Probiotics, prebiotics & postbiotics

Disptaches from Microbiota 2011

IPA co-founder: EU probiotic approach is “dirty pool”

23-Dec-2011 By Shane Starling

Jarrow Rogovin, never a man to mince his words, says it is high time the IPA and other trade groups stepped up to the plate to defend a sector that has been under regulatory siege on both sides of the Atlantic for several years.

Gut microbe diversity is key in fight against allergies, study suggests

20-Dec-2011 By Nathan Gray

Children with a diverse variety of bacteria in their gut may have better protection against allergies, according to new research.

Schiff Nutrition boss: BOGOs don’t build brands

16-Dec-2011 By Elaine Watson

While BOGO (buy one get one at a discount) offers have their uses, an over reliance on them is not in anyone’s best interests, according to the boss of supplement maker Schiff Nutrition.

Probiotics may boost immune health markers for smokers: Study

12-Dec-2011 By Stephen Daniells

Daily supplements of the probiotic Lactobacillus casei Shirota strain may boost activity of key immune cells in smokers, says a new study.

NDI draft guidance comments

IPA: We do not see NDI draft guidance as 'death sentence' for probiotics industry

09-Dec-2011 By Elaine Watson

The only probiotics that should be subject to new dietary ingredient (NDI) notifications should be “new probiotics derived from GM engineering which have little to no history of safe use”, according to the International Probiotics Association (IPA).

Calcium chews, omega-3 gummies and sports beans. Which new delivery formats have legs? Part I

09-Dec-2011 By Elaine Watson

While consumers are constantly urged to boost their omega-3 intakes, not everyone wants to tuck into a plate of oily fish twice a week to get the benefits.

NDI Draft Guidance Comments

UNPA: NDI draft guidance is ‘needlessly burdensome’ & does not advance overall safety of dietary supplements

06-Dec-2011 By Stephen Daniells

The new dietary ingredient (NDI) draft guidance, as it stands, will not help achieve the objective of full and efficient implementation and enforcement of DSHEA, says the United Natural Products Alliance (UNPA), as it adds its voice to calls for FDA to...

NDI draft guidance comments

FDA history of safe use definition is ‘arbitrary and unfounded’, says pre/probiotics group

06-Dec-2011 By Elaine Watson

The International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP) has urged the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to rethink its approach to live microbial dietary ingredients.

Probiotic ice cream shows oral health potential: Study

01-Dec-2011 By Stephen Daniells

Eating ice cream containing probiotic strains may reduce levels of the bacteria in the mouth responsible for tooth decay, says a new study from India.

Probiotics again show oral health potential

28-Nov-2011 By Stephen Daniells

At least seven strains of lactic acid bacteria show potential oral health benefits, according to Spanish researchers.

Ganeden Biotech strikes global probiotics deal with Unistraw

18-Nov-2011 By Elaine Watson

Ganeden Biotech - the Ohio-based firm behind ultra-resilient probiotic strain BC30- has struck a deal with Unistraw International that will see BC30 incorporated into Unistraw’s probiotic straw concept on a global basis.

US consumers drink 122,000 bottles of Yakult a day

14-Nov-2011 By Elaine Watson

US consumers drink 122,000 bottles of probiotic drink Yakult a day based on an average of bottles sold in the period January to September 2011.

Calcium may enhance probiotic survival in the gut, cut cholesterol levels

28-Oct-2011 By Stephen Daniells

Combining calcium phosphate supplements with probiotic Lactobacillus paracasei may enhance the colonization of the probiotic in the gut, and boost reductions in LDL cholesterol levels, says a new study with humans.

Probiotics may influence carbohydrate metabolism: ‘Elegant’ study

27-Oct-2011 By Stephen Daniells

Probiotic bacteria consumed in a yogurt may not change the host’s gut populations, but they do influence carbohydrate metabolism by the resident microbes, according to an ‘elegant’ new study using identical twins and germ-free mice.

Researchers isolate iron as probiotic blocker during active IBD

20-Oct-2011 By Shane Starling

Certain probiotic strains underperform in the presence of iron-rich environments created during the active phase of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), UK researchers have found.

Stratum rolls out kiwifruit ingredient to boost regularity

07-Oct-2011 By Stephen Daniells

Stratum Nutrition is launching a new whole kiwifruit ingredient to boost digestive regularity and gut health.

