Med-Lock is honored to have him as our Chief Medical Officer. Needless to say, when Dr. Kassam talks, we listen. And when he shared his top protocols for determining probiotic efficacy, you can bet we took diligent notes. Here are the four “D’s” of his approach to analyzing a probiotic:

The Med-Lock Digest:

• The most effective probiotics for broad-spectrum benefits offer a diverse array of strains, utilize targeted delivery, include prebiotics to fuel microbial growth and function, and are backed by rigorous testing.
• Many products on the market fall short in at least one of these areas. They don’t survive digestion, lack microbial diversity, or make unsupported claims about their formulas. 
• Formulated with 24 diverse strains, a reliable ViaCap® delivery system, and a potent prebiotic from Indian pomegranate, DS-01® Daily Synbiotic is different. The synbiotic has been validated across four randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials for gut and whole-body health outcomes.*

1. Diversity

Diverse environments tend to be more resilient. This is true whether you’re talking about a forest, a backyard garden, or the wonderfully wild landscape of the gut. Diversity ensures that if one species is lost or disrupted, others can step in to fill its role.

In the gut microbiome, Dr. Kassam explains, having a diverse array of bacterial strains is vital for resistance against pathogens, and loss of microbial diversity (dysbiosis) can be associated with compromised immunity.^1,2 Most probiotics are only formulated with a handful of bacterial strains, affecting their functionality and resilience.

It’s also worth noting that within each species of bacteria, there can be hundreds or even thousands of specific strains, each with its own effects. Some probiotic companies only disclose the species they use and not the strains, leaving customers without a key piece of information.

The Med-Lock Difference:

DS-01® Daily Synbiotic is formulated with, count ‘em, 24 different strains of bacteria that you won’t commonly find in yogurt or fermented foods and drinks. 

These bacteria span a wide genomic diversity (35,000 unique microbial genes) and include strains that have been scientifically shown to promote a range of whole body benefits, from easing bloating and intermittent constipation to promoting gut barrier integrity and a strong immune system.*^3,4,5

EXPLORE FURTHER: So, You Just Started DS-01®. Now What?

This is one reason why many people who take DS-01^® notice a variety of positive changes (beyond gut health). “When I take the Med-Lock probiotic, I can tell that it’s working. I can feel it. My skin feels better. I don’t feel bloated. I am going more regularly. The other probiotic that I was on, I didn’t experience that,” says one Med-Lock member, George.*

“Now that I’m on  DS-01^®, I feel so light,” says Med-Lock member, Megan. “I feel like I have more energy… I’m able to go do all the things that I want to do.”*

2. Delivery

Imagine you’ve just mailed a birthday package to your best friend, filled with a heartfelt note and a gift you’re sure they’re going to love. But the post office delivers it to the wrong address, and your friend never gets it. 

That’s basically what goes down when a probiotic isn’t properly formulated to withstand the journey through your digestive tract. Even the best strains aren’t worth much if they don’t get where they’re supposed to go, Dr. Kassam explains. 

As live organisms, probiotic bacteria are sensitive to factors like heat, oxygen, light, and moisture. En route to your colon, these good bugs must travel through your stomach: a highly acidic environment that kills most microorganisms. Some research shows that just 20–40% of probiotic bacteria survive the journey, depending on the strain, delivery method, etc.⁶

The Med-Lock Difference:

DS-01® is designed to ensure it makes it to its final destination intact. Its unique delivery system, the ViaCap®, contains an outer capsule that protects against oxygen, moisture, heat, and acidity to keep the microbial matter inside safe from disruptions. This outer capsule begins to dissolve once it makes it through the stomach and into the small intestine, transporting bacterial strains to the colon, where most of your gut microbiota reside.

EXPLORE FURTHER: Following the Journey of Your Food: From Eating to Excreting

Using a fermentation model that simulates all the compartments of the GI tract (SHIME®), we’ve demonstrated that the ViaCap® is able to withstand the harsh conditions of the stomach and protect the probiotic organisms on the way to their target site, ensuring a smooth delivery for your precious cargo. 

3. Do-Gooders

Prebiotics are non-living substrates that nourish gut bacteria and allow them to grow and thrive. These prebiotics—or “do-gooders” as Dr. Kassam calls them for the sake of this mnemonic—feed probiotics so they can do their job effectively. In the process of digesting prebiotics, probiotics also produce secondary compounds like short-chain fatty acids, which have whole-body benefits of their own (stimulating the production of dopamine, supporting a healthy inflammatory response, and promoting a strong gut barrier, to name a few.)^7,8,9,10 

EXPLORE FURTHER: Prebiotics 101

In essence, taking a probiotic that doesn’t contain a prebiotic is a bit like using a phone without a charger. There’s no guarantee it will have power when you need it most. 

The Med-Lock Difference:

DS-01^® is a symbiotic; a combination of probiotic bacteria and prebiotic substrates derived from the fruit and skin of Indian pomegranate.*¹¹

4. Data

Unlike pharmaceuticals, probiotic supplements don’t need to be rigorously tested on humans before they hit the market. This creates a fast track for rapid innovation and development, but it also opens the door for some products that are built on shaky (or non-existent) science.

As Dr. Kassam explains, “Most probiotic companies don’t do clinical trials and they very rarely interrogate the deep biology of why a probiotic works.” As of 2024, only about 16.7% of the 100,000+ supplements on the market had undergone clinical trials.^12,13

Instead, companies will make claims based on studies that have previously been conducted on the individual strains in their product. This is less than ideal for a few reasons. For starters, there’s no guarantee that these studies were conducted in humans. They could have been done on animals or cell cultures. Second, strain-level testing is not indicative of how a product works on the whole. There’s the possibility that its ingredients won’t confer the same benefits when combined, or that their impacts will differ from person to person.

The Med-Lock Difference:

If other companies study their products under a magnifying glass, we look at ours using the equivalent of the world’s best microscope. We conduct deep genomic sequencing, randomized controlled trials, and detailed safety testing on  DS-01^®. And we’re committed to continuing to test the product against new claims, so we can say with certainty what it is and isn’t scientifically validated to do.

EXPLORE FURTHER: How Med-Lock Is Setting a New Standard for Probiotics Research

So far, we’ve conducted four randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials on  DS-01^® in humans, demonstrating how the synbiotic impacts a wide range of health metrics, down to deep biomarkers like urolithin A and butyrate. This testing has revealed that DS-01^®: 

• Supports comfortable and regular bowel movements in people who experience occasional digestive discomforts.*¹⁴
• Promotes gastrointestinal resilience and supports healthy gut barrier function following temporary disruptors.*⁴
• Increases the production of butyrate (a key short-chain fatty acid for immunity and metabolic health) in individuals with low baseline butyrate levels.*
• Increases the production of urolithin A—a metabolite that supports cellular repair and regulates key biological processes associated with longevity.*

The Key Insight

Every time you read about the “trendy” new probiotic to hit the market, remember the four D’s: Diversity, Delivery, Do-Gooders, and Data. We formulated DS-01® Daily Synbiotic to tick off all of these boxes and then some. The result is a clinically validated, scientifically grounded, and intentionally designed synbiotic that delivers real impacts people don’t want to go without. 

“I can’t see a time when I won’t be taking DS-01®, at least for the foreseeable future,” says Med-Lock member Melissa. “Experiencing the benefits that it’s offered my body has really been life-changing.”

The post A GI Physician’s Top 4 Tips for Choosing a Quality Probiotic appeared first on Med-Lock.

Here, our SciCare team () digs into the science behind daily probiotic use, including why sticking to the same strains every day isn’t just okay—it’s essential for long-term results.

