Seed’s DS-01® Daily Synbiotic Review 2024

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Overview

What Is Seed’s DS-01®?

DS-01® is a synbiotic—meaning it contains both probiotics and prebiotics—research-backed and formulated to support gastrointestinal health, skin health, heart health, gut-immune function, and gut-barrier integrity.

DS-01®  is available via monthly subscription. Probiotics, in general, are transient microbes—which means they trigger both local and systemic benefits as they travel through the digestive tract, interacting with immune cells, gut cells, dietary nutrients, and existing microbes before eventually exiting the body. Therefore, continuous, daily intake of  DS-01® is critical for sustained health impact.

What makes DS-01® stand out?

Seed’s probiotic strain selection makes DS-01® a true daily all-in-one for your gut and whole-body health. DS-01®’s proprietary formulation includes strains studied to fortify the gut barrier, support healthy regularity and ease bloating, reinforce an optimal gut-skin axis, promote cardiovascular health, and support healthy immune responses. DS-01®’s innovative and plant-based prebiotic is sourced from the skin of Indian pomegranate and has been clinically validated to support healthy aging, including the reduction of aging markers like the appearance of wrinkles. This prebiotic is non-fermenting, which is gentle on the stomach, unlike most fiber-based prebiotics.

Seed’s patented capsule-in-capsule ViaCap® technology has been evaluated in one of the most sophisticated testing systems to verify its survivability and precision release to the colon. 

Known for their renowned scientists in the field of microbiome and probiotics, Seed’s scientific rigor and ongoing research set them apart from others. DS-01® strains have been clinically studied in over 20 clinical and mechanistic studies. Two clinical trials evaluating the DS-01® formulation have recently been completed:one assessing the impact of DS-01® on patients with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) under Investigational New Drug authorization from the FDA, and another evaluating the effects of DS-01® on the gut microbiota during and after antibiotic usage (under Health Canada authorization). This new data is anticipated to be published in high-impact scientific journals in the coming six months. 

DS-01® Features

There are several unique probiotic strains in DS-01® that are not found in common food and beverage sources that contain live cultures, such as yogurt. Each strain in its respective dosage has been studied for specific digestive and whole-body benefits, including: 

• Promotes healthy regularity and stool quality
• Supports ease of bloating
• Supports healthy gut-immune function and responses to occasional GI and environmental stressors
• Supports healthy lipid metabolism
• Promotes smooth, healthy skin
• Promotes an optimal balance between good and bad cholesterol
• Supports gut barrier recovery and integrity of the intestinal barrier

Strain Diversity + Composition

DS-01® strain diversity is much higher than the industry average. Here’s what’s inside:

• Bifidobacterium longum SD-BB536-JP 
• Bifidobacterium breve SD-BR3-IT 
• Lactiplantibacillus plantarum SD-LP1-IT 
• Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus SD-LR6-IT 
• Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus HRVD113-US 
• Bifidobacterium infantis SD-M63-JP 
• Bifidobacterium lactis SD-BS5-IT 
• Bifidobacterium lactis HRVD524-US 
• Lactobacillus crispatus SD-LCR01-IT 
• Lacticaseibacillus casei HRVD300-US 
• Bifidobacterium breve HRVD521-US 
• Bifidobacterium longum HRVD90b-US 
• Bifidobacterium lactis SD150-BE 
• Limosilactobacillus fermentum SD-LF8-IT 
• Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus SD-GG-BE 
• Limosilactobacillus reuteri RD830-FR

In addition, specific strains like Bifidobacterium adolescentis SD-BA5-IT and Limosilactobacillus reuteri SD-LRE2-IT possess the genetic capability to support the synthesis of micronutrients including B12, and (B9) folate. 

Lactiplantibacillus plantarum SD-LPLDL-UK and Bifidobacterium lactis SD-MB2409-IT help to maintain heart health. Ligilactobacillus salivarius SD-LS1-IT,  Bifidobacterium lactis SD-CECT8145-SP, Bifidobacterium longum SD-CECT7347-SP, and Lacticaseibacillus casei SD-CECT9104-SP all work to support skin health. 

