Probiotics, prebiotics & postbiotics

Psychobiotics: Modulation of gut microbiota may ‘hold the key to’ neuropsychological disorders

15-May-2015 By Stephen Daniells

Using probiotics and prebiotics to alter the gut microbiota and influence the gut-brain axis may open up new ways of influencing neuropsychological conditions, says a new review.

Chinese breast milk discovery strengthens case for probiotics in infant formula: Chr Hansen

11-May-2015 By Mark ASTLEY

Chr Hansen has confirmed the presence of bifidobacteria and lactobacilli in breast milk from Chinese mothers - a discovery it claims strengthens the case for adding probiotics to infant formula.

Inulin prebiotic may improve appetite regulation & decrease food intake in obese kids

11-May-2015 By Stephen DANIELLS

Daily supplements of Beneo’s Orafti Synergy1 chicory root fiber may support healthy weight management in overweight and obese kids by improving appetite regulation and decreasing food intake, says a study from Calgary University in Canada.

Maker of GoodBelly shares 6 tips for successfully growing a brand

01-May-2015 By Elizabeth Crawford

The vast majority of food and beverage launches fail to survive beyond the initial “experimental phase” in part because they expand their distribution too quickly, warns Alan Murray, the CEO of Next Foods. 

Five weeks to go! Probiota Americas to unite science and industry in North & South America

29-Apr-2015 By Stephen Daniells

Probiota Americas is five weeks away, where pre- and probiotic stakeholders will share the latest insights in science, regulatory, market and business opportunities in North and South America. 

NBTY director of nutrition research: Probiotic stakeholders need to come together to fill the gaps

28-Apr-2015 By Stephen DANIELLS

There are significant gaps in the science supporting probiotics, and industry and academia must come together to contribute to the understanding of probiotics, says Dr Susan Mitmesser, Director of Nutrition Research at NBTY Inc.

Ex-IPA chief takes business development role at US firm

28-Apr-2015 By Shane STARLING

Ex-International Probiotics Association (IPA) director general Ioannis Misopoulos has taken a business development role at Michigan-based probiotics manufacturer, Daily Body Restore.

Probiotic ice cream may boost oral health for kids

28-Apr-2015 By Stephen DANIELLS

Consuming a functional ice cream formulated with Bifidobacterium lactis Bb-12 and Lactobacillus acidophilus La-5 may cut levels of caries-causing bacteria in the mouth, says a new study from India.

Dispatches from the International Yakult Symposium

No health claims but probiotics remain on medical agenda

27-Apr-2015 By Shane Starling from Berlin

Probiotics are yet to win a health claim in the European Union but they continue to receive backing by various bodies for gastrointestinal issues like diarrhoea.

Green algae combo may counter obesity-linked metabolic changes: Study

20-Apr-2015 By Stephen DANIELLS

A mixture of green algae extracts may lower body fat and improve lean mass in rats fed a high carbohydrate, high fat diet, says new study.

Western lifestyle may limit gut bacteria diversity: Study

17-Apr-2015 By Nathan Gray

A modern Western diet and lifestyle is linked to a lower diversity of bacteria in the gut, say researchers.

Forget about your woes? Probiotics may lower focus on bad feelings and experiences

16-Apr-2015 By Nathan Gray

Supplementation with a multi-species probiotic may be associated with lower feelings of sadness and less focus on bad feelings and experiences from the past, say researchers.

"This is a new idea - that some probiotics may work by affecting the overall ecosystem of the gut"

How do probiotics work? Previously unknown 'facilitator' mechanism revealed

15-Apr-2015 By Niamh Michail

The popular probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG may work by acting as 'a facilitator' that modifies and promotes the activity of other gut bacteria, say scientists.

Kiwifruit-derived supplements may boost bowel health for healthy people: RCT data

15-Apr-2015 By Stephen Daniells

Daily consumption of supplements containing kiwifruit-derived nutritional ingredients may increase bowel movements in healthy individuals, says a new study from New Zealand.

Moody microbes? Gut bacteria found to play key role in serotonin production

13-Apr-2015 By Nathan Gray

Our gut microbiota may play a vital role in driving our mood by regulating the production of serotonin in the intestines and blood, say researchers.

US, Brazil still dominate $10bn probiotic Americas market

07-Apr-2015 By Maggie Hennessy

Ahead of the 2015 Probiota Americas conference in June, NutraIngredients-USA caught up with speaker Monica Feldman, head of consumer health industry research at Euromonitor International, on growth, big brands and key trends in the booming North and South...

Deadline for submission: April 10!

