BioGaia
Swedish probiotics backed by decades of research
Last updated on 23rd September 2026
About BioGaia
This Swedish healthcare company develops probiotic supplements built around the bacterium L. reuteri, sold to parents of newborns, children and adults looking to support gut, immune, oral and skin health. Its products are distributed in more than 110 countries, either direct to customers or through a network of distributors.
The range covers Protectis Baby Drops, formulated for babies from birth and dosed at five drops daily, alongside Protectis tablets for children and adults using the same L. reuteri Protectis strain, DSM 17938. Protectis D+ Tablets combine the probiotic with vitamin D, while Gastrus contains a different, patented combination of L. reuteri strains aimed at gut health in adults. Products are also grouped under the SelectBiotics and LongevityGuard lines, reflecting BioGaia's broader work across oral and ageing-related research.
BioGaia's point of difference lies in strain specificity: its probiotics are defined and patented at strain level rather than sold as generic multi-strain blends, and the company says its L. reuteri strains have featured in more than 220 clinical studies involving around 19,000 people. Its research is backed by an in-house Scientific Center of Excellence and collaborations with university researchers, following work that began in 1990 when founders Peter Rothschild and Jan Annwall identified L. reuteri while trying to extend the shelf-life of imported produce.
What BioGaia sells
- Probiotics
- Vitamin D
- Supplements
Highlights from BioGaia
Protectis Tablets for Kids
Chewable tablets delivering the patented L. reuteri Protectis strain for children's daily gut support.
Gastrus
A dual-strain tablet combining L. reuteri strains developed for adult gut health support.
Aldermis Probiotic Ointment
A four-ingredient ointment that pairs live L. reuteri with shea butter and plant oils to calm dry, sensitive and atopic-prone skin on babies and children.
BioGaia delivery, returns and shipping
- Delivery
- Orders are handled within 1-3 days (weekdays) before leaving the warehouse; delivery time depends on shipping method cho
- Returns
- 14 days to withdraw from order, without giving a reason
- Payments
- VISA, MASTERCARD, MAESTRO, APPLE PAY and GOOGLE PAY
- Ships to
- United Kingdom only
- Based in
- Sweden
Questions about BioGaia
Can BioGaia Protectis Baby Drops be given from birth?
BioGaia Protectis Baby Drops are formulated to support a baby's gut health from day one using the patented strain L. reuteri Protectis. Research shown on the site indicates the drops are safe to give from birth.
How do I give my baby BioGaia Protectis Baby Drops?
The bottle should be shaken well for 10 seconds before each use to mix the bacteria culture with the oil, then the drops dispensed by spoon rather than directly into the mouth. Five drops are given once daily, and they should not be added to anything hotter than 37°C or to hot food or drinks.
Can BioGaia Gastrus be taken with antibiotics?
BioGaia products, including Gastrus, can be taken alongside antibiotics, with a recommended gap of two hours between the two. Because antibiotics disrupt the natural gut balance, taking the probiotic alongside them may help reduce common side effects.
What is the recommended dose of BioGaia Protectis D+ Tablets?
The recommended daily dose of L. reuteri Protectis is 100 million CFU, which is provided by one tablet. Products containing Vitamin D, such as the D+ tablets, are best taken with food to aid uptake.
Do BioGaia probiotics need to be taken every day to work?
Because L. reuteri colonisation in the gut is transient, with cells washed away within about a week, daily intake is recommended to maintain adequate levels in the gastrointestinal tract. This applies across the range regardless of whether the product is drops or tablets.
How long does BioGaia take to deliver an order?
BioGaia processes orders within one to three weekdays before they leave the warehouse, after which the shipping company takes over based on the chosen delivery method. If a product is out of stock, the total time before it reaches you may be longer than the standard estimate for that method.
How do I return a BioGaia order?
Customers can withdraw from an order within 14 days of receiving the last item, without needing to give a reason, by contacting customer service and sending the goods back to the given return address. The refund, including standard delivery costs, is issued within 14 days of BioGaia being told of the decision to withdraw.
Who pays return postage for a BioGaia order?
If the buyer uses one of the return methods BioGaia describes, the company covers the return, but if a different method is used the buyer must bear the cost themselves. Faulty items are treated differently, with shipping costs reimbursed as part of a complaint.
What happens if a BioGaia product arrives faulty?
If a product received is defective, the buyer should contact BioGaia immediately, and depending on the circumstances can ask for a replacement, price reduction or cancellation. Complaints must be made within a reasonable time of noticing the defect, and shipping costs are refunded in this case.
Can I cancel or change a BioGaia subscription?
Subscription customers can change their frequency or cancel at any time by contacting customer service, and cancellation takes effect immediately. BioGaia may also change the product range or delivery interval, giving notice before major changes take effect.
Alternatives to BioGaia - Health & Wellbeing market
- Colief A lactase enzyme drop rather than a probiotic, chosen instead when colic is thought to stem from lactose sensitivity.
- Infacol A cheaper simeticone anti-gas drop sold alongside it on pharmacy shelves, tried first before moving to a probiotic.
- Bio-Kult A budget-friendly multi-strain capsule with 14 bacterial strains, favoured by shoppers wanting broad-spectrum cover rather than one patented strain.
- Optibac Offers separate strain-specific ranges for pregnancy, children and women, appealing to shoppers wanting a targeted formula outside the L. reuteri line.
- Symprove A premium water-based liquid probiotic marketed on gut transit survival, chosen by adults willing to pay more for a non-capsule format.
- Kendamil Probiotic Baby Drops A three-strain infant drop sold through mainstream UK supermarkets, picked when parents want a blended formula rather than a single patented strain.