Hold On, the Halle Berry Probiotics Actually Work
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I’ve had an off-and-on relationship withprobiotics. They’ve always seemed like one of those things I should be taking. But even when I tried, I could never stick with the Culturelles of the world — or even a sexier one like Seed (not that sexiness inspires compliance, but I’m trying to convey an experience range). Then I started seeing Halle Berry — admittedly, a celebrity I have an unreasonable level of affection for — on my timeline looking happy and healthy and talking about howPendulum probioticshelped her control her diabetes. Fully aware of my pro-Berry bias, I suppressed that immediate drive to add to cart.
But I did startresearching Akkermansia, the bacteria in Pendulum. I found out it’s a hardworking little fella. The studies I read reported it might do all sorts of things: most impressively help with metabolic disorders, improve blood sugar stability, and reduce food cravings. I was convinced enough by the studies (not a lot of human testing yet, but rats are good enough for me, to be honest) to call up Pendulum and dig a little more. I met with theCEO, Colleen Cutcliffe, Ph.D. She was clear and un-sales-y, and I learned more about how the bacteria, notoriously difficult to produce, is cultivated for the probiotic (an expensive process that leads to Pendulum’s priciness: $50 for a 30-day supply when you sign up for a monthly subscription). At any rate, after the call, I was convinced enough to try it.
For the first few weeks, I didn’t feel much of a difference at all. But then at almost exactly five weeks, I was startled to observe that my hunger-driven mood swings — I am notoriously saddened and sullen when hungry — eased up. It’s hard to describe the change precisely, but typically, hunger can drive me to what feels like receding into myself. Say I’m in a group of friends. If I’m hungry for too long, I’ll suddenly get quiet and forlorn. My people know toget this woman a French fry immediately.And … I’m back! But since taking Pendulum, that sensation is less intense. Yes, I still react to hunger, but I’m not having a distressing emotional experience immediately because of it. This is probably my favorite effect.
Next, I noticed a reduction in my food cravings and more control over how much I eat. I can be an excessive eater. If I like something, I’ll just keep eating it because it’s tasty. I’m a food-is-fun person. Since taking Pendulum, I have a greater sense of control and, importantly, I feel full faster, so that I’m just not overeating. In a world of GLP-1’s, it’s not uncommon for me to share a meal with someone and notice that they can’t really eat much at all. Pendulum isn’t having that effect. I still have an appetite. It’s just not an appetite to distraction. If, for example, pre-Pendulum, on a Taco Tuesday, I was eating three tacos, with that third just being for fun, now I’m only eating two. I want to state clearly that this isn’t a weight-loss tactic for me. I just don’t like the idea of overeating — eating to extreme fullness and discomfort. I am wont to do that. Pendulum prevents it.
The last thing I noticed, and I’m telling you, I refuse to go into detail on this, is that Pendulum improved my regularity. This was the last effect to kick in, right around month two. Regularity is an important benefit. I’m a little jollier as a result of it. But I have to draw the line somewhere on descriptions. Anyway, in my three months of testing, I’ve decided I’m sticking with this probiotic. It’s had an impact on my well-being that I can actually feel.
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