Frequently Asked Questions

Nella is the world’s first athlete-derived Performance Probiotic. It is a daily capsule of next-generation probiotics designed to help anyone pursuing a healthy and active lifestyle to a new frontier of personal best from the inside out. This includes benefits in digestion/bowel movements, energy, and sleep. Nella is the fruition of years of cutting-edge research, decoding the microbiome of some of the most fit people in the world. Nella is made with our patented next-generation Lactobacillus probiotic strains sourced from the guts of elite athletes, giving you the Guts to Defy your Limits, Nella is Informed Sport Certified, Vegan, Gluten Free and made in the USA. #GutsToDefy

Nella is for EVERYONE who can benefit from gut health. We know that gut health supports holistic health and wellness. So Nella is for anyone who wants to live a more active life. From elite athletes to wellness seekers, we aim to help you take charge of your destiny, to excel and succeed in all aspects of life. When we feel our best, we can be our personal best.

FitBiomics is a biotech startup spun out of the Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at the Harvard Medical School. Founded by a biomedical scientist and former athlete, Dr. Jonathan Scheiman built FitBiomics on the quest to benefit the health and wellness of everyone by decoding the microbiome of the most fit people in the world.

With a team of renowned scientists, we study the microbiome to identify novel probiotic bacteria that support optimal health. Utilizing next-gen metagenomic sequencing and purification, we isolate the probiotics that are abundant in super performers, analyze their genes and metabolic functions, and commercially develop them to support active lifestyles. In particular, we're sequencing the microbiome of elite athletes to identify and isolate novel probiotic bacteria for applications in performance and recovery.

FitBiomics is the microbiome discovery platform driving our scientific development of all our next-gen innovations (probiotics). After years of cutting edge research, we have isolated hundreds of proprietary strains, including the discovery of a game-changing lactic-eating bacteria, Veillonella, for application in sports performance and recovery. Our research has been published in the Nature Medicine, protected with IP, and featured in hundreds of global media outlets. We recently launched our first product, Nella, for gut health applications and are actively working on future game changing probiotics, including bringing Veillonella to the market!

Yup, our probiotics are coming from the gut bacteria of someone else… specifically super performers. But all probiotics have an origin story. Most probiotics on the market today are actually collected from baby poop, cheese, and plants. We work with Olympic, Professional, and nationally ranked athletes across a variety of sports with different backgrounds to unlock what is commonly enriched in their microbiomes. Our athlete-derived genetically unique strains have distinct metabolic properties that support the intense physiological demands of athletes that benefit anyone and everyone pursuing a healthy and active life. That’s why we say From Athletes. For You.™

Nella is different from other probiotics because we went straight to the source: the guts of super performers. By understanding and decoding how elite athletes' microbiome supports their sport's intense physical demands, we are cultivating probiotics to better support your active lifestyle and defy your limits. While most probiotics on the market today come from either food, baby poop, soil, or random individuals, all of our next-gen probiotics have been identified, sourced, and decoded from super performers. 

Our mission is to empower, educate, and elevate human potential, driving transformation from the inside out. We aim to inspire and build a world where greatness is possible for everyone, forging the new frontier of human health and performance. We are committed to using microbiome science and technology as a force for good to unleash the best in every body!

We believe form fits function. That's why we cultivate probiotics that work within the microbiome of elite performers. We're revolutionizing the way people understand and optimize their bodies by decoding the biology of super performers. Rather than looking at how to fix disease, we work with fit people as a proxy for understanding what drives optimal health. This allows us to cultivate next-gen probiotics that are more fit to support the diversity and demands of today's wellness needs.

We are bridging the gap between sport and science, bringing communities together, and inspiring the next generation of scientists, athletes, entrepreneurs, and more.

In short, yes you can combine Nella with other probiotics. Probiotic brands vary by the strains/amounts of each strain they contain. While many probiotics are sourced from a handful of manufacturers (you can find the same strains used in many different brands), the strains we use in Nella are our own proprietary strains. That means you will not find our strains in any other probiotics brand. Nella contains a blend of our patented Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, and Lactobacillus acidophilus strains. We would suggest transitioning to using only one to see how it effects you personally (as everyone is different), before experimenting with combinations.

Probiotics take varying amounts of time to be effective for different people based on their DNA, gut health, and the bacteria currently making up their gut microbiome. Studies have shown that it can take up to 4 weeks for probiotics to start working and sometimes 6-8 weeks to feel a difference. Furthermore, different benefits of consuming probiotics are realized at different times. For example, those with digestive issues may notice improvements within a week, but other benefits like improved immunity and energy can take months. As with any supplement, the impact may be gradual as balance is slowly restored to your gut bacterial community, addressing the core of your overall health.

