Is this the genuine, authentic product?

Yes. It is identical to what you would pay full price for anywhere else, sourced through our authorized supplier relationships.

How is the price below retail?

We buy direct, with nobody in the middle taking a cut, and we sell it for close to what we paid. You see the price privately because you have unlocked the Vault.

How fast does it ship?

Orders placed before 12pm PT are processed the same day and ship within two business days. Shipping is free over $89, and a flat $9.95 under that.

You have 30 days after it arrives to request a return. Product must be unused, in its original packaging, with proof of purchase, and return shipping is paid by you. Find it cheaper anywhere in Canada and we will match the price.

Natural Factors Natural Factors - Gastro-Assist, 60 vcap

Name: Natural Factors Natural Factors - Gastro-Assist, 60 vcap
Brand: Natural Factors
SKU: natural-factors-gastro-assist
Price: 48.98 CAD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 5 (1 reviews)

Natural Factors Gastro-Assist - A synergistic formula that relieves symptoms of inflammatory conditions of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract including diarrhea, constipation, bloating, gas, and heartburn. It also promotes healthy gut microflora, and protects and heals the mucous membranes of the stomach and intestines. This comprehensive formula also includes soothing chamomile, for the relief of stomach ailments associated with inflammation and bacterial overgrowth. Zinc L-carnosine is added to help protect and heal the cells lining the mucous membranes of the stomach and intestines, and to support natural immunity.

Price

Regular Canadian retail price: $48.98 CAD. Price Vault members pay below retail on this product. Member pricing is private and shown after a free opt-in, with no membership fee, no minimum order and no subscription.

In stock. Free shipping across Canada on orders over $89, flat $9.95 under that. 30 days to request a return, with return shipping paid by the customer. Ships from Victoria, BC.

See member pricing on Natural Factors Natural Factors - Gastro-Assist

Why people keep reordering it

Researched strains: Specific, studied strains at counts high enough to reach your gut.
Guaranteed live cultures: Potency held through the end of shelf life, not just at manufacture.
Digestive balance: Supports regularity, bloating and a healthy gut barrier.

Best suited to: recurring discomfort in the hour after meals, someone who wants lining support, not just bacteria, anyone rebuilding after a disrupted stretch.

What the research supports

Four capsules a day (two, twice daily) give 75 mg of zinc L-carnosine plus a Bifidobacterium longum and Saccharomyces boulardii pair. The 60-count bottle is a 15-day supply.

Zinc L-carnosine trials use 150 mg a day.

Stool firmness (evidence: strong, from meta-analysis, randomized controlled trial): Saccharomyces boulardii is a yeast that crowds out disruptive microbes and helps the gut wall hold its shape. Trials at 5 to 10 billion cfu a day consistently firm up stools once the gut population has been disrupted.
Stomach comfort (evidence: moderate, from randomized controlled trial): Zinc L-carnosine sticks to the stomach lining longer than plain zinc, helping it patch and calm irritated tissue. Human trials use 150 mg a day, twice what four capsules here provide.
Digestive regularity (evidence: moderate, from randomized controlled trial): B. longum BB536 ferments fibre into short-chain fatty acids that keep the colon moving. Trials at 1 to 10 billion cfu a day report better stool frequency and less abdominal discomfort.
Upper digestive comfort (evidence: limited, from randomized controlled trial): Mastic gum resin is thought to coat and soothe the upper digestive tract. A small number of human trials improved comfort scores at around 1 g a day, about double the full daily dose here.

Read the literature: Stool firmness on PubMed, Stomach comfort on PubMed, Digestive regularity on PubMed, Upper digestive comfort on PubMed.

Is it right for you

Worth it if

Recurring discomfort in the hour after meals: Mastic gum and zinc L-carnosine both act on the stomach lining rather than on how fast food breaks down, which is a different lever from a digestive enzyme.
Someone who wants lining support, not just bacteria: Zinc L-carnosine at 75 mg a day is the mucosal ingredient here, and no straight probiotic contains it.
Anyone rebuilding after a disrupted stretch: S. boulardii is a yeast, so it colonizes and clears on its own schedule, and it is the organism with the strongest data for firming up loose stools while a gut population recovers.

