Dr. Ohhira's Probiotics

09/26/2025

Flashback Friday Question: what's the earliest you've ever purchased holiday decorations or treats in advance? Though some folks scoff at the phenomenon of retail stores offering Halloween merchandise before Labor Day and Christmas goods the day after Halloween, if you're a fan of a seasonal flavor of coffee, a limited-edition cosmetic scent, or something else of that nature, it can be tempting to take action at the first available opportunity! Share your story in the comments section of this post. And keep in mind that Essential Formulas products are great year-round--no need to wait for Christmas!



https://essentialformulas.com/retail-store-locator/

09/22/2025

Do you ever drink ginger ale when you have an upset stomach? Some folks swear that this bubbly, sweet drink can help curb nausea, which is probably why ginger ale is such a popular beverage on airplanes. But as this article from Livestrong points out, though ginger IS known for its belly-soothing properties, most commercially prepared ginger ale doesn't contain nearly enough ginger to make a difference. More often than not, a person who feels relief after drinking a cup of ginger ale is responding more to the carbonation and sugar than the (artificial) ginger flavor! Check out the article to learn more. And the next time you have a sour stomach, consider reaching for a juice or lemonade blend that utilizes real, actual ginger in its recipe!

Nausea plagues everyone from time to time. Get rid of nausea with these home remedies.

09/19/2025

Tomorrow marks the start of Oktoberfest! Whether you're planning to attend the actual, massive volksfest in Munich, Germany or simply hit up a small, local celebration in your area (they're all over the place this time of year!), we hope that everyone has a great time. Edible treats associated with Oktoberfest include sausages, pretzels, and--of course--beer. Another popular snack is sauerkraut, which WE love because it's a fermented, gut-friendly food! 🍻



https://essentialformulas.com/health-benefits-fermented-foods-microbiota/

09/17/2025

While our posts usually focus on simple explanations or "crash courses" with regards to probiotics and gut health, we realize that plenty of folks may actually WANT a deep-dive that gets into the science and chemistry of it all. If that's you, then don't miss this article from Science X that discusses the lives and activities of gut bacteria! Learn why the gut microbiome is sometimes called an "extra digestive organ," how cellular respiration works, and what the heck Eggerthellaceae are. Even if you're not a biology buff, it's still fascinating to consider the complex processes going on in your gut at every second of every day!



https://phys.org/news/2024-01-resourceful-ways-bacteria-human-gut.html

09/15/2025

"Nature’s whole food nutritional supplements are foods that have been compressed into tablet form, poured into capsules or powdered. The word “whole” indicates that the end product — a supplement — does not contain parts of foods or synthetic and isolated vitamins." Essential Formulas products are different from anything else on the market due to our multi-year fermentation process, and a critical step in their creation is starting with all-natural, whole food ingredients. Seasonal vegetables, fruit, seaweed, herbs, and more are combined with our signature 13 strains of bacteria, and the end result is a powerful capsule that contains pre-, pro, and postbiotics! You can read more about it on the "Nature’s Whole Food Supplement" page of our website.



https://ecs.page.link/SZqF8

09/12/2025

Flashback Friday Question: what are the most extreme lengths to which you'll go in order to not waste cosmetic products? Most of us will, at some point in our lives, add a little water to an "empty" shampoo or soap bottle...but do you also balance containers upside-down to get at those last few drops of cream or gel? Cut open plastic bottles with a utility knife? Dig around in canister grooves with a micro spatula? Let us know in the comments section of this post. Meanwhile, if you want a facial cleanser with low-hastle packaging, check out our gentle, clarifying, probiotic-powered Kampuku Beauty Bar!



https://essentialformulas.com/product/dr-ohhiras-probiotic-kampuku-beauty-bar/

09/10/2025

A question we occasionally receive from folks looking to start a probiotic supplement regimen is whether the Original Formula of Dr. Ohhira’s Probiotics will be adequate to meet their needs, or if they should just "hit the ground running" with the Dr. Ohhira’s Probiotics Professional Formula. We also get asked about the latter by long-time enjoyers of the Original; they'd like to know if they should stay the course or make an upgrade. Well, the answer to either question will vary depending on what, specifically, you're looking for in a probiotic supplement, your primary health concerns, and where you currently are on your gut health journey. Here's a post on our blog that really gets into the differences between the Original and Professional varieties; read it to get a better idea of which formula is right for you!



https://essentialformulas.com/clinical-probiotics/

09/08/2025

Let's be honest: with the exception of folks who already subscribe to a vegetarian or vegan diet, the vast, VAST majority of us could probably benefit from eating more plants and less meat. Vegetables and fruits, after all, are loaded with essential vitamins, minerals, and gut-nourishing fiber! Even if you're not ready (or willing) to completely cut out meat or other animal products, it's surprisingly easy to practice occasional--or even weekly--meat-free / vegan days. This article from MindBodyGreen provides tips about shopping for and preparing plant-based meals; if you've been looking to be a little more "produce-positive" when it comes to your dietary habits, then the piece might be worth a read!

We put together a master list of the best plant-based essentials.

09/05/2025

2025 is now about three-quarters of the way done, and since the calendar year began, Essential Formulas has managed to score THREE new awards from Taste for Life Magazine! You can read all about our recent (and past) accolades on our website's Awards and Achievements page, but to summarize, honors for 2025 include two different "Essentials Award" wins for our Premium Collagen Plus and Reg´Activ Immune & Vitality supplements, as well as a "Longevity Essentials Award" for our probiotic Original Formula. We're honored to receive this recognition...but we hope you'll forgive us if we try to nab ANOTHER award or two before 2026 rolls around!



https://essentialformulas.com/awards-and-achievements/

09/03/2025

Alright, let's talk seriously about a gross (and somewhat silly) topic: bowel regularity. Some folks' bodies have such a stable schedule for p**ping that they can practically set their watch by it, others eliminate a little more sporadically, and still others can't predict their bathroom breaks at all. Despite some dissent among experts as to whether or not there's an "ideal" time of day to p**p (after all, everyone's circadian rhythms are a little different) the general consensus is that regularity IS a sign of good gut health. For more info on this tricky toilet topic, read EatingWell's article on the subject!



https://www.eatingwell.com/best-time-of-day-to-p**p-11744316