There are a few reasons why you might not notice any benefits to taking Nella probiotics. First, the probiotics have expired. Check your Nella packaging to make sure the expiration date has not passed yet. Second, you are already consuming a lot of probiotic foods. If you are already eating and drinking a lot of probiotic foods like yogurt, kimchi, sauerkraut, kefir, kombucha, etc., you might not notice as many changes when taking Nella probiotics. Third, you have not taken the probiotic long enough. Some benefits can take weeks or months to manifest as your body adjusts to the probiotic. Finally, everyone is different. Everyone has a different genetic code, a different microbial community in their gut, and different dietary and exercise habits. FitBiomics is planning to develop many new probiotics in the future, so if this one is not working out for you, keep checking back for when our next probiotic will be released. 

Nella probiotics are safe for most people to take. However if you are pregnant, lactating, have a serious health condition, are taking any medications, or are planning medical or surgical procedures, consult your physician before use of any new probiotic or supplement! Probiotic use for children should be discussed with your pediatrician.

All of our probiotics have been genomically sequenced and decoded to identify the presence of both functionally beneficial genes (amino acid, vitamin biosynthesis, etc.) and an absence of detrimental genes (antibiotic resistance, toxins) to validate properties. They are manufactured in GMP-compliant facilities followed by rigorous purity and QC testing to ensure our product adheres to the highest commercial food grade and supplement standards. We have also performed functional beta testing for our next-gen Nella supplement with several hundred people. While not an official clinical study, our users reported benefits in digestion, energy, recovery, and quality of sleep .**

We are also planning official clinical trials to validate performance and complement the anecdotal feedback collected through measurements of biomarkers. As a microbiome startup, we're building a new frontier of fitness and nutrition and always looking for more feedback to optimize our technology and products. Please reach out and let us know about your experience or share a review of your experience!

No, Nella does not need to be refrigerated. Nella probiotics are packaged in Alu Alu blister cards which protects the capsules from exposure to light, oxygen, and moisture.

Our gut is the epicenter of health and wellness. Approximately half of our cells are microbial, with 70% of our immune cells located in our gut.

Probiotic consumption can influence overall health through the many benefits of improved gut function, including aiding digestion for nutrient absorption and metabolism, outcompeting "bad bacteria", as well as promoting the growth of "good bacteria” that can strengthen the mucus lining of the gut. Beyond the gut, probiotics can balance the pro- and anti-inflammatory actions of our immune system and even produce neurotransmitters to benefit brain function. Collectively, these functions can support energy levels, muscle development, endurance, as well as sleep and mental toughness.*

It typically can take your body 3-4 days to adjust when starting new probiotics, especially if you were not taking any prior, but it's not uncommon for these side effects to last about a week. This can include mild gas, bloating, or more frequent trips to the bathroom, all of which subside within a week. While rare, if you do experience anything worse than these symptoms, discontinue use and notify us at customercare@fitbiomics.com!

Probiotics side effects usually mean that the good bacteria are working. The most common side effects include mild forms of diarrhea, gas, bloating, cramps, rashes, or acne. Most people will only experience side effects for 3-4 days, certainly less than a week. If you continue to experience side effects for more than a week, please contact us at customercare@fitbiomics.com.

One way to minimize side effects and increase the likelihood of benefits is to take Nella within 30min before eating a healthy meal full of healthy fibers and sugars (like oatmeal and fresh fruit with a glass of milk).

We suggest making your probiotics a part of your routine! Take daily at a time that is most convenient for you to stay consistent each day. Probiotics tend to work best when taken with or 30 minutes before a meal containing healthy fibers and sugars, like oatmeal with fresh fruit. However, everyone's microbiome is unique and each person's experience will vary, so it is important to pay attention to what your body is telling you feels best.

You can access the subscription portal by logging in here to manage your personal information, including billing and shipping, as well as control recurring orders. We do not mandate that you create an account upon checkout, so if you haven't done so yet, you will first need to request an account invite for a subscription login. Please use the same email address used to place the order.

You are always welcome to reach out to us directly via email at customercare@fitbiomics.com.

You can edit your subscription preferences at any time by logging into your account here and accessing the subscription page.

See the key steps below for the most common questions. You are always welcome to reach out to us directly via email at customercare@fitbiomics.com.

