About Seed | Gut Health | Daily Synbiotic | Usage and Cost | How to Buy? | Customer Reviews | Pros | Cons
If you’ve had both eyes open while cruising the health and wellness world then there is a good chance you’ve heard about the importance of probiotics for gut health.
Gut health used to take a back seat to heart and brain health in years past, but not anymore. Thanks to research, supplements to support gut health are on the rise. Not coincidentally, companies promoting good gut health treatments like probiotics are also on the rise.
The gut microbiome plays a complex role in your digestive system. Research has shown that it can also have quite an impact on your health and body when things get out of whack.
Poor diet, stress, and overusing antibiotics are wreaking havoc on our digestive systems. Probiotics seek to remedy this problem by replenishing your gut with the good bacteria it needs to really thrive.
Unfortunately, not all probiotics are created equal — some promise the world but deliver little in the way of results.
Seed probiotics is looking to change the game. They claim that their shelf-stable probiotics are among the most effective formulas on the probiotic market.
But what makes Seed’s Daily Synbiotic unique? Are their claims warranted? Do these apparently gut-healthy microbes actually work?
Here’s our honest take.
About Seed ProbioticsU
Founded in 2018, Seed is a simple company. They strictly operate within the eCommerce supplement world. They feature one supplement and one supplement only: DS-01TM Daily Synbiotic.
Their ecosystem, as they call it, consists of a team of scientists and advisors, each bringing their own unique expertise to the probiotic conversation.
If the product name sounds scientific to you, that’s because it is. It is clear that Seed prides itself in understanding the science behind probiotics, and their microbe-systems approach was honestly a refreshing point of view that really felt like it had some substance behind it compared to other gut health brands that throw around terms like gut immune function and probiotics for skin health once in a while and call it a day.
There are many companies that simply sell without putting much effort into the science of things. Seed’s website is loaded with tons of helpful information so you can actually familiarize yourself with knowledge about probiotic strains and strain-specific benefits if you want to get acquainted with why gut health is worth supporting in the first place.
In our opinion, this shows that they really care about what they do. You get the sense that they want to be a leading voice in the industry — they even put a lot of time into developing educational resources for their Instagram (which we are officially followers of now).
Speaking of science, here’s a quick 101 on gut health to give you some better context into why we’re fans of Seed.
For Gastrointestinal + Whole Body Health. Contains 24 scientifically and clinically studied, broad spectrum strains to support systemic health. 53.6 Billion AFU.
- Free US shipping. International flat-rate.
- Skip or cancel any time.
- 30 day risk-free guarantee.
Plans start at $49.99/month.
Gut and Microbiome Health
The gut microbiome plays an extremely important role in our health. Ignoring gut health can lead to a host of issues, from messing with our skin complexion to making us more sensitive to some foods. The gut microbiome is full of bacteria — the good kind — that play a pivotal role in digestion and the elimination of waste in our bodies.
Here are some other things this community of good gut bacteria does for you:
- Digest and assimilate various nutrients in the body
- Synthesize essential vitamins (e.g. B12 and folate)
- Promote a healthy immune system by protecting against bad bacteria
- Metabolize certain medications
- Break down carbohydrates into fatty acids
These are just a few of the important functions. But, there are many things that can interrupt these important processes and wreak havoc on your gut.
Poor diets loaded with refined sugars, refined carbohydrates, and processed foods are not a friend to your gut microbiome. Additionally, the excessive use of antibiotics can disrupt microbiome function by destroying good gut bacteria — antibiotics don’t know the difference between good and bad bacteria.
These factors and more can create a bacteria imbalance in the gut microbiome, stunting the proliferation of good bacteria. When it comes to gut health, balance is key.
Thankfully, this is where probiotics step in.
Probiotics and Gut Health
Simply put, probiotics help to restore gut microbiome balance. Probiotics are basically strains of live good bacteria. Some strains can be found in fermented foods and beverages like sauerkraut or kombucha, or in this case, probiotic supplements.
Seed’s DS-01TM Daily Synbiotic
Before we dive into the details of Seed’s star product, what is a synbiotic? Think symbiosis, or synergy. A synbiotic is a blend of probiotics, the good bacteria for your gut, and prebiotics, which are essentially the food and fuel to feed that good bacteria.
