Latest news with #microbiome
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
EXCLUSIVE: Seed Health's New CEO Cathrin Bowtell Discusses Sprouts Launch and What's Next for the Microbiome Company
Seed Health is headed to Sprouts. Seed Health, known for its microbiome solutions, is now available in all 450 Sprouts doors across 24 states with its DS-01 Daily Synbiotic and DS-01 14 Day Gut Reset. Seed Health is also available at Target, where it is the number-one digestive health probiotic, and Erewhon. This retail news follows the appointment of Cathrin Bowtell, who previously was chief commercial officer and then president, as chief executive officer in April. Cofounders Ara Katz and Raja Dhir previously held the position. More from WWD Prince William Hands Chanel's Leena Nair Honor for Services to Retail and Consumer Sector EXCLUSIVE: Eos Transforms Blue Moon's Signature Orange Garnish Into a Lip Balm Urban Outfitters Debuts First Pride Vinyl Collection Made in Collaboration With Influential LGBTQIA+ Artists, Allies and Labels Sources close to the brand confirmed that Seed has exceeded $200 million in revenue. Additionally, the brand has grown its revenue by 500 percent over the last three years. According to Bowtell, the Sprouts expansion is the next step in the brand's accessibility story, as it has gone from a primarily direct-to-consumer membership business to an omnichannel brand since its 2016 launch. According to Bowtell, each channel expansion has provided 'pure incrementality' for the company. 'It's a milestone for us. If you think about the omnichannel strategy that we've been incubating over the last year and a half, we actually have our retail roots in natural grocery,' she said, noting the brand launched at Erewhon in 2021. Like Erewhon, Sprouts is a particular fit for the brand's offering and target consumer. 'It's a wonderful fit from a brand standpoint,' said Bowtell. 'It's fast-growing in the world of probiotics, but it's also attracting a consumer who's deeply health focused and accessibility focused.' So far, Seed's retail strategy has been crucial to better serve existing customers and reaching new ones, per search and performance data. 'When we launched on Amazon last year, we launched into that channel with about 30,000 searches a month for our product name without being on the platform. When we launched into Target in September, we quickly became one of the top 10 revenue producing stock keeping units in that set,' said Bowtell. She predicts they will see a similar outcome now at Sprouts. 'We will, of course, find consumers at Sprouts that are brand aware and that are attracted to our packaging and our display, but our hope is also that us launching there provides an opportunity for consumers who are non-brand aware to discover us for the first time and try us for the first time,' said Bowtell. 'We've seen the same thing happen across Target and Amazon.' To date, more than a million consumers have used the brand's innovations, which also include the VS-01 Vaginal Synbiotic, a microbiome-supporting suppository. Seed's entry into Sprouts is one piece of Bowtell's overall vision for the brand, as she recently stepped into the role of CEO. 'This leadership transition has been planned for some time. I've been on board for over two and a half years, and have been incubating and leading the omnichannel strategy since that time,' she said. 'What's nice about this transition is there isn't a big business strategy change. If anything, this transition helps us accelerate moving into that scale and that impact of the strategy that Ara, Raja and I all incubated together.' Over the years Seed has continuously experienced growth thanks in part to its clinically backed formulas, which are often recommended by physicians ultimately adding another discovery outlet for consumers, and to the ongoing conversation around gut health, which experts say isn't going anywhere. 'Gut health is connected to most biological systems in the human body, and via gut health, the consumer actually has so much agency power to impact their own health,' said Bowtell. 'The focus on gut health is correlated to consumers wanting agency over their own whole body, holistic health and they want it without other types of interventions.' While the gut health conversation has remained constant over the past several years, the digestive issues associated with GLP-1s have caused an even greater focus on the category recently. As Bowtell looks to the future, she recognizes the challenges in the market, including possible economic downturn, but Seed's success in recent months has shown that the business is resilient. 'Investments in people's health are incredibly important to the customers that we sell our products to,' she said. 