What happens when you team up a brilliant mom, a scientist, and a team of experts in fields like microbiology, immunology and transcriptomics . . . including the guy who literally coined the word “probiotics”? The answer, of course, is Seed’s Daily Synbiotic.
It’s no secret that probiotic bacteria benefit so much more than just gut health. They function like tiny “manufacturing plants” that create vitamins and beneficial metabolites that help us thrive. They also directly interact with our immune cells, promote healthy skin, cardiovascular health and more.
In fact, the microorganisms that make up our microbiome contain so much rich, synergistically interactive genetic material that they’re often called our “second genome.” Like our first genome – DNA – our microbiomes are all completely unique. However unlike DNA, they’re constantly changing.
Though it was once thought that most beneficial bacteria “recolonize” our digestive tracts and then stay put, we now know that they’re mostly skilled workers that perform a very specific job and then move on. (1)
That’s why in addition to consuming lots of fermented foods, I also regularly take Seed Daily Synbiotic. (Prebiotic + Probiotic = Synbiotic)
Why both?
If you’re wondering “why both fermented foods and a probiotic supplement?” . . . . here are a couple of reasons:
Consistency – Even though I try to eat fermented foods everyday, I often pause fermenting when life gets busy.
Precise Strains & Potency – With a few exceptions, like when you use a specific probiotic as a starter for homemade coconut yogurt, the microbes in fermented foods are wild and the exact strain is unknown.
No doubt many of them have benefits that have not been discovered yet, but the upside of probiotic supplements (at least the good ones) is that they contain precise strains that are not just neutral or somewhat helpful, but have profound benefits for human health. Also, they contain those strains in large enough amounts to generate a benefit.
We’ll dive into why I love Seed in just a moment, but first I want to mention that none of these statements have been evaluated by the FDA, this article is not medical advice, and it is not meant to diagnose or treat any condition. Please talk with your healthcare provider about any supplements you are considering. Now that we’ve got that out of the way, let’s dive in.
3 Reasons I Love Seed
There are SO MANY tips for supporting wellness out there . . . more than any person can actually do in a day. That’s why I opt for the highest impact practices that I can easily incorporate. Because gut health has such an impact on overall health, probiotics are on my short list of priorities.
Over the years I’ve bounced around between several probiotics as I read up on different strains and benefits. And while I still may incorporate a different strain here or there to address a specific goal, I love Seed because it incorporates a broad set of strains that cover a lot of bases, and unlike some of the ones sold on store shelves I’m confident in its viability and potency.
Here’s why, plus one more reason that I’m so happy to support them:
1. Rooted In Solid Research
Seed’s Chief Scientist, Dr. Gregor Reid, is literally the guy who coined the word “probiotic.” In addition, their Scientific Advisory Board is made up of scientists, researchers, doctors and authors across the fields of microbiology, immunology, genetics, metabolomics, gastroenterology, pediatrics, molecular biology, and transcriptomics.
These professionals lead labs, teach at world-renowned academic institutions, and have among them 2800+ publications and over 140,000 citations in peer-reviewed scientific journals and textbooks. They know their stuff, and it shows in the way their synbiotic is formulated.
2. Commitment To Purity & Potency
Seed’s Daily Synbiotic is one of of the first to undergo whole-genome testing, which means they know exactly which strains are present, and in what ratios. They monitor purity with over 50 quality assurance and quality control checkpoints throughout production.
While some manufacturers use skip-lot testing, which basically means spot-checking a few raw materials here and there, Seed tests all their ingredients and every batch after it’s manufactured.
Also, they ensure potency by:
- Running their synbiotic through Simulator of the Human Intestinal Microbial Ecosystem (SHIME®) studies. SHIME is basically the most accurate GI simulator we have in terms of understanding what will reach the gut alive.
- Testing for active fluorescent units (AFUs), which is a more accurate way to measure potency than colony-forming units (CFUs).
3. Something for just about everyone
Seed actually makes three probiotics – DS-01® Daily Synbiotic for adults, a version for kids and teens (ages 3-17) called PDS-08® Pediatric Daily Synbiotic, and a vaginal synbiotic called VS-01™.
Each uses research validated strains that are targeted to address unique needs, and great care has been taken to ensure that they actually survive digestion so they can deliver their full benefits.
Plus, they don’t need to be refrigerated, so if you have a child or teen that needs to put them in a highly visible spot in order to remember to take them, that’s okay!
