Seed

05/21/2026

Lightbulb moment: Digestive health isn’t just about what goes into your body. It’s also about the environment that surrounds it.

05/08/2026

What if you could build and sustain mental stamina without overstimulating the body? The answer isn’t caffeine-packed fast fixes, but naturally powerful nootropics.

Reimagine your spring routine with AM-02™ Energy + Focus now at stores ⚡️

11/25/2023

Does the gut help protect the body from heavy metals like mercury? 🍣

A breakthrough study conducted in 1984 painted a shocking picture of how our gut may protect us from dietary mercury.

It turns out, the gut microbiome plays a role in this (is there anything it doesn’t do? 😉)—and may be involved in our ability to excrete dietary mercury.

So what happens when we take antibiotics (which are known to wipe out bacteria and genes from our microbiome)?

Find out.

Research suggests that antibiotics can drastically increase your body’s susceptibility to dietary mercury. Here's what you need to know.

11/15/2023

WTF are FODMAPs? And should you stop eating them? 🤔

During this time of hearty meals and holiday feasts full of fiber-rich produce, you might find yourself increasingly conscious of your digestive health and how this season’s foods make you feel—particularly if you're left feeling bloated, gassy, or otherwise uncomfortable.

If you turn to Google or TikTok for relief, you’re likely to come across the low-FODMAP diet as one potential solution. This diet has become increasingly popular—especially in the social-media sphere 📱—but alongside the buzz, comes misinterpretation and oversimplification.

So, what is it really? How do you know if it’s right for you (and importantly, your gut microbes 🦠)? Find out. 👇

The low-FODMAP diet has become increasingly popular, but alongside the buzz, comes misinterpretation and oversimplification. So, what is it really?

10/19/2023

Did you know: Olive oil can function similarly to Ozempic? 🫒🤔

To understand how, you'll need to learn about GLP-1, a protein that's been making headlines alongside the weight-loss medication.

GLP-1 is a small protein that your gut produces to signal satiety to other parts of your body. Think of the GLP-1 receptor (the protein that GLP-1 binds to) as the natural “full” button in your brain and GLP-1 as the finger that presses the button.👇Ozempic is the synthetic version of this, making you feel full by artificially pushing that button.

The foods we eat can also trigger GLP-1—which brings us back to olive oil.

Fat-rich foods generally stimulate GLP-1 release better than carbs. A 2015 study, which looked at 12 healthy men, showed that feeding these men olive oil (with a bit of shredded carrot) was enough to induce a major spike in GLP-1 levels naturally, leading to the sensations of satiety similar to the ones Ozempic creates pharmaceutically. 🤯 While this study is admittedly small and not generalizable—for one, it didn't include any women—it suggests that there's a relationship between olive oil and the release of GLP-1, at least in some people.

But it may not be the olive oil by itself that’s responsible: Rather, certain gut bacteria break down a compound in olive oil, called oleic acid, to accomplish this. Here’s how it works:

1️⃣ Gemella (a type of bacteria in the gut) breaks down oleic acid into a byproduct, or metabolite, called oleoyl serinol.
2️⃣ Oleoyl serinol stimulates the release of GLP-1 by intestinal cells.

So why does this all matter? While the cultural conversation around Ozempic has focused on weight loss, the impact of satiety isn’t just about body size and appearance. Your body and your microbes work together every day to utilize the foods you eat to help you feel full and energetic. Understanding the incredible ways in which satiety can be mediated by the microbiome can help you better understand, nourish, and power your own body.

Want to learn more? Read about how the new science of the microbiome is changing the way we think about dieting and body size: https://bit.ly/3tM2sBF

10/05/2023

PSA: New research reveals the negative impact of two common food additives on gut health.

It’s no secret that modern living is disrupting our guts. Since the 1950s, over 350,000 new chemicals ☣️ have been introduced into our lives, many of which are known to damage our gut barrier (the protective lining that regulates what can pass from your gut into your bloodstream).

