Probiotics, prebiotics & postbiotics

Peek into PROBIOTA 2017: BERLIN, FEBRUARY 1-3

‘Enhanced probiotics’ pave the way in tackling malnutrition

22-Dec-2016 By Will Chu

‘Smart’ gut bacteria that can improve the fermentation process? Super-efficient microorganisms that can turn empty calories into complete nutritional food?

Multi-strain probiotic could aid gut health – even if you’re healthy

19-Dec-2016 By Nathan Gray

A daily dose of multispecies probiotic could help improve intestinal health even in healthy people, according to new observational data.

IPA recommends expanded grandfathered list for probiotics

16-Dec-2016 By Stephen Daniells

The International Probiotics Association has urged the FDA to expanded the ‘grandfathered list’ of dietary ingredients to include bacterial strains globally recognized as used historically in foods.

Probiotics have a ‘positive effect’ on stress and anxiety: Meta-analysis

14-Dec-2016 By Gary Scattergood

Probiotics consumption may have advantageous effects on mental health by lessening the psychological symptoms of perceived stress, depression and anxiety, according to a new systematic review and meta-analysis.

Collaborations, workshops and continuing outreach: IPA celebrates key achievements

13-Dec-2016 By George Paraskevakos, executive director of the International Probiotics Association

In a few months’ time I will be celebrating my two-year anniversary running IPA. Time flies when you are passionate about what you do! From a transition period in 2015 to the significant strides we made in 2016 – we truly are living up to being the Global...

FDA open to notion that new fermentation medium doesn't change probiotic identity, expert says

09-Dec-2016 By Hank Schultz

A recent presentation to FDA that was well received made the case that simple changes in fermentation media would not result in the creation of a New Dietary Ingredient.

FDA offers guidance on how to determine fiber status of prebiotic ingredients

07-Dec-2016 By Hank Schultz

In a recently issued draft guidance, the Food and Drug Administration has shed more light on the process of determining what’s a fiber and what might not be—information that could be of critical importance for the marketers of prebiotics.

Probiotic-prebiotic-antioxidant combination shows benefits for triathletes: Study

30-Nov-2016 By Stephen Daniells

Dietary supplements containing a mixture of four probiotic strains, prebiotic fibers and antioxidants may protect triathletes from the detrimental gut effects of strenuous exercise, says a new study from the UK.

New prebiotic combination enhances calcium, magnesium and iron absorption

30-Nov-2016 By Nathan Gray

A novel combination of prebiotic galacto-oligosaccharides could significantly improve absorption of certain minerals, according to new research in rats.

Study supports safety & effects of human milk oligosaccharides in healthy adults

29-Nov-2016 By Stephen Daniells

Supplements containing specific human milk oligosaccharides from breast milk may selectively modify the gut microbiome in healthy adults, says a new study that also supports the safety and tolerability of the ingredients.

Probiotics boost athletes’ immune system defenses: Study

25-Nov-2016 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Taking daily probiotics may help boost immune systems of training athletes and reduce their risk of upper respiratory tract infections (URTI), a study has found.

A Pez for supplements? Sho Nutrition wants to help consumers keep track of the supplements they’re taking

23-Nov-2016 By Adi Menayang

Founder Joy Wang confessed that she often forgets to take the supplements she had bought. “They pile up in my medicine cabinet, then I forget them,’ she said, and she’s certain this happens to a lot of consumers.

IPA petitions FDA on requiring CFUs for probiotic labeling

22-Nov-2016 By Stephen Daniells

The International Probiotics Association has submitted a citizen petition to the FDA to require the labeling of probiotic ingredients in dietary supplements as colony forming units (CFUs) instead of by weight.

US prebiotics market ‘growing strongly’ as consumer awareness increases

21-Nov-2016 By Stephen Daniells

With growing consumer awareness, annual growth rates of 15%, and confidence that FDA will conclude that inulin and oligofructose are dietary fibers, the future looks bright for prebiotics in the US.

Special Edition: Pre & Probiotics

Time is ripe for polyphenols as prebiotics, expert says

21-Nov-2016 By Hank Schultz

Could the idea of prebiotics be extended to include polyphenolic ingredients?  An expert in the field says there is a growing body of evidence to support the notion.

Special edition: Pre & Probiotics

Effort underway to better fit probiotics into regulatory structure

21-Nov-2016 By Hank Schultz

Regulatory definitions remain hazy for probiotics and prebiotics, but efforts are underway to further nail down where these ingredients fit within the overall structure that governs dietary supplements.

