Probiotics, prebiotics & postbiotics

Study links microbial imbalance with breast cancer

25-Apr-2014 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

The microbiota could play a role in the development of breast cancer, according to new research.

Cry baby blues: L reuteri probiotic not backed for Colic

23-Apr-2014 By Shane STARLING

A study involving 167 breastfed and probiotic formula fed ‘excessive crying’ infants has found no benefits for the formula-fed ones, even though other studies showed probiotics could reduce the malady.

Gravity-free probiotics

Space…The final frontier for Yakult probiotics? 6-year study confirmed

22-Apr-2014 By Shane STARLING

Probiotic pioneer Yakult’s little bottles are to feature in a 6-year, gravity-free study at the International Space Station (ISS).

An effective strategy for public cardio-metabolic health promotion? Resistant starch shows blood lipid and body composition benefits

18-Apr-2014 By Stephen DANIELLS

Using resistant starch-enriched flour in place of regular flour may reduce cholesterol levels in people with metabolic syndrome, report researchers from South Dakota State University.

Is dietary supplement use more prevalent than previously thought?

15-Apr-2014 By Stephen DANIELLS

As many as 69% of American adults may be users of dietary supplements, with up to 53% being regular users, says a new review that gives greater numbers than those reported in National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES).

Probiotics, enzymes, and fiber are the ingredient categories to watch for M&A: NCN CEO

10-Apr-2014 By Stephen DANIELLS

After much consolidation in the fish oil sector, probiotics, enzymes, and fiber could be the ingredient categories to watch moving forward for M&A activity, says the CEO of the Nutrition Capital Network.

Celiac Disease breakthrough?

Natural protein elafin ‘promising’ in battle against gluten toxicity: Study

08-Apr-2014 By Kacey Culliney

The human protein elafin could be delivered into the gut using a probiotic bacterium to reduce the inflammatory reaction typical of celiac disease, researchers suggest.

Breast microbiome more complex than previously thought: Study

31-Mar-2014 By Nicola Cottam

The unique microbial composition of female breast tissue has given scientists new insight into the interaction between different bacteria in the human body and the effects this has on health.

Probi gets big order from US supplements giant Pharmavite

24-Mar-2014 By Hank Schultz

US-based supplement manufacturer Pharmavite has extended its supply relationship with Swedish probiotic supplier Probi with an order valued at $561,000 (3.6 million Swedish kroner).

DuPont: It seems like the whole world except Europe understands probiotics are backed by solid science

21-Mar-2014 By Elaine WATSON

Americans are often described as lagging behind their European counterparts when it comes to awareness of probiotics, but the growth potential in the US market is “huge”, says leading supplier DuPont.

IPA World Congress, May 9-11 2014, Athens, Greece

Time to renovate your probiotic toolbox? IPA workshop explores how

20-Mar-2014 By Shane STARLING

Companies that manufacture probiotic products can learn much from other fast-moving-consumer-good (FMCG) firms like shower gel, pharmaceutical and smoothie makers in NPD, an expert says.

Battle of the bugs: Beneficial bacteria vital to immune response against infection

17-Mar-2014 By Lynda Searby

Our microbiome may play a central role in immune responses to infections, according to new research revealing how beneficial bacteria are necessary for the development of innate immune cells.

New structure will create a 'more relevant' Twinlab, Tolworthy says

17-Mar-2014 By Hank Schultz

For Twinlab CEO Tom Tolworthy, a company's culture says a lot about its values. And the structure of the company should reflect that, which is why he’s taking Twinlab in a new direction.

Gut bacteria to battle vitamin A deficiency: Could probiotics be modified to produce beta-carotene?

14-Mar-2014 By Nathan Gray

Research backed by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation could offer a new solution to the problem of vitamin A deficiency by creating modified gut bacteria, researchers told NutraIngredients.

Gut microbiota ‘networks’ may play a role in autoimmunity and type 1 diabetes risk

14-Mar-2014 By Nathan Gray

The way in which our gut bacteria interact with each other may have vital implications for the risk of developing type 1 diabetes, according to new research.