AFU Count

You may be used to seeing CFU (colony forming units) on probiotic labels with numbers into the billions.  Seed quantifies their probiotics with a more precise measurement called AFU (active fluorescent units), which means they know how many cells are viable to ensure the effective dosages. There are 24 strains in DS-01®, as well as 53.6 billion AFUs. 

Precision Release Technology & Prebiotics

As living organisms, probiotics are fragile and sensitive to heat, oxygen, light, and moisture. Because of these vulnerabilities, Seed engineered ViaCap®, their patented capsule-in-capsule delivery system, to protect the live cultures from stomach acid, digestion enzymes, and bile salts for successful delivery to the gut—and stability outside the body, which means no refrigeration required. 

Seed’s outer capsule houses a unique plant-based prebiotic formulation that consists of punicalagins concentrated from Indian pomegranate—biotransformed by gut microbes into powerful metabolites. Unlike typical prebiotics, the prebiotic in DS-01® is a compound that is transformed by gut bacteria into beneficial compounds that benefit systemic health. 

Clinically Researched

What I really like about Seed as a brand is the transparency in the clinical studies on their website that justify the formulation of DS-01® and the fact that they continue to further their research with gold-standard trials.

Seed cites the following studies to support the health benefits of DS-01®:

Cardiovascular Health

• Costabile et al. PLoS One (2017) 
• Bordoni et al. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol. (2013)
• Keleszade et al. J Func Foods (2022)

Dermatological Health

• Iemoli et al. J Clin Gastroenterol. (2012)
• Climent et al. Microorganisms (2021) 
• Navarro-López et al. JAMA Dermatol. (2018) 

Micronutrient Synthesis

• Bron et al. I J Mol Sciences (2021) 
• Strozzi & Mogna. J Clin Gastroenterol. (2008) 
• Pompei et al. Appl Environ Microbiol. (2007) 
• Amaretti et al. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol. (2013) 

Gut Microbial and Metabolite Balance

• Mogna et al. J Clin Gastroenterol. (2012) 
• Drago et al. Allergy Asthma Immunol Res. (2015) 
• Odamaki et al. Anaerobe. (2012) 
• Magistrelli et al. Front Immunol. (2019) 
• Ogata et al. Biosci Microflora. (1997) 
• Mogna et al. J Clin Gastroenterol. (2014) 
• Tierney et al. Appl Environ Microbiol. (2023) 
• Laparra & Sanz. J Cell Biochem. (2010)

Third-Party Testing

Seed conducts extensive testing on DS-01®, including a suite of third-party testing throughout each step of the manufacturing process, as well as on the final product. 

Their testing includes: 

• Potency (AFU or Active Fluorescent Units)
• Survivability (SHIME® or Simulator of the Human Intestinal Microbial Ecosystem)
• Contaminants (heavy metals and pesticides) 
• Extended allergen panel (all 14 EFSA-defined classes)
• Thermostability (temperature)

With 50+ quality assurance and quality control (QA / QC) checkpoints, Seed monitors purity under both U.S. and European protocols (including cGMP + HACCP) throughout the production cycle. This means each ingredient batch is extensively tested prior to encapsulation and each batch after manufacture.

Shelf Stability and Expiration Date

Seed’s extensive heat testing confirms viability at room temperature for 18 months past manufacturing, over 10 days at constant 100°F exposure, and even two days at continuous 120°F exposure. Unlike many probiotics, this means refrigeration is not required. However, Seed encourages storing your probiotics in the refillable glass jar included in your first purchase to maximize shelf-life. 

If your home is consistently warmer than 79° F for extended periods, Seed does recommend refrigerating your probiotics to avoid exposure to excessive heat.

Risk-Free Guarantee

Seed offers a risk-free guarantee. Within 30 days of receiving your first order, you can request a refund for the full cost of the product (excluding shipping and taxes) if you aren’t satisfied.

Is Seed Safe and Reliable?