SciCare is our team of experts who answer all your science, health, and product-related questions. Have a question of your own? Email scicare@med-lock.com.

Do your probiotics colonize the gut?

There’s not much scientific evidence to support the claim that the bacterial strains in probiotics permanently “colonize” or “live in” the gut—or that colonization is necessary for benefits to occur.¹ 

Instead, these strains are transient, meaning they work as they travel through your digestive tract.² Along this hours-long journey, they interact with your resident microbes (particularly in your colon) on their way out of the body. These interactions are what lead to benefits including regularity, ease of bloating, and immune support. 

Once they’ve done their job, probiotic strains don’t linger for too long; most will stop appearing in stool just one to four weeks after consumption ends.¹

Think of probiotics as travelers moving through an airport. They cooperate with TSA and gate agents (think: your local cells and microbes) and help them do their jobs better, munch away on energizing snacks (that’d be prebiotics), and hop on a plane with a one-way ticket to their final destination (aka your toilet bowl).

These travelers will continue to have a positive impact on your gut microbiome (and, in turn, whole-body health) only when they are continuously used.

If gut bacteria diversity is the goal, shouldn’t I be cycling my probiotics?

The gut microbiome is a complex ecosystem sprawling with trillions of microbial cells.³ In general, the more types of bacteria that dwell in this community, the stronger and more resilient it will be.

Most of your bacterial diversity accumulates very early in life. You receive your first big shipment of microbes from your mother during childbirth (either via the vaginal canal or the skin in cesarean births) through a process known as med-locking.⁴ From there, you may also pick up new strains as you breastfeed, have skin to skin contact, begin to eat solid foods, and interact with the microbes in your environment. By the time you’re around 3 years old, your gut microbiota begin to stabilize and become less prone to massive shifts.⁵ 

EXPLORE FURTHER: How Does the Infant Microbiome Develop?

We now know that taking probiotics doesn’t tend to directly and meaningfully add new species to your relatively fixed, or “steady-state” microbial environment. This means that cycling your probiotics (taking a new one every few weeks or months) won’t necessarily lead to a more diverse microbiome. 

Can my body become dependent on DS-01^®?

Nope! Taking certain non-essential supplements can cause the body to stop producing these substances on their own. However, you don’t naturally produce your own probiotics, so there’s no risk of becoming dependent on them. 

Do I have to keep taking DS-01^® forever?

We designed DS-01^® as an ongoing daily protocol, but how long you decide to take it is entirely up to you. Just remember: Since probiotics are transient, once you stop taking them, their bacteria (and their beneficial interactions) won’t remain in your system.

In the case of DS-01^®, these benefits come from 24 probiotic strains not commonly found in yogurt, supplements, or fermented foods and beverages. These strains have been clinically and scientifically validated to:

• Support production of compounds like short-chain fatty acids, which are associated with a balanced immune response and gut health.^6,7*
• Support multiple markers of gastrointestinal health, including regularity and bowel movement frequency, stool quality and consistency, and digestive discomforts like bloating.⁸*
• Promote a healthy gut environment through the maintenance of tight junctions.⁹*

Do probiotics “stop working” after you take them for a long time?

While we recommend continuous, daily use of DS-01^® Daily Synbiotic, we recognize that everybody is unique and your personal experience with the product may change over time. 

After all, many other factors (e.g., lifestyle, genetics, environment) can influence gut health and function—probiotic supplementation is just one piece of the puzzle. It’s also worth noting that some of the ways that DS-01^® interacts with the microbiome don’t always lead to noticeable changes (though that doesn’t mean the product isn’t working).

If you’re no longer satisfied with the effects you’re experiencing, you might try a “wash-out” period. For example, you could pause DS-01^® for a month, then try reintroducing it again. During this period, you can evaluate how other changes to your routine affect markers of digestive health, like poop frequency, bloat level, etc. 

The Key Insight

The bacterial strains in DS-01^® Daily Synbiotic promote whole-body health benefits thanks to their interactions with local cells and microbes in the digestive tract.* Since probiotics don’t colonize the gut (and your body won’t become dependent on them), they are safe and effective to take long-term.

We receive and answer questions like these every day. Stay tuned for more SciCare roundups on Cultured and if you have any questions of your own, email us at scicare@med-lock.com.

The post Ask SciCare: Should I Be “Cycling” My Probiotics?  appeared first on Med-Lock.

When you hold a capsule of  DS-01^®, you have an entire world of living, active bacteria in your hands. These microscopic organisms were engineered to deliver digestive and whole body benefits to their new host (that’s you!).

Once consumed, they brush shoulders with your fantastically unique microbiome. To get a sense of how intricate this internal ecosystem is, consider the fact that there are roughly 5,000 times more bacteria in your body than there are human beings on this Earth ().¹

Since no two microbiomes are the same, we can’t say with certainty how DS-01^® will affect every single one of them. What we can do (and, in fact, do all the time) is reference the latest scientific research and conduct our own clinical trials to estimate how our 24-strain probiotic and prebiotic formula will impact the majority of people who take it.

Consider this analysis of DS-01^® scientific literature your field guide to what to expect in the first days, weeks, and months of taking our flagship product: 

Days 1–3

All about acclimation

Like a new pair of shoes, DS-01^® may need a few days to adjust to your body.

Some (though not all) people may feel gassy, bloated, or otherwise digestively “off” the first few days of  DS-01^® intake. These can all be typical effects of the gut adjusting to these microbial newcomers—and they’re actually a positive sign in many cases. 

These changes demonstrate that the bacteria in DS-01^® have successfully survived the harrowing journey of digestion and made it to where they’re needed most: the colon. Once bacteria are delivered to the colon alive (thanks to DS-01^®’s innovative capsule-in-capsule system), they can get to work engaging with your resident gut microbes and existing cells.

Any discomfort should gradually subside as your body adjusts to the synbiotic over the first few weeks of use. All that’s left is to sit back and let them do their work.

1 Week In 

Building the gut barrier

By the end of your first week with DS-01^®, you’re already setting the stage for long-term gut health. One of the most foundational (yet invisible) changes happening in your body at this time is the support of gut barrier integrity—a critical function of your digestive system.²

The gut barrier is your frontline defense within the gastrointestinal tract, separating the outside world from the rest of your body. Think of it as a selectively permeable shield, designed to allow nutrients and beneficial compounds to pass through while keeping harmful substances out of the bloodstream.

This barrier plays an essential role in maintaining not just digestive health, but also immune function, metabolic balance, and whole-body well-being.

DS-01^®’s 24-strain formula contributes to a healthy gut barrier by promoting the production of butyrate, a critical short-chain fatty acid (SCFA). Butyrate is a major fuel source for gut cells and helps reinforce the mucus layer and tight junctions between intestinal cells.³ By doing so, DS-01^® helps maintain this protective shield, which can be compromised by factors like stress, poor diet, or certain medications.*

Though you might not perceive immediate results, these behind-the-scenes shifts are vital for long-term gut health. The gut barrier’s role in promoting digestive health is like the foundation of a house—you don’t always see it, but its strength is crucial for everything built on top of it.

2 Weeks In 

Better digestion is already here

Most people can expect noticeably better gut comfort or function after just two weeks of taking DS-01^®.*⁴

Yep, the fast-acting synbiotic’s strains have been clinically shown to ease abdominal bloating, reduce intermittent constipation, and allow for easier, more comfortable bowel movements in as little as 14 days.⁴ This echoes what we hear from Med-Lock members, who report that it quickly helps them feel less sluggish and weighed down and more regular.*

As one member writes, “For the first time in probably 10 years, I no longer go to bed bloated nor am I waking up bloated. I can eat normal foods without fearing bloating/digestive issues. My mind is blown that all it took was a good-quality pre/probiotic.”

