phd™ faqs
General questions
What does phd stand for?
Probiotic Health Daily.
back to top
Do I have to drink phd every day to get the probiotic benefits?
This primarily depends on you, your digestive system, and your diet. Some people need a daily dose while others may need it less frequently. Probiotics are not a substitute for nutritious eating habits, and we advocate healthy food decisions and regular exercise. We recommend taking probiotics daily for optimal health.
back to top
How long before I see results?
Everyone's different. Some people notice positive effects right away, others may need daily dosages to reset their system over the span of a few weeks. If you are new to probiotics, we suggest taking half a dose at a time (½ packet or ½ beverage) for the first day or two to ease your body into it.
back to top
The label says "contains milk, soy and barley" – are phd products safe for people with allergies to diary, soy, barley/gluten?
Yes, the allergens are below detectable limits (about 1 part per billion) in the dried probiotic cultures in phd to go. When the probiotic bacteria are being grown, they eat these allergens for food, then they’re washed and dried, leaving behind minimal amounts of milk, soy, barley. After other ingredients are added and you add water, the potential allergens are less than 1 part per quadrillion in the finished product. If you have any of these in the kitchen, you’d actually get more exposure just from that than in your phd to go.
back to top
How do I know which formula/flavor of phd to take?
We recommend for you to switch it up if you can, because it's beneficial to have as many types (strains) of bacteria as possible. Your gut has about 600 species of bacteria, with about 30 of those 600 making up the bulk of the population. In general, though, berry is designed for digestive issues, citrus for immune issues and orange for detox effects. Everyone’s gut is different, so pay attention to how you're feeling when you take each formula – there is probably one that works best for you.
back to top
If I'm on antibiotics, should I wait until I’m done to take phd?
It's actually more important to take them during your antibiotic regimen because that will prevent full destruction of microbes in your gut. You can continue treatment afterwards as well to ensure you're getting your system back to normal or as close as possible.
back to top
Why do you use more than one fiber in phd products?
For the drink we just have one fiber, but the powder packs have two types. In the next generation drink we will have two fiber types. Dave is testing two more types of fibers as the ideal scenario would be several types of fiber in all products that feed different types of bacteria.
back to top
Why do you have 2 sugars, agave nectar and evaporated cane juice?
Most people have 2 concerns with sugar: the potential for yeast overgrowth and the possibility of an insulin spike. phd was formulated to protect against both of these issues. First, we used a combination of all-natural organic sweeteners. With just one type of sugar, sometimes you get bad bacteria growth or yeast overgrowth. The multiple sweeteners serve as different prebiotic food sources for different types of probiotics. Second, we have added very complex fibers. Fibers and probiotics form a protective mucus layer all along your digestive tract. If this layer is in place, sugar is not able to pass right into the bloodstream so it doesn’t spike insulin levels. Because of this sugar-fiber ratio, phd has a low glycemic index.
back to top
phd-specific questions
What can I expect when trying phd?
When you push the button on our LifeTop™, 20 billion CFUs of probiotics and some natural coloring will fall into the flavored water. Shaking the bottle well for a few seconds will diffuse and dissolve the probiotic powder and the color will become more vibrant. Unscrew the cap and enjoy your first sip. You'll experience a natural, refreshingly clean, and lightly fruit flavored water. phd is one of the most delicious functional beverages on the market and much tastier than sour probiotic dairy products.
back to top
Why are the probiotics kept in the cap until the time of consumption?
Probiotics don't survive very well in moist conditions unless they are actively growing. Outside of yogurt, probiotics in food and drink are not typically actively growing so their viability should be brought into question. phd stores the probiotics in the cap as a means to protect them from moisture until you are ready to drink. phd uses probiotics preserved through a freeze-dried process allowing them to survive until the expiration date on the bottle without any degradation. The probiotics are activated when they enter the water-based beverage, ensuring you get the full dose of probiotics in the product
back to top
How long does the product last after releasing the probiotics?
