Epetome

The Research

This product contains 11 different strains of probiotic bacteria at varying doses. Individual strains in Epetome have been studied in various clinical trials to potentially help with digestion and immunity, but this product and it’s specific combination of bacteria has not been studied clinically.

The company claim that over 450 studies support their selection of these strains and reference these on their website. However, we found that many of these studies were not relevant to the strains in the product because the strain was not identified in the study. In addition, many of the studies were lab- or animal-based, so not applicable to human outcomes. Furthermore, some studies referenced on the site contradicted the claims made by the company. For example, their reasoning for choosing the probiotic strain Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM was “due to the many studies on its link with IBS-related pain”. However, the study they attached to this claim showed that Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM, in a multi-strain probiotic, did not improve abdominal pain scores compared to placebo.

Some of the probiotic strains included in this product are at lower doses when compared to clinical trials showing benefits. For example, L. rhamnosus HN001 has been shown to have potential benefits on immunity at a dose of 6 and 10 billion cfu. The dose in this product is only 1 billion cfu. Similarly, L. rhamnosus GG has been shown to have potential benefits on cognitive performance at a dose of 10 billion cfu. However, the dose in this product is around 7 billion cfu.

The capsule has been tested in SHIME® model, or Simulator of the Human Intestinal Microbial Ecosystem, which showed 30 times more viable delivery of L. acidophilus compared to a standard capsule. The company claim this makes it 30 times more effective, but that can only be supported by head to head clinical trials. The SHIME® is a in vitro (lab-based) model and human, clinical trials are needed.

The amount of prebiotic FOS in this product may be at too low of a dose to have any prebiotic effects when compared to clinical trials.  Studies shows that a minimum  of 2.50g is required for prebiotic effects in adults, although 5.00g is greater. The dose in this product is 0.05g. Furthermore, the FOS in this product is stored and released separately from the live microbes in a duo capsule. Therefore, unlikely to support the live microbes in this product and so probably cannot be considered a ‘synergistic synbiotic’.

The product also contains 100% of the recommended daily amount (RDA) for vitamin D, which may contribute to normal functioning of the immune system, and 100% RDA biotin, which may support skin and hair health, and 15% RDA for zinc, which can contribute to normal functioning of the immune system.