Nutraceutix builds IP with US patent for probiotic delivery system

07-Oct-2011 By Stephen Daniells

The US Patent and Trademark Office has awarded Washington State-based Nutraceutix a patent for its probiotic delivery system, adding to four international patents for the BIO-tract delivery system.

Buckwheat sugar shows anti-diabetic and potential prebiotic activity

04-Oct-2011 By Stephen Daniells

A sugar extracted from buckwheat called D-fagomine may help maintain healthy blood sugar levels and displays potential prebiotic activity at small doses, according to new research.

Chr Hansen eyes first EFSA probiotic approval with uber-“pharma-style” immune study

04-Oct-2011 By Shane Starling

Chr Hansen has commissioned a 1000-person+ trial seeking to demonstrate the immunity benefits of one of its flagship strains, Lactobacillus casei, as the leading Danish probiotics supplier continues to fight for Europe’s first approved probiotic health...

Yakult USA volumes ratchet up as it prepares to open first US plant

30-Sep-2011 By Elaine Watson

Japanese probiotic pioneer Yakult is now selling more than 118,000 bottles of its signature probiotic drink a day in the US (based on average sales Jan-June 2011) compared with 110,000 in mid-2010 and 90,000 in 2009.

Novel ‘raffinose-derived’ oligosaccharides show prebiotic promise

27-Sep-2011 By Shane Starling

Forms of oligosaccharides derived from some vegetables, grains like lupine, cottonseed and soy whey could have commercial applications following an in vitro study that demonstrated prebiotic gut health benefits.

Review backs prebiotics for prevention of gut infections

23-Sep-2011 By Nathan Gray

Despite the recent regulatory challenges in Europe, prebiotics can be predicted to continue their success as functional foods, according to a new review.

Nutrient powerhouse baobab attracts cereals big gun

21-Sep-2011 By Elaine Watson

Baobab – the African superfruit packing an unparalleled nutritional punch – is being tested by a major player in the cereals sector and is set to feature in a clutch of new launches later this year from granola to chocolate covered fruit snacks.

Health Canada publishes probiotics monograph

19-Sep-2011 By Stephen Daniells

Health Canada has released a monograph for probiotics to guide industry for preparing Product Licence Applications (PLAs) and market authorization of labels for natural health products.

Antioxidant vitamins may boost/hinder probiotic formulations

19-Sep-2011 By Stephen Daniells

The inclusion of antioxidant vitamins in probiotic encapsulant formulations may have beneficial or detrimental effects on the bacterial strains used, depending on the vitamin used, says a new study.

Soluble fiber may help shed 1.5kg in 12 weeks: Roquette study

16-Sep-2011 By Stephen Daniells

Daily consumption of soluble fiber may boost feelings of fullness and lead to measurable reductions in body weight, says a new study from Roquette using its Nutriose ingredient.

Jarrow Formulas challenges FDA on NDIs with 128-item Freedom of Information request

16-Sep-2011 By Stephen Daniells

California-based Jarrow Formulas has submitted a 128-item Freedom of Information Request to the US FDA with questions it deems ‘vital’ to any comments it seeks to file in response to the New Dietary Ingredient (NDI) draft guidance.

Immunity and hypertension ingredients sector set for 45% growth: Frost

14-Sep-2011

Market analyst Frost & Sullivan has fingered immunity and hypertension as two promising nutrient areas, with events such as the recent Swine flu crisis feeding consumer interest in nutritional solutions to health issues.

Study supports safety of BLIS K12 probiotic strain

13-Sep-2011

The probiotic strain Streptococcus salivarius K12 (BLIS K12) is well-tolerated and shows no adverse events even when consumed at levels 10-fold the usual recommended daily intake, says a new study.

Probiotic intake linked to fewer birth complications

13-Sep-2011 By Stephen Daniells

Regular consumption of dairy-based probiotic formulations are associated with a 20% reduction in the risk of pre-eclampsia, suggests new data from the Norwegian Institute of Public Health.

Probiotics again show immune boosting activity: Study

08-Sep-2011 By Stephen Daniells

Daily supplementation with beneficial bacterial strains may boost measures of immune function by about 50%, say new findings from Chr. Hansen.

Biopolymer protection may be boost to probiotic industry

06-Sep-2011 By Nathan Gray

A new biopolymer technology that protects probiotic bacteria during transit through the body could provide a major boost for the industry, according to new research.

You are what you eat: Gut bacteria enterotypes linked to diet

02-Sep-2011 By Nathan Gray

The type of food you eat may help to determine the type of bacterial population – or enterotypes – in your gut, according to a new study.