The probiotics will last for at least several hours – plenty of time for you to enjoy a refreshing phd.
back to top
Do I need to keep phd refrigerated?
Keeping phd refrigerated helps ensure your probiotics are alive when you are ready to drink. From the moment phd is manufactured, it is kept refrigerated for this purpose.
back to top
What makes phd more effective than pills, yogurts, other probiotic products?
There are many differences between phd and other probiotics options. The most notable are:
- phd has a high bifidobacteria content. This is important because our digestive tracts are about 85% bifido and most probiotic products, including many pills, have more lactobacillus.
- The fibers, or prebiotics, used in phd are very complex and make the probiotics over 3x more effective. We use top-notch fiber to help support the growth of the probiotics. It works by slowing down the transit of the probiotics throughout your system so they can fully colonize, and also feeds the probiotics. This is different from pills (which don’t have much - if any - room for fibers) because they don't
- phd's beverage format means that it coats all the way down your GI tract, from your mouth to your colon, not just below your stomach like with capsules. We need probiotics in all areas of our GI tract not just the intestine – and the drink format also has a light, refreshing taste.
- The probiotics are kept alive until the time of consumption. In most yogurt and other probiotic food products, the probiotics are alive at the time of manufacture but die off because they are mixed in with the food source. Keeping them separate from liquid ensures that the product is alive and as effective at consumption as it was at manufacture.
back to top
Is phd FDA-approved?
Beverages don't have to submit anything to the FDA prior to being sold on store shelves. However, the FDA does review product claims and ingredients. In terms of phd: (1) Any claims made are supported by the scientific literature; (2) We encourage you to do your own research about probiotics and decide for yourself; (3) We have included high-quality ingredients and probiotics with no artificial or synthetic additives.
back to top
Is phd organic?
phd is currently all-natural and made with mostly organic ingredients. Currently, over 70% of the ingredients in phd are organic, and we are working on getting the product organic-certified.
back to top
How many calories are in one bottle of phd?
Only 90 in the bottle, and 45 calories per serving.
back to top
Is phd kosher? Gluten-free? Low glycemic?
It will be soon. Yes. Yes.
back to top
Why does the bottle say "contains milk" if phd is a flavored water?
phd is an enhanced water beverage. The cultures of probiotics used in phd are grown in a dairy source so they contain trace amounts of milk (casein). As a result, we have to include the words "contains milk" on the label even though the traces of dairy remaining in the final beverage are minute. If you have a dairy allergy, please consult your doctor before consuming.
back to top
Is phd carbonated?
Nope. Despite what some people think when they see the colored circles on the label, phd is not carbonated. The circles represent the probiotics falling into the water which happens when you trigger the LifeTop cap.
back to top
What are the ingredients in phd?
Click here to see for yourself. We've tried to keep our ingredient list simple, natural, and as understandable as possible.
back to top
What strains do you use in each drink and why?
phd uses a blend of 6 probiotic strains in each beverage. This is more than you will find in the majority of probiotic food products on the market today. Each strain is unique and comes with its own benefits. Therefore, the more strains, the better the chances of a more positive impact from drinking phd. For more information about the specific strains used in each beverage, click here.
back to top
Is the phd bottle recyclable?
The bottle and label are made out of PETE (#1) plastic which is the most recyclable plastic in the U.S. Please recycle.
back to top
Why do you use Maltodextrin?
We use maltodextrin, which is a naturally-occurring, gluten-free fiber (or prebiotic) to keep the probiotics alive until the time of consumption.
back to top
phd to go-specific questions
How many powder packs are in a box?
Each box of phd to go contains 10 individual powder packs.
back to top
What can I expect when trying phd to go?
The powder inside the packs includes 10 billion CFUs of probiotics as well as all-natural sweeteners, flavors, and colors. Simply, rip off the top corner of one pack and add it to a glass/bottle of water. One pack is formulated to be mixed with 8-10 ounces of water. If you'd like to experience the 20 billion CFUs that are in the phd beverages, mix two packets into 16-20 ounces of water.
back to top
What are the notable similarities and differences between phd (the beverage) and phd to go?