Now, let’s talk about why this little capsule is getting so much attention.
Unique Capsule Design
The first thing that stands out to us and makes this probiotic unique is the actual design. The probiotic capsules are a 2-in-1 capsule design; essentially, a capsule within a capsule. (Cue Inception reference).
The prebiotic outer capsule houses the inner probiotic capsule.
So, what’s the point? Well, the design is actually pretty ingenious. The outer prebiotic capsule consists of punicalagin that are derived from pomegranates — they’re essentially big molecules that serve as a barrier to moisture, oxygen, and heat, protecting the inner capsule.
Basically, the outer capsule makes the inner probiotics more resistant to stomach acids, and shields them against digestion. This helps ensure the viability of the live ingredients.
The inner capsule is where the probiotic magic is held. This houses their probiotic formula.
Unique Formulas
So, we’ve seen the uniqueness of their capsule design, but what’s in their actual forumla that makes it so unique?
Well, Seed has their own proprietary probiotic formula that consists of 24 broad-spectrum strains — clinically and scientifically studied.
Let’s not forget the prebiotics either — Scandinavian chaga mushroom, pine bark, and Indian pomegranate make for their unique, plant-based, non-fermenting prebiotics blend.
Let’s take a closer look.
The Digestive Health / Gut Immunity / Gut Barrier Integrity Probiotic Blend
Getting into all the science behind each specific bacterium would probably take the length of a novel, so let’s cover two strains: Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium.
Lactobacillus, or “L” strains, are one of the most predominant species of bacteria. Normally, they reside in the small intestines. Generally, these strains are responsible for producing the enzyme lactase, which helps break down lactose (from dairy). They also help produce lactic acids.
These lactic acids are key for creating an acidic environment within the digestive system. They also aid in mineral absorption, such as magnesium, iron, and calcium.
Bifidobacterium also resides in the digestive tract, along the colon and large intestines. Bifidobacterium strains help absorb vitamins and also aid in vitamin production, especially B-complex vitamins. It also helps protect against harmful bacteria, like that found in yeasts.
This blend contains 37.0 billion AFU, which stands for Active Fluorescent Units. Basically, it is a way to quantify the viability of probiotic cells.
Dermatological Health Probiotic Blend
Per Seed, this probiotic blend promotes healthy skin and helps reinforce the healthy gut-skin axis. This blend contains 3.30 billion AFU.
Cardiovascular Health Probiotic Blend
This blend seeks to promote heart health by helping to maintain blood cholesterol levels that are already within the normal range; 5.25 billion AFU.
Micronutrient Synthesis Probiotic Blend
This probiotic blend is said to help support the production of certain vitamins, folate, and vitamin B12. This blend boasts 8.05 billion AFU.
Seed is Transparent About Their Science-backed Blends
For those that are counting, that brings the grand total of AFUs to 53.6 billion.
Long story short, these blends work synergistically to support the trillions of bacteria within the microbiome, helping to restore proper gut balance.
Again, we don’t have the time to get into all the specifics, but one of the biggest things we noticed is that Seed is very transparent about their product, and even has all the strain-specific studies available for all to see and review in their reference library. Talk about confidence in your mission.
Seed Probiotic Usage and Cost
Taking Seed probiotics seems like an easy addition to any routine. Adults are advised to take two capsules a day — preferably at the same time. There is debate surrounding when (time of the day, before/after meals, etc.) probiotics should be taken, but Seed recommends taking them on an empty stomach, before digestive enzymes kick in. Time of the day doesn’t matter (though this is kind of a debate in the probiotic community as a whole).
If you are new to probiotics, starting at a lower dosage may help to get into the digestive swing of things.
Seed probiotics are only recommended for those that are 18 years of age or older.
When will I feel the effects?
This varies from person to person. Seed states that some people can feel effects in as little as 24 to 48 hours. However, long-term benefits take time and dedication (usually a few weeks).
Can I take it with other supplements or medications?
Yes. According to Seed, their probiotics are completely safe to take with other supplements and medications. But, if you still feel leery you can always consult your healthcare provider.
