Nella: FitBiomics’ Sleep-Supporting Probiotic Gets Major Clinical Validation

New study validates FitBiomics Nella probiotic – 69% better sleep quality, improved hormone balance, and enhanced recovery, all from elite athletes’ gut bacteria. Results in 2 weeks!

In the world of human performance and recovery, sleep quality is often considered the ultimate force multiplier. While FitBiomics gained attention for their endurance-focused probiotic, VNella, which works by metabolizing lactic acid, the company’s other major innovation — Nella — has now received significant clinical validation demonstrating powerful sleep-supporting effects.

New Study Published on Fitbiomics Nella: 69% Improvements in Sleep Quality!

A breakthrough clinical study published in early 2025 has shown that Nella users experienced 69% improvements in sleep quality alongside major boosts in energy levels and gut health.^[1] The research validates FitBiomics’ novel approach of studying elite athletes’ gut microbiomes to decode beneficial probiotic strains that can benefit everyone — a scientific platform we first learned about when interviewing founder Jonathan Scheiman in Episode #158 on the PricePlow Podcast.

Improved testosterone-to-cortisol ratio from a probiotic?!

This two-phase study demonstrated that Nella’s specialized Lactobacillus strains can significantly improve sleep quality through multiple biological pathways — including optimization of the testosterone-to-cortisol ratio — making it the first probiotic clinically validated for both sleep health and hormonal balance.

This article covers the details of this new study, but since we haven’t written about Nella yet, we introduce the cutting-edge probiotic first. Sign up for PricePlow’s Fitbiomics news alerts so you don’t miss out on any news or deals from the impressive biotech startup, and then keep reading:

What is Nella?

Nella represents an innovative approach to probiotic supplementation, developed by FitBiomics through their groundbreaking research studying the gut microbiomes of elite athletes. Rather than using traditional probiotic sources like dairy or soil, FitBiomics decoded beneficial bacterial strains from some of the fittest and healthiest people in the world, who have been repeatedly shown to have different microbiota composition than sedentary individuals.^[1]

A Novel Approach to Sleep Support

What makes Nella truly unique is its positioning as a probiotic that’s clinically validated to improve sleep quality,^[1] detailed in the next section of this article.

The Science Behind the Strains

At the core of Nella’s formulation are patented Lactobacillus strains that were isolated from elite athletes’ gut microbiomes. These specific strains were selected for their ability to produce beneficial compounds and metabolites that can positively influence sleep quality and recovery. Research has shown many such strains to have a tremendous number of benefits.^[2]

The formula includes L. acidophilus FB0012, L. plantarum FB0015, and L. rhamnosus FB0047,^[1] delivered in acid-resistant delayed-release capsules to ensure the probiotics survive the journey through the digestive system.

Beyond Traditional Probiotics

While many probiotics focus solely on digestive health, Nella takes a more comprehensive approach by targeting the gut-brain axis. Through this pathway, these specialized probiotic strains can influence sleep quality, energy levels, and overall wellbeing.^[3]

By leveraging the natural compounds produced by these elite athlete-derived probiotics, Nella represents a new paradigm in sleep support supplementation – one that works through the body’s own microbiome rather than through traditional sleep aid ingredients.

With that explained, let’s get into the study itself:

The New Research: A Two-Phase Clinical Study

This groundbreaking research, published in early 2025 in the prestigious journal Microbiome, employed a two-phase study design to validate Nella’s effects on sleep quality, energy levels, and gut health.^[1]

• Phase 1: General Population Study

  

  The first phase was designed as an open-label study to broadly assess Nella’s effects across a diverse population. Over 1,000 participants were initially recruited, with 257 completing all aspects of the study protocol.^[1]

  The study group had an average age of 40.9 years, with a balanced gender distribution of 53% female and 46% male participants (the remaining 1% did not share their gender). Most participants exercised regularly (average 5.6 days per week) and followed various dietary patterns, providing a representative sample of health-conscious consumers.

  Improvements in 94% of participants after two weeks

  The results were remarkable – after just two weeks of supplementation with Nella, an impressive 94% of participants reported improvements in at least one measured health parameter. The most significant benefits were observed in:^[1]

  • Sleep quality improvements (45.1% of participants)
  • Faster post-exercise recovery (38.5%)
  • Reduced fatigue frequency (38.3%)
  • Decreased post-workout soreness (38.1%)
  • Better bowel movement regularity (34.6%)

  Improved free testosterone to cortisol ratio!