Now, a new study¹ led by our Scientific Board member and collaborator Cezmi A. Akdis, MD revealed two more chemicals to add to the list: the common food emulsifiers Polysorbate 20 (P20) and Polysorbate 80 (P80). These additives—found in everything from beverages to baked goods to ice cream—were shown to impair gut barrier function at doses 20x lower than those considered “safe.” 😳

Why should you care? The gut barrier is a critical part of your body's defense system. 🛡️It regulates what can pass from your gut into your bloodstream.

When compromised, substances that should remain in your gut can “leak” into your bloodstream, triggering a cascade of health issues like inflammation, allergies, irritable bowels, migraines, and more. This phenomenon is commonly referred to as intestinal hyperpermeability or “leaky gut.”² 🚰

So, what steps can you take to protect yourself? Well, we can't just snap our fingers and wish away these harmful agents overnight. But we can try to be more vigilant about what we put in our bodies—read labels and limit your exposure to additives like these (swipe for a list of foods to keep an eye on).

🌱 Secondly, consider a science-backed, scientifically validated probiotic tailored to fortify your gut barrier. Pro tip: Our DS-01® Daily Synbiotic is formulated with 24 clinically and scientifically studied strains that support gut barrier integrity and reinforce the critical “gatekeepers” known as tight junctions.

Curious to learn more about other gut disruptors? Drop us a 🙋below.

•
¹ Ogulur, I., Yazici, D., Pat, Y., Bingöl, E. N., Babayev, H., Ardicli, S., Heider, A., Rückert, B., Sampath, V., Dhir, R., Akdis, M., Nadeau, K., & Akdis, C. A. (2023). Mechanisms of gut epithelial barrier impairment caused by food emulsifiers polysorbate 20 and polysorbate 80. Allergy, 78(9), 2441–2455. https://doi.org/10.1111/all.15825
² Takeda, Y., Nakase, H., Namba, K., Inoue, S., Ueno, S., Uza, N., & Chiba, T. (2009). Upregulation of T-bet and tight junction molecules by Bifidobactrium longum improves colonic inflammation of ulcerative colitis. Inflammatory bowel diseases, 15(11), 1617–1618. https://doi.org/10.1002/ibd.20861

The DS-01®️ Daily Synbiotic is the evolution of probiotics—formulated with 24 clinically-studied probiotic strains and non-fermenting prebiotics to deliver systemic benefits including digestive health, skin health, and heart health.

10/02/2023

Dip one toe into the world of health and wellness, and you'll be inundated with products advertised as containing one kind of “biotic” or another, from "pre-" to "post-."

These "biotics" have risen in popularity within mainstream culture in the last few years, thanks to recent advancements within the scientific realm and an increased interest in the microbiome.

But what do they really mean? Demystifying the difference between pre-, pro-, syn-, and postbiotics can empower you to make sense of the noise.

Probiotics, prebiotics, postbiotics, antibiotics: What do all these "biotic" terms mean? Here's what you need to know to make sense of the noise.

08/29/2023

Welcome. 🌱

Your first month of DS-01® comes in a Welcome Kit constructed from biodegradable ecological paper made from algae that would otherwise damage fragile marine ecosystems.

Each kit includes a biodegradable PaperFoam tray, a 30-day supply of capsules, our refillable and recyclable glass jar, and a complimentary travel vial.

Begin your journey: https://bit.ly/3XPKUjk

08/18/2023

As many of us know, pooping isn’t always easy.

Digestion (and its outputs 💩) is important for both adults and kiddos, but with children, it can be far more difficult to identify what is going on.

Up to 30% of children worldwide (or ~1 in 3) struggle with the pain, discomfort, and psychological stress of intermittent constipation.¹ And that does not account for the many more who experience withholding and stool-related anxiety, which can arise from environmental or psychological factors, including negative experiences with pooping in the past. 😣

These GI symptoms can be physically and emotionally detrimental for children and caregivers alike, and finding a solution that works is challenging. Existing options (such as laxatives or suppositories) are not sustainable over time and can cause uncomfortable side effects like excessive gas, bloat, cramping, and abdominal pain.