Look elsewhere if

Someone who wants daily probiotic maintenance: A plain multi-strain probiotic capsule costs a fraction of this per day. Here you are paying for the mastic, the chamomile and the zinc carnosine, so only buy it if you want those.
Anyone who needs the full researched zinc carnosine amount: That is 75 mg twice a day, which would take eight capsules here. A standalone zinc L-carnosine product reaches 150 mg in two.
People watching the monthly cost: Fifteen days a bottle means two bottles a month. Buying a BB536 probiotic and a zinc L-carnosine separately usually costs less for larger amounts of both.

What to expect

The S. boulardii side often shows in stool consistency within a few days. The lining side is slow: the zinc L-carnosine and mastic gum studies measured comfort over four to eight weeks, so plan on running it a full month, which is two bottles, before you judge it.

How it compares

Compared with a probiotic plus a separate zinc L-carnosine: One capsule carries the bacterium, the yeast, the mastic gum and the chamomile together, which is four purchases and four pill counts collapsed into one. The tradeoff: You get half the studied zinc carnosine amount and half the mastic, the bottle lasts fifteen days, and assembling it yourself is normally cheaper and lets you dose each piece to its own research.

Product details

Medicinal ingredients: Mastic powder (Pistacia lentiscus) (gum), Bifidobacterium longum subsp. longum, BB536® (whole cell), Saccharomyces boulardii (whole cell) and 2 more
Ingredient form: vcap
Servings per container: 60
Suggested use: 2 capsules 2 times daily or as directed by a health care practitioner. If you are on antibiotics or antifungals, take at least 2–3 hours before or after.
Country of manufacture: Canada
Independent testing: ISURA
Certifications: Non-GMO, Made in Canada
Storage: Store in a cool, dry place
Brand: Natural Factors

How to take it

2 capsules 2 times daily or as directed by a health care practitioner. If you are on antibiotics or antifungals, take at least 2–3 hours before or after.

Store in a cool, dry place away from direct light.
Keep out of reach of children.
Consult a practitioner if you are pregnant, nursing or on medication.

Ingredients

Each vegetable capsule contains

Mastic powder (Pistacia lentiscus) (gum): 130 mg
Bifidobacterium longum subsp. longum
BB536® (whole cell): 5 billion cfu*
Saccharomyces boulardii (whole cell): 2.5 billion cfu*
Zinc L-carnosine (polaprezinc): 18.75 mg
Chamomile extract 4:1 (Matricaria recutita) (flower): 100 mg*

cfu: colony forming units

Non-medicinal ingredients

Microcrystalline cellulose, vegetarian capsule (carbohydrate gum [cellulose], purified water), silica, vegetable grade magnesium stearate (lubricant).

Free from

Contains no artificial colours, preservatives, or sweeteners; no dairy, sugar, wheat, gluten, soy, corn, egg, fish, shellfish, animal products, salt, tree nuts, or GMOs. Suitable for vegetarians/vegans.

Interactions and cautions

Medications: May interact with certain prescription medications. Review with your pharmacist if you take daily medication.
Timing: If taking antibiotics, separate doses by 2 to 3 hours.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding: Consult a healthcare practitioner before use if pregnant or breastfeeding.
General: Use only as directed. Discontinue and consult a practitioner if you experience an adverse reaction.

This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease. Consult a healthcare practitioner before use. Free certified advisors are available at 1-888-386-1211, Mon to Fri, 9am to 5pm PT.

Questions about Natural Factors - Gastro-Assist

Is this the genuine, authentic product?: Yes. It is identical to what you would pay full price for anywhere else, sourced through our authorized supplier relationships.
How is the price below retail?: We buy direct, with nobody in the middle taking a cut, and we sell it for close to what we paid. You see the price privately because you have unlocked the Vault.
How fast does it ship?: Orders placed before 12pm PT are processed the same day and ship within two business days. Shipping is free over $89, and a flat $9.95 under that.
Can I return it?: You have 30 days after it arrives to request a return. Product must be unused, in its original packaging, with proof of purchase, and return shipping is paid by you. Find it cheaper anywhere in Canada and we will match the price.