Gastro health and immunity: Chr Hansen reviews 300 papers on probiotic strain

The company said its dairy-derived probiotic strain Bifidobacterium animalis​ has well-established probiotic characteristics and, “proven beneficial health effects”​ within gastrointestinal health and immune function.

Of the 300 studies referencing its BB-12 strain 130 were human clinical studies, a figure it claimed was higher than for other strains.

Gathering science​

The review, published in the journal Microorganisms, ​said research on the gastrointestinal microbiota had increased significantly in the past 15 years, with public awareness gathering along with this.

“Clinical research has shown that probiotics play a role within various health areas, of which the two main research areas are gastrointestinal health and immune function,”​ the company wrote.

Lasse Nagell, vice president of global sales and marketing for the firm’s human health and nutrition sector, said: “A lot of information is available on probiotics today. However the information varies a lot from strain to strain and from supplier to supplier so the reader may be left with a very fragmented picture. The review of the BB-12 probiotic strain is a valuable tool communicating clear facts and data about this specific strain.”​

The review included past research into the improvement of bowel function, protection against diarrhea and antibiotic side effects. On immune function it referenced studies on the increase of resistance to common respiratory infections as well as reduction of the incidence of acute respiratory tract infections.

The paper was compiled by employees of Chr. Hansen. 

Source: Microorganisms​
Vol. 2014, Iss. 2, pp. 92-110, doi:10.3390/microorganisms2020092​
'The Science behind the Probiotic Strain Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BB-12'​
Authors: M. Jungersen, A. Wind, E. Johansen, J. E. Christensen, B. Stuer-Lauridsen and D. Eskesen