Peptiva is a vegetarian-friendly probiotic supplement that is intended to be taken at night in order to help restore the digestive system during sleep, as well as aid in the body's sleep process. It was formulated in part by Ivy League-educated preventive medicine specialist and founder of Yale Prevention Research Center, Dr. David L. Katz. The product comes in three varieties - Peptiva + Sleep Support, Peptiva Advanced Digestive Relief, and Peptiva Vegetarian Digestive Enxymes + ProDigest. Peptiva + Sleep Support is the most popular formulation.
Not much information is publicly available about Peptiva outside of its main website, Peptiva Probiotics, especially regarding its origins and year of discovery. Only limited studies in medical journals have been published involving Peptiva, the most recent of which was an article published in February 2020 by a veterinary science journal involving the addition of Peptiva to the feed of piglets in order to determine how well Peptiva helped with their weaning process. Interestingly, the product's site indicates that the product is not recommended for animal consumption.
Active Ingredients
The primary active ingredients of Peptiva are divided into two segments - the Lab4 (TM) Clinical Cultures and the Active Microbiome Blend. Each dose of the probiotic supplement contains 26 billion CFUs, although the Peptiva Advanced variety contains 50 billion CFUs.
Lab4 (TM) Clinical CulturesThe Lab4 (TM) Clinical Cultures include Lactobacillus acidophilus (ATCC SD6865), Lactobacillus acidophilus (ATCC SD6866), Bifidobacterium bifidum, and Bifidobacterium animalis subsp lactis. The two Lactobacillus acidophilus cultures come from the same genus and species, but have different strain names, hence their respective coding.
This system of strains is advertised as clinically-validated and is meant to aid in reducing abdominal discomfort and bloating, improve bowel habits, as well as support overall digestive health.
Active Microbiome BlendThe Active Microbiome Blend in Peptiva is comprised of Lactobacilus rhamnosus and Lactobacilus paracasei. This duo of probiotic strains is intended to improve gut health and encourage healthy bowel habits by introducing intestine-friendly bacteria to the organ's tissue.
The other three active ingredients, PharmGABA®, melatonin, and Valerian root extract, appear to have been added to provide further benefits.
PharmGABA® helps with stress relief, relaxing the body, and quality sleep. GABA, or gamma aminobutyric acid, is a neurotransmitter found in the brain. It is a naturally-occurring amino acid that is primarily found in fermented foods like kefir, but can also be found in a variety of other foods, including but not limited to whole grains, beans, and nuts. High levels of GABA are associated with calmness and positive mood; low levels can indicate anxiety or mood disorder.
Melatonin, a hormone made by the pineal gland, helps regulate circadian rhythm in order to promote better sleep quality.
Valerian root extract, touted as "nature's Valium," is an herbal sleep aid with applications in treating insomnia and anxiety.
Peptiva Side Effects
Peptiva indicates on its website that there are no known side effects associated with its use. However, other reviews publicized by both consumers and sites in the health and wellness space indicate that possible side effects may include intestinal discomfort and cramping, which is a common side effect of probiotics. Nonetheless, any side effects anticipated are mild and non-threatening. Peptiva also claims to be safe to use and non-habit forming.
Public Opinions on Peptiva
Both positive and negative testimonials of Peptiva can be found through a quick online search.
PositiveThe positive reviews of Peptiva laud the dietary supplement's efficacy in naturally promoting good sleep and helping with insomnia issues. Many claimed that they had switched to Peptiva after using common sleep aids, from over-the-counter prescription medication to melatonin, one of the active ingredients in the supplement.
Peptiva's benefits for the gut were mentioned in positive reviews, but more so as a secondary benefit relative to aiding with sleep problems.
NegativeMany of the negative reviews complain about the high cost of Peptiva. Peptiva Probiotics + Sleep Support, the most-reviewed of the three products, retails at $59.99 per supply of 30 capsules. This breaks down to a cost of approximately $2 per day to use Peptiva.
The negative reviews regarding Peptiva are somewhat vague in nature; however, with many reviewers simply stating that the product did not work for them, especially in the way of aiding sleep, and left them feeling as if they had invested a lot of money in a non-efficacious product.
A Look at Peptiva's BBB Profile
Although Peptiva Probiotics is registered under Adaptive Health LLC on their product website, the BBB profile associated with Peptiva is found under Direct Digital LLC.
