Probiotics, prebiotics & postbiotics

BioGaia probiotic shows dental health benefits: Clinical trial

21-Aug-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

Sucking on a probiotic lozenge may produce “significant additional clinical improvements” to scaling and root planing for people with chronic periodontitis, says a new study.

IPA questions scope of conclusions of study that found no effect of probiotics on diarrhea

15-Aug-2013 By Hank Schultz

The International Probiotics Association has identified several issues with the design of a recently published study finding no effect of probiotics on antibiotic associated diarrhea (AAD) or Clostridium difficile diarrhea (CDD). These issues could call...

‘Largest’ study questions probiotic diarrhoea benefits

08-Aug-2013 By Nathan Gray

Probiotic supplements may have no benefit for the prevention of antibiotic-associated diarrhoea in elderly people, according to new data from the largest study ever to look at the issue.

Probiotic supplement may offer autism benefits: Study

01-Aug-2013 By Nathan Gray

Supplementation with the probiotic nutritional supplement Delpro may have a beneficial effect on bowel issues associated with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), new research has suggested.

News in brief

Missed Bone & Joint Health 2013? Listen again free, on-demand

25-Jul-2013

Can you make inflammation claims regarding joint health? How do you differentiate products in the bone health sector where so many products are based on calcium and vitamin D?

Sabinsa appoints new CEO to ‘execute a disciplined and ambitious growth pattern’

24-Jul-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

Jayasankar (Jay) Nair has joined Sabinsa as Chief Executive Officer, with the company set to 'execute a disciplined and ambitious growth pattern'.

Probiotics show ‘promise’ to prevent caries: Systematic review

15-Jul-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

The potential of probiotics to support oral health and prevent caries is ‘promising’, but ‘only few studies have demonstrated clear clinical outcomes’, according to a new review in Nutrients.

Multi-species probiotics again show benefits for IBS sufferers: RCT data

12-Jul-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

A combination of six probiotic species may relieve the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), say results of a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

Probiotics may ‘counter obesity and diabetes’: NIH study

10-Jul-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

A daily dose of probiotics may prevent weight gain and insulin resistance in mice, says a new study from scientists at the US National Institutes of Health (NIH) with implications for obesity and diabetes.

Spanish firm develops probiotics with metal nano particles for tumour treatment

05-Jul-2013 By Shane Starling

Spanish firm Biosearch Life has applied for a patent for the tumour treating potential of Bifidobacterium probiotics infused with magnetic nano metals.

SoHo Flordis acquires US practitioner channel supplement marketer along with Swiss firm

02-Jul-2013 By Hank Schultz

SoHo Flordis International, an Australian/Indonesian natural medicines company, has acquired two companies in the space, ProThera, based in Reno, NV and Swiss company Ginsana.

New probiotics hang hat on 'synergistic' formulas, DRcaps delivery technology

01-Jul-2013 By Hank Schultz

IQBiotix, an American offshoot of a company with roots in the UK and Dubai, has launched a line of probiotic products in the US that feature both DRCaps technology and synergistic formulations.

Modifying microbial fermentation conditions can improve probiotic survival

01-Jul-2013 By Nathan Gray

Small variations in the growth conditions of probiotics may have a major effect on their survival and robustness, according to new research.

Probiotics have no benefit for IBS, finds new RCT data

27-Jun-2013 By Nathan Gray

Consumption of a probiotic containing functional food product has no clinical benefits for people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) when compared to a placebo treatment, according to new clinical trial data.

Company offers simplified 3-prong approach to personalized nutrition

19-Jun-2013 By Hank Schultz

Nutritional supplement manufacturer 3Care Therapeutics is the latest company to dip a toe into the personalized nutrition pool by offering a simplified system to practitioners to help them integrate the use of the company’s products into their practices...

Synbiotic supplements may influence metabolic status for diabetics: RCT data

17-Jun-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

A combination of probiotics and prebiotics may reduce levels of markers of inflammation and oxidative stress, suggest findings of a new study publishing in the journal Clinical Nutrition.

Supplement users make healthier lifestyle choices: CRN Survey

13-Jun-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

Users of dietary supplements seem to make healthier lifestyle choices compared to non-users, including exercising regularly, maintaining a healthy weight, and trying to eat a balanced diet, says a new survey from the  Council for Responsible Nutrition...