Do Seed’s probiotics need to be refrigerated?
No. That is another unique aspect of their product — shelf storage is completely fine. In fact, they state that their strains are stable for 18 months in ambient temperatures (up to 79° F).
How To Buy Seed Probiotics
So, how do you get a hold of your very own set of Seed probiotics? Well, they can only be bought online and with a subscription. They cost $49.99 per month and ship for free within the U.S. This will cover a 30-day supply, which is 60 capsules. Upon your first order, you will also receive a Welcome Kit, complete with a travel vial, some reading material, and a reusable glass jar to hold your probiotics. Welcome kits like Seed’s offer a really premium feel, which we can appreciate.
You have a 30-day risk-free guarantee, too. If you are not satisfied or their probiotics simply aren’t working out, you can receive a refund for the product price within the first 30 days.
Seed has no shipping information on their website, but we customer reviews state that they received their order in just a few business days.
What Are Customers Saying About Seed?
We found the reviews for Seed to be mostly favorable, with customers confirming the claims made by this probiotic company.
Here is one that speaks to their customer service:
A wonderful company with great customer service. Highly recommend. I received help with my order right away.
— Clay, 5/5 stars of review.io
Here is another that speaks to the effectiveness of the product:
I highly recommend this probiotic. I have used many in my time and none really seemed to make a difference, or at least, it was a small difference. I specifically started taking this because I was having problems with inflammatory chest acne and was not really sure what was causing it. After taking this probiotic for almost a month, it is almost totally clear! And let me tell you, it was very very stubborn. Please don’t change the formula ever! It is totally perfect, I will be a customer for life!
— Iza, 5/5 stars on review.io
What We Like Most About Seed
Overall, Seed seems more than capable of delivering on their claims. The product itself is simple to take and it is also free of gluten, soy, dairy, and preservatives. Plus, it is vegan-friendly.
The unique blend of probiotics plus the ingenious design of the delivery system makes it a formidable opponent in the gut health game. Other OTC probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics simply don’t stack up.
Also, Seed cares a lot about sustainability, which is important for a lot of modern-day consumers. They use a sustainable refill system and use biodegradable material for low environmental impact.
Lastly, Seed isn’t just running around making wild claims. Their product is backed by science and numerous studies. Plus, they are transparent about it and even give you the information and links to those studies, and reputable research is a necessity for companies like these.
Some Drawbacks
There are a couple drawbacks — this wouldn’t be an honest review if there weren’t.
For one, broad-spectrum probiotics are typically more expensive than OTC probiotics. So, if money is tight, these might not be for you, especially at a recurring cost per month.
On that note, Seed is strictly subscription-based. We couldn’t find any other way to purchase them other than through a monthly subscription. An a la carte option was nowhere to be found, and from what Reddit and other sites had to say, no one else could find this option either.
Conclusion
Seed offers a unique, proprietary blend of probiotics aimed at restoring balance to your gut microbiome. Their capsule delivery system is one-of-a-kind.
Plus, they have proven that they are doing more than making wild claims. They back up their product with science — perhaps more than most can stand to read in one sitting.
But, at the end of the day, in the busy world of probiotics, we believe their unique approach to gut health definitely deserves some attention.
Sources:
Seed • The Evolution of Probiotics
Seed • DS-01 Daily Synbiotic (Probiotics + Prebiotics)
Gut Microbiome: Profound Implications for Diet and Disease
Bacterial growth, flow, and mixing shape human gut microbiota density and composition
Owner, entrepreneur, and health enthusiast.
Chris is one of the Co-Founders of USARx.com. An entrepreneur at heart, Chris has been building and writing in consumer health for over 10 years. In addition to USARx.com, Chris and his Acme Health LLC Brand Team own and operate Pharmacists.org and the USA Rx Pharmacy Discount Card.
Chris has a CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) designation and is a proud member of the American Medical Writer’s Association (AMWA), the International Society for Medical Publication Professionals (ISMPP), the National Association of Science Writers (NASW), the Council of Science Editors, the Author’s Guild, and the Editorial Freelance Association (EFA).
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Current Version
2022-11-15
Edited By
2022-09-19
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