DS-01® stands out as a trusted probiotic, featuring a combination of lactobacilli and bifidobacteria with a well-established history of safe use. What sets DS-01® apart is its commitment to scientific rigor and transparency. Formulated with 24 strains that are backed by over 20 clinical and mechanistic studies, DS-01® offers a diverse range of reliable, scientifically-validated benefits. Seed’s patented ViaCap® technology further supports DS-01®’s efficacy by promoting the precise release of viable probiotic cells to the target site. This technology, along with FDA and Health-Canada-approved clinical trials, exemplifies Seed’s dedication to delivering effective, high-quality probiotics that prioritize your safety and well-being. 

How Seed Works

Seed products are available via a monthly subscription, so you do have to create an account before purchasing. To do this, provide your email address and create a password. 

After that, the checkout process works like most retail sites: add your products to the virtual cart, enter your shipping address, select your payment method, and you're ready.

You can also enroll in their Sustainable Refill Program. When you enroll, your refills will ship 3 or 6 months at a time, and you’ll save up to $90 annually. Fewer shipments and fewer emissions means better for the earth. 

In addition to exceptional customer care, Seed also has a specialized team called SciCare—a team of experts that can answer any science, health or product-related questions. 

Your first shipment will include a reusable glass jar and a travel container.

When you begin taking DS-01®, the suggested dosing is one capsule daily for the first three days and then two capsules per day thereafter. 

Seed Customer Service

While using Seed, you have a few options if you need support or have inquiries. 

SciCare is Seed’s team of experts available to answer all your science, health, and product-related questions— scicare@seed.com

You can also email care@seed.com for general support. Or, you can call Seed at 844-646-3586 from 9 a.m.–5 p.m. PT, Monday–Friday. If you call outside of these operating hours, you can leave a voicemail message for Seed to get back to you. 

There’s no chat feature or inquiry form on the website. However, there’s an extensive FAQ page covering various common queries—from details about Seed’s products to shipping and billing. 

Finally, Seed’s website contains a blog called “Cultured,” which includes plenty of information about the science behind the microbiome and the gut. 

How to Cancel or Pause a Seed Subscription

You can cancel your subscription anytime. Just log in to your account on the Seed website, navigate to your profile settings, and select the option to either pause or cancel your deliveries. 

Is There a Seed App?

At the time of writing, Seed doesn’t have an app. 

Seed Pricing

How Much Does Seed’s DS-01® Cost?

How much does DS-01® cost?

DS-01® costs $49.99 per month. Shipping to the US is free, and international shipping costs $10. 

However, you can get free shipping worldwide if you enroll in Seed’s Sustainable Refill Program. This involves paying for 90-day refills that are billed every three months.

The pricing for Seed is higher than the industry average. That said, the pricing is justified by the high quality of the product, given the diverse strains offered and the health benefits that do more than your standard probiotic/prebiotic capsule.  

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Seed Alternatives

How Does Seed’s DS-01® Compare to Other Probiotic Supplements?

Seed vs. Ritual

Ritual is priced almost identically to Seed and is also a synbiotic but has a significantly lower potency. DS-01® is an all-in-one probiotic solution that supports whole-body systemic health. Additionally, Ritual’s formulation includes only two strains compared to Seed’s 24 strain- formula.

Seed vs. Align

While DS-01® contains 53.6 billion AFU, Align contains 1 billion CFU at time of manufacture while only guaranteeing 10 million CFU at the end of shelf life. Moreover, it doesn’t contain prebiotics. However, for a month’s supply of capsules, Align costs only $19.95—half of Seed’s price. 

Seed vs. NativePath

NativePath’s formulation focuses heavily on supporting digestive health and metabolism, while the benefits of DS-01® are multi-systemic and support whole-body health, inclusive of digestive health. NativePath offers a 365-day money-back guarantee compared to 30 days for Seed.

Bottom Line (Is Seed’s DS-01® Worth It?)

Yes, DS-01® stands out from the rest. All the included strains are backed by clinical and scientific research listed on the Seed website.

DS-01® is a tad pricier than other probiotics. However, given the 30-day, risk-free guarantee and high-quality products, there’s no risk in giving Seed a try.