Seemingly no sooner than Singapore was targeted by AG1 (a greens blend) a rival red blend brand - IM8 - is now on offer as an all-in-one solution for daily health and longevity. A supplement brand co-founded by David Beckham, with its Daily Ultimate Essentials and Daily Ultimate Longevity formulas, IM8 claims to replace multiple supplements by offering 92 ingredients, spanning vitamins, minerals, probiotics, adaptogens and anti-aging compounds.
But does IM8 live up to its promises, or is it just another overpriced trend in the booming supplement industry? And how does it compare to a whole-food, nutrient-rich diet?
As ever, please talk to your doctor or medical practitioner most familiar with your medical history before implementing any changes in diet, exercise or lifestyle, especially if you are under treatment. Links to relevant studies and resources at bottom of page.
A One-Stop Supplement Solution?
Similar to AG1 (that we review in detail in this article), IM8 Essentials markets itself as a foundational nutrition supplement designed to support gut health, immunity and energy. The appeal lies in its convenience - it promises to simplify supplementation "replacing 16 supplements" by offering a broad spectrum of nutrients in a single serving. Its formulation includes prebiotics, probiotics and postbiotics to promote gut health, along with a mix of polyphenols, antioxidants and NAD+ precursors aimed at supporting cellular function and aging.
The company highlights a 12-week clinical study that found users reported increased energy and improved digestion. Notably studies are still undergoing and results are listed as "expected outcomes", not quite what their main page marketing states. Unlike many supplements on the market, IM8 is third-party tested, to ensure purity and safety from contaminants.
Are 92 Ingredients Too Much of a Good Thing?
One of the biggest questions surrounding Essentials is whether all 92 ingredients (compared to AG1's 75 ingredients) contribute meaningfully to health, or if some are merely included for marketing appeal.
We are being sold convenience at a cost, but is the product effective?
The brand does not fully disclose the dosages of many ingredients, making it difficult to assess whether they are present in amounts sufficient to have real physiological effects. For example, Coenzyme Q10, an important antioxidant, is included at 100 mg, the lower end of a meaningful dose, which is beneficial but only if taken with dietary fat for optimal absorption.
The formulation also raises concerns about nutrient interactions. Some vitamins and minerals can compete for absorption, which may reduce their effectiveness. Magnesium, for instance, is included at 65 mg per serving - far below the recommended daily intake of 310 to 420 mg. High-dose vitamin C, which IM8 provides at 900 mg, can interfere with copper absorption.
While IM8 suggests that its formulas ingredients work synergistically even in small amounts, without clear dosage transparency it is impossible to evaluate whether the blend is truly effective.
Ultimate Essentials, 1 Scoop
What is stated on the label? Note that the ingredients are listed as proprietary blends so exact quantities for many are not stated. A single scoop (1 serving) is 11.8 g - well, perhaps more or less. Comprising:
Vitamin & Minerals: approx 1,736mg
Raw Superfoods, Greens, Herbs - 27 ingredients: 4,100mg. Note: potnetially where all the fibre comes from, 3g per serving.
Electrolytes Complex - 4 ingredients: 2,500mg
Essential Aminos and Renew - 12 ingredients: 1,165mg. Note: the main ingredient is citric acid. How can the remaining 11 ingredients provide a useful dose at likely <1000mg (1 gram) between them?
Enzymes, Adaptogens, Mushrooms - 13 ingredients: 200mg. Note: Lion's Mane mushroom powder is the last (smallest) ingredient. According to some studies the effective minimum daily dose is approximately 300–500 mg per day, well above the quantity of all 13 ingredients combined.
Heart Health (Coenzyme Q10): 100mg
MSM: 1,000mg
Probiotics: 84mg
Postbiotics: 25mg
Cell Rejuvenation - 7 ingredients: 25mg
Vitamin K2: 40mg
Does IM8 Deliver on Gut Health?
A significant part of IM8’s appeal is its focus on gut health. The supplement includes a combination of prebiotics, probiotics and postbiotics designed to support digestive function and microbiome balance. With 10 billion CFU of probiotics, IM8 provides a reasonable dose, but probiotic benefits are highly strain-specific. The effectiveness of these strains in this particular formulation is not well-documented.