In terms of similarities, the specific probiotic blends used in the phd beverage flavor are the exact same as the its respective phd to go flavor. In addition, the ingredients used in the phd beverage flavor are almost identical to its respective phd to go flavor. This is because, in order to convert the liquid recipe to a powder recipe, a couple of minor changes had to be made. As for the differences, phd is a full-bottled, enhanced water beverage with our SmartTop cap. phd to go is a powder packet that you add to a bottle or glass of water. Another difference is that phd has 20 billion CFUs per beverage whereas phd to go has 10 billion CFUs per pack. Per serving, both phd and phd to go have 10 billion CFUs.
back to top
How long does the product last after releasing the probiotics?
Same as the beverage - for at least several hours. Since you're a busy person, this should be plenty of time for you to enjoy a refreshing phd to go.
back to top
Do I need to keep phd to go refrigerated?
Keeping phd to go refrigerated helps ensure the probiotics in your powder sticks are alive when you are ready to add them to water. phd to go is manufactured, stored, and shipped in a cool environment for this purpose. If you want to throw a pack in your work bag for the day, it will most likely be fine as long as your bag doesn't get too hot in transit.
back to top
Why is phd to go better than other probiotic foods on the market?
- phd to go is a refreshing, enhanced water beverage. We found that many people dislike eating and drinking fermented dairy products, and that many more people dislike taking pills.
- phd to go uses a blend of multiple strains which helps balance, boost, or detoxify your system in multiple ways.
- Each pack of phd to go delivers over 10 billion CFUs (colony-forming units) which is substantially more than most other probiotic-enhanced products. Many products will not specify the quantity of probiotics they deliver upon consumption or they do not take into consideration the degradation that occurs over time. We do all that we can to make sure there are at least 10 billion CFUs when you drink phd to go.
- phd to go contains high-quality probiotic strains from the #1 probiotic manufacturer in the world.
back to top
Is phd to go FDA-approved?
Powder packs don't have to submit anything to the FDA prior to being sold on store shelves. However, the FDA does review product claims and ingredients. In terms of phd: (1) Any claims made are supported by the scientific literature; (2) We encourage you to do your own research about probiotics and decide for yourself; (3) We have included high-quality ingredients and probiotics with no artificial or synthetic additives.
back to top
Is phd to go organic?
phd to go is currently all-natural and is made with organic evaporated cane juice. We are working on getting the product organic-certified.
back to top
How many calories are in one pack of phd to go?
60 per pack.
back to top
Is phd to go kosher? Gluten-free? Low glycemic?
It will be soon. Yes. Yes.
back to top
Is the fructose non-GMO?
Yes.
back to top
Why does the bottle say "contains milk" if phd is a flavored water?
phd to go is an enhanced water beverage. The cultures of probiotics used in phd are grown in a dairy source so they contain trace amounts of milk (casein). As a result, we have to include the words "contains milk" on the label even though the traces of dairy remaining in the final beverage are minute. If you have a dairy allergy, please consult your doctor before consuming.
back to top
What are the ingredients in phd to go?
Click here to see for yourself. We've tried to keep our ingredient list simple, natural, and as understandable as possible.
back to top
What strains do you use in each drink and why?
phd to go uses a blend of 6 probiotic strains in each beverage. This is more than you will find in the majority of probiotic food products on the market today. Each strain is unique and comes with its own benefits. Therefore, the more strains, the better the chances of a more positive impact from drinking phd. For more information about the specific strains used in each pack, click here.
back to top
Why is there sometimes a little sediment left at the bottom of the glass?
This material is soluble fiber, so you may have 0.2g of fiber left over in your glass after you drink your phd to go. Probiotics won’t stick to glass or plastic (just your insides!) so you aren’t missing out on the dosage. Make sure you mix well and you should rarely see this. .
back to top