Sixteen bacterial species across roughly 3.3 billion CFU, with most strains contributing about 180 million CFU each. While the species diversity looks broad on the label, the total count falls toward the lower end of the 1–100 billion CFU range used in clinical research — many studied protocols use 10 billion or more for meaningful gut outcomes.

The bigger issue for you is that none of the 16 species list specific strain identifiers. Probiotic research is strain-specific — *L. rhamnosus GG* has very different evidence than generic *L. rhamnosus*. Without strain IDs, there's no way to connect what's in your capsule to what's been tested in trials.

**FOS** is included as a prebiotic at 50 mg, but clinical studies on prebiotic fiber use 5,000–10,000 mg. At this amount, the prebiotic contribution to your gut bacteria is negligible.

BioStacks
Swanson

Dr. Stephen Langer's Ultimate 16 Strain Probiotic with FOS

1 Capsule · 60 servings

Under-dosed

Every active here is dosed below the amount studied to work. See how each one compares in the breakdown below.

Best for

Ingredients (2)

Fructooligosaccharides

1%

Dose

50 mg

Target

5000–10000 mg

Form

16-Strain Probiotic Blend

20 mg

Doses not disclosed by manufacturer

Other Ingredients (7)

AlfalfaFiller

A nutrient-dense plant sometimes used as a base or filler in supplement formulations

Magnesium StearateLubricant

A salt of stearic acid used as a lubricant in tablet and capsule production

Silicon DioxideAnti-caking

Fine silica powder used to prevent clumping

HypromelloseCapsule

Plant-derived capsule material from cellulose

HypromelloseCapsule

Plant-derived capsule material from cellulose

Microcrystalline CelluloseBinder

Plant-derived cellulose used as a binder and filler in supplements

Trace MineralsBase

A blend of trace minerals (typically including selenium, chromium, manganese, molybdenum, etc.) used as a supporting base ingredient

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Sources & Scoring

Nutrient data (RDA, UL, and safety thresholds) sourced from: NIH Office of Dietary Supplements and National Academies Dietary Reference Intakes (DRI).

This is not medical advice. Consult a healthcare provider before making changes to your supplement routine.

The score analyzes what's on the label: ingredient doses vs. clinical ranges, chemical forms, evidence levels, and known interactions. It does not verify label accuracy or test for contaminants — for that, look for third-party certifications like USP or NSF.