Provitalize is a weight loss supplement for menopausal women sold by a brand called Better Body Co. The company describes their product as the "best natural menopause probiotic."
But does Provitalize contain research-backed ingredients for weight loss? What about for menopausal symptoms? Does it contain any unhealthy ingredients? And how do real users rate and describe its effects?
In this article we'll answer all of these questions and more, as we analyze the ingredients in Provitalize to give our take on whether or not it's likely to be effective, and whether or not it's healthy.
We'll also share our doubts about whether menopausal women require unique weight loss strategies, feature real Provitalize customer reviews, and discuss the risk of side effects.
Key takeaways:
- We consider most active ingredients unlikely to be effective
- Brand misrepresents some studies in their References section
- We do not currently recommend Provitalize
Ingredient Analysis
The active ingredients in Provitalize are shown below:
L. gasseri SBT 2055 may support weight loss.
A clinical trial published in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that this probiotic strain caused an average 4.6% body fat loss over the course of 12 weeks.
B. breve IDCC 4401 is a probiotic strain we consider likely ineffective.
On Provitalize's website, the manufacturer lists two clinical trials (trial 1, trial 2) in a "References" section as evidence that this probiotic strain causes weight loss.
However both trials use an entirely different strain of B. breve than the one included in Provitalize.
We consider this to be a red flag about the competency of this brand.
B. lactis R101-8 is another probiotic strain that we consider ineffective for weight loss.
The only medical study that Better Body Co. cites to prove that this ingredient is effective for weight loss uses a different probiotic strain than the one included in Provitalize.
Turmeric root extract is clinically shown to support weight loss, but we can't find any evidence of its efficacy at a dose as low as exists in Provitalize.
Moringa leaf extract, curry leaf and lecithin are the remaining active ingredients, and we can't identify clinical trials on humans showing any to be effective for weight loss.
The inactive ingredients in Provitalize, shown below, should be safe and non-toxic:
Overall, we consider Provitalize potentially effective for weight loss, but we can only find clinical backing for one of its active ingredients.
Our Issue With Menopausal Weight Loss Supps
Provitalize, like many other supplement brands marketed to menopausal women, suggests that overweight menopausal women require unique weight loss strategies compared to other overweight individuals.
However, we cannot find any evidence of this and it's not logical.
Weight loss is a simple thermogenic process: calories in vs. calories out. An overweight menopausal woman loses weight by intaking fewer calories than she burns, just like any other overweight individual.
We consider it to be a red flag when a brand makes health claims or suggestions, without citation, that menopausal women require unique weight loss strategies.
As we discussed in our Stunning After 40 review article, it's true that menopausal women experience hormonal changes that can make weight loss more challenging, but the mechanism by which to lose weight remains the same.
Does Provitalize Cause Side Effects?
Provitalize doesn't appear to have been studied in any clinical trials, which makes it challenging to determine whether or not the supplement will cause side effects.
However, we can make an educated guess based on its stated ingredients.
68.2 billion CFU is a relatively high probiotic dose, and this may cause minor gastrointestinal effects in patients with an unhealthy microbiome (this is the medical term for bacterial colonies that reside in the human gut).
An individual who consumes unhealthy diet high in processed food may be more likely to experience side effects like gas and bloating from high-dose probiotics than an individual who consumes a healthy diet, but overall we consider this risk quite minor.
The Provitalize website states that the supplement is "not known to have any major side effects," and we would agree with this determination based on its Supplement Facts label.
Since the Provitalize serving size is two capsules, it may be prudent for consumers with a sensitive stomach to try one capsule first to ensure that the supplement doesn't cause any side effects.
Overall, we consider Provitalize unlikely to cause side effects in healthy adults.
Real People Try Provitalize
A TikTok creator named "blytheelizabethreid" had a positive experience with Provitalize:
@blytheelizabethreid #provitalize #provitalizereviews #hashimotos #pcos #perimenopause #bloating @BetterBodyCo ♬ original sound - blytheelizabethreid
A TikTok creator named "javacaldwell120269" had a negative experience using Provitalize:
@javacaldwell120269 #menopausesymptoms #provitalize #igottimetoday #blacktiktok #provitalizereviews #fyp ♬ original sound - JAVA's TT SHOP
Our Clean Weight Loss Picks
Ceylon cinnamon was described as "an effective anti-obesity agent" in a 2022 meta-analysis. The study authors concluded that effects were greater at doses at or over 3 grams daily.
Illuminate Labs Ceylon Cinnamon Extract is our standardized Ceylon cinnamon supplement which is third-party tested to ensure purity and potency.
Dietary fiber was shown in a medical review published in The Journal of Nutrition to cause 16 pounds of weight loss in 6 months when combined with moderate caloric restriction (750 calories per day below baseline).
MBG Organic Fiber Potency+ is our top fiber pick because it's certified organic, provides 7 g of fiber per serving and costs under $1.85 per serving at the time of updating this article.
Both of the products mentioned in this section are free of ingredients that we consider to be unhealthy.
Where to Get the Best Price
Provitalize is sold at a variety of online retailers. Here's a price breakdown for a one-time purchase at the time of updating this article:
Brand website: $49 (plus shipping, link)
Walmart: $49 (free shipping, link)
Amazon: $49 (free shipping, link to official Amazon listing)
Provitalize is currently around 10% cheaper on third-party retailers than the brand's website when factoring in shipping fees.
Both third-party listings above are published by the supplement's manufacturer and not a third-party retailer.
Customers Rate Provitalize
Provitalize has been reviewed over 16,000 times on Amazon. The average customer rating is 4/5 stars.
The top review from a verified purchaser is written by a user named "SLS" who claims that the product has not caused weight loss but has provided relief from menopausal symptoms:
"I have been taking these pills for 7 days and I can honestly say that the night sweats and hot flashes have eased up and I have finally gotten a good night sleep. I have also noticed my appetite has decreased and I'm not as bloated."
The top negative review from a verified purchaser comes from a user named "Rebecca Granier" who shares complaints that the supplement caused gastrointestinal distress:
"Day one, I took one pill in the morning on an empty stomach. Everything seemed fine until later that evening I was so bloated I could barely move. Took some Phasyme and was able to get some relief...I had terrible diarrhea. Huge bouts like my whole body was purging."
Provitalize Pros and Cons
Here are the pros and cons of Provitalize in our opinion:
Pros:
- Contains one probiotic strain which is effective for weight loss
- No unhealthy ingredients
- Unlikely to cause side effects
Cons:
- Doesn't appear clinically tested
- Brand misrepresents citations in their References section
- Menopausal weight loss supplements are a red flag
- Some active ingredients underdosed in our view
- Questionable health claims on brand's website
- Brand's website charges for shipping
