may be relevant in menopause as many women note forgetfulness and brain fog. (19, 20, 21)

Curry Leaf Extract

Curry leaf offers antioxidants that may support blood sugar management and heart health (such as lowering cholesterol). (22, 23)

Bioperine (Piperine Extract)

Piperine has been shown to significantly improve the absorption of curcumin, which may improve the intended benefits of turmeric used in Provitalize. (24)

Safety Considerations

For the most part, the ingredients in Provitalize appear to be safe, including its probiotic strains (the studies on them reported no adverse effects). The product is also suitable for most diets because it’s keto-friendly, vegan, and gluten-free.

However, the supplement isn’t third-party tested. The FDA doesn’t approve supplements before they are sold, so independent testing helps to verify that the supplement contents match what’s listed on the label.

Sometimes probiotics can cause digestive side effects — like gas or bloating. In most people, these are temporary and typically go away after a few days. (25)

Additionally, Provitalize contains some ingredients that may interfere with heart medications, including blood thinners or medications that lower cholesterol. It may also interfere with other drugs, such as antidepressants, antibiotics, or medications that lower your blood sugar levels. (26, 27)

Consult your healthcare provider before taking Provitalize, especially if you are taking prescription medications.

Cost and Buying Options

Provitalize is more expensive than alternatives but offers bulk and subscription purchase options that decrease costs.

On the brand’s website, one-time purchase options are:

• 1 Bottle: $49, $9.95 shipping
• 2 Bottles: $98 ($49/bottle), free shipping
• 3 Bottles: $120 ($40/bottle), free shipping

Each bottle contains 60 capsules, with a serving size of 2 capsules. This means that each bottle is a 30-day supply.

The company offers an additional 15% savings with an autoship subscription. This option is only available for the single bottle and requires a minimum 3-month commitment.

Better Body Co. offers a 90-day money-back guarantee on your first one-time order (or 180 days on your subscription). However, based on customer reviews, customer support may ask you to try the product for the full 90 days before processing your guarantee.

Provitalize is also available on Amazon at similar prices, but the guarantee only applies to purchases made on the official website.

Shop Provitalize

Alternatives to Provitalize

There are hundreds of probiotic supplements on the market. However, the research on probiotics to relieve major menopause symptoms is limited and inconclusive. One thing that is more or less clear is that certain probiotic strains may contribute to some weight loss.

Provitalize contains probiotic strains that could be used to help you manage menopausal weight gain. However, because Provitalize has never been studied among women going through menopause, we will compare it to other probiotic supplements formulated for weight loss to determine the best option.

Furthermore, there is no evidence that Provitalize’s other ingredients could be used to manage menopausal symptoms. If that is your chief concern, there are many safe and effective options available, which we will list below in a moment.

First, here’s how Provitolize compares to several leading brands that offer probiotic formulas for weight loss containing research-backed strains:

If you are considering a probiotic supplement to help you lose the weight you have gained during menopause, there is nothing about Provitolize that makes it stand out from the competition in any way. If weight loss is your goal, we believe the other two alternatives are better:

• Dr. Formulated Probiotics Fitbiotic is the best overall choice. It contains a larger variety of probiotic strains than Provitalize, which may support your weight loss goals and digestive health in a more rounded way. It also contains a prebiotic fiber (food for the probiotics), which promotes good bacteria growth. This organic product comes from a reputable brand (Garden of Life). If it fits into your budget, this is a great pick.
• If you want a more budget-friendly option, Physician’s Choice Thin 30 Probiotics is a solid choice. It has more probiotic strains than Provitalize, plus a prebiotic and other ingredients that have research backing their use for weight loss.

If you are looking for a natural product to help manage your menopause symptoms, none of the above probiotics have been specifically formulated for such concerns. The good news is that there are several other clinically proven, effective, and natural options. Here is a quick comparison of the leading brands:

All four brands offer effective solutions for menopause symptoms. We offer additional insight on choosing your best option in our Estroven Review.