Due to growing interest in gut health, probiotic supplements can now be considered a trend. From studies investigating their potential benefits for digestive health to mental well-being, probiotics are capturing the attention of health-conscious consumers.
If you are on the hunt for the best probiotic supplement, this Seed review is here to guide you. Our goal was to evaluate the brand’s transparency, highlight the main pros and cons, and explore the benefits proposed by the brand. To make this article possible, we analyzed academic research papers to see how Seed’s claims align with the current scientific knowledge.
Although Seed offers a few products, this article will focus on DS-01® Daily Synbiotic — their best-selling multi-purpose formula.
What is Seed probiotic and how does it work?
Seed is a probiotic supplement brand known for its collaboration with academic research institutions. The brand’s formulations go through double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trials — which is a rigorous approach that is uncommon in the supplement industry.
At the moment, the brand offers three products: for vaginal health, children, and a multi-purpose option. With the multi-purpose product (formally called DS-01® Daily Synbiotic) being the most popular one, our article will focus on it.
Support your gut and overall health with Seed DS-01® probiotic and prebiotic formula: 53.6 Billion AFU for adults 18+.
DS-01® Daily Synbiotic is a blend of 24 strains of probiotics and prebiotics. The blend is crafted to support digestive health by fostering the good bacteria in the gut. As per the brand, the probiotics in the formula are grouped into four categories:
- Digestive health. In this blend, four strains have been shown in human clinical studies (as listed on the Seed website) to significantly improve constipation, defecation frequency, and fecal characteristics. While many of the other strains have shown potential benefits, the studies were conducted in the laboratory or animal models.
- Dermatologic health. The strains included for dermatologic health have all demonstrated significant improvement in adults and children with inflammatory skin conditions, including eczema.
- Cardiovascular health. L. plantarum has been shown in two clinical trials to reduce levels of total cholesterol and ‘bad’ cholesterol when used in supplements for at least six weeks.
- Micronutrient support. While studies have shown strains to increase the production of important micronutrients, only B. adolescentis has been studied in human subjects. This study showed this strain can produce folate within the human intestinal environment.
Seed probiotic provides 56.3 billion active fluorescent units (AFUs). Although most probiotic brands represent the amount of total live bacteria within one serving in colony-forming units (CFUs), Seed has chosen to use AFUs. This method is regarded as more accurate.
To enhance the survival of probiotic strains, Seed uses ViaCap® delivery technology to improve delivery to the small intestine and colon. This two-in-one capsule contains an outer capsule that prevents the acidic environment of the stomach from killing the microorganisms in the supplement.
Benefits of Seed
Some of the potential benefits of taking Seed probiotics include:
- Digestion and gut health. Seed probiotics can potentially aid in the digestion and absorption of various amino acids, help maintain regularity, and reduce symptoms such as constipation, diarrhea, and gas.
- Immune system regulation. Probiotics may improve the integrity of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract's cell lining, which can prevent the absorption of potentially harmful compounds. In addition, this helps modulate the inflammatory response within the GI tract, which may help in conditions such as IBS and celiac disease.
- Cardiovascular health. The probiotic strains in Seed have shown some evidence in small clinical trials that they can reduce ‘bad’ cholesterol levels and increase ‘good’ cholesterol, which could help reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
- Skin health. Regular use of the strains in Seed has been shown to reduce the symptoms of inflammatory skin concerns.
Keep in mind that the effects of Seed or any other probiotic supplement will highly depend on such factors as your current health status. Please consult with your healthcare provider for more personalized advice, especially if you have any underlying conditions.
User experience
As of now, online user reviews for Seed are mixed. Below, we have analyzed the main points made by real-life customers on platforms like Trustpilot, Amazon, and Reddit.
What people liked
- Digestive health benefits, including reduction of bloating and improved regularity in bowel movements.
- Benefits beyond digestion, such as clearer skin and fewer seasonal allergies or colds.
- Eco-friendly packaging.
- In-depth details about strains and science on the packaging and Seed’s website.
What people disliked
- Unsatisfactory customer support service, issues with subscriptions and refunds.
- Side effects such as gas, bloating, and flatulence.
- High price point and rather limited refund options.
Lastly, it is worth mentioning that Seed is accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB). The brand holds an A+ rating based on factors such as the company’s transparency and complaint history.
Tips and tricks for best results
To obtain the best results from taking Seed probiotics, you should follow the official recommendations made by the brand. It may also be worth consulting your doctor for more tailored advice.
The brand recommends taking two capsules daily in one go, ideally on an empty stomach. Moreover, to experience potential benefits, it is important to be consistent with probiotic supplementation.
Seed probiotics do not need to be refrigerated.
Keep in mind that each individual will respond differently to probiotics, which may be as quickly as 1–2 weeks or can take up to three months. Patients with few gastrointestinal symptoms may not notice any benefit of a probiotic, whereas those with frequent complaints of diarrhea and constipation may notice a better response.
How much does Seed cost and where to buy it?
DS-01® Daily Synbiotic (multi-purpose formula) is currently priced at $49.99 for a 30-day supply on the official website. Keep in mind that purchasing through their official website automatically enrolls you in a monthly subscription that can be rescheduled or canceled at any time.
You can also purchase DS-01® Daily Synbiotic through Amazon. As a one-time purchase, this probiotic would cost you $59.99.
PDS-08® Pediatric Daily Synbiotic, a probiotic for individuals aged 3–17, is priced at $49.99 on the official website and Amazon.