'We continue to think about lots of different ways of making our products as accessible as possible. The Gut Reset product that we're also launching at Sprouts is a nice example of a way that Seed aims to make our products accessible, giving lots of different ways of getting started at a range of price points.' Additionally, McKinsey's latest Future of Wellness Report for 2025 showed that wellness is staying relatively resilient, as consumers were unlikely to find it to be a discretionary category. That being said, Bowtell also said given the challenges in the market, Seed's commitment to science with peer-reviewed clinical research will be more important than ever. 'Consumers are deeply educated today, and so the products that are going to resonate are going to be products that are highly efficacious,' she said, noting that there are new products on the horizon, though the company's offering will remain highly curated. 'Everything that Seed will put into the market will have to meet the same threshold of the products we have in market today, which is at the forefront of efficacy, at the forefront of clinical superiority, and always with a very unique microbiome angle to health.' Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Telegraph
a day ago
- Health
- Telegraph
‘My adult acne dictated my life for a decade – until I realised it was caused by stress'
The medical explanation for how how stress impacts skin This link between psychological stress and skin health is now well supported by science, says Dr Ahmed. Stress alters the immune response in the skin, increases inflammation, and disrupts the skin barrier – making it more reactive to heat, fragrance, pollution, even sweat. 'When you're stressed, the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis is activated, flooding the body with cortisol, a hormone that slows down wound healing, reduces immunity, and increases inflammation,' Dr Ahmed explains. 'Even the microbiome on your skin changes under stress,' she adds. 'Because the skin itself contains its own stress response system – meaning that even over-cleansing or exposure to pollution can cause visible flare-ups. So stress is really not just in your head, it's in your actual cells. What's more, people don't realise, or perhaps forget, that your skin is a sensory organ, so it reflects how safe, or unsafe, your body feels.' Dr Ahmed believes several factors lie behind the rise in her patient numbers: burnout, increased screen time, poor sleep, dietary shifts, and the pressure of constant self-surveillance through social media. 'We're living in high-alert mode, and our skin is reflecting it,' she says. Taking a deeper, holistic approach In Kiara's case, it wasn't until she began working with a nutritionist that things started to shift. 'I'd dismissed nutrition as irrelevant,' she admits. 'But once we looked at my gut health, inflammation, and hormones – and yes, stress! – it all made so much more sense. Kiara also radically simplified her skincare routine – ditching aggressive acids and focusing on calming, barrier-supporting products instead. But, even more importantly, says Kiara, was shifting her mindset. 'It wasn't just about skin. I had to sort out the decade-long relationship I had with my self-esteem that was the very thing causing the stress and anxiety.' The emotional scars that last longer than the spots Interestingly, even when symptoms improve, patients often take far longer to recover emotionally, says Dr Ahmed. 'There's something we call 'psycho-lag,' where the skin clears before the person feels safe or confident again. They've lived with fear, shame, trauma. It doesn't vanish overnight. But it can be worked on.' For Kiara, the final turning point came when she began speaking openly about her experience. 'I started an Instagram account, initially anonymously, no face, just words. And the messages came flooding in from other sufferers: 'Me too', and 'I thought I was the only one.' That's when I realised this isn't just about skin – it's about connection, confidence, and finally being seen. That's instant stress relief.' Today, Kiara's confidence – and her complexion – is so vastly improved she's changed careers. After qualifying as a master NLP practitioner, the psychology graduate now works as a skin confidence coach, helping people with the mental and emotional scars of acne. 