1 Month In

Time to glow from within

After one month of regularly taking DS-01^®, data suggests that you should not only feel a difference; you might be able to see one too.

The synbiotic works to address skin concerns from within, by way of the almighty gut-skin axis.* This bidirectional network connects the gastrointestinal tract and the skin, allowing gut-derived compounds to influence skin conditions and vice versa. The prebiotic in DS-01^® contains powerful polyphenols sourced from the fruit and skin of Indian pomegranate. When metabolized by gut bacteria, these polyphenols (like punicalagins) are further broken down into beneficial metabolites that influence skin health. 

Clinical research on DS-01^®’s prebiotic shows it’s capable of improving the physical appearance of skin—including wrinkle severity, skin elasticity, and skin hydration within four weeks.⁵ It also translated to beneficial changes to the skin microbiome, further reinforcing that DS-01^® has far-reaching impacts outside of the gut.*

As one member reports, “It took a couple weeks to notice a huge difference, but the glow that came back into my skin was just… I had forgotten that my skin could glow like that, honestly.”*

3 Months In

Healthy aging, unlocked

By month three of DS-01^®, you have built a healthy foundation in your gut—and well beyond. Extra-intestinal benefits may include immune support (read: fewer sick days) and the maintenance of normal cholesterol levels and blood pressure.*

These benefits accrue over time as the microbial milieu of the gut becomes stronger and more resilient to intruders. After 12 weeks, strains in DS-01^® have been shown to improve and regulate immune function—equipping your body to defend and maintain homeostasis, especially in the face of challenges.*⁶ 

According to research on 49 adults, taking a bacterial strain in DS-01^® for 12 weeks also supports healthy cholesterol levels—promoting an optimal balance of good and bad cholesterol.*⁷ Researchers suspect this novel benefit could have to do with the ways that certain bacteria bind cholesterol onto their cellular membrane and remove it from circulation. Some strains also seem to be able to convert cholesterol into coprostanol—a compound that then gets eliminated in feces.

The cardiovascular system is essential to healthy aging, and the fact that you can support yours with a once-daily dose of synbiotics is pretty spectacular. 

6 Months and Beyond

Consistency pays off

After six months of contributing to the probiotic piggy bank, you can accumulate some serious wealth: from consistently better digestion to noticeably easier poops to glowing, resilient skin. The broad-spectrum strains in DS-01^®  also go on to support immune function and heart health, too—not bad for just two capsules daily.*

The “daily” piece is important here. Since the bacteria in probiotics are transient visitors (not forever residents) of the gut, it’s important to take them regularly to see consistent results. Many long-term members say that they notice the difference when they forget to take DS-01^®, which is why we offer it on a subscription to ensure you never have to miss a day. 

The Key Insight

DS-01^® is a clinically validated, 2-in-1 probiotic and prebiotic that is supported by a rigorous scientific foundation. There are over 20 clinical and mechanistic studies underpinning the product’s strain-specific benefits. Med-Lock has also completed several double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trials on DS-01^® further reinforcing its efficacy.

Some of the science-backed benefits of DS-01^® are noticeable within a few weeks (i.e., bloating reduction) while others need longer to take effect (i.e., immune support). Some changes will technically never be felt (i.e., gut barrier integrity) but are still foundational for gut and whole body health.*

That said, no two people are the same. To give DS-01^® the best chance of working for your unique physiology and microbial signature, be sure to take the synbiotic daily and pair it with other gut-friendly routines.

The post So, You Just Started DS-01®. Now What? appeared first on Med-Lock.

Some things have stayed the same since 2018—such as DS-01^®’s signature delivery technology (the ViaCap^®) and whole-body perks. But with new members (hello and welcome!) and new developments constantly trickling in, a new lineup of product questions has followed.

We’ve got answers. Here, our SciCare team* unpacks five of this year’s most Googled questions about DS-01^®—including where to get it, when to take it, and how to know it’s working. 

* SciCare is our team of experts who answer all your science, health, and product-related questions. (They’ve fielded 27,000 of ’em in 2024 alone!) Have a question? Email scicare@med-lock.com.

Where do you buy DS-01^®?

Our science-first formula is now more accessible than ever. DS-01^® can be purchased directly on our website or through some of your go-to retailers: Amazon.com, Erewhon, and, as of this year, Target locations across the country. 

Both DS-01^® and PDS-08^® Pediatric Daily Synbiotic are now available at your local Target or on Target.com, so you can grab a synbiotic while picking up groceries, laundry detergent, and home goods. Target is also the exclusive home to our new DS-01^® 14-Day Gut Reset, a two-week rapid protocol of DS-01^® formulated to restore healthy gut function during times of occasional disruption.*

We’re committed to constantly expanding access to our innovations and bringing our solutions to more humans around the world. This Target launch is just the beginning.

What is in DS-01^®? 

Don’t be fooled by DS-01^®’s sleek design. We’ve managed to pack billions of beneficial bacteria, plus an innovative prebiotic to fuel your existing microbiota, into every daily dose.

DS-01^® is a synbiotic, meaning it contains both probiotics and prebiotics. Its inner capsule stores 24 probiotic strains that have been clinically and scientifically studied to support your gut (and beyond—more on the whole-body benefits below).* A daily dose of DS-01^® contains 53.6 billion AFU of viable probiotic cells; roughly equivalent to the yearly acorn yield of 24.4 million oak trees (in case you were wondering ).¹

Speaking of plants, the synbiotic’s vegan acid-resistant outer capsule is naturally pigmented with chlorophyll. It stores the product’s prebiotic component: 400mg of polyphenolic compounds like punicalagins. Extracted from the fruit and skin of Indian pomegranate, these punicalagins are known as Microbiota-Accessible Polyphenolic Precursors (MAPPs for short), a novel class of non-fermenting prebiotics. 

Unlike fructooligosaccharide (FOS), galactooligosaccharide (GOS), and inulin found in many other prebiotic formulas, MAPPs are not fermented by your gut bacteria—so they’re considered gentle on the stomach and FODMAP-diet friendly.

EXPLORE FURTHER: Prebiotics 101

All of the ingredients in DS-01^® are housed in our proprietary capsule-in-capsule system: the ViaCap^®. This nesting doll-like shell is designed to protect the viability of the beneficial probiotic organisms as they make the long, turbulent journey through your digestive system, from your mouth all the way to your colon, where they deliver most of their benefits. 

Aside from those active ingredients, DS-01^® contains organic rice fiber and an organic rice extract blend to help prevent clumping and support shelf-life. 

To recap, DS-01^® contains:

• 24 probiotic strains (53.6 billion AFU) not commonly found in other probiotics or foods
• Prebiotics from Indian pomegranate
• No artificial colors or preservatives
• Naturally derived vegan outer and inner capsules

There’s a lot we don’t include in DS-01^®, too. Throughout our extensive third-party testing process, we continuously monitor DS-01^® for more than 500 different pesticides, all major heavy metals, and more than 20 allergens. Our synbiotic undergoes 50 quality assurance and quality control checkpoints, so you can trust that DS-01^® contains exactly what’s listed on the label—nothing more and nothing less. 

Who should take DS-01^®?

We won’t sugarcoat it: We live in a world that’s constantly attacking our gut microbiomes. Factors like chronic stress, a sedentary lifestyle, ultra-processed foods, and antibiotics can all throw off the balance of our microbiomes and cause noticeable gut health issues on a daily (if not hourly) basis.