BioGaia confirms extended agreement with Nestlé for clinical research and NPD

13-Mar-2014 By Nathan Gray

Swedish probiotic player BioGaia has broadened and strengthened its ties with food manufacturing giant Nestlé by agreeing a deal for clinical research and new product development (NPD), according to the firm.

Healthy eating may reduce the risk of preterm delivery: Population data

11-Mar-2014 By Nathan Gray

A healthy diet packed with fruit, vegetables, and omega-3 rich fish could help to reduce the risk of pre-term babies, according to new research.

Almonds & their skins show prebiotic potential: Human data

06-Mar-2014 By Stephen DANIELLS

Fiber-rich almonds and almond skin may selectively boost the populations of bifidobacteria and lactobacilli in the gut, says a new study funded by the Almond Board of California.

Probiotics may boost ‘quality of life’ for hay fever sufferers: Study

05-Mar-2014 By Stephen Daniells

Hay fever suffers may benefit from daily probiotic supplements, according to a new study that found improvements in ‘quality of life’ scores and ocular symptoms.

Microbiota makeup linked to intestinal cancer risk

04-Mar-2014

The makeup of microbes living in our gut may be a risk factor for colorectal cancer and could drive the development of intestinal tumours, say researchers.

Data shows 'cobiotic' modulates glucose response in diabetic and pre diabetic subjects

27-Feb-2014

Microbiome Therapeutics, a startup based in Broomfield, CO, has developed a technology that it says can significantly shift the makeup of the gut microflora in prediabetic patients and those with type 2 diabetes. Prelimary data shows the company’s flaghsip...

Special edition: Pre- and Probiotics

Consumers gradually coming round to probiotics’ oral health potential, and thinking beyond 'dental’ first

20-Feb-2014 By Stephen DANIELLS

The gut starts at the mouth, so it should be no surprise that probiotics, those beneficial bacteria, are a growing presence in the oral health category. But which strains show the most potential, where does the science stand, and how do they work?

Special edition: Pre and Probiotics

Probiotic call: Forget health claims (consumers have)

20-Feb-2014 By Shane STARLING

Probiotic players obsessed with winning health claims needn’t bother as consumers don’t value them anyway, a leading consultant says.

Special edition: Pre- and probiotics

Probiotics, fiber continue to steal market share from GI remedies

20-Feb-2014 By Maggie Hennessy

Digestive issues are all too familiar to Americans, as roughly nine out of 10 (86%) say they’ve dealt with some type of gastrointestinal or digestive trouble in the past year, according to a recent study from Mintel. But as many take a more proactive...

Special edition: Pre- and probiotics

Mature markets seeing beyond probiotics’ ‘balance microflora’ benefits: Lallemand

20-Feb-2014 By Maggie Hennessy

The market for probiotic supplements and food continues to grow at a fast clip worldwide, expected to reach $45bn by 2017 (up from $30bn in 2012), according to Euromonitor. Global ingredient supplier Lallemand Health Solutions is no stranger to this market,...

Special edition: Pre & Probiotics

Know what you are putting in your products, urges probiotic Prof

20-Feb-2014 By Nathan Gray

Industry must do more to understand the inter-species interactions of multi-strain probiotic products rather than assuming that 'more is better', warns Professor Gregor Reid.

Special edition: Pre & Probiotics

What is gut health? That's the blurry 800-pound gorilla in the room

20-Feb-2014 By Hank Schultz

In discussing gut health it’s wise to keep in mind the words of the late United States Supreme Court justice Potter Stewart when discussing a 1964 obscenity case. Pornography, Stewart said, was hard to pin down, but “I know it when I see it.” So it...

Probiotics backed for vaginal health: Study

19-Feb-2014 By Shane STARLING

Five Lactobacillus probiotic strains have been shown to reduce vaginal pathogens in new in vitro data, with a clinical trial ongoing.

Gut geography: Are obesity-linked gut bacteria more prevalent in northern areas?