‘Tremendous economic savings’: Probiotics could save $100 million in healthcare costs in Canada

18-Nov-2016 By Stephen Daniells

Using probiotics to prevent and reduce the severity and duration of respiratory infections could reduce healthcare costs in Canada by as much as Can$100 million, says a new analysis.

Probiotic oral cavity-reduction potential has bite, study shows

17-Nov-2016 By Will Chu

A supplement containing Lactobacillus rhamnosus could enhance dental health by reducing tooth decay, according to a Chilean study.

Probiotics during pregnancy, breastfeeding may reduce colic in infants

17-Nov-2016 By Stephen Daniells

High-dose multi-strain probiotic supplementation to women during late pregnancy and lactation may reduce colic and regurgitation in the infants, says a new study.

Virun develops shelf-stable, non-refrigerate probiotic powders, emulsions

16-Nov-2016 By Stephen Daniells

California-based Virun NutraBiosciences has developed a range of non-refrigerated probiotic single-serving powders and emulsions.

Directing psychobiotic ‘talk’ via gut-brain network key to neurological benefits: Study

15-Nov-2016 By Will Chu

Controlling communication between probiotics and the brain is the next challenge for scientists as an Oxford University review outlines strategies for their use in treating brain disorders and enhancing cognition.

Migraine sufferers show differences in makeup of oral microbiome

14-Nov-2016 By Hank Schultz

Could migraines be triggered by what’s going on in the mouths of susceptible people? A recent study suggests that the makeup of the oral microbiome could play a role in bringing on the headaches that can debilitate migraine sufferers.

Engaging via blogs helps meet consumers where they are, experts say

10-Nov-2016 By Hank Schultz

Interacting with consumers via bloggers is becoming an ever more important part of marketing plans in the dietary supplement and functional foods industries. And that includes both finished goods brands and ingredient suppliers.

Probiotic supplements on rise in global €40bn market

10-Nov-2016 By Shane Starling

Latest data from Euromonitor International shows the global probiotics market is worth about €40bn, yoghurt continues to be the dominant mode of delivery although probiotic supplements are growing fastest.

Prebiotic fortified infant formula linked to immune biomarkers in infants

10-Nov-2016 By Stephen Daniells

An experimental formula fortified with a specific human milk oligosaccharide may modify the immune profile of infants similar to that observed in breastfeeding, says a new study from Abbott Nutrition.

RCT supports B420 probiotic’s weight management benefits in overweight adults

08-Nov-2016 By Adi Menayang

Researchers found that consumption of Bifidobacterium animalis ssp. Lactis 420, with or without a prebiotic fiber, reduced body fat mass, trunk fat mass, waist circumference, and energy intake in 224 overweight adults, compared to a placebo.

13 things we learned from the IPA’s DC Workshop

07-Nov-2016 By Stephen Daniells

From market sizing to the positions from FDA and FTC on NDIs and claims substantiation, the International Probiotic Association’s DC workshop succeeded in providing a venue for sharing knowledge and expertise.

Peanut probiotic: Researchers develop commercially viable lactose-free probiotic ‘yoghurt’

02-Nov-2016 By Nathan GRAY

A newly developed peanut-based probiotic ‘yoghurt’ could serve as a functional food for those who follow a vegan diet or have lactose intolerance, say researchers.

Confidence, trust in supplements stay high as younger consumer usage grows: CRN data

01-Nov-2016 By Stephen Daniells

Usage of dietary supplements by younger consumers aged between 18 and 34 grew 5% to 70%, while the over 55 age group maintained the highest percentage of supplement use at 74%, according to results of the CRN Consumer Survey on Dietary Supplements.

Slowing global trade, surging online sales: How markets are changing

01-Nov-2016 By Hank Schultz

A recent article detailing a downturn in global trade mirrors the mood in some international markets, a consultant said.  But perhaps more important than macro economic concerns is the rapid shift of retailing modes in those markets, especially in China.

Lesaffre launches immune support bacteria in North American market

31-Oct-2016 By Adi Menayang

The century-old yeast specialist is launching its patented probiotic Bacillus subtilis CU1 in North America, targeting immune support supplement manufacturers.

AIDP to offer prebiotic fiber with satiety, microbiome modulating effects

31-Oct-2016 By Hank Schultz

Ingredient distributor AIDP has added a multifunctional fiber to its product lineup that can help beneficially alter consumers’ microbiomes, the company said.

Trendspotting in the functional beverage space at SupplySide West 2016 with KeVita co-founder Chakra Earthsong

27-Oct-2016 By Adi Menayang

At one of the biggest shows for nutritional ingredients, KeVita co-founder Chakra Earthsong noticed more turmeric and ginger, more organically grown botanicals, and more probiotic options to meet increasing consumer demand for functional beverages.