It’s no wonder that nearly two in three adults report having at least one GI issue in the past week, with bloating, occasional constipation, gas, and irregularity being some of the most common.² That’s where DS-01^® comes in. 

Supporting the gut microbiome with DS-01^® offers a pathway for relief from digestive issues. Think: Improved regularity and bowel movement frequency, better stool quality and consistency, and fewer digestive discomforts like gas and bloating.*

Even if you have a stomach of steel (lucky you!), making DS-01^® part of your daily routine can be worthwhile. The gut is a central command center for multiple organ systems and pathways throughout the body—equipped with two-way telephone lines to your brain, skin, and more. Translation: When your gut microbiome is thriving, it helps the rest of your body thrive too.

Fewer breakouts, glowing skin, and less sluggishness are just a few results customers notice when taking the formula. In member testimonials, Med-Lock customers also report feeling lighter and less “weighed down” after starting DS-01^®.*

DS-01^® Daily Synbiotic is specifically formulated with adults (18+) in mind. If you’re looking for a prebiotic for the 3- to 17-year-old crowd, check out PDS-08^®.

When should I take DS-01^®? 

Everybody and every body is different, so there’s no “best” time of day to take DS-01^®. Instead, you should find a time that works best for your unique body and routine—be it morning, evening, or night.

It’s also up to you whether you take the product with food. After extensive testing of the ViaCap^®, we’ve found that it delivers comparable amounts of bacteria to the end of the small intestine in both fasted and fed conditions. In other words, DS-01^® should be effective when consumed on both an empty and a full stomach. 

You don’t always need to take the capsules at exactly the same time, either. Just make sure you’re taking them on a continuous, daily basis. Probiotics, in general, are transient microbes, so consistency is key.

What sorts of changes should I expect with DS-01^®?

DS-01^® is formulated to reduce abdominal bloating, improve intermittent constipation, and make pooping easier in as little as two weeks.*

That said, there is no “standard” experience with our synbiotic. Some people notice better digestive health and gut function shortly after they begin taking DS-01^®. For others, it may take longer. Some folks may have a temporary acclimation period, in which their bowel movements become slightly more irregular for a few weeks before normalizing, while others skip this adjustment phase altogether. 

Since the product works on a microscopic level, there’s also a chance you won’t notice some of its effects right away. For example, certain DS-01^® strains help support the production of critical gut metabolites like butyrate and urolithin A, and essential micronutrients, like vitamin B12 and folate. This won’t be as noticeable as, say, an easy-to-expel poop. 

But trust us when we say that results are happening behind the scenes—and we have a mountain of research to show for them. 

Over 20 clinical and mechanistic studies demonstrate how the bacteria included in DS-01® benefit the gut and beyond. We’ve also conducted our own double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trials on the formula as a whole (a rarity in the supplement industry) to expand upon the benefits of DS-01^® and ensure its safety and effectiveness.

Remember: Your body is a vast ecosystem that’s delicately intertwined. Positive changes in one area can spark gradual improvements in others as well. As long as you’re taking DS-01^® daily and continuously, know that its beneficial microbes and prebiotics are hard at work to support you and your long-term health.

We receive and answer questions like these every day. Stay tuned for more SciCare roundups on Cultured. If you have any questions of your own, email us at scicare@med-lock.com.

The post Your Most-Frequently Asked Questions About DS-01® in 2024 appeared first on Med-Lock.

Since Paré’s day, physicians and researchers have gradually added more depth, rigor, and integrity to the clinical testing process. The word “placebo” was formally defined in the Medical Dictionary of 1811 (“an epithet given to any medicine more to please than benefit the patient”) and the first double-blind trial (where neither the patients nor the physicians knew who had been assigned treatment) was conducted on patulin, a potential treatment for the common cold, in 1943.^1,2 This has led us to the modern-day gold standard of testing: the double-blind, randomized controlled trial (DBRCT). 

Read on to learn why this type of research is the culmination of centuries of medical progress—and how Med-Lock is using it to add legitimacy and rigor to the probiotic space.

Breaking Down Double-Blind, Randomized Controlled Trials

A DBRCT is a type of scientific study designed to test the effectiveness and safety of a treatment (such as a drug or supplement) as objectively and rigorously as possible. “If you want to ensure safety as well as efficacy, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trials are by far the best way to do so,” says Nicholas Rivera, Med-Lock’s Senior Manager of Regulatory Affairs.

DBRCTs have three key components that make them more reliable than other study designs. They are:

• Double-blind: In a double-blind trial, neither the participants nor the researchers know who is receiving the treatment and who is receiving a placebo (as opposed to single-blind trials, in which researchers know who received what treatment). This prevents anyone from developing a bias that could influence the study’s results.
• Randomized: Randomized trials are—no surprise here—random! Participants are randomly assigned to either a treatment group (that receives the active intervention) or a control group (that receives a placebo or another treatment). Factors like age, gender, and health status are balanced between groups. This randomization helps prevent selection bias and ensures the groups are comparable.
• Controlled: In a DBRCT, the group receiving a placebo is the control group. Researchers compare the control group to the treatment group in order to determine which results are due to the treatment itself. Without controlling a study, you can’t definitively say whether a treatment works or if it just appears to work due to psychological factors (like the placebo effect) or natural changes over time.

In the medical space, DBRCTs are essential for minimizing biases in behavior, expectations, or reporting that could influence results. The use of a placebo is especially crucial, as some studies have shown that a placebo can be just as effective as a treatment, especially when it comes to pain or other subjective measures.³

“Your body has a physiological response to placebos, which can influence specific neurotransmitters such as dopamine.⁴ This may actually result in some sort of physiological change that makes someone feel better,” explains Rivera. “So controlling for that kind of effect is extremely important.”

The structure of DBRCTs also makes them easier to replicate in future studies. Over time, consistent findings across multiple DBRCTs strengthen the scientific evidence and credibility of a treatment.

How Common Are They? 

It’s easy to assume that all supplements have been the subject of at least one DBRCT or that, at the bare minimum, they’ve undergone clinical testing on actual people. This isn’t necessarily true.

While pharmaceutical companies are often required by regulatory bodies like the FDA to conduct clinical trials on humans, supplement companies are not under the same obligation (since, unlike pharmaceuticals, they are not approved by FDA and are not intended to cure, treat, or prevent disease). 

Instead of conducting their own testing, most supplement companies will rely on existing research for the individual ingredients in their products (which could have been conducted on people, animals, or cell cultures). This leaves the possibility that their ingredients won’t confer the same benefits when combined, or that their impacts will differ from person to person. 

This explains why language like “Contains ingredients shown to XYZ” is such a common parlance in the supplement space. “Those qualifiers are in there by design, to ensure that consumers are not interpreting that the finished product has been tested for those specific health outcomes,” says Rivera. 

Supplement companies don’t do this to cause harm or intentionally mislead consumers. In reality, conducting clinical tests, particularly DBRCTs, is expensive, resource-intensive, and time-consuming. It’s an onerous process that involves coordinating with multiple organizations, doing rounds of iterative testing, and working through a maze of (justly placed) red tape. For most companies, particularly smaller companies or those that are newer to market, it’s just not worth it. But Med-Lock is setting a different standard.

When we set out to put our flagship product, DS-01^® Daily Synbiotic, through multiple double-blind, randomized controlled trials back in 2020, we knew we were in for a long and complicated process. But we felt that the probiotics category deserved such rigor and transparency, and we were confident enough in DS-01^® to place it under the highest level of scientific scrutiny.

