Review - Probiotic Supplement For Gut Health Vs. 5 Natural Foods

The probiotic blend called Metabolic Daily under review here was sent to me by Pendulum Therapeutics LLC, containing five bacterial species that researchers study mainly for gut-microbiome, metabolic, and anti-inflammatory effects. The dose provided is 300 million AFU (Active Fluorescent Units) taken daily is relatively low compared with many commercial probiotics, which often contain 1–10 billion CFU. However, some of these species can still have biological effects because they influence butyrate production and the gut lining.

It is available at PendulumLife.com, a one-month supply for $49 for a subscription and $94 for one time purchase. The website indicates it may take 3 months to see full benefits and research does indicate it is a slow process to see changes with these probiotics. The probiotic capsules are recommended to be refrigerated although the packaging from Pendulum does not indicate that.

At the end of the review are 5 foods that may be shown to give the same effects on gut health as the prebiotics in the commercial blend.

Below is what studies suggest each organism may do.
1. Clostridium butyricum

Main role: Butyrate-producing probiotic.

Evidence-based effects: Produces butyrate, a short-chain fatty acid that:
fuels colon cells
reduces intestinal inflammation
strengthens the gut barrier

Studies show benefits for:

antibiotic-associated diarrhea
ulcerative colitis
IBS symptoms
May help regulate immune function in the intestine.

In Japan and China, it has been used as a medical probiotic for decades.

2. Clostridium beijerinckii

Main role: Fermentation and metabolic activity.

Research suggests it can:

Produce short-chain fatty acids beneficial to gut health.
Help ferment dietary fiber.
Possibly support microbial diversity in the colon.

However, human probiotic research is limited, so benefits are still being explored.

3. Bifidobacterium infantis

One of the best-studied probiotic species.

Research shows it may:

Reduce IBS symptoms (pain, bloating, irregular bowel habits).
Lower systemic inflammation markers.
Improve gut barrier integrity.
Help digest certain carbohydrates.

Clinical trials have shown symptom improvement in irritable bowel syndrome patients.

4. Anaerobutyricum hallii

Previously called Eubacterium hallii.

Known for:

Producing butyrate (important anti-inflammatory gut metabolite).
Helping convert lactate into butyrate, stabilizing gut metabolism.

Studies associate higher levels with:
better insulin sensitivity
lower inflammation
healthier microbiome diversity.
Research suggests potential benefits for metabolic syndrome and diabetes.

5. Akkermansia muciniphila

One of the most exciting new microbiome discoveries.

It lives in the mucus layer of the intestine and helps regulate it.

Studies link it to:
improved metabolic health
better insulin sensitivity
reduced obesity risk
stronger intestinal barrier

Small human trials show it may help:
reduce blood sugar
improve cholesterol markers
lower inflammation

Combined effects of this blend (based on research)

Together these microbes mainly support:

1. Butyrate production

Three of the strains produce butyrate, which may:
reduce colon inflammation
improve gut barrier integrity
protect against “leaky gut”

2. Gut lining repair

Particularly from Akkermansia muciniphila and butyrate producers.

3. Immune regulation

May reduce inflammatory signals in the gut.

4. Metabolic support

Some studies show possible improvements in:

blood sugar regulation
insulin sensitivity
weight-related metabolic markers.

Limitations to know

Research suggests benefits, but: dose matters (300 million is modest). Strain specificity matters and results depend on the exact strain. Microbiome effects vary person to person.

Also, these bacteria often work best with prebiotic fiber (such as inulin or resistant starch).

Most likely real-world benefits from this blend:

mild improvement in gut health and digestion
reduced intestinal inflammation
possible support for metabolic health
improved gut barrier function

Three surprising effects researchers are seeing with Akkermansia and butyrate-producing probiotics in people over age 60, including brain and immune benefits.

Research in the last 10–15 years suggests that butyrate-producing gut bacteria and Akkermansia muciniphila may have important effects for people over age 60, beyond simple digestion. Much of the evidence is early or moderate-quality (animal studies, observational human studies, and some small clinical trials), but the findings are interesting.

Below are three areas scientists are paying particular attention to.
1. Brain health and cognitive aging

Researchers now study something called the gut–brain axis, where gut microbes influence the brain through immune, metabolic, and nerve pathways.

What studies suggest

Higher levels of butyrate-producing bacteria (like Clostridium butyricum and Anaerobutyricum hallii) are associated with:

reduced brain inflammation
better blood–brain barrier integrity
improved memory performance in animal studies

Butyrate itself can:

increase BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor), a protein important for neuron health
act as a histone deacetylase inhibitor, affecting gene expression linked to brain aging.

Some early studies link low butyrate bacteria with higher risk of:

Alzheimer's disease
Parkinson's disease

Human trials are still small, but the trend is consistent.

2. Reduced “inflammaging”
As people age, the immune system often develops low-grade chronic inflammation, sometimes called “inflammaging.”

Microbes like:

Clostridium butyricum
Anaerobutyricum hallii
Akkermansia muciniphila may help by:
strengthening the intestinal barrier
reducing leaky gut
lowering inflammatory cytokines such as IL-6 and TNF-α.

Lower gut inflammation is associated with lower risk of several age-related diseases, including:

Type 2 diabetes
Atherosclerosis
Metabolic syndrome

3. Metabolic health and weight regulation

Akkermansia muciniphila is one of the most studied microbes in aging metabolism research.

Studies in humans show higher levels are associated with:

lower body fat
improved insulin sensitivity
lower blood glucose
healthier cholesterol profiles

A small human clinical trial found that pasteurized Akkermansia supplementation improved:

insulin resistance
cholesterol markers
inflammatory markers.

Researchers think it works by:

maintaining the gut mucus layer
improving metabolic signaling hormones.
What scientists consistently see with aging

Across many microbiome studies:

As people age, they tend to lose:

butyrate-producing bacteria
Akkermansia muciniphila

That loss correlates with:

more inflammation
poorer metabolic health
weaker gut barrier.

So probiotics or diet changes that support these bacteria may help counter some aging-related microbiome shifts.

Realistic expectations from supplements like this blend:

Possible benefits:

better gut barrier integrity
modest anti-inflammatory effects
improved metabolic markers
possible indirect brain benefits

But effects are usually gradual and subtle and diet and fiber intake often matter more than probiotics alone. Five foods that dramatically increase Akkermansia and butyrate bacteria in the gut according to human microbiome studies (some increase them within weeks usually about 2 to 10):

Pomegranate, cooled potatoes or rice, cranberries, onions and garlic, and green tea