Probiotics, prebiotics & postbiotics

Bacillus subtilis CU1 shows immune support for the elderly

17-Mar-2016 By Stephen Daniells

Supplements containing Lesaffre Human Care’s Bacillus subtilis CU1 probiotic strain may reduce the frequency of upper respiratory infections in the elderly, says a new study.

Five key Expo West supplement trends

16-Mar-2016 By Stephen Daniells

We walked and we talked, and here’s our list of 5 key trends for supplements from Expo West in Anaheim.

Probiotic company adds antioxidant claim based on carotenoids produced by spore forming bacteria

16-Mar-2016 By Hank Schultz

Thrive Probiotics is bringing a message of diversity to the probiotics sphere. It’s necessary, the company believes, to increase the number of species in the gut for maximum health.

Hospital inpatients increasingly receiving probiotics: Survey

15-Mar-2016 By Stephen Daniells

A “sizable and growing number” of inpatients are receiving probiotics, according to a survey of 145 US hospitals.

French supplement player buys Swiss probiotics firm

11-Mar-2016 By Shane Starling

France-based PiLeJe Group has paid an undisclosed sum for 30-year-old Swiss probiotics company Phytolis – its fourth European probiotic purchase in recent years.

Sabinsa research supports safety of LactoSpore ingredient

07-Mar-2016 By Adi Menayang

Though Sabinsa’s B. coagulans MTCC 5856 probiotic strain, marketed as LactoSpore, has been in the dietary supplement marketplace for 15 years, the latest study adds more depth to its clinical evidence. 

Growing probiotic market prompts GoodBelly's new products launch

07-Mar-2016 By Douglas Yu

GoodBelly has launched four new product lines, including GoodBelly Protein Shake, GoodBelly Juice Drink, GoodBelly Sparkling Drinks and GoodBelly Ade, as consumers are gravitating more towards the functional beverage category, according to the company.

From Paleo to Probiotics: What are the hottest trends in the natural food and beverages market?

03-Mar-2016 By Elaine Watson

From bone broth to grass-fed dairy, trends which start in the natural food market have the potential to move to the mainstream faster than ever before as conventional retailers seek to get a bigger slice of the action in natural and organic foods, says...

We're just scratching the surface when it comes to the potential of fermented foods, says Farmhouse Culture CEO

02-Mar-2016 By Elaine Watson

We’re just scratching the surface when it comes to unlocking the potential of fermented foods in the US market, says the new CEO of Farmhouse Culture, a Portland-based firm specializing in fresh organic sauerkraut and novel savory fermented beverages.

Deadline for submission: March 18!

We want you! Scientific committee calls for cutting-edge science at the IPA World Congress + Probiota Americas 2016

01-Mar-2016 By Stephen Daniells

The scientific committee of the IPA World Congress + Probiota Americas 2016 is calling for submission of abstracts for this year's event. Don’t miss your chance to present!

Latest studies suggest probiotics may reverse childhood malnutrition

01-Mar-2016 By Adi Menayang

As more studies suggesting the benefits and safety of probiotics emerge, the executive director of the International Probiotics Association foresees probiotics to play a larger role against global health crises.

White House calls for microbiome science support

29-Feb-2016 By Stephen Daniells

Industry stakeholders have expressed their support and excitement at a recent White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) national call to action for new public and private commitments to support microbiome science.

Overcoming the taboo of vaginal health – the next frontier of probiotics

26-Feb-2016 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

A paradigm shift is needed to force delicate women’s health issues like vaginal infections and discharge out into the open, says industry microbiologist.

Probiotic strains may provide food allergy protection

26-Feb-2016 By Will Chu

A probiotic blend may be able to prevent sensitisation and allergy to cow’s milk by changing an individual's gut bacteria, a study has suggested.

Vitamin Shoppe CEO: “Functional and fortified foods represent an exciting opportunity for growth”

24-Feb-2016 By Stephen Daniells

Growth in categories such as probiotics, protein, and functional foods and strong performance in e-commerce offset some disappointing results and weaknesses in key categories, says Colin Watts, CEO of Vitamin Shoppe.

Gut microbiome uses breast milk to promote healthy infant growth: Study

22-Feb-2016 By Will Chu

Sugars found in breast milk promote healthy infant growth driven by interactions with gut bacteria, a study has found.

Organobalance buys back probiotic from Lonza

18-Feb-2016 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

German firm Organobalance has reacquired the licence for the probiotic product Pylopass from Swiss company Lonza.

