Frequently asked questions

Alflorex® is the only product in the UK that contains the unique 35624® live bacterial culture.

This culture has been clinically tested by leading scientists and gastroenterologists. The results of these trials have been published in a wide range of respected scientific journals.

The live 35624® culture in Alflorex® Children is a type of bacteria that occurs naturally in the human gut. It's part the Bifidobacterium group, one of the first kinds of bacteria passed by mothers to their babies at birth.

Alflorex® Children has been specifically developed with the unique 35624™ strain, which was discovered and developed by PrecisionBiotics® and has been scientifically studied in partnership with experts from a world-leading center of research into the microbiome. This naturally occurring strain belongs to Bifidobacterium longum, a bacterial species that may be passed from mother to baby at birth. The safety and tolerability of this strain has been confirmed in a number of clinical studies. A single Alflorex® Children sachet contains around 100 million live bacteria (or 1x10^8 colony forming units). The number of bacteria in each sachet has been scientifically studied and chosen for optimal effectiveness and is guaranteed by quality control checks.

We do not recommend that you take other products containing bacterial cultures while taking Alflorex® Children as mixing multiple bacterial cultures can mean their individual qualities are affected. Different bacterial cultures behave in different ways and may even have competing effects. Some bacterial strains are not compatible, meaning that mixing multiple bacterial cultures can affect their individual qualities. The following article contains further information about single and multi-strain live cultures:Single or Multi-Strain Live Cultures?

If you have further questions about your child taking Alflorex® Children, we recommend that you speak to a healthcare professional, such as your child’s doctor.

Alflorex® Children contains the natural 35624™ strain. This naturally occurring strain belongs to Bifidobacterium longum, a bacterial species that may be passed from mother to baby at birth. The strain was first isolated from a healthy human gut.

Ingredients: Maltodextrin, flavouring: vanilla, bacterial culture†, anti-caking agent: silicon dioxide.

†35624™ culture (Bifidobacterium longum) 1 x 10⁸ (1 billion Colony Forming Units per sachet).

A single Alflorex® Children sachet contains around 100 million live bacteria, or 1 x 10^8 colony forming units (CFUs). The number of bacteria in each capsule has been scientifically studied and chosen for optimal effectiveness. The minimum number of live bacteria of the 35624™ strain in the product is confirmed by quality control checks, and is guaranteed throughout the product's shelf life.

Take one sachet every day, with or without food. For best results, we recommend taking Alflorex® Children with cold or warm drinks instead of hot drinks or acidic drinks. For example: water, milk or plant-based milk alternatives. As Alflorex® Children has a mild vanilla flavour, we recommend mixing them with milk, smoothies or yogurt.

The specially selected 35624™ culture in Alflorex® Children should reach your child's gut in peak condition within a few hours of being taken. During the first two weeks, Alflorex® Children will begin to gently prime the gut where it is needed. During this time, your child may experience mild and temporary changes to their gut habits. When taken every day, your child can expect to feel the full effects of Alflorex® Children within four to eight weeks. We do not recommend making changes to your child's diet before the gut is primed and has adjusted to taking Alflorex® Children. We recommend that you speak to a healthcare professional who can best advise you and your child about their diet.

Take one sachet every day.Alflorex® Children can be taken any time of day. The most important thing is that it is taken at the same time every day. It can be taken with or without food.

The bacteria in Alflorex® Children stay in the gut only for as long as your child continues to take it. After that, they will be naturally swept out by bowel movements, which is why it is important to continue to take Alflorex® Children every day to keep the gut primed.

Dietary FODMAP restriction may affect the balance of the gut microbiome. FODMAPS act as prebiotics by providing a nutrient source for our gut bacteria, so if we deprive these bacteria of these sources of nutrients, we potentially reduce the amount of bacteria in our gut. In particular, research shows a reduction in Bifidobacterium strains with dietary FODMAP restriction (Halmos EP et al. Gut 2015, 64. 93-100).

A clinical study of the Bifidobacterium longum 35624™ strain in Alflorex® Children has been carried out by University College London in people following the low FODMAP diet.

We recommend that you speak to a healthcare professional who can best advise you and your child about taking Alflorex® Children with a low FODMAP diet.

No refrigeration required. Alflorex® Children should be stored below 25˚C. They have been carefully formulated to be stable at room temperature, and do not need to be refrigerated.

We recommend you store Alflorex® Children in its original packaging.

