Fifty-five percent of nutritional supplement users in the U.S. are aware of their gut microbiome, but most are not quite sure what it does, according to a recent survey of more than 1,000 supplement users conducted by Ankeny, IA-based Embria Health Sciences using the Qualtrics enterprise research platform. The survey suggests that consumers today know something about key factors affecting gut health. However, their current understanding is far from complete.
 
The gut microbiome has been a major priority in U.S. medical science since the National Institutes of Health launched The Human Microbiome Project (HMP) in 2007. The HMP mission has been to explore connections between the diversity of the human microbiome—the ecosystem in and on our bodies composed of trillions of bacteria and other microorganisms—and its role in human health. Scientists have projected far-reaching long-term benefits from the HMP research.
 
As scientists learn more about the human gut microbiome and its impact on the immune system and digestive health, consumers can take steps to support their own gut microbiome, which can help them achieve better health and wellness in their own lives.
 
Embria has created a short video to explain the microbiome in simple terms and how supplements like probiotics and the company’s EpiCor fermentate can help. Watch the video here.
 
The Qualtrics survey revealed a general lack of understanding of digestive health among consumers, as 74% of respondents reported not knowing what the gut microbiome actually does. However, once these supplement users were made aware of the gut microbiome, 64% reported that they would “definitely” (36%) or “probably” (28%) be interested in a supplement that supports this natural part of a healthy digestive system.
 
“The significance of this milestone in consumer awareness of the gut microbiome cannot be overstated,” said Jeff Cannon, president and CEO of Diamond V, Embria’s parent company based in Cedar Rapids, IA. “Embria’s commitment to producing products to support better health and wellness goes hand-in-hand with taking a leadership role in increasing consumer awareness of critical health developments like the gut microbiome.”  
 
Embria has published scientific research that demonstrates EpiCor’s role in increasing beneficial bacteria levels in the gut while helping to reduce unhealthy bacteria levels. A human gut health clinical trial further exploring EpiCor’s positive impact on the gut microbiome, as well as related gut health benefits in people, is expected to be published later in 2017.