Innovations in minerals

Research continues to make iron more bioavailable and palatable

17-Feb-2016 By Adi Menayang

The World Health Organization says iron deficiency is the most common nutritional disorder. Can this be a chance for supplements and functional foods to step in?

Oral Probiotic BLIS K12 gets FDA GRAS ‘Letter of No Objection’

16-Feb-2016 By Stephen Daniells

The US Food and Drug Administration has issued a ‘Letter of No Objection’ over the generally recognized as safe (GRAS) status of oral probiotic BLIS K12.

Probiotics can offer something most functional foods don’t, says GoodBelly: Instant gratification

16-Feb-2016 By Elaine Watson

Unlike many functional food brands, GoodBelly does not ask consumers to wait 40 years for a return on their investment, says Alan Murray, CEO of brand owner NextFoods. Most customers, he says, claim to feel a benefit within 12 days, which is about as...

Probiotic gummy manufacturer studies product’s stability

15-Feb-2016 By Adi Menayang

Florida-based probiotic manufacturer Viva 5 contends that a study of their proprietary process demonstrates the “long-term stability” of probiotic gummies.

Ganeden sets up Probiotic Jumpstart Program to stimulate food and beverage innovation

12-Feb-2016 By Adi Menayang

Probiotic manufacturer Ganeden launched a program for companies to innovate with probiotics within the food and beverage industry.

Gut microbes’ protective effects compromised by alcohol

12-Feb-2016 By Will Chu

The protective function of natural gut antibiotics is impaired by alcohol leaving bacteria free to migrate to the liver aggravating alcohol-induced liver disease, a study has shown.

Digesting science: Six ideas about prebiotics

11-Feb-2016 By Annie-Rose Harrison-Dunn and Will Chu

Post-menopausal bone health, metagenomics and mimicking breast milk were among our top six ideas on prebiotics discussed at this year's Probiota in Amsterdam. 

Study supports shelf stability of Sabinsa’s probiotic for functional foods

11-Feb-2016 By Stephen Daniells

Sabinsa’s Bacillus coagulans MTCC 5856 is shelf stable during processing and storage of functional foods, says a new study from the company.

RCTs the only way for probiotic acceptance, says leading professor

09-Feb-2016 By Will Chu

The only way probiotics will be accepted into mainstream medicine is to conduct randomised clinical trials that conform to drug standards, a leading gastroenterologist has said.

New ISO standard for flow cytometry with probiotics

02-Feb-2016 By Jim Cornall

Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, present in yogurt and other dairy products, are used as probiotics, or “friendly bacteria,” to maintain a healthy digestive tract.

IPA challenges article's assertion that science behind probiotics is 'shaky'

29-Jan-2016 By Hank Schultz

A recent online article that labeled the science backing probiotics as “shaky” was criticized by the International Proibiotics Association as lacking context and a basic understanding of the industry and the evidence behind it.

Special edition: Microbiome metrics & advances

Beyond microbiota: Prebiotics need hard health endpoints

28-Jan-2016 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Hard health endpoints, not just changes to microbiota, are needed to secure EU prebiotic health claims and bring fibre intakes up to recommended levels, according to European researchers.

XOS alters microbiome of pre diabetic individuals in study

27-Jan-2016 By Hank Schultz

In a UCLA study on xylooligosaccharide the prebiotic fiber showed the potential for altering the gut microbiome of pre diabetic individuals.

Chr. Hansen targets diabetes with next-generation probiotic deal

20-Jan-2016 By Will Chu

A collaboration between Chr. Hansen and Caelus Health will focus on the development of Eubacterium hallii as a next generation probiotic for prevention and treatment of metabolic disease. 

Probiotics hit the cold brew coffee category

20-Jan-2016 By Elaine Watson

Brooklyn-based cold-pressed juice firm JÙS by Julie has scored an industry-first with the launch of a new cold brew coffee infused with probiotics in original and vanilla flavors.

Delivery matrix may influence anti-inflammatory effects of probiotics, says study

18-Jan-2016 By Stephen Daniells

Consuming a yogurt with Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BB-12 added after fermentation could boost the anti-inflammatory actions of the strain, says a new study.

Prebiotic in early life may benefit brain health into adulthood: Research

14-Jan-2016 By Louisa Richards

Researchers from the University of Oxford have demonstrated for the first time the brain modulating role of prebiotics in early life 'window of opportunity'. 

