Our Story
Meet Our Founder
As a father, I've always wanted the best for my family. When my son faced recurring upper respiratory infections, it became more than a concern---it became my calling. Watching him struggle sent me on a quest that blended our family's traditional wisdom with cutting-edge microbiome science. I never planned to start a company, but when I saw how these special bacteria helped my son, my mom, my sisters, and my brothers-in-law, I couldn't keep it to myself. Creating Zoguri was really just me making something that I felt good about giving to my own family. Now, through BioPocrates, I'm sharing what worked for us--a simple, natural approach that's made all the difference for my family and might just do the same for yours.
--Dan Rehal, BioPocrates/Zoguri Founder and "That Zoguri Guy"
From Family Kitchen to BioPocrates: A Father's Quest for Better Health
BioPocrates was the most natural evolution in my life. It was meant to be. Since I was a kid working in my dad's pharmacy, I've always had a passion for helping people improve their health. My love for science and business led me to study pharmacy, chemistry, and business in both undergrad and graduate school. That led me to a career in the pharmaceutical industry for more than 17 years, followed by founding my own biopharmaceutical services agency, Vision2Voice Healthcare Communications.
Having started my career at Merck and then next at Takeda, I gained valuable experience in healthcare, clinical research, scientific rigor, and product development. This later proved invaluable for me when building a biopharmaceutical services company working with some of the world's top experts in fields such as endocrinology, metabolism, gastroenterology, and oncology. I learned that so many people were suffering with chronic diseases and I began to understand that most people's conditions could be prevented or helped by healthier eating. It became clear to me that disease truly begins in the gut. That set me out on a focused mission to help my family by developing Zoguri.
As a Lebanese American, I grew up watching my mom and grandma "Sittie" create labneh, a traditional Mediterranean-style yogurt that's been part of our cultural heritage for generations. I spent years perfecting my own version, trying to capture that perfect balance of taste and texture. While I could never quite match their culinary magic, I did develop a labneh that my family would specifically request for gatherings. What I didn't fully appreciate at the time was how this traditional fermented food might be supporting our health beyond just providing delicious protein.
As the years passed, they brought joy with the birth of my children as well as the inevitable challenges of aging. I found myself dealing with persistent sleep difficulties, and the impact of poor sleep seemed to cascade into other areas of my health---my weight began to increase, my energy levels dropped, and I noticed I experienced sinus issues multiple times each year.
But what truly set me on this journey was my son. Watching my little boy struggle with frequent respiratory challenges broke my heart. We were in and out of the ENT's office regularly with recurring episodes of strep throat, sinus infections, and other respiratory issues. When the doctor offered to remove my son's tonsils and adenoids, something inside me knew that it was something more than diseased glands. Was surgery really the only option? I couldn't help but think about my own childhood, filled with similar health challenges and countless rounds of antibiotics---and a surgery for me that didn't work. The thought of my son repeating this cycle for decades to come pushed me to seek alternative approaches.
During this time, my natural curiosity led me deeper into health research. As an avid reader of scientific literature, I became increasingly fascinated by emerging studies on the microbiome---the complex ecosystem of 10 to 100 trillion microbial cells that live primarily in our gut.1 I immersed myself in books by leading medical authorities such as The Plant Paradox, by Dr Steven Gundry,2 Food: What the Heck Should I Eat?, by Dr Mark Hyman,3 The Mind-Gut Connection, by Dr Emeran Mayer,4 and others who were exploring the frontier of gut health and its connection to overall wellness. The more I read about how these bacteria interact with our bodies, the more I wondered if supporting this internal ecosystem might help address some of our family's health challenges, particularly my son's recurring infections.
This led me to explore various microbiome supplements from around the world, carefully noting which ones seemed to show promise. I devoted countless hours to reviewing clinical studies on specific bacterial strains, learning about their potential roles in supporting various aspects of human health, particularly immune function.
My research journey eventually led me to several practical approaches to microbiome support, including the book, Super Gut, by Dr. William Davis, which detailed methods for fermenting specific beneficial bacterial strains into yogurt.5 I was also influenced by the book, The Microbiome Solution,6 by Robynne Chutkan, as well as research from scientists such as Dr. Justin Sonnenburg from Stanford, who emphasized the importance of fermented foods.7 These concepts immediately resonated with me---they connected modern microbiome science with the traditional fermentation practices I'd learned from my family traditions. The potential to help my son through something as simple as yogurt seemed too good to pass up.
I eagerly attempted my first batch following Dr. Davis's instructions. Unfortunately, my initial reaction was less than enthusiastic—I found the taste and texture unappealing. But with my son's health in mind, I kept experimenting, and we both began incorporating small amounts of the yogurt into our daily routine. Very quickly, I began noticing changes in my energy levels and sleep quality. Even more encouraging, my son seemed to be getting sick less frequently.
Drawing on my years of experience making traditional labneh, I wondered: could I apply time-tested Mediterranean techniques to create something that offered potential health benefits while actually tasting good? Thus began a journey of trial and error that would last well over a year---countless batches, numerous failures, and incremental improvements as I sought to merge ancient wisdom with modern microbiome science.