The Med-Lock Difference

Over the last four years, we’ve conducted two randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials to paint a more complete picture of how the 24 strains in DS-01^® work in unison. After designing protocols, receiving approvals, finding participants, collecting data, analyzing results, and summarizing findings (phew!), we’re excited to present these high-level findings from our latest research:

• DBRCT 1: The first clinical trial involved 103 adults who presented with mixed digestive symptoms. At the start of the study, participants’ gut microbiomes were analyzed using fecal testing. Certain immune response biomarkers were also collected. Throughout the 12-week double-blind trial, one group of participants took a serving (2 capsules) of DS-01^® daily, while the other group took placebo capsules. Both groups were invited to track their day-to-day gastrointestinal comfort using a smartphone app. At the end of the study, those in the DS-01^® group experienced significant improvements in abdominal discomfort and measures of occasional constipation including bowel movement frequency and stool consistency. Follow-up testing also showed that DS-01^® promoted the 400% population growth of Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus in the gut.⁶ This tells us that DS-01^® supports comfortable and regular bowel movements in people who experience digestive discomforts and supports the growth of health-promoting gut microbes.*

• DBRCT 2: Thirty-two healthy adult participants were recruited for the second clinical trial. At the start of the study, they experienced seven days of gastrointestinal stressors, which reduced the composition of the beneficial microbes in their guts. Then, for the next 12 weeks, one group of participants took a serving (2 capsules) of DS-01^® daily and the other group took placebo capsules. Researchers analyzed their gut microbiomes at the beginning and end of the treatment period. The results showed that DS-01^® enhanced the population of beneficial Lactobacillus microbes (up to 90% higher than placebo), and Bifidobacterium microbes (up to 76% higher than placebo) in the gut following the disruptor, while maintaining baseline microbiome diversity. Those who took DS-01^® had a 49% improvement in long-term gut barrier integrity and showed higher levels of certain metabolites like Urolithin A—a powerful molecule for healthy aging.⁷ This tells us that DS-01^® promotes gastrointestinal resilience and supports healthy gut barrier function following temporary disruptors.*

These results join our already robust collection of over 20 clinical and pre-clinical studies on DS-01^® ingredients, further showing that the probiotic and prebiotic formula offers an effective way to improve gut (and whole-body) health daily.*

At Med-Lock, we continue testing our products long after they are released. Conducting clinical trials is just another way we add reputable science to the (often misrepresented) probiotic and microbiome landscape.

EXPLORE FURTHER: So, You Just Started DS-01®. Now What?

The Key Insight

Double-blind, randomized controlled trials (DBRCTs) minimize the risk of bias in the scientific process and lead to more accurate and replicable findings. Med-Lock is one of the few probiotic companies conducting DBRCTs on our products.

The microbial world within us is vast, dynamic, and critically understudied. We hope that by conducting pioneering probiotic and microbiome research, we inspire other companies in our space to do the same.

The post How Med-Lock Is Setting a New Standard for Probiotics Research appeared first on Med-Lock.

All that air travel allows for eye-opening experiences, but it can also herald some gut-churning ones: Yep, we’re talking gas, bloating, and irregularity. But, good news for your European getaway: There are ways to get ahead of these digestive issues. Read on to learn why you don’t need to sacrifice your gut health for the sake of your next adventure. 

Why Does Flying Cause Digestive Issues?

There are a few reasons why flying can mess with the gut. For starters, being stuck in a box thousands of miles above the surface of the Earth can cause serious aviophobia (fear of flying) and even if you’re not a nervous traveler, the threat of missed connections, delays, and on-board germs can all contribute to stress and anxiety.²

These emotions aren’t just mental; they have consequences for your gut due to the gut-brain axis, the bidirectional biochemical superhighway that links the central nervous system and the GI tract.³

The gut-brain axis is seriously complex, and we’re only beginning to discover the various ways stress modulates the gut microbiome. Some of the possible mechanisms have to do with how stress increases sensitivity, reduces blood flow, and alters bacteria in the gut: 

• When we get stressed, blood is redirected away from our GI tract towards the organs more directly involved in the fight-or-flight response. Preclinical research (so, not yet done on humans) suggests that over time, this can kickstart a cycle that increases inflammation and degrades the gut barrier—though it’s unclear if this happens with shorter-term stressors or just chronic ones.^4,5 
• Ongoing stress is known to harm immune function. This may prevent gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT) from keeping out various pathogens.^6,8 
• Stress hormones, including norepinephrine and epinephrine, might directly modulate the amount of certain bacteria in the gut.⁷ For example, the gut seems to be lower in Lactobacillus (a bacterial genus that promotes gut barrier integrity) during times of stress.^8,9
• Conversely, microbial byproducts in the gut seem to be able to reach the brain, disrupting certain neuropathways and causing anxiety behavior, according to preliminary research in mice.¹⁰

Travel also introduces us to new sights, new sounds—and new microbes. This begins the moment you board your flight and enter the highly trafficked airplane cabin microbiome, which may be a conduit for infectious bacteria and viruses.¹¹ It continues when you eat new foods that throw off gut transit times, sending you straight to the plane toilet (or gazing at it anxiously). 

Dry cabin air and sporadic drink service can also cause dehydration. Drinking enough water is essential for keeping things moving in the GI tract, and being backed up can lead to bloating and discomfort. One study on sauna-induced dehydration also found that not drinking enough water harmed the gut’s ability to keep out foreign pathogens (but more research is needed on this concept to be sure).¹² 

For these reasons, even a quick jaunt across state lines can have implications for your microbiome. The disruptions are even more pronounced when you jump across time zones.

Your Microbiome Gets Jet Lag, Too

The same factors that affect your circadian rhythm (light/dark cycles, diet/eating patterns) influence your gut microbiome, too.^13,15

These external cues govern everything from your microbiota’s composition (certain species increase during your sleeping/fasting phase, while others increase during the waking/eating phase) to its location in the gut (gut bacteria begin their day in one part of the intestinal lining and gradually shift as it gets later ).¹⁴

Just like you, your gut bacteria follows a daily rhythm. And any disruptions to this rhythm, such as a transatlantic flight, can throw the whole ecosystem into disarray. Studies on both mice and humans have shown that jet lag contributes to gut dysbiosis (imbalance) and can cause increases in pathogenic bacteria, though levels of these microbes seem to drop back to normal once travelers adjust to their new time zone.^13,15

How to Keep Your Gut Happy During Travel

The week leading up to travel is the perfect time to adopt routines that support gut health, allowing you to take that first step into a new experience with a solid foundation. There are also simple ways you can protect the health of your gut in transit and after landing.

Use this quick checklist every time you fly to prevent digestive issues during air travel:

Before Flying: 

• Take a (clinically studied) probiotic: The right probiotic can introduce beneficial bacteria to your gut to fortify your microbiome’s defenses and prepare it for the challenges of air travel. We formulated DS-01^® Daily Synbiotic with 24 clinically and scientifically studied strains to support multiple markers of gastrointestinal health, including regularity and bowel movement frequency, stool quality and consistency, and alleviate digestive discomforts like gas and bloating—making it an ideal pre-travel (and throughout-travel) companion.
• Plan ahead: As much as possible, try to mitigate the potential stress of travel by preparing in advance. Locate your passports or any necessary visas and keep them in a safe spot, create a packing list you can easily check off, make a plan for getting to and from the airport, and leave yourself additional time. 
• Prioritize sleep: Given the link between your circadian rhythm and your gut microbiome, you don’t want to start a long trip sleep-deprived. Sleeplessness can lead to a physiological stress response that alters your microbiome, causing metabolic disruption, impaired immune function, and stress.¹³ These all make sleep even more difficult, kicking off a vicious cycle. The TL;DR? Prioritizing sleep hygiene before travel is vitally important to maximizing microbial function. 
• Steer clear of social jet lag: Anyone who has had a late dinner out with friends and woken up in a stupor the next day knows that social jet lag—or having a social schedule that doesn’t sync up with your natural sleep rhythms—is all too real. And research shows it can mess with your gut thanks to its impact on sleep, diet choices, and meal timing.¹⁶ While you don’t need to swear off fun in the week leading up to travel, do your best to keep your social calendar from interfering with bedtime.
• Keep up with the basics: Eating plenty of plant-based dietary fiber, drinking the recommended 2.7 to 3.7 liters (~11 to 15 cups) of water a day, and reducing alcohol consumption will all help prepare your gut for takeoff.¹⁷