Peptiva's main office appears to be located in West Valley City, UT, while Digital Direct LLC's business location is in South Salt Lake, UT, with a headquarters in Charlotte, NC. From a consumer perspective, the different locations and entities associated with the product can create understandable confusion. Even the BBB profile associated with Peptiva links to the page for the Charlotte, NC headquarters.
According to its BBB profile, Direct Digital LLC has been in business for 10 years, since October 2009. Its BBB accreditation, however, has only been active since March 2017. The Alternate Business Names of Direct Digital LLC are each of the products under the Adaptive Health LLC umbrella - Peptiva, Nugenix, Instaflex, and Lumiday.
The BBB page for the Charlotte, NC headquarters shows an accreditation date of March 2016 and also reflects that the LLC has been in business for 10 years. Although the BBB rating is A+, the average of the 13 customer reviews is two stars. The small sample size of reviews may factor into the low overall rating.
A brief look at the 13 reviews that BBB uses to determine the average rating suggest that a product trial is the introductory phase in using any of the Adaptive Health products. This also appears to be the source of customer frustration, as many of the negative reviews indicate customers being overcharged on their credit cards or being sent unsolicited products after participating in a trial.
Benefits and Disadvantages of Peptiva
BenefitsThe benefits of Peptiva relate directly to its applications as a digestive system health booster and a sleep aid. Anxiety reduction is another referenced benefit to using the supplement.
DisadvantagesPeptiva is intended for adult use. The sleep-inducing ingredients present in Peptiva mean that it should only be taken prior to sleep, although there is an alternative product that does not have these ingredients.
The product warning label indicates that Peptiva may have adverse interactions or decreased effectiveness when taken alongside certain prescription drugs, although the type of drugs of concern are not indicated.
Peptiva contains FD&C Red #40 and FD&C Blue #1, two artificial food dyes linked to minor to moderate allergic reactions and hyperactive behavior, especially in children. Both substances are widely-used, yet have been the subject of numerous contemporary toxicity concerns.
Where to Buy
All three formulations of Peptiva can be purchased on the Peptiva Probiotics website, GNC, and Amazon. GNC is listed on the product website as the supplement's exclusive retail partner.
Peptiva Refund Policy
Peptiva guarantees product refunds beginning 30 days after the shipment date of a monthly supply of product. The refund process involves with contacting their Customer Service Department for a Return Merchandise Authorization (RMA) number and sending the unused product back for a full refund. Trial packages obtained through the 15-day free trial offered by the company are excluded from the refund policy and cannot be returned.
There is a discrepancy regarding whether shipping and processing charges can be refunded. The refund policy states that shipping and processing charges are non-refundable under any circumstance; however, the Trial FAQs section of the site states that the manufacturer does completely refund shipping and processing charges if the product is returned within 30 days of being shipped to a customer.
A subscription of Peptiva can be canceled at any time, free of hassle, via e-mail or by phone call to Customer Service.
Should You Try Peptiva: Concluding Thoughts
The general consensus regarding Peptiva seems to be that there is no general consensus - it may work for some, and it may not work for others.
Peptiva is a relatively-new probiotic supplement allegedly developed as both a restorative for digestive health, as well as a sleep aid. The only major accolade it has behind it is its formulation by a renowned Ivy League physician. However, it lacks the niche following that has propelled other supplements to popularity, and the overwhelming amount of the media available that talks about Peptiva is made by its own company. The sparse information available regarding the product may be problematic to a consumer seeking more to research before making a final decision on whether to invest in a supplement.
The $2 per day cost to use Peptiva, however, may be prohibitive to consumers who are weary to invest a significant amount of money in using a product that may or may not work for them. In the case that the product is not a fit, online customer reviews on both Amazon and the parent company's BBB profile suggest potential customer service difficulties in getting a refund.
On a positive note, it may be a great option for a person who has tried prescription medications or other supplements to treat sleep problems and promote good digestive health and wants an alternative. The company states that users can reap the full digestive health benefits of Peptiva in eight to 12 weeks of use, and from the vagueness of the product's negative online reviews. It is unclear whether customers expected immediate results or whether they did in fact use the product for the recommended period of time.
posted on 30 January at 21:34
I would like a free sample as stated on TV.