Some users have also reported digestive discomfort, such as bloating and gas, which may be due to the high fiber content or the inclusion of MSM (Methylsulfonylmethane) at 1,000 mg. While gut health is crucial for overall well-being, the question remains whether IM8’s approach is superior to simply consuming probiotic-rich whole foods.
Whole Foods vs. IM8: Which Offers Better Nutrition?
IM8 positions itself as a comprehensive solution, but how does it compare to getting nutrients from whole foods? A well-balanced diet provides vitamins, minerals, fiber and phytonutrients in their natural form, often in combinations that enhance absorption and effectiveness. Foods such as leafy greens, citrus fruits, nuts, seeds, oily fish and fermented products offer many of the same benefits IM8 claims to provide - without the need for supplementation.
For instance, while the Longevity formula contains polyphenols like resveratrol and urolithin A, these are also found in berries, green tea and turmeric. Probiotics are available naturally in fermented foods like kimchi and yogurt. IM8 lacks omega-3 fatty acids, these are abundant in salmon and sardines.
A key advantage of whole foods is fibre content. While IM8 includes some fibre, a single serving contains about what is found in a small apple. Fibre plays a crucial role in digestive health, blood sugar regulation and satiety - benefits that cannot be replicated by a powdered supplement.
Pricing and Marketing
IM8 "Daily Ultimate" is the most expensive supplements in its category, S$4.10 per serving. Rival AG1 is S$3.50 per serving, at time of writing.
The cost also raises the question of whether the same money could be better spent on fresh, nutrient-dense foods. While supplementation can be useful in certain cases, it should not replace real food as the foundation of good nutrition.
Also striking are elements of its marketing campaign, rather than highlighting health benefits - targeting the colour of it rival products (yes, AG1) and trying to fabricate a rivalry between Beckham and (AG1 advocate) Andrew Huberman. Note that many of the Facebook ads - at least those currently being served to us in Singapore - come from a page called the Vanguard report, set up in November 2024. Its followers (2.9k) mainly appear to be bots.
Final Thoughts
IM8 provides well-marketed, supplements that may benefit people who find it difficult to get enough essential nutrients through diet alone. But given the long list of ingredients and formulation, it is unlikely that many have meaningful impact beyond what a multivitamin and omega-3 supplement might provide.
Should we, can we, put the marketing issues to one side or does it speak to deeper issues about the company and product itself? From a purely health perspective, for those considering IM8, the key question is whether the convenience and marketing claims justify the price? If your diet already features whole, nutrient-dense foods, the occasional live culture yogurt or probiotic drink or ferment, the answer may well be no. If your diet also features a multivitamin and mineral pill (at a fraction of the cost), the answer may well - also - be no.
We have also reviewed IM8's Daily Ultimate Longevity: Healthy Aging formula, to scrutinise the claims around this other product. Learn more here.
As a part of a wider conversation about health - addressing the pillars of health has to be included. Except in cases of genuine deficiency, supplements cannot make-up for poor health stemming from a sub-standard diet, lack of exercise, poor sleep, stress and work-life imbalance.
Improving health is about finding motivation, prioritising self-care and taking action. If you want to take effective and targeted steps that fit into your unique lifestyle, The Whole Health Practice is here to help. Whether your interest is healthspan and longevity, to beat chronic illness or to enhance your mental health and well-being, our consultations and programs deliver results that are tailored to your needs.
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Stay Healthy,
Alastair
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Related Resources and Studies
Díaz-Lago M, Blanco F, Matute H. Expensive seems better: The price of a non-effective drug modulates its perceived efficacy. Cogn Res Princ Implic. 2023 Jan 26;8(1):8. doi: 10.1186/s41235-023-00463-4. PMID: 36700994; PMCID: PMC9879252.
Wierzejska RE. Dietary Supplements-For Whom? The Current State of Knowledge about the Health Effects of Selected Supplement Use. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021 Aug 24;18(17):8897. doi: 10.3390/ijerph18178897. PMID: 34501487; PMCID: PMC8431076.
Ronis MJJ, Pedersen KB, Watt J. Adverse Effects of Nutraceuticals and Dietary Supplements. Annu Rev Pharmacol Toxicol. 2018 Jan 6;58:583-601. doi: 10.1146/annurev-pharmtox-010617-052844. Epub 2017 Oct 6. PMID: 28992429; PMCID: PMC6380172.
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