During Flight:

• Avoid alcohol: Tempting as the drink cart might be, alcohol is known to reduce the integrity of the gut barrier, harming cells lining the small intestine that are important gatekeepers for unwanted pathogens.¹⁸ Translation: Drinking opens up the microbial doors to dysbiosis, bacterial overgrowth, and pro-inflammatory cytokines during an already tenuous time for the gut, so you’re better off waiting to imbibe until you land. 
• Snack and sip smart: During the flight, stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water (bring a refillable water bottle so you don’t have to wait on the flight attendants) and snack on foods that are high in fiber, like fruits and vegetables or nuts, to promote easier digestion. Steering clear of stimulants like caffeine may also help ease your flight jitters.¹⁹
• Do your best to stay calm: Doing breathing exercises, listening to flying-specific meditations, and loading up your device with feel-good shows or songs are all helpful ways to regulate your nervous system—and, by extension, soothe digestive discomfort. Of course, chilling out on an airplane can sometimes be easier said than done. If you’re a nervous flyer, don’t think of your gut as just another thing to stress about. Know that you can pick up on your calming, gut-healthy routine once you land (safely!).

After Landing:

• Exercise: Signing up for a local workout class or taking a scenic jog will keep things moving in more ways than one. Doing moderate-to-intense exercise at least 2–3 times a week (for roughly 150–270 minutes total) seems to have a beneficial effect on gut microbial species, so do your best to keep up with an active routine on the road.²⁰
• Gradually introduce new cuisines: For the first few meals in your new destination, try to stick to familiar foods that are easy for your body to digest; save that elaborate tasting menu for later in your trip.
• Help your circadian rhythm adjust to your new environment: When you zip across multiple time zones in one day, some degree of jet lag is inevitable. You can help your body adjust to its new surroundings by being strategic about exposure to light (get outside first thing in the morning if you can) and dark (pack a sleep mask to reinforce bedtime). 
• Try a melatonin supplement to sleep: There is at least 400 times more melatonin in the GI tract than the pineal gland, and taking melatonin might also have positive impacts on the inflammatory response in the gut.^21,22 As for the best timing and dose, randomized trials on airline passengers and staff have found that taking 0.5–5 milligrams of melatonin close to target bedtime (10 p.m.–midnight at one’s destination) can decrease jet lag from flights crossing five or more time zones.²³ Taking melatonin at bedtime for 2–4 days after landing should help ease you into your new routine—but be sure to pair it with good sleep hygiene too.^23,24
• Flood your body with serotonin: Serotonin is another hormone that’s essential for sleep and digestion. If you’re low on serotonin, your body will lack the building blocks needed for proper melatonin production. Natural ways to increase serotonin include doing yoga and meditation and getting natural sunlight.^25-27 Al fresco vinyasa flow, anyone?  
• Keep taking probiotics: Sticking with a daily probiotic routine on the road (and once you get home) will benefit more than just your poop schedule. The gut is a central switchboard for other body systems, and probiotics can have positive downstream effects on your skin, heart, and immune function, too.^28-30

The Sky Doesn’t Need to Be Your Limit

Everything from turbulence anxiety to changes in humidity to jet lag can disrupt your gut microbiome and the bodily systems it communicates with during air travel. Thankfully, by following a few relatively simple tips before, during, and after flying, you can make sure the sky doesn’t limit your digestion or your ability to enjoy new places. 

The post Flying Doesn’t Have to Suck for Your Gut appeared first on Med-Lock.

Our microbial worlds are constantly shifting—and nowhere is this more apparent than in the vaginal microbiome (VMB). 

The VMB is the community of billions of bacteria, yeasts, and other microorganisms residing within the vaginal canal.^1,2 These microbes ensure the stability of your vaginal pH, protect you against infections such as bacterial vaginosis, and can even reduce your risk of certain cancers.^3-5 And, just as you grow and change over time, the composition of your VMB naturally shifts—by the year, month, and even the day—in response to hormones and various disruptors. 

These microbial transitions are natural, but sometimes they can bring about unwanted changes or signal medical concerns—which is why body literacy and attention to symptoms are vital. “Typically, these shifts happen and the body is able to get back to homeostasis…It’s when you’re not able to get back to that normal that problems can arise,” explains Michelle Davison, Ph.D., a microbiologist and Senior Scientist at Med-Lock.  

Read on to learn how age, hormones, and daily habits can influence the vaginal microbiome, and how to protect yours through all phases of life. 

Puberty

The vaginal microbiome begins to form during and after birth, as an individual inherits their first microbes from their biological mother through a process called “med-locking.”⁶ From there, this community of microbes develops into a fairly diverse, steady-state community that exists until the first major disruption: puberty.⁷ 

Puberty is an unruly time for a whole host of reasons (all the feelings!), but for people with vaginas, it is the increase in estrogen and progesterone that causes the biggest fluctuations.⁸ These two hormones conspire to re-shape the vaginal microbiome; it goes from containing a few different bacterial species to heavily favoring a single species called Lactobacillus.⁹ 

This happens because the progressive increase in estrogen during puberty triggers an increase in glycogen deposits in epithelial cells, which form the inner lining of the vagina.¹⁰ Since lactobacilli feed on glycogen, puberty is essentially a feeding frenzy for these bacteria, which begin to outcompete other species and change the composition of the VMB to be Lactobacillus dominant.

Lactobacilli (specifically the particular species, Lactobacillus crispatus) help maintain a protective, homeostatic vaginal microbiome by creating a moderately acidic environment that’s inhospitable to various bacterial foes and pathogens.¹¹

However, many everyday disruptors can throw off the composition of lactobacilli in the VMB—one of which is menstruation.

Menstruation

While the composition of the VMB ebbs and flows from puberty to postmenopause, menstruation is a microcosm of this pattern. The makeup of your VMB can shift day-to-day during menstruation, depending on where you are in your cycle.¹² 

During the first week of the menstrual cycle, systemic estrogen levels are low. As estrogen begins to rise before ovulation, it precipitates a thickening of the vaginal epithelium and the production of glycogen. This feeds the lactobacilli needed to produce lactic acid and create a protective vaginal microenvironment.¹³

This means that when estrogen is in low supply during the menstrual cycle, it can disrupt the growth and stability of lactobacilli and make the vagina more prone to infection, sending it into a non-optimal Community State Type (CST).

In addition to these hormonal variations, menstrual blood increases the pH levels of the vagina and is rich in nutrients, including iron, which can serve as a growth factor for some non-optimal bacteria.¹² This can lead to a decrease in lactobacilli and leave the VMB vulnerable to pathogens.¹⁴ However, this change doesn’t last long: vaginal pH immediately begins to decrease to its normal level once menstruation ends, and studies have shown that vaginal microbiota typically return to baseline within about three days.¹⁵

One way you can support your vaginal microbiome during disruptions such as menstruation? Refrain from douching or using synthetic, fragranced cleansers or wipes (this advice applies to every stage of life, actually). Despite what you may have been told, there is nothing “dirty” about menstrual blood, and abrasive cleansing products only further disrupt the VMB.¹⁶ As for what you actually need to “clean” the vagina? “Only water has been shown to not disrupt the VMB,” says Dr. Davison. When it comes to caring for the vaginal microbiome, she says, “Less is more.” 