Workshop to explore the impact of NDI draft guidance, final GRAS rule for probiotics

24-Oct-2016 By Stephen Daniells

A workshop hosted by the International Probiotics Association (IPA) in Washington, DC will tackle some of the key issues facing the probiotics sector, including positions from FDA and FTC on NDIs and claims substantiation.

Probiotics may reduce post-exercise inflammation, offer performance benefits: RCT

19-Oct-2016 By Stephen Daniells

Co-ingestion of Streptococcus thermophilus FP4 and Bifidobacterium breve BR03 may reduce the drops in performance in the days after muscle-damaging exercise, says a new study.

DuPont: We want to see CFUs included for probiotic labeling

18-Oct-2016 By Stephen Daniells

The Food and Drug Administration should include colony forming units or CFUs for probiotic labeling, says Amy Smith from DuPont, with a citizen’s petition a possible avenue for the change.

InsideTracker CEO: ‘Personalized supplementation is here’

17-Oct-2016 By Stephen Daniells

Personalized nutrition will push consumers to understand why they need supplements and how they work, predicts Rony Sellam, CEO of Segterra, the company behind InsideTracker.

Supplement OWL shows that there’s now a real willingness to be transparent with consumers: CRN

14-Oct-2016 By Stephen Daniells

Companies large and small have been beta-testing the CRN’s product registry – the Supplement Online Wellness Library (Supplement OWL) – and it will soon be open to all dietary supplement companies, but where are things right now and why should companies...

‘Several points in the NDI draft guidance should not apply to probiotics’: Expert

13-Oct-2016 By Stephen Daniells

The NDI draft guidance contains several points that are potentially issues for probiotics, and there appears to be a disconnect with the GRAS (generally recognized as safe) process, says a leading industry expert.

NPA unveils Supplement Safety & Compliance Initiative to boost QA, transparency

12-Oct-2016 By Stephen Daniells

The Supplement Safety & Compliance Initiative is a “bold step forward in providing quality assurance from harvest to retailer shelf”, said the NPA.

JAMA: US supplement use remains stable (but multivitamin use is down)

12-Oct-2016 By Stephen Daniells

Over half of all US adults continue to use dietary supplements, according to data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES).

Strong evidence for synbiotics and constipation relief

10-Oct-2016 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Synbiotics can lead to significant clinical improvement in slow transit constipation, a Chinese trial has shown. 

New study on BLIS K12 probiotic supports oral hygiene benefits in children

06-Oct-2016 By Adi Menayang

Science continues to build supporting Stratum Nutrition and Blis Technologies’ BLIS K12 probiotic strain and its oral hygiene benefits. This latest study focuses on children with bad breath.

Regulation of Probiotics in the USA: Dietary Supplements

06-Oct-2016 By Ivan Wasserman, counsel to the International Probiotics Association, and partner at Amin, Talati and Upadhye LLP

The United States Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) regulation of products containing probiotics is complex and largely depends on the claims that are made for the product. For example, they can be regulated as foods, dietary supplements, cosmetics,...

New Dietary Ingredients (NDI)– A Better Solution

04-Oct-2016 By Jim Lassiter, President/COO, Ingredient Identity

“Antagonistic cooperation is the principle of all markets and many marriages.” - Mason Cooley

Synbiotics may benefit women with gestational diabetes

04-Oct-2016 By Stephen Daniells

A combination of three probiotic strains and prebiotic inulin may improve markers of insulin metabolism and lipid levels in women with gestational diabetes, says a new study.

Waste not want not: Faecal transplants effective against C.difficile infection

03-Oct-2016 By Will Chu

The transfer of stool from a healthy donor into a patient suffering from a bowel infection is a safe and effective treatment option, researchers from Germany have said. 

IPA’s DC Workshop: ‘An excellent opportunity for industry and government to collaborate’

29-Sep-2016 By Stephen Daniells

Sharing of best practices, knowledge of cutting edge analytical techniques, current market data, and positions from FDA and FTC on NDIs and claims substantiation will be tackled at an upcoming workshop hosted by the International Probiotics Association.

Probiotics to help drive 44% rise in APAC functional foods market by 2026

28-Sep-2016 By Gary Scattergood

The functional food ingredients market in Asia Pacific is being tipped to rise from $2.85bn at the end of 2016 to $5.04bn in 2026 with probiotics projected to be the fastest growing segment over the forecast period 

Meta-analysis supports inulin’s cholesterol busting potential

27-Sep-2016 By Stephen Daniells

Consuming prebiotic inulin-type fructans may help slash LDL cholesterol levels across a range of population groups, says a new systematic review and meta-analysis.