The digestive tract starts with the lips, says oral probiotics pioneer

02-Sep-2011 By Elaine Watson

The market for oral probiotics has enormous potential if consumers and food and supplement manufacturers can get their heads around the fact that the digestive tract “starts at the lips”, according to one leading player in the field.

Probiotic video game in the works

31-Aug-2011 By Shane Starling

The makers of the Microwarriors probiotic and prebiotic documentary that has been raising probiotic awareness since its release at the beginning of the year, are working on a video game set for launch next year.

Probiotics may reduce anxiety and depression, suggests study

30-Aug-2011 By Nathan Gray

Probiotic bacteria may have the potential to alter brain neurochemistry, affecting anxiety and depression-related disorders, says new research.

Beneo gets approval for oligofructose in India

08-Aug-2011 By Ankush Chibber

The Beneo-Institute (Gmbh) has said that its prebiotic fibre, oligofructose, has been approved for use for more products in India, having previously approved for use in bakery items.

Probiotics maker: There is a temptation to overstate the benefits

08-Aug-2011 By Elaine Watson

Regulatory uncertainty in Europe and a string of high-profile lawsuits in the US has made firms much more cautious about making health claims about probiotics, according to one California-based supplier.

Survey shows sharp rise in awareness of pre- and probiotics

08-Aug-2011 By Elaine Watson

Consumer awareness of the benefits of prebiotic fibers and probiotics for digestive health has risen steadily in the US over the past five years, according to a new survey into functional foods.

Agro-waste could provide nano-fibres for probiotics encapsulation

01-Aug-2011 By Nathan Gray

Waste fibres from the agricultural and food processing industry could be used for the nano-encapsulation of bioactives such as probiotics, according to new research.

Biotech firm launches mission to commercialize novel prebiotics

27-Jul-2011 By Elaine Watson

A New Orleans-based biotech firm on a mission to commercialize “novel evidence-based prebiotic products” is aiming to bring its first products to market next year.

Schiff Nutrition to step away from ‘crazy’ private label contracts

22-Jul-2011 By Elaine Watson

Schiff Nutrition will continue to play in the private label supplements market but will “step away” from “crazy” tenders and pump all available funds into its brands from MegaRed krill oil to Sustenex probiotics, bosses have revealed.

Novel oat beta-glucan attracts big guns in US food market

20-Jul-2011 By Elaine Watson

Some of the biggest names in the US food and drink industry are experimenting with samples of a heart- and gut-friendly oat beta glucan soluble fiber that could also help them slash fat levels and clean up product labels.

Special edition: Diabetes

Diabetes: From ancient Egypt to modern pandemic

18-Jul-2011 By Stephen Daniells

It has been called a pandemic and a silent killer: Diabetes is a growing specter for public health agencies across the world. In the first part of our special series on diabetes, NutraIngredients examines the underlying condition and gets a grip on how...

Unique probiotic strains trigger very different immune responses: Researchers

18-Jul-2011 By Shane Starling

The ability of probiotics to influence the immune system differs greatly, depending on the strain, Dutch and Belgian researcher have said in findings that could influence clinical trial design.

Dead or alive: Benefits of probiotics need live organisms

12-Jul-2011 By Stephen Daniells

The potential beneficial effects of select bacterial strains are dependent on the organisms being alive, says a new study that supports the WHO definition of probiotics as being ‘live microorganisms’.

Food for thought? Probiotics could promote well being, suggests researcher

06-Jul-2011 By Nathan Gray

Relying on your gut to make decisions may have a lot of truth to it, as research suggests that probiotic modification of the gut may influence the brain and affect mood.

Gut feeling: New study proposes probiotic mechanism for IBD benefits

05-Jul-2011 By Stephen Daniells

A protein on the surface of specific probiotic bacteria may promote anti-inflammatory responses in the gut and explain the potential role of select probiotics to ease symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), says a new study.

Prebiotics may restore metabolic alterations linked to omega-3 poor diets: Study

01-Jul-2011 By Stephen Daniells

Adding prebiotic fibers to the diet may go some way to restoring the metabolic alterations associated with insufficient intakes of omega-3, suggest new findings from a study with mice.

‘Level 1’ evidence that probiotics boost ‘transit time’: Danisco & Fonterra

22-Jun-2011 By Stephen Daniells

Daily probiotic supplements may accelerate transit time and boost general gut health, says a new study from Danisco and Fonterra heralded as providing ‘Level I evidence’.