How to CANCEL or PAUSE your subscription account:
1. Click the “Manage my subscription” option on the left side
2. Select the “Manage subscriptions” on right side
3. Choose your active subscription that you would like to cancel
4. Click “Cancel subscription” on the bottom
5. Either choose the amount of months you would like to pause your subscription for and click “Pause subscription” or click “Cancel subscription”

How to SKIP your next order:
1. Click the “Manage my subscription” option on the left side
2. Click “Skip” on the top bar
3. Confirm skip by clicking “Yes, skip this order”

We do not mandate that you create an account upon checkout, so if you haven't done so yet, you will first need to request an account invite for a subscription login. Please use the same email address used to place the order.

You can access the subscription portal by logging in here to manage your personal information, including billing and shipping, as well as control recurring orders. We do not mandate that you create an account upon checkout, so if you haven't done so yet, you will first need to request an account invite for a subscription login. Please use the same email address used to place the order. You are always welcome to reach out to us directly via email at customercare@fitbiomics.com.

How to manage your subscription SHIPPING ADDRESS:
1. Click the “Manage my subscription” option on the left side
2. Select the “Address & payment details” on right side
3. Select “Manage addresses” on the bottom
4. Click “Edit” and enter your new address information
5. Click “Save changes”

How to manage your subscription BILLING ADDRESS:
1. Click the “Manage my subscription” option on the left side
2. Select the “Address & payment details” on right side
3. Select “Manage payment methods” on the bottom
4. Click “Edit” 5. Click “Send edit payment link”

If your discount code is not working, first, make sure that the discount code that you are entering is spelled correctly (case sensitiive) as the one provided and that it has not expired. If you take a look in the email or the website banner where the discount was, you should be able to find when the promotion ends. For all additional questions related to discount codes and promotions please email customercare@fitbiomics.com.

We always want you to be 100% satisfied with each and every purchase—that’s why we have our 30 day satisfaction guarantee. Let us know if you do not like a product by contacting customercare@fitbiomics.com within 30 days of receiving your order, and we will be happy to give you a refund.

For all questions, issues, comments, or general feedback, please contact customercare@fitbiomics.com and we will get back to you immediately.

If you contact our customer service team at customercare@fitbiomics.com before you receive your order or before you open the external shipping box, then we can provide you with a return label. Unfortunately, we cannot accept returns of orders that were opened in any way.

Standard shipping takes 4-6 days (via USPS)
- Standard shipping in the Continental USA (domestic 49 states) is free
- Standard shipping to Hawaii or Alaska is $10.00 USD

Expedited shipping takes 2 days (via UPS or similar)
- Expedited shipping in the Continental USA (domestic 49 states) is $15.00 USD
- Expedited shipping to Hawaii or Alaska is $25.00 USD

Not yet, sorry! We currently only sell in the United States of America, but are diligently working to expand our distribution footprint, beginning with Canada and expanding to Europe and Asia. As a startup, we need everyone's support to grow so that we can continue to serve people all over the world with our probiotic technology and innovations.

Our orders are typically delivered within 5-7 business days. Orders submitted before 12:00 pm EST are processed the same day, otherwise the next business day. Orders placed on a weekend or national holiday are processed the following business day.

Once orders are processed, delivery will be made in 4-6 business days depending on your location for standard shipping and 2 days for expedited shipping. Recent supply chain issues have created unexpected lag in deliveries across all sectors and this sometimes has an impact on our orders.

Every order has a confirmation shipping email with your tracking information. Please refer to this for tracking your shipment. If you can not find this email or still have not received your order, please contact us at customercare@fitbiomics.com to have us further investigate the status of your order shipment.

If you receive damaged or defective product, do not consume. Please notify us immediately by contacting customercare@fitbiomics.com. We will need for you to share any details you have on your order, including lot code/expiration date from your box and pictures of the issue. We will issue you a refund or replacement and have you complete this AE intake form!

As a part of Nella Nation you will have first access to cutting edge technology and science, as well as opportunities to participate in product launches, affiliate programs, special events, webinars, science symposiums, and additional events and activations. Most importantly, since our mantra is to work with elite phenotypes, your a part of a group that is constantly decoding and recoding what makes you unique, which in turn keeps all of us on the cusp of innovation.

A Nella Athlete can be an Affiliate, but not all Affiliates can be a Nella Athlete. For example, you may love Nella, and we would love for you to share with the world how Nella has helped you so that others can benefit from Nella. As an affiliate, you will receive a commision for every new Nella customer you bring in. Our Nella Athletes, however, are considered elite in their sport / specialty and support our Research & Discovery platform.