Microbiome Winter Stack

A two-month, doctor-formulated protocol to rebuild your gut, repair your barrier, and protect your immune system through the cold months. The Microbiome Winter Stack is the four-layer protocol Dr Paul Froomes runs his patients through every May — built from clinical-grade synbiotics, concentrated immunoglobulins, an oral probiotic, and propolis. Choose the 4-Week Foundation to start, or the 8-Week Complete for the full clinical effect Dr Froomes recommends in clinic. Why winter hits the same people every year. Every May, the same pattern shows up in clinic. Women in their forties and fifties who have done everything right — eating well, walking most days, taking their vitamin C — and they're still catching the same cold their kids dragged home from school. For the third time this season. You're not unlucky. Around 70% of your immune system lives inside your gut. Every winter, three things happen at once: you eat less fibre, less fresh produce, and you spend more time indoors sharing air with everyone else's microbes. Your microbial diversity falls — and when microbial diversity falls, your immune defence falls with it. The Microbiome Winter Stack rebuilds that diversity, seals the gut lining, and adds two additional layers of protection — your mouth and your throat — so winter pathogens never make it through. Four layers of defence — from your mouth to your microbiome. Winter illness enters through the mouth and works its way down. The Stack defends every layer of that chain. 1. The Synbiotic Core 500 billion CFU synbiotic per sachet. Thirteen-plus human-origin probiotic strains, prebiotic fibres (GOS and inulin to feed them), and postbiotic butyrate to fuel your gut lining. Pharmaceutical-grade Japanese manufacturing, delivered in a patented stable system that doesn't require refrigeration. Role: Rebuilds microbial diversity — the single best predictor of immune resilience. 2. The Immunoglobulin Shield 1,200 mg serum-derived bovine immunoglobulin per serve. Concentrated IgG, IgA, and IgM antibodies that bind pathogens directly inside your gut. Plus lactoferrin — antimicrobial, antiviral, and a known supporter of the intestinal barrier. Role: Seals the gut wall and neutralises pathogens before they reach circulation. 3. The Oral Microbiome Layer (8-Week Complete only) A clinically studied oral probiotic strain delivered as a lozenge for direct colonisation of the mouth and throat — where almost every winter illness begins. Crowds out the bacteria associated with sore throats, sinus infections, and bad breath. Role: First-line defence at the point of entry. 4. The Propolis Defence (8-Week Complete only) Standardised bee propolis extract. Concentrated bioflavonoids and CAPE (caffeic acid phenethyl ester) — broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity backed by both traditional use and modern clinical trials. Sourced from Australasian hives. Role: Immediate-acting antimicrobial support through the throat and respiratory tract. The science in 60 seconds. 70% of your immune cells live in the wall of your gut. Two weeks is how quickly microbial diversity can measurably shift on a targeted protocol. Multiple clinical trials support the use of probiotics, bovine immunoglobulins, and propolis for upper-respiratory and gut-immune outcomes. The gut-immune axis isn't a wellness slogan. Your microbiome trains your immune cells what to attack and what to leave alone. Your gut lining decides what gets through to your bloodstream. Your gut-associated lymphoid tissue is the largest immune organ in your body. Winter compromises all three. This protocol rebuilds them in sequence. The protocol timeline. What's happening in your body across the eight weeks. Week 1 — Population. Probiotic strains begin to establish in your gut. Immunoglobulins start neutralising pathogens at the lining. Most people notice digestion settling within the first few days. Week 2 — Diversity. Microbial diversity measurably rises. Many patients report steadier energy, fewer sugar cravings, and improved mood. Week 4 — Repair. Gut lining repair becomes the dominant effect. Low-grade inflammation drops. End of the 4-Week Foundation pack. Week 8 — Resilience. Full protocol effect. Immune response is calibrated, barrier is sealed, microbiome is robust. End of the 8-Week Complete pack — the duration Dr Froomes recommends in clinic for full effect. The 4-Week Foundation covers Weeks 1–4. The 8-Week Complete carries you through to Week 8 with the additional Oral Probiotic and Propolis layers — the full clinical protocol. Formulated by Dr Paul Froomes. Dr Paul Froomes — BMedSci, MBBS, FRACP, MD — is an Australian gastroenterologist and Founder of The Microbiome Clinic™. His practice specialises in microbiome-led approaches to gut, immune, and metabolic health. "Winter doesn't just bring colder weather. It brings a measurable drop in microbial diversity — and that's the lever I want every Australian to pull. This is the exact protocol I run my own patients through every winter." Frequently asked questions. Who is this protocol for? Adults who catch repeated winter illnesses, feel run-down through the cold months, or want to support their gut and immune health proactively — particularly women aged 35 to 55 who have tried general supplements without seeing real results. When should I start? Ideally before the worst of winter arrives — March, April, or May in Australia. Two weeks of priming is when most people start to notice changes, so starting before the first colds circulate gives you a real head start. What's the difference between the 4-Week and 8-Week packs? The 4-Week Foundation contains the Synbiotic Core and Immunoglobulin Shield — enough to rebuild gut diversity and start repairing the barrier. The 8-Week Complete contains all four components, with the Synbiotic Core and Immunoglobulins for two months plus the Oral Probiotic and Propolis layers added in. The 8-Week is what Dr Froomes recommends in clinic for the full effect. Can I take this if I'm pregnant or breastfeeding? Please consult your treating practitioner before starting. Some components may not be appropriate during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Can I take it with prescription medications? Always consult your treating doctor before starting any new supplement when on prescription medications, particularly immunosuppressants, antibiotics, or thyroid medication. Are there any allergens I should know about? The Immunoglobulin Shield is derived from bovine sources — avoid if you have a dairy allergy. The Propolis component is derived from bees — avoid if you have a bee allergy. Lactose intolerance is generally fine; the immunoglobulin product is very low in lactose. Does anything need refrigeration? No. The Synbiotic Core uses a patented stable delivery system that doesn't require refrigeration, which makes daily compliance much easier. How do I take each component? Detailed instructions are included with each pack. In short: the Synbiotic Core is taken once daily, mixed with cool water; the Immunoglobulin Shield is taken once daily on an empty stomach with cool water; the Oral Probiotic is dissolved in the mouth once daily; the Propolis is taken once daily as directed. What's the refund policy? 30-day money-back guarantee on unopened components. We're confident you'll feel a difference within the first two weeks. 30-day money-back guarantee. If you don't feel a difference, we'll refund you. We're a clinic-led brand, and we stand behind this protocol the same way Dr Froomes stands behind it with his patients. Important — general advice only. Information presented on this page is general health information and is not personal medical advice. Always consult your treating practitioner before starting any new supplement, particularly if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, immunocompromised, or taking prescription medications. Products containing immunoglobulins are derived from bovine sources — avoid if you have a dairy allergy. Propolis is derived from bees — avoid if you have a bee allergy. These products are listed complementary medicines and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Dr Paul Froomes has no commercial interest or affiliation with any specific brand included in this protocol.