'Looking back, the most damaging part of my experience wasn't the spots themselves, but the lonely silence around them. No one talked about how spots made you feel, so I thought I was the only one dealing with it as an adult. I want to get the message out that talking helps relieve stress, and stress relief can only be a good thing for your skin.' How to support stressed skin Dr Alia Ahmed's evidence-based tips for protecting your skin during times of stress Sleep matters – as does timing Sleep deprivation elevates cortisol and delays healing. The skin regenerates overnight. Aim for seven to nine hours, starting before midnight, because your circadian rhythm matters, so eight hours starting at 2am is not the same as sleeping from 10pm. Your cortisol needs to drop for proper healing. Stay hydrated Aim for 1.5–2 litres of water daily. Not just for 'plump' skin, but for gut health, detoxification, and microbiome balance. I also recommend good fats (like omega-3s), probiotics, and vitamin D, especially in darker-skinned individuals, or during UK winters. Feed your skin from the inside There's actually no strong scientific evidence that chocolate or dairy directly cause skin conditions. But we do know high-glycaemic foods can trigger acne in some people. So if someone cuts something out and sees a difference – great. Just make sure they're replacing nutrients properly, and willing to reintroduce them if there's no improvement. Prioritise healthy fats (like omega-3s from fish or flax), fibre-rich vegetables, and probiotics or fermented foods to reduce inflammation Watch alcohol intake I don't say 'never drink, 'just be realistic. If you're flaring up, don't stack back-to-back nights out and then wonder why your face is inflamed. Alcohol is a clear trigger for rosacea and psoriasis, and it dehydrates the skin. But I'm no killjoy, live your life as you want to, just understand the consequences. Keep it simple Avoid aggressive acids or actives when your skin is inflamed. Stick to a gentle cleanser, barrier-repairing moisturiser, and daily SPF (sun protection factor). For Kiara, I advised Tolpa Sebio CICA night cream. Laser treatments More people are asking about these. AviClear is an FDA-approved treatment for acne which is available in the UK, and evidence has shown it can effective when used on its own, or alongside oral and topical treatments. I don't use it in clinic currently, although am looking into it. At-home red light treatments don't have as much research behind them yet, and can be expensive, so discuss with a professional before investing. Rethink how you relax You might think it's too 'woo woo,' but I do recommend journaling, breathwork, walking, or even ten minutes of solitude on your commute, because these things all help regulate the nervous system. Not everyone needs to meditate if they don't fancy it; but everyone needs to decompress. Ask the right questions If your skin condition is affecting your mental health, raise it with your GP. You can request integrated support or referral to psychodermatology services, where available. Don't suffer alone.
Medscape
2 days ago
- Health
- Medscape
Metabolic Dysbiosis Score Predicts Mortality Risk in ICU
A fecal metabolic dysbiosis score (MDS) predicted 30-day mortality in critically ill patients and may help identify fecal metabolites as a potential treatable trait to improve survival in these patients. METHODOLOGY: Researchers prospectively collected fecal specimens from 196 critically ill patients (median age, 64 years; about half men) admitted to the medical intensive care unit (MICU) for non-COVID-19 respiratory failure or shock. They analyzed the specimens, defined microbiome compositions by shotgun metagenomic sequencing, and quantified microbiota-derived fecal metabolites by mass spectrometry. They then correlated microbiota features and metabolites with 30-day mortality. TAKEAWAY: Overall, 30-day mortality was 30.6%. There was no significant difference between survivors and nonsurvivors regarding age, sex, race, and comorbidity burden. Microbiota compositions of the first fecal sample after MICU admission did not independently associate with 30-day mortality, nor were there associations between single metabolites and 30-day mortality. However, by integrating the fecal metabolite concentrations of 13 microbiota-derived metabolites, the team developed an MDS that predicted 30-day mortality independent of known confounders. The MDS may complement existing tools to identify patients at high risk for mortality by incorporating potentially modifiable, microbiome-related, independent contributors to host resilience. IN PRACTICE: 'Fecal metabolic dysbiosis, determined by quantitation of 13 fecal metabolites, is independently associated with 30-day mortality after MICU admission in our cohort,' the study authors wrote. 'Therefore, fecal metabolic dysbiosis represents a potentially treatable trait to improve survival in heterogeneous critically ill patients,' and the MDS may serve as a biomarker to identify patients who might benefit from such treatment. SOURCE: The study was led by Alexander P. de Porto, PhD, University of Chicago, Chicago, and was published online in Science Advances . LIMITATIONS: The study had limitations. Patients were recruited at a single tertiary academic center and needed respiratory support or a vasopressor, and thus, the results might not be representative of the entire medical ICU population. Also, patients who did not produce a fecal sample or gave a sample that was not analyzable for metagenomics and metabolomics were excluded. DISCLOSURES: The study was funded by the Duchossois Family Institute. de Porto was funded by the Niels Stensen Fellowship. The Center for Research Informatics is funded by the Biological Sciences Division at the University of Chicago, with additional funding provided by the Institute for Translational Medicine and the National Institutes of Health (NIH). One co-author was funded by the NIH/National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. The authors declared having no competing interests.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
