Energy Drinks Are Out. Microbiome Optimization Is In

A biotech breakthrough harnessing athlete gut bacteria could redefine how we energize, recover and thrive

In an era of burnout, brain fog and stimulant overload, many people are turning to caffeine and energy drinks to get through the day. But instead of generating sustainable energy, these fixes often deplete our systems and spike cortisol, leading to a crash that leaves us chasing the next high.

What if your energy source did more than just wake you up, but actually helped your cells recover, strengthened your muscles, reduced inflammation and powered your body the way elite athletes do?

This is the discovery of FitBiomics, a biotech company developing daily supplements (V•Nella and Nella) sourced from the microbiomes of the fittest people on the planet. At the center of the innovative V•Nella is Veillonella, a unique probiotic strain that converts lactic acid in the gut into short-chain fatty acids like propionate, a natural, mitochondria-friendly energy source with a cascade of performance and health benefits.  

Lactic acid has long had a bad rap — blamed for muscle soreness, post-workout fatigue, and that familiar burning sensation after pushing too hard. Most people think of it as a byproduct to flush out. But what if, instead of being something the body needs to clear, it could be something the body could use? It’s a shift from waste product to performance fuel.

“Traditionally, people thought lactic acid just built up in the blood and cleared through the liver,” says Jonathan Scheiman, PhD, FitBiomics co-founder and CEO. “But we discovered that lactic acid also gets processed in the gut, where – in these endurance athletes – Veillonella turns it into fuel. It’s a completely new metabolic pathway.”

Unlike caffeine or sugar, this natural energy source from V•Nella creates no crash, improves metabolic flexibility and reduces inflammation at the cellular level. The result? More energy, faster recovery and a stronger immune system — without overstimulating the body or sacrificing long-term health.

The Anti-Stimulant Solution

As fatigue soars in contemporary society, people are waking up to the side effects of their go-to fixes.

“We’re in an era of overwork, overstimulation and sleep deprivation,” says Scheiman. “And caffeine dependency is part of that cycle. V•Nella offers an alternative that helps your body generate its own energy using what it already produces – lactic acid.”

This process creates propionate and improves muscle function. 

“Caffeine works through neurological stimulation, but propionate works on the cellular level — through the mitochondria, your body’s natural batteries,” he says. “It’s a more sustainable, performance-oriented way to power the body.”

The innovative science behind V•Nella is drawn directly from the gut microbiomes of ultra-marathon athletes. These individuals generate copious amounts of lactic acid during 100-mile runs. Their guts are biologically optimized with Veillonella, which converts that byproduct into additional energy, making their performance nearly self-reinforcing.

FitBiomics isolates this trait and makes it accessible to everyone through a simple capsule.

“We’ve decoded biology from the fittest people in the world and translated it into a daily probiotics capsule for the everyday consumer,” says Scheiman. “In just 10 to 14 days, people start feeling more energy, better stamina and even cognitive improvements.”

Natural Energy That Does More

What began as a breakthrough in performance optimization has evolved into a broader innovation in recovery and resilience.

V•Nella was FitBiomics’ first major leap — harnessing Veillonella to transform lactic acid into clean, cellular energy. It’s a tool for athletes and active individuals looking to go further, recover faster and reduce inflammation at its source.

V•Nella benefits include:

• enhanced endurance and stamina
  
• improved recovery
  
• reduced inflammation and cellular fatigue

Building on that foundation, FitBiomics developed Nella — a complementary daily probiotic designed for better sleep, stress support and gut health. Where V•Nella fuels performance, Nella helps you recharge.

Nella benefits include:

• Improved sleep quality
  
• Reduced inflammation and oxidative stress
  
• Greater mental clarity and stress resilience

“We like to say sleep is the most powerful performance enhancer,” says Scheiman. “Nella improves gut health and sleep quality by reducing stress, inflammation, and cortisol levels — so you wake up rested and ready to perform.”

Together, these two innovations work in tandem: one to optimize output, the other to enhance recovery, giving your body a smarter, more sustainable way to thrive.

Why Now?

Current  lifestyles have led to chronic fatigue, disrupted circadian rhythms and rising dependence on synthetic energy. FitBiomics argues the best place to correct that is in the gut.

“We believe microbiome optimization is the next frontier in performance,” says Scheiman. “We’re not masking tiredness. We’re going to the root and solving it at the cellular level.”

With growing cultural interest in longevity, gut health and holistic recovery, the market is primed for this solution.

For gyms, V•Nella is a seamless way to differentiate retail offerings and recovery protocols. Unlike powders, ready to drinks (RTDs), or energy shots, this solution comes in capsule form, requires no prep and integrates easily into daily routines.

“We like to say it’s cheaper than your morning coffee,” says Scheiman. “It works in a more sustainable manner, and offers more long-term health benefits. All you need is a capsule a day and a glass of water.”

Fitness professionals are utilizing it as a recovery tool, energy booster and performance optimizer. With wearable integration, users can also see improvements in HRV and more, seeing tangible results within two weeks. It’s also a retention play.

“With benefits consumers can rapidly see and feel, we’re seeing over 80% month over month retention with our subscription users,” says Scheiman. “Therefore we’re excited to work with gyms and clinics to support both better outcomes for their members, and their bottom line.”

A Generational Health Shift

The gut, according to Scheiman, is the “number one biohack.”

“Seventy percent of your immune system and ninety percent of your neurotransmitters are connected to it. Ninety percent of short-chain fatty acids like propionate are produced there as well. And with regards to propionate, it’s this novel, alternative fuel source that is being unlocked, and upcycled from something associated with fatigue. When you optimize it, everything changes.”

FitBiomics views itself as a company that offers next generation health solutions, and not simply as a supplement brand, evoked by a move toward decoding what works in the fittest humans and delivering it at scale for everyone.

“We’re introducing an entirely new energy mechanism into the body that was previously only found in elite athletes,” says Scheiman. “It’s microbiome-led, mitochondria-supported and offers a new path forward – clean energy from within. Some energy drinks may give you wings. but V•Nella is like rocket fuel for your muscles.”