Here’s an overview of each carefully created formulation:
DS-01® Daily Synbiotic for Adults
The DS-01® Daily Synbiotic incorporates a broad spectrum of probiotic strains (24 to be exact) which support human health. Unlike some brands, it’s free of common allergens like:
- Gluten
- Dairy
- Soy
- Corn
- Preservatives
Now that we’ve covered what’s not included, let’s look at what is:
Ingredient #1 – Probiotics
Because strain matters, and so does potency, Seed publishes exactly what strains are in their formulation. They also use the same dosage range that has been shown to deliver a benefit in human studies. Here’s what their 24-strain blend includes:
Digestive Health, Gastrointestinal Immunity & Gut Barrier Integrity Blend
The Daily Synbiotic includes 17 research-backed strains that specifically support digestive health by helping to:
- Maintain regularity, ease bloating, and potentially alleviate occasional constipation and discomfort associated with increased intestinal transit time.
- Support healthy gut barrier function and integrity. That’s important because the gut barrier part of our innate immune system, which works to keep microbes from entering our whole body. According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, “These barriers form the first line of defense in the immune response.” (3)
- Facilitate healthy “cross-talk” between immune and intestinal cells while increasing the production of beneficial short-chain fatty acids like butyrate.
Dermatological Health Blend
This blend includes 5 strains that promote healthy skin (in terms of qualities like clarity and smoothness) while supporting the gut-skin axis. If you’ve never heard of it before, the gut-skin axis describes the unique relationship between our primary internal barrier from pathogens (the gut) and our primary external barrier (the skin).
They “talk” a lot, and the vibrancy of one influences the other.
Cardiovascular Health Blend
Seed Synbiotic contains 3 research-backed strains that promote heart health, support intestinal recycling of cholesterol and bile, and help to maintain healthy blood cholesterol levels that are already in the normal range.
Micronutrient Synthesis Blend
Also included are 2 research-backed strains that support folate production (vitamin B9) and the synthesis of vitamin B12 in Simulator of the Human Intestinal Microbial Ecosystem (SHIME®) studies. As I mentioned earlier, SHIME is basically the most accurate GI simulator we have.
Ingredient #2 – Prebiotics
More than just food for beneficial bacteria, prebiotics contain compounds that interact with probiotics to make beneficial byproducts in the gut. One of these metabolites, butyrate, is a short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) that strengthens the mucosal barrier lining of the gut.
As I mentioned earlier, a strong gut barrier is part of our “first line of defense” because it helps to better keep pathogens contained, and it assists with nutrient absorption, too.
Seed uses nested capsules that are designed to survive the harsh environment of the stomach. The inner capsule is filled with beneficial bacteria, then wrapped an outer capsule that’s filled with a powdered prebiotic made from phenolic-rich Indian pomegranate. The outer capsule is made from a chlorophyllin exterior that works with the pomegranate to shield the bacteria from oxygen, moisture, heat, and stomach acid.
PDS-08® Pediatric Daily Synbiotic
This synbiotic comes in packets of loose powder that can be stirred into food or drinks (as long as they are not hot), making it a great option for kids who have trouble swallowing supplements to take.
Since the amount in each serving is not restricted to a small capsule, they’ve also added something that 95% of U.S. children and adults don’t get enough of – microbiome nurturing fiber.
Also, each bottle comes with a fun “twist top” design that allows kids to track their daily use. They twist the container top to align the dot (•) with the day of the week so they always remember the last date of use.
Here’s what’s inside:
Gastrointestinal Immunity/Health Blend
This blend contains four strains that are formulated to support overall gastrointestinal function and healthy digestive responses, including:
- Intestinal immunity*
- Supports gut health and comfort*
- Healthy regularity*
- Healthy stool consistency*
- The growth of healthy fecal bacteria*
- Gut integrity and barrier function*
Respiratory Health Blend
Also included are two strains that support:
- Healthy respiratory tract function and airway response*
- A healthy response to seasonal allergens*
Dermatological Health Blend
PDS-08® contains three strains that:
- Support healthy, smooth skin*
- Support clear skin*
- Reinforce the gut-skin axis*
* I already mentioned this, but just to say it again: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Seed probiotics are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
VS-01™ Vaginal Synbiotic Suppository
According to Seed, VS-01™ is the “first vaginal probiotic suppository clinically validated to establish an optimal vaginal microbiome dominated by L. crispatus—the vagina’s most protective bacteria.”
They add that:
While most available solutions target only the symptoms in ways that further disturb the vagina, VS-01™ addresses the source—the vaginal microbiome. VS-01™ begins with an intensive first month Reset to rapidly establish an optimal vaginal microbiome and continues with monthly Sustain — the simple, two-tablet monthly protocol to maintain a stable vaginal microbiome and regulate pH.
In a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial, VS-01™ restored and maintained an optimal vaginal microbiome 10x more effectively than a leading oral vaginal probiotic, and 100% of participants experienced regulated vaginal pH.”
It comes with a 30 day risk-free guarantee and is HSA/FSA eligible.
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Sources
1. Wieërs, Grégoire (2020) How Probiotics Affect the Microbiota
2. Australian Academy of Science. We need bees for more than honey
3. U.S. National Library of Medicine. Immune Response