  Perhaps most importantly for some of our readers, the participants showed significantly improved free testosterone to cortisol ratios,^[1] suggesting better recovery and reduced physiological stress!

  

  Open-label study outcomes showing 94% of participants reporting improvements in at least one measured parameter, with sleep quality being the most reported benefit at 45.1%.^[1]

  The researchers noted that those reporting the highest overall satisfaction with Nella experienced multiple benefits simultaneously, including improved current health status, increased energy levels, better bowel movements, and enhanced general health and digestion.^[1]

  These findings suggest that Nella’s benefits may be synergistic, with improvements in one area potentially supporting benefits in others.

• Phase 2: Professional Athletes Study

  To validate the results of the open-label study and further explore the mechanisms behind Nella’s effects, the researchers designed a controlled longitudinal study enrolling 15 elite Italian soccer players from a professional SERIE B team. Of the 15 who started the study, 11 completed all aspects over the 24-week study period.^[1]

  

  24-week controlled study with elite soccer players showing significant improvements in sleep quality (p<0.0001), energy levels (p<0.05), and general health parameters compared to placebo.^[1]

  The athlete participants followed a carefully controlled protocol:

  1. During the first 12 weeks, they consumed four placebo capsules per week, followed by a one-week washout period.
  2. For the subsequent 12 weeks, they consumed four Nella probiotic capsules weekly (containing 10 billion CFU of specialized Lactobacillus strains).

  Stool, urine, and blood samples were collected at baseline, post-placebo, and post-probiotic phases to analyze biomarkers:

  More Incredible Results: Sleep, Energy, and Regularity

  

  The results strongly validated the findings from Phase 1, with the athletes showing significant improvements across multiple parameters:^[1]

  • 69% improvement in sleep quality
  • 31% increase in energy levels
  • 37% enhancement in bowel regularity

  Biomarker analysis also revealed several significant changes in the Nella supplementation phase compared to placebo:^[1]

  • Decreased markers of oxidative stress
  • Improved pro- and anti-inflammatory balance
  • Enhanced gut microbiota diversity
  • Increased production of beneficial metabolites
  • Significantly increased vitamin K production

Integration of taxa, metabolites, and functional pathways showing correlations between gut microbiota and menaquinone production pathways.^[1]

It’s rare we see such phenomenal results in professional athletes. The improvement in sleep alone is worth it to anyone training at such a level, but increased energy and regularity bring Nella up yet another notch. These objective measurements provided strong mechanistic support for the subjective improvements reported by participants in both study phases.

The Science Behind Nella’s Effects

• The Gut-Brain Axis Connection

  The connection between gut health and sleep quality runs deeper than most realize. Our digestive system and brain maintain constant two-way communication through what scientists call the “gut-brain axis” – a complex network involving the nervous system, immune system, and the trillions of bacteria living in our intestines.^[4]

  

  Illustration of probiotic-induced changes in the gut microbiome and their effects on oxidative stress, inflammation, and systemic host benefits.^[1]

  This gut-brain connection helps explain how Nella’s specialized probiotic strains can improve sleep quality and energy levels through multiple pathways:

  1. Neurotransmitter Production: The gut microbiome plays a crucial role in producing and regulating key neurotransmitters that affect sleep and mood. Beneficial bacteria can influence the production of serotonin and GABA – crucial signaling molecules for quality sleep.^[5]
  2. Inflammation Control: The probiotic strains in Nella help maintain healthy inflammation levels throughout the body by supporting gut barrier function and modulating immune responses.^[6]

  

  3. Oxidative Stress Reduction: Research shows that certain Lactobacillus strains can increase the body’s antioxidant capacity and reduce oxidative stress markers that may interfere with healthy sleep patterns.^[2]
  4. Stress Response Regulation: The gut microbiota influences how our bodies respond to stress through the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. By supporting a healthy gut microbiome, Nella may help optimize stress response patterns that affect sleep quality.^[3]
  5. Hormonal Balance and Recovery: A unique finding from the clinical validation was Nella’s ability to optimize the free testosterone to cortisol ratio, considered to be a key marker of recovery status and anabolic/catabolic balance,^[7] and likely contributed to the increased energy levels reported in participants.

  Additionally, Nella significantly increased vitamin K production in the gut through enhanced menaquinone biosynthesis.^[1] Vitamin K is a critical nutrient for bone, heart, blood, immune and cognitive health.

