A Dietitian's Review of ResBiotic resB Lung Support Probiotic

Cold and flu season is well and truly upon us, and with a trip to Europe on the ticket for March, I have been doing everything I can to keep myself healthy. While I've tried some other supplements for lung support (like ColdFX and echinacea), I'd never considered that a probiotic could help keep my lungs healthy.

When ResBiotic reached out to me to see if I'd be interested in trying their resB Lung Support Probiotic, I was willing to give it a try—after all, probiotics can be beneficial for a range of gut conditions, so why not lungs? I did not pay for the samples, but all opinions that follow are my own.

As a gut health dietitian, I always approach probiotics with a healthy dose of skepticism (contrary to popular belief, not everyone needs a probiotic). There are SO many probiotics on the market, and many of them have little to no research to back them up. But I wanted to see if resB Lung Support could help keep my lungs respiratory illness-free, so I tested them out myself for a month.

In this review, I'll break down the probiotic strains found in resB Lung Support, how it worked for me, and whether I think it's worth it for you.

Keep reading to decide if you want to try out ResBiotic resB Lung Support Probiotic for yourself (and use the code GLINSKI15 for 15% off your first order!).

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Why I tried ResBiotic resB Lung Support Probiotic

I almost always come down with a nasty cold in February/March, and since I had a trip to Europe planned for the second half of March, I reeeeeeally didn't want to get sick. Plus, I had several doctor's visits and a morning spent at the hospital in February, so I knew I was possibly going to be spending time around a lot of sick people.

While immune health goes way beyond taking supplements—you need to eat well, exercise, manage stress, and get enough good-quality sleep to keep your immune system happy—I was interested in trying resB Lung Support probiotics for added support. 

How does ResBiotic resB Lung Support Probiotic work?

ResBiotic resB Lung Support probiotics are designed to support lung health by supporting lung structure and function. 

They contain a blend of clinically researched probiotic strains and botanical ingredients designed to support lung function, immune health, and gastrointestinal health.

The supplement recommends taking two capsules per day.

The science behind the ingredients in ResBiotic resB Lung Support Probiotic

There are a LOT of bogus claims in the supplement industry, so you have to be smart about what you're willing to put into your body. resB Lung Support simplifies things by combining three probiotic strains with three botanical ingredients. 

The blend contains Lactiplantibacillus plantarum RSB11, Lactobacillus acidophilus RSB12, and Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus RSB12, which have been shown in research to support lung structure and function. It also contains an herbal blend of Vasaka (Adhatoda vasica) leaf extract, Holy Basil (Ocimum sanctum) leaf extract, and turmeric (Curcuma longa) root extract.

So, how exactly do the ingredients help improve lung health? Chronic stress can increase inflammation and dampen the immune response. Turmeric and its bioactive component, curcumin, have antioxidant properties (from polyphenols) that have been shown to be anti-inflammatory and support immune health.

Holy Basil (also known as Tulsi) was assessed for immune health benefits in a 2011 double-blinded randomized controlled study. There was a statistically significant change in T-helper and natural killer (NK) cells compared to the placebo group. This indicates that Holy Basil may promote an immune response.

The Vasaka plant may have antimicrobial, antibacterial and antioxidant properties. However, it's important to note that there is limited human clinical data with Vasaka in relation to immune health, and future research should investigate the mechanisms by which it may support lung health.

Animal and test-tube studies have examined the botanical ingredients in resB lung support. A study looking at the effects of Holy Basil found that Holy Basil extract protects lung cells from pneumonia infection. Plus, a 2017 review of the health effects of curcumin (the main bioactive compound in turmeric) indicates that it has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

In addition, some studies have looked at resB as a whole on lung health. Here are some studies that looked at the effectiveness of resB Lung Support on various lung conditions:

• A 2022 study in mice found that resB lung support reduced lung inflammation.

• A 2023 clinical trial found that resB Lung Support improved lung function and reduced inflammation in healthy and asthmatic participants. 

• Another 2023 clinical trial found that resB Lung Support improved lung function in people with asthma. However, the study lacked a control group, so more research is needed.

• A 2024 randomized controlled trial (preprint, not yet peer-reviewed) found that people with COPD who received resB Lung Support showed improvements in respiratory symptoms and a reduction in inflammation over the 12-week study.

Overall, the ingredients in resB Lung Support do have research-backed benefits, especially in people with pre-existing lung conditions like asthma and COPD. However, more robust human research is needed to determine whether resB Lung Support benefits people without pre-existing lung conditions, or whether it can reduce the likelihood of respiratory illness.

Is ResBiotic resB Lung Support Probiotic safe?

With supplements, it's essential to ensure they're third-party tested to show that the supplement contains only what is listed on the label. 

resB Lung Support probiotics are third-party tested (although they do not indicate by whom) and are produced in a cGMP (Current Good Manufacturing Processes) environment. They're also certified to be free from heavy metals, non-GMO, and kosher.

If you're currently taking antibiotics, you'll need to take resB Lung Support at least one to two hours after your antibiotics to ensure the probiotics aren't immediately destroyed.

When it comes to the ingredients in resB Lung Support Probiotic, most are considered safe. However, Holy Basil should be avoided by pregnant and breastfeeding people, people who are trying to become pregnant, people with type 2 diabetes, people with hypothyroidism, and people undergoing surgery. Talk to your doctor before taking Holy Basil if you take medications to slow blood clotting or reduce blood sugar.

My experience: Did it really improve my lung health?

First, I have to start out by saying that I don't have any pre-existing lung conditions, so I can't comment on whether this probiotic actually helps people with respiratory conditions like asthma and COPD. I also don't smoke or vape, so I can't tell you whether it supports lung health in people exposed to smoke or vapour.

However, I am extremely prone to getting respiratory illnesses during this time of year, so I can speak to that. Despite being in the hospital for a minor medical procedure and several trips to the doctor while I was taking resB, I didn't end up getting sick. Now, I can't say for sure, whether resB contributed to me not getting sick, but given my track record, I feel like it could be at least partially responsible for keeping me healthy (along with eating well, practicing good hand hygiene, and getting enough sleep). 

And funnily enough, I ran out of resB about a week before I left for Europe, and I ended up coming down with a nasty cold during my trip. I can't say whether I would have avoided the illness had I still been taking resB, but I will definitely take some with me the next time I travel to help increase my chances of avoiding respiratory illness!

Who could benefit from ResBiotic resB Lung Support Probiotic (and who won't)

Based on my experience, people prone to respiratory illnesses may benefit from resB lung support, at least during the winter when respiratory illnesses are more common. Recent research supports this, with studies showing that Lactobacillus strains (like those found in resB Lung Support) may aid in the prevention and treatment of respiratory illnesses.

Based on the available research, people with pre-existing conditions like COPD and asthma may also benefit from resB Lung Support. However, people with severe health conditions should consult a healthcare provider before starting any new supplement.

In addition, immunocompromized individuals may want to avoid this supplement, as some research suggests that probiotics can increase the risk of infections in people with weakened immune systems. 

Is ResBiotic resB Lung Support Probiotic worth it?

If you're looking for some added immune support during respiratory illness season, resB Lung Support probiotic could be worth trying. It's third-party tested and contains research-backed probiotic strains. 

Overall, if you use it in combination with other immune-boosting strategies like eating a well-rounded diet, exercising, hand hygiene, and getting enough high-quality sleep, it could be beneficial in preventing respiratory illnesses. However, it's not a magic bullet, and it shouldn't replace getting your updated COVID and flu shots to help reduce your chance of respiratory illness.