Alflorex® Children can be taken any time of day. The most important thing is that it is taken at the same time every day. It can be taken with or without food.

Alflorex® Children can be taken any time of day. They can be taken with or without food.

Fruit juices are generally acidic, and acid can damage the 35624™ culture in Alflorex® Children making it less effective.We know from our research studies that the 35624™ strain survives the acidic environment of the stomach. However, we recommend that Alflorex® Children is not taken with fruit juice as a precaution to ensure that the strain is entering the gastrointestinal tract in peak condition.

For best results, we recommend taking Alflorex® Children with cold or warm (not hot) water, milk or plant-based milk alternatives, such as soya, almond or rice milks as these are less acidic than fruit juices. As Alflorex® Children has a mild vanilla flavour, we also recommend mixing them with milk, smoothies or yogurt.

The Bifidobacterium longum 35624™ strain in Alflorex® Children can be inactivated by alcohol.

For those over the legal drinking age, we recommend not drinking alcohol for a few hours after taking Alflorex® Children.

The raw materials used for Alflorex® Children do not contain any of the allergens listed in the Regulation (EU) 1169/2011, and the manufacturing facilities ensure there is no cross contamination from allergens.

Whilst the raw ingredients in Alflorex® Children may be suitable for those following a Halal diet, the production of Alflorex® Children has not received Halal certification.

Whilst the raw ingredients in Alflorex® Children may be suitable for those following a Kosher diet, the production of Alflorex® Children has not received Kosher certification.

Vegetarians: Yes, Alflorex® Children is suitable for vegetarians.

Vegan: Whilst the raw ingredients in Alflorex® Children are suitable for vegans, the production of Alflorex® Children has not received vegan certification.

UK: 1 pack (1 month supply, 30 sachets) of Alflorex® Children costs £24.99

UK: Alflorex® Childrenis available online and from selected Boots stores.

Alflorex® Children are suitable for children aged 3 years and up.

Yes, Alflorex® Children can be used in adults.

There are no known side effects of taking Alflorex® Children. It is a food supplement containing bacteria belonging to a species that may be passed naturally from mother to baby at birth, and which may live naturally in the gut. The safety of the bacteria contained in Alflorex® Childrenhas been confirmed by research studies in humans. During the first few weeks of taking Alflorex® Children, as the bacteria begin to gently prime the gut, some people may experience mild and temporary changes in their gut. These shouldn't last long and may be an indication that the bacteria are beginning to take effect. If you have any concerns, we encourage you to consult with your child’s doctor.

Alflorex® Children is classified as a food supplement. There are no known adverse interactions of Alflorex® Children with medicines. If your child is prescribed antibiotics, it is best to take Alflorex® Children at a different time of day from the antibiotics because the bacteria in Alflorex® Childrencan be inactivated by antibiotics. If the medication your child is prescribed suppresses the immune system, we recommend you discuss the suitability of Alflorex® Children with their doctor.

Additionally, if your child has a medical condition or you have questions about whether Alflorex® Children is suitable for them, please consult your child's doctor.

Alflorex® Children contains the Bifidobacterium longum 35624™ culture, part of the family of bacteria that are passed naturally to babies from their mothers at birth. These bacteria may also be present in breast milk.

We recommend that you speak to your doctor if you have any questions about whether Alflorex® Children is suitable for you or your child.

As a food supplement, there are no specific contraindications for Alflorex® Children. Whilst the Bifidobacterium longum 35624™ bacterial culture in Alflorex® Children has been shown to be safe in a number of clinical research studies, specific studies have not been carried out in people who are immunocompromised. The British Dietetic Association advises that if your immune system doesn't function properly, you should speak to a healthcare professional before starting products such as Alflorex® Children. Additionally, we recommend you consult your child's doctor if they have any medical conditions prior to starting Alflorex® Children.

As a food supplement, there are no specific contraindications for Alflorex® Children. Whilst the Bifidobacterium longum 35624™bacterial culture in Alflorex® Children has been shown to be safe in a number of clinical research studies, specific studies have not been carried out in people who have diabetes. There is only a very small amount of sugar contained in each sachet of Alflorex® Children, which will not affect blood sugar levels. We recommend you consult your child's doctor if they have any medical conditions prior to starting Alflorex® Children.

If your child has an enteral feeding tube, please consult a healthcare professional before administering Alflorex® Children.