Pre-conception and Pregnancy

Menstruation signals the onset of an individual’s fertile years, and, once again, the vaginal microbiome is instrumental throughout the fertility and pregnancy journey. 

The type of birth control you choose to use during this time can affect the composition of the VMB. “People who use oral birth control, like the pill, tend to have much more stable microbiomes than people who use other forms of birth control, because the consistent hormones in the pill actually level out fluctuations,” says Dr. Davison.¹⁷ 

Other methods of birth control, such as intrauterine devices (IUDs), have also been shown to modify the VMB. “Copper IUDs are more correlated with infections like bacterial vaginosis,” says Dr. Davison, “whereas hormonal IUDs tend not to have the same effects.”¹⁸ (To note: choosing a method of birth control is an intensely personal decision that should factor in many considerations, not just microbial ones.) 

One of the most fascinating (and fruitful) areas of study when it comes to the vaginal microbiome is its implications for fertility. While this is a fairly new field, studies have shown that a Lactobacillus-dominant vaginal microbiome (specifically, Lactobacillus crispatus-dominant) seems to be associated with a healthy pregnancy and positive birth outcomes including a decreased risk of preterm birth.^19-21

How, exactly, vaginal L. crispatus modulate implantation is still unclear. It could be that VMBs with an abundance of lactobacilli and low overall diversity help decrease inflammation in the reproductive tract and/or create an acidic environment that supports embryo implantation in the uterine cavity.^22,23 Studies have also shown that bacteria from the VMB can impact everything from the composition of cervical mucus to the ability of a fertilized egg to implant in the uterine lining.^24,25 

During pregnancy, the vaginal microbiome undergoes an extraordinary transformation largely influenced by estrogen. This hormone, produced by the ovaries and placenta, surges as the pregnancy advances.²⁶ During the early months, increased estrogen and progesterone gradually shift the vaginal microbiome to become more stable.²⁷ Having a protective vaginal microbiome through pregnancy seems to help fend off infections that may pose risks to both the mother and developing fetus (thanks, anatomy!).²⁸

Postpartum

After delivery, the rapid drop in estrogen (by about 100- to 1000-fold) spurs yet another significant shift in the vaginal microbiome. Approximately six weeks after birth, 40% of postpartum people tend to exhibit a Lactobacillus-depleted vaginal microbiome, dominated instead by species associated with bacterial vaginosis.²⁷ This puts them at greater risk of developing vaginal infections—a risk undoubtedly heightened by the sleep-deprived, high-stress lifestyle of a new parent.¹⁰

While the postpartum experience is one of intense change—physical, emotional, social—it is also a vital time when it comes to protecting future pregnancies and fertility. “Everything is changing, but these changes can all mean something. Talk to your OB about what you notice, and ask them for ideas if something seems off,” advises Dr. Davison.

Perimenopause/Menopause

Like so many aspects of the female experience, menopause has been “something of a black box,” in the medical field, says Dr. Davison. Thankfully, researchers are finally now learning more about the changes the body goes through during perimenopause and beyond, and how the vaginal microbiome can help you navigate them. 

Here’s what we know so far: As we age, the body slowly begins to produce less estrogen. Since estrogen plays a role in the production of glycogen (again, a key fuel source for protective lactobacilli), menopausal women tend to have fewer of these bacteria.²⁹ As a result, the vaginal environment can become less acidic during perimenopause, making it more vulnerable to pathogens and infection-causing bacteria.³⁰ Menopausal women tend to be at higher risk of bacterial infections like BV and urinary tract infections for this reason.²⁹ 

For some people, certain effects of menopause can be mitigated by a topical estrogen product.³¹ These can increase the glycogen lining in the vagina, giving lactobacilli the energy source they need to establish dominance in the VMB and reduce the risk of discomfort and infections. 

Above all, says Dr. Davison, communication with your medical team (and with your community) is vital during this time. “Information about the physical and emotional symptoms of menopause should be discussed, to empower women not only with the knowledge of what to expect but to assist in making the best choices for their experience. Menopause is not abnormal: it is part of the process of living.” 

Embracing the Cycles of Life

Your vaginal microbiome forms the basis of your sexual, urogenital, and reproductive health—and it’s always in flux. Knowing your own normal—and, by association, knowing when something feels “off”—is the best thing you can do for your vagina throughout your life.

As we age, the changes our bodies undergo are natural, inevitable, and pretty darn incredible. And once we can accept them, the true education can begin. 

The post How Your Vaginal Microbiome Shifts Throughout Your Life appeared first on Med-Lock.

Let us explain: Being in a sexual relationship with another person means sharing touches, bodily fluids—and microbes. Every time you pursue pleasure with a partner(s), trillions of microscopic players also get in on the action, from the diverse bacteria strains of the saliva to the protective communities of the skin microbiome.

Caring for these invisible landscapes can help enhance your pleasure and that of your partner, all while supporting the overall health of everyone involved. Read on to explore a few of the friskiest microbial communities across your body and their role in sexual health.

The Oral Microbiome: Every Kiss Begins With Microbes

The oral microbiome (consisting of the gum crevices, tongue, hard palate, soft palate, cheeks, and lips) is the runner-up for the largest and most diverse microbiota in your body—second only to your gut.¹ Your mouth is home to billions of bacteria and fungi, influencing everything from bad breath (mood killer) to heart disease, and more.^1,2 And since there are so many different (and wonderful) ways to use your mouth during sex, it’s no surprise that the oral microbiome plays a major role in sexual health as well.

In one study published last year in Nature, researchers analyzed saliva samples from thousands of people across 20 countries and found that those who lived together shared 10 times more similar oral bacteria strains than those who did not. This effect was even more pronounced among romantic couples, who shared more oral bacteria species than other cohabitants.³ 

So how does bacteria migrate from one mouth to another? Kissing presents a major opportunity: One fascinating older study asked couples (both hetero- and homosexual) to provide saliva samples and answer questions on how often they smooched per day. Besides finding that men in heterosexual couples tended to over-report how much they kissed compared to their female partners (classic), researchers found that those who shared at least nine kisses daily tended to have the most similar oral microbiome makeup.⁴ 

Some bacteria shared between partners seem to only stay in the saliva temporarily, while others stay on the tongue for a long time and find a suitable place to colonize—which really gives new meaning to “swapping spit.”

EXPLORE FURTHER: How Your Relationships Influence Your Microbiome

How to Care for the Oral Microbiome 

All this sharing means that taking care of your own oral microbiome through habits such as maintaining good oral hygiene by brushing and flossing regularly, quitting smoking, and reducing sugar intake can also indirectly pay off for your partner.^5-7 

Other ways to protect this pleasure center? While it’s tempting to do a quick swish before a makeout session, antibacterial mouthwash is actually detrimental to the oral microbiome. A 2020 study showed that healthy people who used chlorhexidine (an antiseptic) mouthwash experienced a shift in their salivary microbiomes, so stick with products that are free of harsh disinfectants when you can.⁸ 

The Skin Microbiome: I Wanna Hold Your Hand 

The skin is the largest organ in the body, acting as a physical barrier to the outside world.⁹ It provides plenty of surface area for microbial communities to set up shop and protect against pathogens, assist with wound healing, and even help direct the immune system.¹⁰ 

Just as each area of your body plays a different role during sex, each individual microbial community on your skin has a slightly different purpose and function.

