Dr. Colleen Cutcliffe, CEO of Pendulum Therapeutics, said Gut Fuel was developed to address three key challenges: feeding beneficial next-generation microbial strains, closing the persistent “fiber gap” and offering a low-FODMAP option for consumers with digestive sensitivities such as IBS. With just a small percentage of Americans meeting daily fiber recommendations, the product aims to provide a practical, food-based solution that can be mixed into everyday meals.
The launch also comes amid heightened consumer awareness of GLP-1 drugs. While the meds have surged in popularity, Cutcliffe emphasized the microbiome’s role in naturally supporting these pathways.
“The story of tomorrow is that the…issue with GLP-1s is they can cause pretty severe GI distress, especially constipation because it does slow gastric emptying,” she said. “For Pendulum, we are happy to be a part of the solution, but then we really wanted to get the right fibers and polyphenols in. So this isn’t like your grandma’s Metamucil that you have to stir and stir and stir and then chug it down and there’s still half the thing at the bottom of the glass. This is really next generation fibers and polyphenols...that you can integrate into your everyday life.”
Cutcliffe also cautioned against misleading marketing claims when it comes to GLP-1 mediation alternatives.
“The downside is that the marketplace has become inundated with things that all have GLP-1 messaging around them and a lot of it is basically garbage and tricking the consumer,” she said, noting the importance of credible voices and platforms that prioritize education and evidence-based information that help consumers navigate the noise and make informed decisions about metabolic health support.
Gut Fuel represents Pendulum’s move toward more holistic regimens, with Cutcliffe noting that it’s not just about probiotics, it’s about a combination of ingredients working together as a system.
“If you want to have a really high performing car, it’s not just about putting the high performing fuel in. It’s also about having a high performing engine,” she said. “If the microbiome is the engine, then the fuel is the food that you’re putting into your body.”
Looking ahead, the company is also advancing research in women’s health in partnership with Mayo Clinic, exploring novel microbial strains targeting menopause-related concerns.
“I tell people we’re just making products here at Pendulum that I want to use,” she said.