17-Feb-2014 By Nathan Gray

People living in cold, northern latitudes have a greater proportion of gut bacteria that may predispose them to obesity, according to new meta-analysis data.

Probiotic Bifidobacterium lactis shows immune support for elderly people

13-Feb-2014 By Stephen Daniells

Daily supplements of the probiotic Bifidobacterium lactis Bi-07 may improve the activity of white blood cells in elderly adults, a population with higher susceptibility to infections.

'Heart health through gut health': probiotics may help lower LDL cholesterol

13-Feb-2014 By Maggie Hennessy

Coronary heart disease (CHD) is a leading cause of death worldwide, and elevated LDL cholesterol is a major risk factor. Although most consumers understand the importance of maintaining a healthy cholesterol level for a healthy heart, few associate gut...

Study urges more exploration of fermented foods’ yet untold benefits

07-Feb-2014 By Maggie Hennessy

The microbiological activity of fermented foods could bridge the gap between two separate areas of research: one linking fermented food to mental health benefits and the other examining traditional dietary patterns, according to a review published in the...

Probiota 2014: Chairman calls for industry to 'step up' in fight for probiotics

06-Feb-2014 By Nathan Gray

Probiotic and preboiotic industry players must do more to get consumers on their side in the fight with regulators in the US and EU, and should also be doing more to help save lives in Africa, according to Professor Gregor Reid.

Live from Probiota 2014

IPA calls for fresh global alliance in probiotics

05-Feb-2014 By Shane Starling in Amsterdam

The founder of the International Probiotics Association (IPA) has called on the Global Alliance for Probiotics (GAP) to work with it to develop the science and dossiers that can win health claims in Europe and elsewhere.

Live from Probiota 2014

Data eater: EU probiotic yoghurt market to drop 4.5% by 2018; supplements on the up

04-Feb-2014 By Shane Starling in Amsterdam

The market for probiotic yoghurt in 20 key European Union markets will fall 4.5% in the five years between now and 2018, but the overall sector trend remains positive, Euromonitor International analyst Ewa Hudson told a packed Probiota congress in Amsterdam...

Certain probiotics could help women lose weight, study finds

04-Feb-2014 By Nathan Gray

Supplementation with certain probiotics containing Lactobacillus rhamnosus may help women lose weight and keep it off, according to new research.

Gutsy ambition for GoodBelly! Probiotic drinks brand eyes $50m US sales

04-Feb-2014 By Ben BOUCKLEY

GoodBelly Juice co-founder Todd Beckman says the novel drinks is targeting $50m in retail sales within the next 18 months as US consumer awareness of probiotic benefits grows.

Probiotic boosts flavonoids in fermented soy

31-Jan-2014 By Shane Starling

A strain of the Bifidobacterium genus can enhance flavonoid output in fermented soy or other bean-derived drinks, a study has found.

Sabinsa: Bilayer technology still novel, gaining traction in time-release

29-Jan-2014 By Maggie Hennessy

Sabinsa Corp. is gearing up for the official launch of its synbiotic bi-layer tablet on the heels of receiving a Frost & Sullivan innovation award last year for its bilayer “integrated nutritional composites”, or INC, technology.

Prebiotics may modify brain chemistry through microbiota modulation: Rat study

27-Jan-2014 By Nathan Gray

The modification of gut microbiota by prebiotics may also lead to alterations in brain chemistry, according to new dat that suggests a potential role for prebiotic compounds in neuropsychiatric illness.

Calcium-prebiotic combination may boost bone health more than calcium alone: Human data

24-Jan-2014 By Stephen DANIELLS

A combination of a marine-derived calcium-rich multi-mineral supplement with a short-chain fructo-oligosaccharide may help maintain bone health more than calcium alone for post-menopausal women, says a new study.

“I get personal because they [EFSA] get personal to me"

Fed up: Probiotic research veteran issues global call to action

23-Jan-2014

Veteran probiotic researcher professor Gregor Reid is not a happy man. It’s time the probiotic community fought back against those forces that have for too long denied a perfectly valid body of nutrition science in the form of commercial claims. It’s...

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