Seed

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.

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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

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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

08/16/2023

Seed Science Hotline 📞: What is the difference between probiotics and prebiotics? 🤔

It’s easy to confuse the two, but they are not the same thing. Here, our Senior Manager of SciCare¹ + Product Education, Jordie Nazzicone², ND, breaks down the nerdy differences.

What else do you want to learn? 🤓 Drop your curiosities below and keep an eye out for more As to your Qs.

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¹ SciCare is our team of experts here to answer all your science, health, and product-related questions—scicare@seed.com 🌱
² Translating science at Seed since August 2020. 🤓

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

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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/

07/28/2023

We know physical activity can positively impact the microbiome. But with so many different philosophies and regimens, which type of exercise is actually the best for your microbiome? 🏆

A recent study¹ looked at the effect of daily physical activity on the gut microbiomes of non-athletes, taking into consideration the exercise type, duration, and intensity, as well as the body weight and diet of participants.

What did the researchers find? 🤔

1️⃣ Regardless of body weight, participants who engaged in moderate physical activity (150 to 500 minutes a week) had richer, more diverse microbiomes compared to those who exercised less.

2️⃣ Exercise duration ⏱️ was more important than exercise intensity 🥵 in improving the gut microbiome.

3️⃣ The most beneficial effects were observed in individuals with a BMI² range of 18.5–24.9 kg/m² compared to a BMI range of 25.0–29.9 kg/m.² These effects included increases in types of bacteria shown to lower glucose and cholesterol levels, deliver anti-inflammatory effects and strengthen the intestinal barrier.

So, back to our initial question: Which type of exercise is the best for your microbiome? Well, it turns out regular exercise of any kind 🚲🏃‍♀️🥊🏊‍♂️🎾🧘‍♀️ (aiming for at least 150 minutes per week), combined with maintaining a BMI range of 18.5–24.9 kg/m,² can enhance the composition and function of the gut microbiome.

Spread the word. Tag your workout buddy in the comments.

¹ Shah, S., Mu, C., Moossavi, S., Shen-Tu, G., Schlicht, K., Rohmann, N., Geisler, C., Laudes, M., Franke, A., Züllig, T., Köfeler, H., & Shearer, J. (2023). Physical activity-induced alterations of the gut microbiota are BMI dependent. FASEB journal : official publication of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology, 37(4), e22882. https://doi.org/10.1096/fj.202201571R
² To note: BMI, or body mass index, measurements do not fully depict an individual’s overall health. Individuals with an “overweight” BMI may still be metabolically healthy, and (as noted in this study) overweight and obese states are not fixed-term health conditions, but rather an “intermediary state” that has the potential to shift towards a metabolically unhealthy condition.

07/25/2023

Probiotics are fragile. 🦠

They’re sensitive to factors like heat, oxygen, light, and water. These factors impact a probiotic’s ability to survive through manufacturing, packaging, shipping (especially with rising temperatures 🌡️), and, most importantly, digestion—perhaps the most tumultuous process.

Without protection, probiotics may require refrigeration, may not deliver the amount of live microbes enumerated on their label, and will likely not survive digestion in order to have a meaningful health impact.

These factors contributed to the engineering of our ViaCap™️, a unique capsule-in-capsule delivery system, which serves as a barrier to oxygen and moisture, and buffers against heat stress to minimize impact from fluctuating conditions. 🤓

We also validate our survivability with a Simulator of the Human Intestinal Microbial Ecosystem (SHIME®)—the closest system developed to model human digestion and the gut. SHIME® recreates the physiological conditions and biological processes (food uptake, peristalsis, digestive enzymes, pancreatic and bile acids, and time spent in each step) representative of the human gastrointestinal tract.

Finally, we’ve done extensive heat testing to confirm viability at room temperature for 18 months past manufacturing, over 10 days at constant 100°F exposure, and even 2 days at continuous 120°F. Unlike many probiotics, this means no refrigeration required.

Learn more about our DS-01® Daily Synbiotic.

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.

07/21/2023

Summer is in full swing, which means you may have questions like:

𑇐 Why is my digestion always disrupted when I travel?
𑇐 How can I support a healthy gut while traveling?
𑇐 Speaking of travel, do probiotics survive shipping in the heat?
𑇐 Will eating seasonally impact my microbiome?
𑇐 Does vitamin D impact the gut microbiome?

Our SciCare team has the answers.

Here we unpack five frequently asked questions pertaining to the shift in season, and how it influences your body and your microbiome.