Probiotic may boost vitamin D levels: First human data

13-Jun-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

Daily supplements of probiotic strain Lactobacillus reuteri NCIMB 30242 may boost circulating vitamin D levels in the blood by 25%, say results of a post-hoc analysis of a published randomized controlled trial.

Science brief

Weight loss leads to significant gut microbiota changes

10-Jun-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

Gastric bypass surgery can boost the richness of the gut microbiota and increase the number of associations between gut microbiota and genes in fat tissue, says a new study that deepens our understanding of how gut bacteria may influence weight.

Probiotics may boost mental performance for diabetics: Animal data

06-Jun-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

Daily consumption of probiotics may improve the mental performance of lab animals with diabetes, says a new study that supports the potential benefits of an optimal microbiome–gut–brain axis.

"We hope these results will prompt physicians to consider its use.”

Evidence solidifies behind probiotic benefits for antibiotic-associated diarrhoea

05-Jun-2013 By Shane STARLING

The capacity of probiotics to ease diarrhoea and other problems associated with antibiotic use in some patients has received fresh backing after a review of studies conducted by University of Toronto researchers.

Going non-GMO in dietary supplements: ‘The supply community is not there with us yet’, say manufacturers

05-Jun-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

Increasing consumer pressure and potential state legislation mandating labeling are leading dietary supplement manufacturers to face up to the challenges of going non-GMO, but the situation is complex and suppliers have more work to do than many would...

Cochrane: Probiotics may reduce the risk of antibiotic-associated diarrhea

31-May-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

Consuming supplements and food containing probiotics may reduce the risk of antibiotic-associated diarrhea, according to a systematic review from the prestigious Cochrane Collaboration.

Prebiotic infant formula yields breast milk-like infant microbiota: Study

30-May-2013 By Shane STARLING

Infant formula infused with prebiotic oligofructose-enriched inulin results in an infant microbiota that is closer to that of breast milk fed infants during the first four months of life, a study has found.

Microwarriors 2: Leonard Nimoy signs up to narrate new probiotics documentary

22-May-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

Following the success of the first Microwarriors documentary, Health Point Productions is now working on the sequel: Microwarriors 2, with Leonard Nimoy lined up to narrate.

Optimal synbiotics – new study unlocks the ideal pre- and probiotic combinations

22-May-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

A team of researchers may have taken a large step towards designing the optimal synbiotics for gut health as a new screening study reveals the best match between pre- and probiotics.

Prebiotic inulin shows glycemic benefits for diabetic women

13-May-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

Dietary supplements of inulin may improve some glycemic measures in women when type-2 diabetes, suggests a new study.

Probiotics again linked to fat and weight loss: RCT data

30-Apr-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

Daily supplements of Lactobacillus gasseri SBT2055 (LG2055) may help weight loss in people with obese tendencies, says a new study from Japan.

Maternal microbiota passes directly to newborn, Yakult research suggests

24-Apr-2013 By Nathan Gray

A mother's gut microbiota may transfer and colonise newborn infants intestines in the first few days after birth, according to new research from Yakult.

Brazilian firm enters nationwide US distribution with liquid probiotic product

23-Apr-2013 By Hank Schultz

Hebron USA, a relatively new division of Brazil-based Hebron Pharmaceuticals, is entering nationwide distribution in Walgreens stores with a liquid probiotic product.

New management team to reinvigorate UAS Labs brands, R&D as part of acquisition

15-Apr-2013 By Hank Schultz

Lakeview Equity Partners, a Milwaukee-based investment firm, has taken its first dip into the human nutrition pool with the acquisition of probiotics supplier and finished goods manufacturer UAS Labs.

Barley extracts show weight management potential: Human data

12-Apr-2013 By Stephen Daniells

Adding boiled barley kernels to the diet may increase levels of hormones linked to satiety and reduce subsequent energy intakes, says a new study from Sweden.

Sabinsa wins award for its bi-layer technology used to create "synbiotics"

10-Apr-2013

Sabinsa Corporation has received a Frost & Sullivan award for its Integrated Nutritional Composites technology.