We want you! Scientific committee calls for cutting-edge science at Probiota Americas 2015

07-Apr-2015 By Stephen Daniells

A newly established scientific committee is set to assess cutting edge research for the Probiota Americas 2015 Scientific Frontiers poster session. Don’t miss your chance to present!

Do single-ingredient groups help convey industry's message, or contribute to the cacophony?

01-Apr-2015 By Hank Schultz

Single ingredient trade groups are becoming an increasingly common feature of the dietary supplement industry.  Whether they burnish the overall image of the sector or serve to further Balkanize the industry’s message is a matter of debate.

Early intake of L. reuteri probiotics in infancy may boost gut health: Study

01-Apr-2015 By Stephen DANIELLS

Early supplementation of an infant’s diet with Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938 may boost gut health by reducing the build-up of pathogenic bacteria, says a new study from Italy.

Probiotics on the verge of “dramatic second growth curve,” expert says

25-Mar-2015 By Elizabeth Crawford

Probiotics are on the cusp of a “dramatic second growth curve” that could more than double their sales in supplements in the U.S., but new delivery platforms and uses could threaten the long-term potential growth of supplements in the category, according...

Probiotic potential for pear antioxidants explored in study

24-Mar-2015 By Niamh Michail

Antioxidants and phenols in pears can balance gut microbiota as well as manage early-stage type 2 diabetes and hypertension, according to researchers.

Goal for IPA to become more agile, vocal in promoting probiotics, new director says

23-Mar-2015 By Hank Schultz

After a months-long interregnum, George Paraskevakos, the new executive director of the International Probiotics Association, formally takes up the reins pledging that the organization will become more agile and vocal in defending and promoting the ingredients.

Nestlé files whey world patent: Lactoferrin for infant memory and learning

20-Mar-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Nestlé has filed an international patent for the whey fraction lactoferrin to improve memory, learning speed and promote brain maturation in children.

Special edition: Beauty from within

In the eye of the beholder: Where does the EU stand on beauty claims?

18-Mar-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Unlike health claims, ‘beauty from within’ claims are regulated post-market and only when challenged – and how this process goes will depend on the case and the member state concerned.

FTC's position in Bayer case runs counter to DSHEA and consensus of scientific thought, NPA contends in second brief

18-Mar-2015 By Hank Schultz

The Natural Products Association has filed a second amicus brief in the contempt case brought by the Federal Trade Commission against Bayer over health claims it made on its Philips Colon Health probiotic supplement. The brief contends that the agency’s...

Agave prebiotic significantly increases some faecal friendly bacteria, say researchers

16-Mar-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

The prebiotic agave fructan significantly increases the faecal count of bifidobacteria and lactobacilli compared to maltodextrin, according to research backed by industry.

Trial backs oral probiotic to fight off dental implant problems

13-Mar-2015 By Nathan Gray

Supplementation with Lactobacillus reuteri Prodentis could help to reduce inflammation and other common complications associated with dental implants, according to new RCT data.

Latin America

Finding right partner key to negotiating Latin American regulatory thicket, expert says

11-Mar-2015 By Hank Schultz

The fragmentation of the market for dietary supplement and food ingredients in Latin America makes it imperative to find the right local partners, said an executive familiar with the business climate there. Local market conditions and regulatory hurdles...

Could prebiotics help iron-deficient anaemics?

11-Mar-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Prebiotic supplementation may help increase the expression of proteins that regulate iron absorption, according to research in anaemic rats.

Gut bacteria could predict food allergies

09-Mar-2015 By Niamh Michail

Levels and variety of infant gut bacteria may be used to predict food allergies or asthma, say researchers from the University of Alberta. 

New prebiotic may boost flu vaccine effects in the elderly: Study

09-Mar-2015 By Stephen DANIELLS

Supplements containing a combination of a new prebiotic called bifidogenic growth stimulator (BGS) and an established prebiotic (galactooligosaccharide) may enhance the effects of the flu vaccine, says a new study from Japan.

Gut microbiota shifts could predict diabetes risk, suggests study

06-Mar-2015 By Nathan Gray

The composition of our microbiota may change through the development of pre-diabetes and diabetes, thus predicting risk and potentially leading to new ways to aid blood sugar management, say researchers.

Straw format to help Ganeden deliver probiotics with shelf stable beverages

06-Mar-2015 By Hank Schultz

Probiotics specialist Ganeden has announced a new application, one that straddles the supplement /food divide. The company has partnered with BioGaia to place its Ganeden BC30 into a line of straws that can be packaged with beverages.

TMR enters sports nutrition sector with pre- and post-workout range

06-Mar-2015 By Stephen DANIELLS

Trace Minerals Research (TMR) is entering the sports nutrition market a range of pre- and post-workout formulations under the name TMRFit series.