The #1 Herb for Better Gut Health, According to Dietitians
Reviewed by Dietitian Alyssa Pike, RDNYour gut impacts digestion, immunity, mood and even how long you live—it's that vital. Mint supports gut health by easing cramps, reducing inflammation and fighting bad bacteria. Use fresh mint leaves or tea to gently aid digestion. Just be cautious if you have acid health is a hot topic—and, quite frankly, for good reason. Your gastrointestinal system doesn't just digest your food, it also houses your unique microbiome, or the trillions of bacteria and microbes that reside within your gut. To say it's kind of a big deal would be an understatement. Whether you struggle with a digestive condition like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or you're simply a health enthusiast who is eager to care for your gut health, we've got you covered. Leading gut-health dietitians have shared their No.1 herb to add to your diet if gut health is on your radar. Feeling sick, tired, fatigued, irritable, moody? If any of these sound like something you've experienced before, then it's time to take a closer look at your gut health. Feeding and fueling your microbiome to the fullest is crucial for not only your physical well-being, but your mental well-being, too. Research shows a direct impact of the gut on both health and disease–even suggesting that a healthy microbiome plays a role in longevity. One study found that people who tend to live the longest consume more fiber, and as a result, have microbiomes that resemble those of much younger people. (It's safe to say that fiber is our favorite F-word!) 'Prioritizing a healthy gut is crucial for several reasons, including digestive efficiency, immune support and mental health and mood regulation,' says Jessie Wong, RDN, a gut-health dietitian and founder of Poopedia, a website devoted to improving poop consistency. 'Having a healthy gut optimizes the breakdown and absorption of nutrients, ensuring that the body gets the essential vitamins and minerals it needs for overall health and functioning,' she says. In addition, gut health is also important for disease prevention and management. 'Given the microbiome is responsible for the inflammatory response, it's crucial to optimize your gut health to prevent chronic inflammation that can occur in diseases like cardiovascular disease and diabetes,' says Beth Rosen, M.S., RD, owner of Beth Rosen Nutrition. 'Plus, a balanced microbiome can help to reduce constipation, diarrhea, gas and bloating in digestive disease diagnoses,' she says. This small but mighty herb packs a flavorful punch of nutrition in every bite. According to gut-health experts, mint is the No. 1 herb you need to add to your eating plan. But, just why is this popular flavor in toothpaste and chewing gum so stellar when it comes to gut health? Mint has properties that help reduce inflammation and stomach cramping and can kill harmful microorganisms, says Wong. Mint is the general term given to the family of plants that exhibit that minty-fresh feeling you've come to know. While two of the most common forms of mint you've likely encountered include spearmint and peppermint, the latter is the one most frequently encountered when you hear mint and gut health combined. In fact, research has found that peppermint oil, for example, can help relieve digestive discomfort in people who have IBS, as well as quell indigestion—and it's been shown to be safe to use for short-term relief. 'Mint's antispasmodic properties help relax the muscles of the digestive tract, while its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects promote a balanced gut environment,' says Wong. It is worth noting that doses used in research don't exactly translate to the same mint we'd use in a kitchen. Meaning you can't expect a leaf of mint to alleviate symptoms associated with IBS overnight. However, drinking mint tea has been used to alleviate stomach pain and nausea. If you are interested in using something stronger, like peppermint oil, talk to a healthcare professional before using supplements to make sure they're safe for you. Mint is a great choice, but it's not the only herb that bodes well for your GI tract. 