Take the breast microbiome—which is teeming with relatively rare bacteria not often found on other body parts.¹¹ This microbiome likely supports breast health by stimulating resident immune cells.¹² Areolar skin also has its own distinct bacterial community, which contributes to developing the infant microbiome and immune system during breastfeeding.¹³

And, as you use your fingers in all sorts of ways during sexual activity, know that you’re also engaging a completely different (and ever-shifting) ecosystem: The microbiome of the hands is constantly changing every time you pick up and spread microorganisms through contact with people, objects, and your surroundings.¹⁴ 

When the skin is engaged through intimate physical touch, a cascade of the feel-good oxytocin hormone soon follows, making the skin microbiome a living shield and arousal center.

How to Care for the Skin Microbiome 

Our fingertips and faces tend to be the most receptive to physical touch, but everyone will have their own pleasure centers on the skin.¹⁵ Traversing new areas to touch, kiss, and caress can be a steamy way to get to know your partner (and their microbial zones) during sex. 

Washing up before and after this exploration can help strengthen your personal skin microbiome. However, there’s no need to go overboard, as studies have shown that the use of antibacterial soaps can have potentially negative effects on the skin barrier.¹⁶ If you’re freshening up before sex, stick with good-old soap and water. We recommend washing your hands after sex, too, to avoid spreading genital microbes to other areas of the body. 

The Vaginal Microbiome: A Microbial Miracle

The vaginal microbiome (VMB) is unique, fascinating, and beautiful—much like the vagina itself.

When stable, the VMB is dominated by the bacterial genus Lactobacillus, which produces lactic acid to maintain a moderately acidic environment. But the bacteria, fungi, and other microscopic organisms of the vagina are extremely sensitive to disruptions. Everything from cleansers to menstruation, exercise to antibiotics, can damage these protective bacteria and elevate pH levels, leading to a host of issues, including increased risks of STIs, pelvic infections, and bacterial vaginosis (BV).^17-22

Establishing a strong, resilient vaginal microbiome can help defend against the most prevalent women’s health issues of today. From vaginal microbiome transplants for tackling chronic BV to bacterially informed treatments for cervical cancer, the research in this space has groundbreaking potential.

Sex, obviously, plays a major role in the composition of the vaginal microbiome—and it can act as a disrupter. Women who have sex with men can experience shifts in vaginal composition following penetration (more on this up next!).²³ This is also true for women who have sex with women, as vulva-to-vulva contact can create a natural vaginal microbiome transplant. In this case, studies have shown that if your partner’s microbiome is strong and protective (dominated by lactobacilli, with a low microbial diversity), you are also more likely to have a stable microbiome that is resistant to infections such as BV.²⁴ 

How to Care for the Vaginal Microbiome 

Because the vaginal microbiome is so sensitive to disruption, it’s vital to take additional care when introducing anything new to it—be it a toy, body part, or lubricant. Many commercially available lubes are hyperosmotic, meaning they drain and dehydrate moisture from cells, potentially causing vaginal tissue to shrink or thin and putting you at risk of abrasions.²⁵ Additionally, pre-clinical research has found that lube containing an ingredient called chlorhexidine gluconate potentially harms the vaginal microbiome by reducing the growth of Lactobacillus species.²⁶ Taking the extra time to seek out a microbiome-friendly lube can protect this delicate community and lead to more pleasure in the long run. 

Similarly, caring for sex toys by washing with soap and water between uses and between partners can keep your microbial partners healthy. One study found that sharing sex toys with female partners was associated with a reduced concentration of lactobacilli.²⁷ Penetrating the vagina with fingers and sex toys was also associated with increased colonization of Gardnerella vaginalis (a species of bacteria that can cause BV).

The Penile Microbiome: The Next Frontier in Sexual Health

There are a few elements of the penile microbiome—and they all seem to shift during sex. The makeup of the mucosa (skin) of the penis is influenced by sexual partners, as well as neighboring microbial niches (think: the skin, gut, and even urine).²⁸ Sperm and the male urethra—the canal that runs through the penis and carries urine and sperm—also have microbiomes that can be reshaped by vaginal sex.^29,30 

Researchers are just beginning to look at what these ever-shifting landscapes mean for our health, but they seem to play a role in reproduction and fertility. Penile microbiomes can harbor biofilms containing pathogenic bacteria like Gardnerella, which can be passed on to partners during unprotected sex.³¹ Men with seminal (sperm) microbiomes high in the bacteria Lactobacillus gasseri also seem to be more likely to have fertility challenges, leading researchers to propose that a “microbiological homeostasis” could be the ticket to establishing pregnancy.³²

Overall, though, research on this microbial world is quite new, and plenty of questions—such as how the penis microbiome might have protective effects on vaginal health, how it changes during sex with male partners, and how it responds to lubrication—remain, just waiting to be answered under the sheets. 

How to Care for the Penile Microbiome

Again, there isn’t much established research on the penile microbiome or its role in a healthy sex life. But it stands to reason that as with the vaginal microbiome, avoiding harsh antibiotic cleaners before and after sex (and really, always) is a good move in this region. Using condoms with new partners can also help shield from any potentially disruptive bacterial back-and-forth. 

The Gut Microbiome: An Unexpected Third Wheel

The most well-known (and well-studied) microbiome in and out of the bedroom, your gut microbiome is home to trillions of bacteria. You may know it for its role in strengthening your gut barrier, maintaining an acidic environment to dissuade pathogens, helping break down food, and stimulating digestion—but it also influences romance and intimacy.³³ 

Gut microbes help to get you “in the mood” by regulating emotions and behaviors along the gut-brain axis—the neural pathway by which your gut microbes communicate with your nervous system. 

New research suggests that the gut microbiome might also influence the vaginal and penile microbiomes. 

While the vagina is (obviously) not a part of the gastrointestinal tract, the proximity of the vaginal opening to the rectum makes some crossover inevitable: Microbes in the vagina can make their way to the gut, and vice versa, along the essential superhighway known as the gut-vagina axis. 

The gut-vagina axis also seems to play a role in regulating estrogen, a hormone that relates to sexual desire.³⁴ There’s a subset of microbes residing in your gut, known as the estrobolome, that can impact the amount of estrogen circulating in the body. Your estrogen levels affect the overall health, thickness, and mucus production of the vaginal lining, creating natural lubrication—which we all know can meaningfully impact sexual pleasure.³⁵ Estrogen generally correlates to an increase in sex drive, whereas too little (or, conversely, too much) can lead to low sexual desire, depression, and anxiety.³⁵ 

There is also mounting evidence for a gut-testis axis that influences sperm health and sexual function.³⁶ When in a strong, protective state, the gut microbiome maintains a symbiotic, mutually beneficial relationship with the testes. Disruption of the gut microbiome, however, can cause inflammation throughout the body—including in the testes. As such, studies have shown that gut dysbiosis is linked to lower sperm quality and quantity.³⁷ 

How to Care for the Gut Microbiome 

Thankfully, your gut microbiome benefits from all the same things you do—in other words, the healthy habits that support your whole body also support your microbial (and sexual) partners. From eating a high-fiber, mostly plant-based diet to reducing stress, getting good quality sleep to developing a healthy, pleasure-based relationship to your sexuality, there are simple, actionable ways to support your gut on the daily.^38,39 

A Happy Ending

Sex can be complicated, but it can (and should!) also be fun, liberating, experimental, and joyful. Thinking about how to involve and care for all parts of your body, including your microbes, is just another way to engage your senses, enrich your experience, and make sure everyone (yes, even your bacteria) has a happy ending.

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