Better together? Co-encapsulation study shows potential for stable omega-3 and probiotic mix

05-Mar-2015 By Nathan Gray

New research describing the stable co-encapsulation of omega-3 rich oil with probiotic bacteria could be a boon for manufacturers looking to incorporate the functional ingredients in to foods and supplements, say researchers.

Heat-killed bacteria may offer immune support for the elderly

03-Mar-2015 By Stephen Daniells

Supplements containing heat-killed Lactobacillus gasseri TMC0356 bacteria may enhance the immune system of older people and protect them from infection, says a new study from Japan.

CULTURED VIEWS FROM PROBIOTA 2015 IN AMSTERDAM

Biased by industry? Do academic and business collaborations work?

02-Mar-2015 By Nathan Gray

Like many areas of nutrition research, probiotic and prebiotic science relies on strong collaboration between academic experts and businesses. But there are some who say such links create biased science.

Greenteaspoon CSO: ‘We’re convinced polyphenol prebiotics will play a huge role in advancing our understanding of the importance of the gut mucus layer in health and wellness’

27-Feb-2015 By Stephen Daniells

A proprietary blend of superfruit and green tea may support healthy digestion, says data from a double-blind and placebo-controlled study that supports the prebiotic potential of polyphenols.

Cultured views from Probiota 2015 in Amsterdam

Expert insights: What is the future for probiotics and prebiotics?

26-Feb-2015 By Nathan Gray

Probiotics, prebiotics, and microbiome science are big business, and already generate a great deal of scientific and commercial interest. But what does the future have in story for the sector?

Cultured views from Probiota 2015 in Amsterdam

Game on: Probiotics & sports performance

18-Feb-2015 By Shane STARLING

Clinical data is building around the role of probiotics to aid athletic performance – from recovery to muscle development to immune defense. We spoke to a leading researcher at Probiota in Amsterdam this month…

Yakult at Probiota 2015: “We want to be clear that before we invest we need to have some dialogue with EFSA...”

6 years of hurt: Probiotic heavyweights debate the EU’s health claim blockade

17-Feb-2015 By Shane STARLING

Yakult and leading academics expressed frustration at what they see as unfair and opaque scientific requirements around probiotic health claims in the European Union – but how much is industry to blame and could social media be a data-sharing saviour?

New patented probiotic for Nestlé toddler formula

12-Feb-2015 By Niamh Michail

Nestlé and Swedish-based supplier BioGaia have announced the launch of a new toddler formula containing the patented probiotic Lactobacillus reuteri Protectis.

Probiotic strain counting: New method proposed at Probiota

09-Feb-2015 By Shane STARLING

A new method of quantifying probiotic content in products promises greater accuracy and efficiency, according to emerging research.

Probiotic drink may help control insulin resistance: Healthy human research

04-Feb-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Probiotic supplementation may be useful in preventing insulin resistance caused by excessive consumption of high-fat foods, according to industry-backed research published in the British Journal of Nutrition.

science short

Probiotic yeast shows IBS benefits: 63% v 47% (placebo)

03-Feb-2015 By Shane STARLING

A proprietary probiotic yeast reduced abdominal discomfort among Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) sufferers, a study has found.

Insider: The three groups reached accord “surprisingly quickly”

3 into 1: Euro probiotics sector unites as sector sales drop 8%

02-Feb-2015 By Shane STARLING

Europe’s three biggest probiotic groups have united behind a new European chapter of the International Probiotics Association (IPA) to deal with the “critical” 6-year regulatory imbroglio that has seen an EU-wide sales slide in the health claim-less sector.

Probiotic pill shows promise in blood sugar management and battling diabetes: Rat data

30-Jan-2015 By Nathan Gray

A genetically engineered strain of human gut bacteria from the lactobacillus family could help to slash in incidence of high blood sugar by up to 30%, according to new research in rats.

L-glutamine may alter gut microbiota to resemble changes seen in weight loss programs

30-Jan-2015 By Stephen Daniells

Supplements of L-glutamine may alter the composition of the gut microbiota in obese people, and shift it towards a profile seen in leaner individuals, says a new study from Brazil.

Clinical trial backs probiotic strain to help reduce cold and flu in times of stress

29-Jan-2015 By Nathan Gray

Regular consumption of the probiotic strain Bifidobacterium bifidum R0071 is associated with more ‘healthy days’ and a lower reporting of cold or flu, according to new research in academically stressed student

Clinical trial supports BLIS M18’s oral health benefits

29-Jan-2015 By Stephen DANIELLS

Lozenges containing Streptococcus salivarius M18, branded as BLIS M18, for 30 days resulted in significant improvements in multiple measures of periodontal health, says a new study from India.