As our family continued to enjoy what was becoming a more palatable fermented yogurt, I began sharing it with my extended family. My mother, who had struggled with various health challenges for years---including low energy, discomfort, and sleep difficulties---was one of the first to try it. I explained that while it was similar to our traditional labneh, the fermentation process was more complex and specifically designed to support gut health.
She agreed to incorporate it into her daily routine alongside her regular health regimen. Over time, she began sharing the changes that she was noticing---improved energy levels throughout the day and even the ability to perform simple tasks with her hands and fingers, which had been difficult for her for years. Her inflammation was improving! During her annual health check-up after about a year of enjoying the yogurt daily, her doctor noted significant improvement in her bone density measurements. While continuing with her prescribed treatments, she was delighted that her routine scan showed positive changes in her health markers.
The positive experiences within my immediate family encouraged me to share batches with my extended circle of friends. I asked them to keep track of any changes they noticed and provide me with honest feedback. As this group grew, I was struck by the consistency of their responses---most reported improvements in energy levels, sleep quality, and various aspects of their daily well-being. Each person's experience was unique, but the common theme of enthusiastic feedback was unmistakable.
It became increasingly clear that there might be broader interest in this approach to supporting gut health. However, I also recognized a significant challenge---making these specialized fermented products at home is time-consuming, and the results can be inconsistent. Many people who tried to follow online recipes ended up with batches that either tasted terrible or failed to properly culture the beneficial bacteria.
My experience founding and running a healthcare education agency in which I work with top experts in medicine, gave me unique insights into both the scientific and commercial aspects of bringing a health-focused product to market. This background helped me recognize that there was an opportunity to create something that bridged the gap between traditional clinical medicine and what we consume every day--wanting to help people heal.
I began to wonder---could I create a shelf-stable version that would deliver consistent results without requiring people to become home fermentation experts? This question marked the transition from personal experimentation to a more serious product development phase.
The journey from homemade yogurt to a commercial product was far more complex than I initially imagined. It involved over a year of intense development, with countless iterations and rigorous testing. I sought expertise from specialists in fermentation science, dairy production, food safety, and microbiome research. These collaborations were crucial in solving the numerous technical challenges of creating a shelf-stable product that maintained both the integrity of the beneficial bacteria and an appealing taste profile.
We partnered with specialized testing facilities to verify the bacterial composition through DNA analysis. This scientific approach allowed us to ensure that all seven bacterial strains were present in beneficial amounts---something that home fermenters aren't doing. Through this extensive testing and refinement process, we eventually developed what would become Zoguri---a yogurt-based probiotic supplement that delivers consistent results batch after batch.
And thus, BioPocrates LLC was born, with Zoguri as our flagship product. The name BioPocrates emerged as a perfect encapsulation of our mission. "Bio" reflects our focus on the living microorganisms that support our biology and health, while "Pocrates" pays homage to Hippocrates, often called the father of medicine, who reportedly said, "all disease begins in the gut." While modern science has evolved tremendously since his time, the principle of supporting digestive health as a foundation for overall well-being remains remarkably relevant.
For me, personally, the past few years have been a journey of transformation. I've noticed fewer of the seasonal challenges that used to affect me every winter. My energy levels, mental clarity, and focus seem better than they've been in years. Combined with my commitment to regular exercise and a balanced diet, adding this fermented food to my daily routine appears to support my overall wellness goals. I've even seen positive changes in my fitness progress and body composition.
But nothing compares to seeing the changes in my son. Though he still catches the occasional cold--he's a kid after all--I've observed what appears to be significant improvements in how his body responds. As a parent, seeing my child thrive and enjoy more days at school rather than at home recovering has been the most rewarding aspect of this entire journey.
At BioPocrates, we're committed to creating premium fermented products that are meticulously tested and verified to contain specific beneficial bacterial strains. We combine time-tested traditional fermentation methods with rigorous quality control to ensure that each batch meets our exacting standards. Our approach bridges ancient wisdom with contemporary research--honoring traditional practices while embracing scientific advancement.
My journey from making traditional labneh with my grandmother through to founding BioPocrates, the company behind Zoguri, reflects my belief that supporting gut health naturally can be a cornerstone of a holistic wellness approach. What began as a desperate search to help my son has evolved into a passionate mission to make these potential benefits accessible to others who may be on similar health journeys.
I've come to understand that each person's body is unique---what works wonderfully for one person might not have the same effect for another, and that's perfectly okay. Health is a deeply personal journey. Yet I've seen firsthand how supporting gut health with beneficial bacteria, including the two powerful keystone strains of L. reuteri found in Zoguri, has made a meaningful difference for many people, including my own family.
If you're curious about whether Zoguri might support your own health journey, I warmly invite you to give it a try. My hope is that it brings you the same positive changes that my family and I have experienced, but I also respect that your path might look different. Whatever your wellness journey entails, I wish you the very best of health.
With gratitude,