• Positive feedback loops: hormones and sleep, sleep and hormones

  Many of these results are quite synergistic, inducing positive feedback loops. Reduced oxidative stress and inflammation helps normalize cortisol levels, supporting healthy testosterone production. This leads us to a healthy chicken-and-egg scenario: Better sleep tends to improve hormonal balance, while optimized hormones support more restful sleep.

  

  Significant changes in free testosterone, testosterone-to-cortisol ratios, and other key biomarkers during the clinical trial comparing probiotic supplementation versus placebo and baseline measurements.^[1]

  What makes Nella unique is that these probiotic strains were specifically isolated from elite athletes’ gut microbiomes – individuals who need optimal sleep patterns and recovery capabilities. And great sleep is often called “the best performance-enhancing aid”, after all.

The mechanisms above help explain why Nella users experience such significant improvements in sleep quality and energy levels compared to generic probiotic formulations.

Real-World Applications

Here are some suggestions to get the most out of Nella, and what to expect:

• Dosing

  Nella is straightforward to use: take one delayed-release capsule daily at the same time. No refrigeration is required — the blister packaging helps maintain probiotic stability. Each capsule provides 10 billion CFU of the specialized probiotic blend.

  New users should anticipate an adjustment period in the first week as their gut microbiome adapts. Some people may experience temporary mild bloating or digestive changes – this is normal and typically resolves within 7 days.



• Timeline & Expectations

  • First Few Days: The delayed-release capsule technology ensures probiotics reach your gut intact to begin colonization
  • Within 2 Weeks: Most users report more consistent digestion and deeper sleep
  • By 1 Month: Expect improved energy levels, mental focus, and sleep quality – including easier time falling asleep and fewer nighttime disruptions.At this point, users wearing sleep trackers and wearable devices have been reporting improved heart rate variability (HRV) and REM sleep
  • 2+ Months: Benefits continue to build, wearable sleep parameters see further improvements.

• Who Should Consider Nella?

  While elite athletes’ microbiomes provided the blueprint for Nella’s probiotic strains, the benefits extend to anyone looking to optimize their:

  • Sleep quality and recovery
  • Energy levels and mental clarity
  • Digestive health and regularity
  • Overall wellness foundation

  As with any supplement, those who are pregnant, nursing, have medical conditions, or take medications should consult their healthcare provider before use.



Changes in gut microbiota composition over time, comparing baseline, placebo, and probiotic intervention periods, with focus on specific bacterial species abundance and diversity metrics.^[1]

• Complementary Approaches

  For optimal results, Nella works best as part of a comprehensive sleep hygiene strategy:

  • Maintain consistent sleep/wake times
  • Follow a balanced, nutrient-rich diet (consider sunlight a “nutrient”, too)
  • Exercise regularly
  • Manage stress levels
  • Limit caffeine, alcohol, and blue light, especially near bedtime
  • And, of course, consider stacking it with VNella for even greater benefits!

As always, this is a supplement — not an entire solution in and of itself.

Conclusion: A New Paradigm in Sleep Support

While Lactobacillus strains have long been studied for gut health benefits, Nella represents a revolutionary approach that connects the dots between elite athletic performance, sleep quality, and probiotic science. It truly is a revolutionary 3-in-1 performance probiotic… and it works within two weeks!

By first studying the world’s fittest individuals and then decoding their beneficial gut bacteria — as we learned about from Episode #158 of the PricePlow Podcast with founder Jonathan Scheiman — FitBiomics has created a novel class of probiotics targeting specific performance outcomes.

Meet V•Nella, the endurance probiotic! Designed to help metabolize lactic acid, it’s shown promising results in early studies, improving performance with Veillonella atypica FB0054. V•Nella could be the future of specific-use probiotics, especially for endurance athletes looking to push further.

The newly-published clinical validation of Nella showcases the power of this approach. With significant improvements in sleep quality, hormone balance, energy levels, and gut health across both general population and elite athlete cohorts, FitBiomics continues to demonstrate how studying elite performance can benefit everyone. Much like how VNella revolutionized endurance support through lactic acid metabolism, Nella is pioneering a new frontier in sleep optimization through targeted probiotic intervention.

As research continues to uncover the intricate connections between gut health and sleep quality, Nella stands apart as the first athlete-derived probiotic specifically shown to improve sleep. For anyone looking to optimize their recovery and performance through better sleep — from elite athletes to everyday individuals — Nella represents a legitimate breakthrough in both the science and supplementation of sleep support.