Enter PDS-08® Pediatric Daily Synbiotic for ages 3+. 🌱

Findings from our 12-week, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial published in Nature’s Pediatric Research² show children ages 3-17 taking PDS-08™ and experiencing intermittent constipation (fewer than five weekly bowel movements) saw an increase in regular, healthy weekly bowel movements—with no observed side effects or GI distress.

PDS-08®:
✅ Supports digestive function and regular healthy bowel movements
✅ Promotes healthy regularity
✅ Exceptionally well tolerated
✅ 5g of prebiotic fiber per serving
✅ No refrigeration necessary
✅ Free from sugar, artificial colorants, flavors, and preservatives
✅ Easy-to-use powder that can be mixed into food or drink

Explore PDS-08®: https://bit.ly/3DWJevh

•
¹ Rajindrajith, S., Devanarayana, N. M., Crispus Perera, B. J., & Benninga, M. A. (2016). Childhood constipation as an emerging public health problem. World Journal of Gastroenterology, 22(30), 6864–6875. https://doi.org/10.3748/wjg.v22.i30.6864
² Tierney, B. T., Versalovic, J., Fasano, A., Petrosino, J. F., Chumpitazi, B. P., Mayer, E. A., Boetes, J., Smits, G., Parkar, S. G., Voreades, N., Kartal, E., Al-Ghalith, G. A., Pane, M., Bron, P. A., Reid, G., Dhir, R., & Mason, C. E. (2022). Functional response to a microbial synbiotic in the gastrointestinal system of children: a randomized clinical trial. Pediatric research, 10.1038/s41390-022-02289-0. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41390-022-02289-0

08/01/2023

ATTN: beach-goers. Before you hit the waves, let’s take a moment to talk about bacteria.

TL;DR: It’s a good idea to rinse off post-swim.

Why? Oceans are filled with bacteria (1.3x1029 bacterial cells, to be exact¹ 🤓)—and they can impact your health.

Recreational beach waters are often contaminated by wastewater and storm runoff, which can contain harmful bacteria like 𝘚𝘢𝘭𝘮𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘢 𝘴𝘱𝘱. and 𝘚𝘵𝘢𝘱𝘩𝘺𝘭𝘰𝘤𝘰𝘤𝘤𝘶𝘴 𝘢𝘶𝘳𝘦𝘶𝘴 that may make you sick. 🤢There are also native ocean bacteria that can cause skin infections.

Your skin microbiome 🦠is the first line of defense against any harmful bacteria you encounter while you’re jumping waves 🌊, but it is not immune to change.

In a 2019 study², researchers collected skin microbiome samples from participants in Huntington Beach, CA. Each individual’s skin microbiome was different pre-swim (as expected). However, post-swim, the microbial communities were no longer different, and analysis showed that ocean bacteria (including potential pathogens) had replaced native skin bacteria 👋, remaining there for at least 24 hours post-swim.

Building on this, another study³ conducted two years later also observed shifts in native skin microbes post-swim, as well as an increase in the abundance of certain genes, including antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), that could promote the ability of bacteria to cause infections and make them more resistant to antibiotics.

This may sound scary, but before you swear off the ocean 🙅‍♀️…these changes to your skin microbiome don’t mean there’s a definite increased risk of picking up harmful bacteria. Millions of people (60 million in the U.S. alone) swim in the ocean each year, and very few actually contract an infection.

If you are swimming this summer, just be mindful of what’s happening at a microbial level, and take these small steps to mitigate any risk:
• Rinse your skin with fresh water immediately after swimming
• Don’t go in the ocean if you have any open wounds

•
¹ Microbiology by numbers. Nat Rev Microbiol. 2011;9(9):628.
² Nielsen, M. C., & Jiang, S. C. (2019). Alterations of the human skin microbiome after ocean water exposure. Marine pollution bulletin, 145, 595–603. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2019.06.047
³ Nielsen, M. C., Wang, N., & Jiang, S. C. (2021). Acquisition of antibiotic resistance genes on human skin after swimming in the ocean. Environmental research, 197, 110978. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2021.110978
📷 Background imagery: https://www.instagram.com/underthetuscansuun/