Udo's Choice Super 8 Immune – 42 Billion CFU, 91% Lactobacillus

42 billion live cells at manufacture. 31 billion guaranteed at expiry. Eight strains, 91% Lactobacillus, with added vitamin C.

• 42 billion cells at manufacture, 31 billion guaranteed at expiry
• 91% Lactobacillus, with L. acidophilus alone making up 45% of the blend
• 15mg vitamin C (19% RI) — vitamin C contributes to the normal function of the immune system¹
• Seven of the eight strains are human-adapted; one is plant-derived
• FOS-free · One capsule a day · 30, 60 or 90 capsules
• Refrigerated and packed in dark amber glass

The vitamin C is not decoration

Every microbiotic in the Udo's Choice range contains a small amount of ascorbic acid as an antioxidant. Super 8 Immune is the only one that carries it as a declared nutrient at 15mg per capsule — 19% of the daily reference intake.

That threshold matters. A nutrient has to be present at a minimum level before anything can legally be said about it, and 15mg clears it. Vitamin C contributes to the normal function of the immune system.¹ That is an authorised claim, and this is the only product in the range able to make it.

What we can and cannot tell you

There are no authorised health claims for live bacteria in the UK — none, for any strain, at any count. So everything on this page about the bacteria themselves is composition rather than benefit, and the only claim made is the vitamin C one above.

What we can give you is the full specification, which is more than most microbiotics disclose.

The composition

Note the two distinct L. rhamnosus strains, HA-111 and HA-114. Same species, different strains — and strain identity is what distinguishes one microbiotic from another. A label that says only "L. rhamnosus" is telling you less than it appears to.

Immune or Gold? They are near mirror images

As microbiology rather than a claim about either product: Lactobacillus species are more associated with the small intestine and Bifidobacterium with the large. The two formulations reflect that difference.

Gold has the higher count. This one has the vitamin C and the Lactobacillus-dominant profile, at roughly half the price.

Human-adapted strains

Seven of the eight strains are human-adapted — originally isolated from the human digestive tract rather than from dairy, plants or soil. The eighth, L. plantarum, is plant-derived and included deliberately. Strain origin is rarely disclosed on a microbiotic label.

FOS-free, and why that matters to some people

Many microbiotics include fructooligosaccharides as a prebiotic. FOS is a fermentable carbohydrate and one of the compounds restricted on a low-FODMAP diet. There is no added FOS here — a specification most labels do not state either way.

Four weeks out of the fridge

Live bacteria are sensitive to heat, light and moisture, so this is refrigerated through storage and distribution and packed in dark amber glass rather than plastic.

It also carries an over-fill ratio — more cells than the label guarantees — which allows it to be kept unrefrigerated for up to four weeks at room temperature without dropping below the declared count. That is what makes it genuinely practical to travel with.

How to take it

One capsule per day, with or after a meal.

If you would rather not swallow a capsule, it can be opened and the contents stirred into milk or yoghurt — not into anything hot.

Common questions

What is the difference between the 42 billion and 31 billion figures?
42 billion is the count at manufacture; 31 billion is guaranteed on the last day of shelf life. Live cultures decline over time, and the expiry figure is the one worth comparing between products.

Why does it contain vitamin C?
At 15mg it is a declared nutrient carrying an authorised immune claim, not merely an antioxidant for the formula.

Does it need refrigerating?
Yes, for maximum potency — though it tolerates up to four weeks at room temperature.

Why no enteric coating?
The strains are selected for tolerance to stomach acid and bile, so no coating is used.

30, 60 or 90 capsules?
Same product. At one a day that is one, two or three months. The larger bottles cost less per capsule.

Can I open the capsule?
Yes — into milk or yoghurt. Avoid hot food or drink.

Ingredients

Potato starch (bulking agent), Lactobacillus acidophilus (HA-122) 45%, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (vegetarian capsule), Lactobacillus rhamnosus (HA-111) 25%, Lactobacillus rhamnosus (HA-114) 10%, Bifidobacterium bifidum (HA-132) 6%, Lactobacillus salivarius (HA-118) 1%, Lactobacillus plantarum (HA-119) 7%, Bifidobacterium longum (HA-135) 3%, Lactobacillus casei (HA-108) 3%, ascorbic acid (antioxidant), stearic acid (emulsifier), silicon dioxide (anti-caking agent).

Nutrition Information

RI = Reference Intake. Live cultures have no established Reference Intake.

¹ Vitamin C contributes to the normal function of the immune system.

Source of vitamin C. Food supplements should not be used as a substitute for a varied, balanced diet or a healthy lifestyle. Do not exceed the recommended daily intake. Keep out of the reach of children.