Intelligent evidence: 'Breakthrough' in microbiome sampling promises greater proof for probiotic claims

04-Apr-2013 By Nathan Gray

A new non-invasive method to test the effects of functional foods and nutrients on the gut flora promises to help industry build solid evidence for health claims substantiation, says NIZO Food Research.

Probiotic beads show potential for ‘friendly bugs’ to move beyond dairy

01-Apr-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

Using salmon eggs as their inspiration, Brazilian food scientists have developed probiotic beads for use in an expanded range of foods, including oriental cuisine.

Awareness of probiotics growing worldwide, expert says

29-Mar-2013 By Hank Schultz

Probiotics and their benefits have wide recognition in Europe and Asia, and awareness is growing.  This situation bodes well for growth in the US, while it will serve to buoy manufacturers and marketers of these products in difficult regulatory times...

Prebiotic prevention: Cochrane backs infant formula prebiotics for eczema - but not allergies

28-Mar-2013 By Nathan Gray

Prebiotis supplements in infant formula may help to prevent eczema, but there is lack of evidence that the same is true for allergies, according to a new Cochrane review.

Special edition: New trends in heart-healthy foods

Emerging heart health ingredients have a long way to go to challenge the established ‘big fish’

27-Mar-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

The well-established heart health ingredients will remain kings of the castle for the foreseeable future, but there are some pretenders to the crown emerging, according to formulation experts at Fortitech.

GOS prebiotics may boost calcium absorption for teens: Purdue data

20-Mar-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

Daily supplements of galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) may enhance the absorption of calcium for adolescent girls, says a new study from Purdue University with implications for bone health.

UK National Health Service undertakes probiotic colon study

19-Mar-2013 By Shane Starling

King’s College Hospital in London is investigating the potential of a proprietary probiotic blend to benefit those suffering from diverticular disease.

Brazil continues to dominate South American health & wellness market

19-Mar-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

The Brazilian functional and fortified packaged foods and dietary supplements markets have hit almost US$10 billion, says data from Euromonitor International.

Pre- and Probiotics 2013: Yes, let’s call it unmissable

15-Mar-2013

Seven webinars. Brand and supplier insights. Regulatory analysis. Market analysis. Marketing analysis. Science. You had better put this in your diary...

'A big step forward': Probiotics may alter brain activity in healthy people, says Danone/UCLA data

14-Mar-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

Daily supplements of a fermented milk product containing five different probiotic strains may affect the parts of the brain linked to emotion and sensation, says a new study from UCLA and Danone.

Micropharma’s cholesterol-busting probiotic ready for US food, beverage and supplements market

12-Mar-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

With ten years of work behind it, two clinical trials (plus results of a third ready for publication), and Groupe Danone on-board, Canada’s Micropharma is rolling out its cholesterol-lowering Lactobacillus reuteri NCIMB 30242 for the US supplement, food...

Good bacteria may wipe out antibiotic-resistant pathogens: Study

11-Mar-2013 By Nathan Gray

New possibilities for novel probiotic products are on the horizon after researchers report that some probiotic strains can eliminate antibiotic-resistant bacteria from the gut.

BLIS-K12’s oral health benefits get support from 2 clinical trials

27-Feb-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

Supplements containing the probiotic BLIS K12 ingredient may reduce the reoccurrence of throat infections and tonsillitis by up to 90%, according to data from new clinical trials from Italy.

GoodBelly re-ups with Probi because its probiotic 'just works'

22-Feb-2013 By Hank Schultz

NextFoods, maker of the GoodBelly line of probiotic drinks, and Swedish supplier Probi have extended a supply agreement, the companies announced.

Lallemand hits health claims home run with five Canadian approvals

21-Feb-2013 By Hank Schultz

Probiotics supplier Lallemand has announced a big regulatory win:  Canadian authorities have approved health claims on five of its probiotic formulas. 

‘Mini gut’ technology aims to make probiotic research more efficient and cheaper, says TNO

20-Feb-2013 By Nathan Gray

A new technology that utilises intestinal stem cells to grown mini gut structures in the lab promises to help probiotic researchers achieve efficient and cost effective research, according to TNO.

‘Second generation’ prebiotic shows potential against metabolic syndrome

18-Feb-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

Daily supplements of a novel mixture of prebiotic galacto-oligosaccharides may boost gut health and immune function and help reduce the risk of metabolic syndrome, UK researchers report.