Inulin-enriched coffee product may keep hunger at bay: Study

12-Jan-2016 By Stephen DANIELLS

Drinking a coffee enriched with inulin may reduce feelings of hunger and boost satiety, says a new study from Tel Aviv University in Israel.

Navigating health conundrums: Nutrients, probiotics and nutrient-microbiome interactions

08-Jan-2016 By Mark J. S. Miller, PhD, MBA, FACN, CNS

The general public is just beginning to learn about the true potential of probiotics and the concept that microbes can provide health as well as drive complications previously assigned to germs. The challenge is how do we effectively manage these microbes...

Researchers look at lasting effects of early-life exercise on gut microbes, brain health & metabolism

07-Jan-2016 By Louisa Richards

The immature gut may be more sensitive to environmental influences and provide a 'window of opportunity' for better health, say researchers behind a study in rats. 

Probiotic victory: Judge refuses to certify class in false advertising lawsuit vs Yakult USA

06-Jan-2016 By Elaine Watson

A California judge has refused to certify a class of consumers in a lawsuit accusing Yakult USA of misleading shoppers about the digestive health benefits of its fermented drinks.

What’s on NutraIngredients-USA's special edition calendar for 2016?

04-Jan-2016 By Stephen Daniells

From transparency to an in-depth look at the Ayurveda, omega-3s, probiotics, contract manufacturing, and the latest trends in sports nutrition and minerals, Nutraingredients-USA’s 2016 editorial calendar of special editions spans the hottest trends in...

Peek inside probiota 2016: Amsterdam, February 2-4

Restoring the damaged baby microbiome: ‘This is the biggest development in infant nutrition in years’

22-Dec-2015 By Shane STARLING

The biochemist instrumental in making DHA omega-3 near-mandatory in infant formula 15 years ago says discoveries about the ‘baby microbiome’ are set to revolutionise our view of infant and embryonic feeding.

DuPont nutrition & health chief: We want to work with start-ups

18-Dec-2015 By Shane STARLING

DuPont’s nutrition & health president, Matthias Heinzel, tells NutraIngredients his multi-billion euro division wants to speed product-to-market time and is “totally open” to working with start-ups in open collaboration.

Supplement sales continue to rise: SPINS data

17-Dec-2015 By Stephen Daniells

Sales of dietary supplements and herbal supplements are up about 4% and 17%, respectively, for 2015 compared to 2014, according to new data from SPINS provided to NutraIngredients-USA.

Peek inside Probiota 2016: Amsterdam, February 2-4

What’s fermented food and can it help make probiotics sexy?

16-Dec-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

When we say ‘fermented’ you say beer? Bread? Sauerkraut? But one start-up is coupling the concept with probiotics for a much needed sector make-over.

Platform launched to push digestive health beyond probiotics

15-Dec-2015 By Lynda Searby

DSM is ramping up its focus on digestive health with the launch of a new ‘platform’ to help manufacturers develop products that target specific gastro-intestinal health concerns.

First study of its kind: Synbiotics may control excess weight in obese kids

14-Dec-2015 By Stephen Daniells

Daily supplements containing prebiotics and probiotics may improve oxidative stress and enhance weight loss in obese kids, says a new study.

EU injects €1m into ‘social cognition’ supplement research

08-Dec-2015 By Shane STARLING

A €1m EU-backed joint project between academia and industry is investigating the potential of probiotics and amino acids to boost brain performance among Europe’s increasingly ageing population.

Suja to debut probiotic-infused functional waters range at Target in 2016

08-Dec-2015 By Elaine Watson

HPP (high pressure processed) juice pioneer Suja is moving into new territory next year with the launch of a line of enhanced waters with organic fruit & veg and probiotics that will debut at Target stores nationwide in February.

Probiotic formula may support respiratory tract health in children: Study

03-Dec-2015 By Stephen Daniells

A combination of Lactobacillus acidophilus DDS-1 and Bifidobacterium lactis UABLA-12 may reduce the severity and duration of respiratory infections in children, says a new study.

International Probiotics Association questions conclusions of recent probiotics-NEC study

02-Dec-2015 By Stephen DANIELLS

The International Probiotics Association (IPA) and IPA Europe have rejected recent conclusions from a study with probiotics and necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) and late-onset sepsis in preterm infants.

Multi-strain probiotic milk shakes may protect against weight gain: Human data

01-Dec-2015 By Stephen DANIELLS

Consuming a milk shake with eight different probiotic strains may protect against weight gain in young healthy men consuming a high fat, high energy diet, says a new study.