Founder | Pharmacist

Nicola founded The Probiotic Store over 30 years ago out of a genuine passion for helping people achieve optimal health. As a qualified pharmacist, she bridges the gap between traditional medicine and natural wellness, offering a balanced, evidence-based perspective.

"My mission has always been to listen first, understand your unique story, and then guide you toward the highest quality products that can genuinely support your wellbeing. Health is deeply personal, and your supplement plan should be too." – Nicola Johns

Browse the areas below to find what's relevant to you, then book a phone consultation for personalised guidance and supplement recommendations tailored to your situation.

Which probiotic is right for you?

There is no one-size-fits-all probiotic. The right choice depends on your specific health goal — different bacterial strains target different issues. This consultation helps you cut through the confusion and choose the right probiotic for your needs.

• Specific guidance for your health goal
• Support during or after a course of antibiotics
• Children's probiotic selection
• Gut microbiome restoration

Medication-induced nutrient depletion

Many medications deplete essential nutrients by interfering with absorption, increasing excretion, or blocking production. The nutrients affected depend entirely on the medication you are taking — which is why a personalised consultation is essential.

Commonly associated medications include, but are not limited to

• Statins (cholesterol)
• PPIs / antacids (e.g. Omeprazole)
• Oral contraceptives
• Diuretics (blood pressure / heart)
• Metformin (diabetes)
• Corticosteroids (e.g. Prednisone)
• Antibiotics

Please email your current list of medications to: nicola@probiotics.co.nz 48 hours before the consultation. Specific depletion details are discussed in your consultation.

Natural medicine & drug interactions

Natural medicines — including herbal supplements, vitamins, and dietary products — can significantly alter the effects of prescription and over-the-counter drugs. They may increase toxicity, reduce effectiveness, or cause unintended side effects.

• Screen your supplements against your current medications
• Evidence-based interaction ratings
• Identify the most clinically significant interactions
• Safe supplement use alongside prescription drugs

Please email your current medication and supplement list to nicola@probiotics.co.nz 48 hours before the consultation.

Anti-inflammatory diet guidance

Chronic inflammation is linked to a wide range of health concerns. This consultation walks you through the principles of an anti-inflammatory way of eating and how to apply them practically in everyday life.

• What inflammation is and what it can lead to
• How to reduce it through food choices
• How to use our anti-inflammatory food chart

We recommend purchasing our Anti-Inflammatory Food Chart before your consultation to get the most from your session.

Histamine intolerance & the histamine bucket

Do you react to foods or triggers that never used to bother you? Histamine intolerance occurs when histamine builds up in the body faster than it can be broken down — often causing symptoms that seem random or unrelated.

• Understand your personal histamine load and what fills your bucket
• Common symptoms — skin, gut, sleep, heart palpitations, brain fog, anxiety
• Histamine, hormones, and perimenopause / menopause
• Guidance on a short-term low histamine eating plan (1–3 weeks)
• Supplement support to improve histamine clearance
• Gut health and its role in histamine breakdown

• Blood sugar and cholesterol support
• Lifestyle & supplement support for heart risk factors
• Support for healthy blood flow
• Natural options to support high blood pressure

Fatigue, Mood & stress

• Sleep quality improvement
• Adrenal and energy support options
• Support of anxious symptoms
• Support low mood

Weight management

• Sustainable supplement support
• Nutritional guidance alongside your plan

Gut, thyroid & immune health

Gut & digestive health

• Digestive symptom support — bloating, cramping, bowel irregularity
• Personalised probiotic and supplement plan
• Gut lining and microbiome restoration
• Nutrient absorption support

Thyroid health

• Nutritional support for thyroid function
• Supplements to support thyroid-related fatigue

Immune & autoimmune support

• Immune system strengthening and resilience
• Supplement support for autoimmune symptoms
• Inflammation support

Allergy

• Guidance on dietary histamine
• Lung support — complementary nutritional support
• Itchy and/or inflamed skin

Real words from real people—because the best recommendation comes from those who've experienced the difference.

"Having endured 10 months of pain, I saw you Tuesday last week. I took the 3 items you recommended twice, Wednesday last week. Thursday and every day since. NO PAIN! Wow! " Thank you,
- G

"Probiotics (Your Gut +) as supplied by Nicola are amazing!  We have found these enormously helpful for keeping urinary tract symptoms at bay for our at risk elderly mother.  I highly recommend 'your Gut +' "
- E.

"Nicola uses her incredible knowledge to analyse your needs and explain the recommended solutions. She has a passion for natural health which she generously shares with her clients."
— K.

"We are incredibly fortunate to have Nicola in our community. While her background is a qualified pharmacist, her knowledge of natural supplements—in particular probiotics—is second to none. She sells quality products which she has comprehensively researched before stocking them.

I know I'm not alone when I say she is highly regarded within the community, has a very loyal customer base and I would thoroughly recommend her."
— W.

"Ultra Probiotic Dr Wolz—My gut feels much more settled. Reading my report from my regular colonoscopy, my colon has improved."
— S.L.

(Testimonials are from real clients. Names have been withheld for privacy.)