Tespo zeroes in on nutrition for bariatric demographic

By Danielle Masterson

- Last updated on GMT

Getty Images /  edwardolive
Getty Images / edwardolive
Tespo recently launched a new product to support bariatric surgery patients and a digital health platform to help them meet their nutritional challenges.

Delivered in a two-ounce liquid via a patented smart dispenser, Tespo’s Smile Bariatric Complete is a blend of essential vitamins and supplements to support a user’s needs following weight loss surgery. 

“The Keurig for dietary supplements” is aimed at boosting compliance by making it easier to consume nutrients without the need to sort and swallow pills. 

How it works

Much like a one-cup coffee brewer, a Smile Bariatric Complete pod is placed in the Tespo Connect Dispenser, and at the push of a button contents are mixed with water. The result is a two-ounce liquid shot dispensed into a small drinking glass. 

Smile Bariatric Bundle Kit - Dispenser, Pod, Calcium Chews

Users also have a manual option. Smile Bariatric Complete is also available in travel packs, called “Stickpacks”, which come in a powdered form ready to mix with water whenever needed, so the dispenser is not required.

When taken two times a day with a calcium supplement, Tespo said their product meets nutritional compliance per the standards defined by the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) for most types of weight loss surgery. The ingredients that comprise the supplements are customized for each individual through physician consultations.

Consumer demand 

Tespo co-founder and CEO Ted Mills told NutraIngredients-USA that the decision to develop Smile Bariatric was based on consumer demand. 

“We were inundated with people asking us to develop a nutritional supplement formula that met their specific need.  We have learned that approximately 40% of the population does not like to take pills, which makes condition-specific categories particularly susceptible to decreased adherence which can lead to poor outcomes.  We know that using Tespo can help people stay adherent and actually assist in developing a better daily ritual.”

Mills added that with the help of their new platform, the company will continue to focus on this particular demographic, with a personalized bariatric formula slated to launch in 2021.

Smile Sticks - Berry - Light Background

“As an example, our formulas can be built to contain no iron or can be built in increments of 9 mg of iron.  Customers can adjust their formula based on practitioner recommendations or surgery type.  With our new Tespo Health platform, patients will be able to connect digital health devices and be provided with information that will enable them to understand the impact that their wellness program is having relative to their overall health goals.  We believe that Tespo is the first company in the industry that is connecting digital health data with product adherence data to paint a better picture of health and wellness,”​ said Mills. 

Smart tech 

The Tespo Connect Dispenser syncs with users’ smartphones, Alexa, activity trackers, digital scales and other smart devices. This allows the dispenser to monitor and track health goals and nutritional compliance. 

By connecting to the “Baritastic” app, users receive notifications and reminders, have access to support groups, recipes and more. The digital health platform can measure one’s progress in real time, allowing for swift adjustments as needed. The data can be shared with medical professionals to better evaluate and modify the nutritional care plan as needed. Tespo said the Baritastic app is used by more than 30,000 people per day and utilized as a patient support platform by more than 85 hospitals across the United States. 

“The goal of the Smile Bariatric line of products and digital health platform is to seamlessly support a healthy lifestyle for individuals who have made the commitment to improve their long-term heath,” ​said Mills. “We have been inspired by the stories of so many customers who have taken this positive step and are excited about what it means for them in the months and years ahead.”

More to come  

Mills told us that Tespo has several other condition-specific products on the development board including pre-diabetes, liver health and others. “We are focusing on chronic conditions with clinically proven ingredients where people will benefit from increased adherence,”​ he said.

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