The science
From Harvard research to Rhythm Health: exploring the gut microbiome's role in energy metabolism.
How it works
Fatigue is an epidemic that broadly impacts society.
Dr. Jonathan Scheiman, Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University
Research from the Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University identified Veillonella as a gut bacterium of scientific interest in exercise metabolism. Published in Nature Medicine in 2019, the study explored how Veillonella can metabolise lactate, a natural by-product produced during exercise, and convert it into beneficial short-chain fatty acids, including propionate — part of a known metabolic pathway linked to energy metabolism.
This discovery has helped increase scientific interest in the role the gut microbiome may play in energy metabolism, physical performance, recovery, and overall wellbeing.
Why does this matter?
Veillonella spp. has growing scientific interest because of its natural ability to use lactate as an energy source and produce propionate — part of a known metabolic pathway linked to energy metabolism.
In everyday terms: lactate is what causes that burning, heavy-legged feeling during hard exercise. Early research suggests Veillonella helps turn some of that lactate into propionate instead, a compound your body can use as fuel rather than it simply building up. It's part of why scientists are exploring a link between this gut microbe and feeling less fatigued, with more energy to keep going.
Watch the explainer
Probiotic supplements have been recommended by the International Society for Sport Nutrition (ISSN) for their demonstrated modes of action on athletes to optimize their wellbeing [Jäger 2019]. Furthermore, probiotics are not part of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) list.
At Rhythm Health, LifeShot 200 Billion was evaluated in a real-world fermented food study conducted by the London South Bank University Bowels & Brains Unit, led by Dr. Adri Bester and funded by the EU.
During the 4-week study, participants consumed LifeShot 200 Billion daily. The study observed changes in gut microbiome markers, including a reported natural increase in Veillonella spp. by 55%.
Measured by VO2 & Lactate Velocity Threshold (LVT).
LifeShot increased Veillonella bacteria by 55% — a known lactate metaboliser. Veillonella converts propionate for extra energy when the body is exhausted from intense exercise.
Measure your VO2 start then after one, two and three month intervals of intense exercise on 100 ml LS200 per day on your wrist device.
LifeShot increased Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) — primarily acetate, propionate, and butyrate — which are crucial for sports recovery.
They accelerate muscle repair by blunting pro-inflammatory pathways, restore glycogen stores, and protect the immune system from the stress of intense exercise.
Look at the pie charts below.
Less impulsivity means clearer decision making.
Using the Cambridge University Gambling Tasks system (CANTAB), LifeShot elicited a significant reduction in impulsivity.
Less impulsive by 66%
Short chain fatty acids (SCFA)
Before
After
Healthy human reference range for n-Butyrate: 11.8 – 33.3% of total SCFAs
Data from the Rhythm Health / London South Bank University Bowels & Brains Unit study (Bester et al., 2026). 15 non-athlete participants consumed LifeShot 200 Billion daily for 4 weeks. SCFA values measured pre- and post-intervention.