Comparison: Seed vs. other probiotics
| Brand | CFUs or AFUs | Number of strains | Price | Dosage | Cost per Serving | Additional active ingredients |
| Seed | 53.6 billion AFU | 24 | $49.99 | 2 capsules | $1.67 | Punicalagins prebiotics |
| AG1 | 7.2 billion | 2 | $79 | 1 scoop | $2.63 | Vitamins, minerals, prebiotics, superfoods, adaptogens, antioxidants, digestive enzymes, functional mushrooms |
| Ritual Symbiotic+ | 11 billion | 2 | $60 | 1 capsule | $2.00 | PreforPro prebiotic, Core Biome postbiotic |
| Bioma | 9 billion | 2 | $79.99 | 2 capsules | $1.87 | Xylooligosaccharides, tributyrin |
| Unbloat | 25 billion | 7 | $47.99 | 2 capsules | $1.59 | Prebiotic fiber, nutrients for bowel support, bloat-fighting herbal formula, folate, magnesium |
Seed vs. AG1 comparison
Seed Daily Synbiotic and Athletic Greens (AG1) belong to different supplement categories, although both contain probiotics.
Seed focuses on gut health, combining a blend of probiotics and prebiotics, which are taken as a daily capsule to support your digestive system.
On the other hand, AG1 is a powdered mix that provides a wide range of beneficial compounds, including vitamins, minerals, probiotics, prebiotics, adaptogens, and superfoods, tailored to support overall health, energy, and immunity.
While Seed is all about balancing your gut microbiome, AG1 may offer broader nutritional support.
Also, both have different forms and pricing models:
Seed is a subscription-based capsule, while AG1 is sold as a premium powdered supplement with subscription discounts.
In short, Seed may target gut health specifically, whereas AG1 can potentially cover various health benefits.
Seed vs. Ritual comparison
Seed Daily Synbiotic and Ritual Synbiotic+ are both designed to support gut health, but they do it a bit differently.
Seed is tailored for a comprehensive approach to gut health. It includes 24 probiotic strains and prebiotics to support digestion, gut barrier function, and the immune system.
On the flip side, Ritual Synbiotic+ combines three specific probiotic strains, prebiotics, and a postbiotic (butyrate) to support gut health and the gut lining.
While Seed offers a broad spectrum of probiotics with a high AFU count, Ritual focuses on tailored strains and additional gut lining support. Both are taken as daily capsules, making them easy to incorporate into your routine.
Seed is great for a wide-ranging approach, while Ritual may provide a tailored blend with added postbiotic benefits.
What did we look into when reviewing Seed
When preparing product and brand reviews, we examine a wide range of factors to ensure a comprehensive and fair evaluation. Here are the key assessment criteria we applied for Seed in particular:
- Quality measures taken by the brand. We assessed the brand's commitment to quality, such as manufacturing practices and third-party testing.
- Scientific backing. Our team has also spent extensive time in the research evidence supporting the DS-01® Daily Synbiotic formula, considering the clinical studies or data that validate the brand’s claim.
- Customer reviews. We went through customer reviews on Amazon, Trustpilot, Reddit, and the official website to evaluate the customer experience for Seed users. This gave us a broader understanding of the major advantages and pain points of real-life customers.
- Price. We compared the supplement’s pricing with other similar products in the market to see if it offers great value for money.
Final verdict: is Seed worth it?
For those who are looking to introduce probiotics into their routine, Seed offers products that may be worthy of a trial.
Below, we have highlighted a few factors that may be worth considering if you are planning to purchase from Seed.
FAQ
Is Seed probiotic FDA approved?
As with other supplements, Seed probiotics are not FDA-approved as the FDA does not regulate these supplements. However, the brand follows the quality standards such as cGMP (the U.S. market) and HACCP (the European market). In addition, Seed goes through third-party testing.
How long does Seed probiotic take to work?
The effects of Seed probiotics can be seen in as little as one to two weeks. However, it may require up to three months to experience the full benefits of a probiotic supplement. Therefore, many recommend at least a 2–3-month trial to determine whether the probiotic is effective.
Can Seed probiotics help with weight loss?
Yes, it may help with weight loss as per some early studies on probiotics and weight management. For instance, one systematic review concluded that supplementation with probiotics and synbiotics might help overweight and obese people lose weight.
8 resources
- Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology. The use of probiotics in healthy volunteers with evacuation disorders and hard stools: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study.
- Bioscience and Microflora. Effect of Bifidobacterium longum BB536 administration on the intestinal environment, defecation frequency and fecal characteristics of human volunteers.
- Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology. Probiotics reduce gut microbial translocation and improve adult atopic dermatitis.
- PLoS One. An in vivo assessment of the cholesterol-lowering efficacy of Lactobacillus plantarum ECGC 13110402 in normal to mildly hypercholesterolaemic adults.
- Journal of Functional Foods. The cholesterol lowering efficacy of Lactobacillus plantarum ECGC 13110402 in hypercholesterolemic adults: a double-blind, randomized, placebo controlled, pilot human intervention study.
- Microorganisms. Changes in Gut Microbiota Correlates with Response to Treatment with Probiotics in Patients with Atopic Dermatitis. A Post Hoc Analysis of a Clinical Trial.
- JAMA Dermatology. Effect of oral administration of a mixture of probiotic strains on SCORAD index and use of topical steroids in young patients with moderate atopic dermatitis: a randomized clinical trial.
- Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology. Quantification of folic acid in human feces after administration of Bifidobacterium probiotic strains.
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