'Other herbs like ginger, turmeric and fennel also offer substantial benefits. It's essential to adopt a holistic approach, incorporating a variety of herbs and foods to support overall gut health,' says Wong. Adding fresh mint into a healthy eating pattern doesn't require a trip to a specialist. 'While using fresh mint leaves may not reproduce the same effects seen in clinical trials, it still adds a refreshing flavor to dishes,' says Wong. With that in mind, Wong recommends clients use three to five fresh mint leaves in recipes. 'This amount is a good starting point for adding freshness and a mild digestive benefit to their meals,' says Wong. Rosen agrees, adding that peppermint can also be steeped as a tea. One thing to keep in mind is being careful with mint if you have acid reflux. Mint can be a trigger for GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease), especially if you consume a lot of it. Understanding how mint affects you will be important for deciding how to include it in your eating plan. 'While this may irritate those with GERD, for others it can help alleviate indigestion and nausea,' says Wong. To get you started on your journey using mint in your own kitchen, first and foremost, store it properly. This can be done on the counter or in the fridge, as long as you follow these tips for storing fresh mint. Mint is a powerful herb that has shown to have beneficial properties that bode well for gut health. Not only is it easy to toss into recipes during the summer months, it's also a wonderful flavor enhancer to upgrade water. Consider stocking up on fresh mint and other herbs and spices during your next grocery haul and, we promise, your gut will thank you. Read the original article on EATINGWELL
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Bacteria in your mouth might reveal how depressed you are, scientists say
Depression could be linked to a lack of diversity in the bacteria in your mouth, according to new research. As you read this, your mouth contains between 500 billion and 1 trillion bacteria. After the gut microbiome, the orifice is the second-largest community of microorganisms in human bodies. Now, researchers at New York University say the makeup of those microbes could be used to help diagnose and treat depression. In a new study, they found that less diversity of microbes in the mouth is associated with the mental health condition. 'It's possible that the oral microbiome influences depressive symptoms through inflammation or changes to the immune system. Conversely, depression can drive changes including dietary intake, poor oral hygiene, increased smoking and drinking, or the use of medications—all of which have the potential to alter the oral microbiome,' Dr. Bei Wu, vice dean for research at NYU Rory Meyers College of Nursing, said in a statement. 'We need more research to understand the direction and underlying pathways of this relationship.' Wu is the senior author of the study, which was published this week in the journal BMC Oral Health. To reach these conclusions, the authors examined data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. They used questionnaire data from more than 15,000 adults collected between 2009 and 2012 to compare symptoms of depression with saliva samples. They also used gene sequencing to identify the microbes in the saliva and measure the diversity of the oral microbiome. That's how they found that people with less microbial diversity were more likely to have symptoms of depression. Additional analysis revealed that practices including smoking, drinking, and dental care influenced the relationship between the oral microbiome and depression. They can all change the makeup of bacteria in the mouth. They noted that antidepressants and other psychotropic medications have side effects that can lead to reduced saliva and alter the oral microenvironment. 'Thus, medications not only alleviate depressive symptoms but also have a regulatory effect on oral health,' they said. Still, it remains unclear whether the diversity of microbes in the mouth influences depression, if depression leads to changes in the oral microbiome, or if there's a symbiotic relationship. They noted that a recent study found a potential link between depression and the diversity of bacteria in the gut, and that a growing body of research points to a connection between the oral microbiome and overall health. That's thought to be driven by inflammation and disruptions to the immune system. They hope these findings will support a greater understanding of the issue. In 2021, an estimated 21 million adults had at least one major depressive episode in the past year. 'Having a better understanding of the relationship between the oral microbiome and depression could not only help us learn about the mechanisms underlying depression, but could contribute to the development of new biomarkers or treatments for mood disorders,' said Wu.
