Probiotics, prebiotics & postbiotics

‘Reliable, powerful evidence’: Probiotics NVP-1703 a potential treatment for allergic rhinitis – Four-week RCT

25-Jun-2020 By Tingmin Koe

A probiotics product consisting of two bacteria strains has shown to be a potential “treatment option” for long-term allergic rhinitis (AR), reported the findings of a four-week randomised controlled trial.

Exploratory study shows LGG may help glycemic control in healthy people

24-Jun-2020 By Stephen Daniells

Supplementation with L. rhamnosus GG may help maintain and control HbA1c levels in healthy middle-aged and older adults, says a new study that is reputed to be the first of its kind.

The mouth-gut axis: How poor oral health may worsen gut inflammation

23-Jun-2020 By Danielle Masterson

Is the mouth the gatekeeper of the gut? A new collaborative study suggests IBD may be worsened by poor oral health.

Mice study: Crucial role of intestinal microbes in colorectal cancer

22-Jun-2020 By Nikki Hancocks

A collaborative study has discovered that modulating the microbial landscape in the intestine can prevent the development of cancer

New probiotic approvals: China adds three probiotic strains into new food raw material list

22-Jun-2020 By Tingmin Koe

China has approved three new probiotics strains and the plant oriental penthorum as novel food ingredients.

NEWS IN BRIEF

Galam taps into prebiotic popularity with $20m investment

19-Jun-2020 By Nikki Hancocks

Global nutrition ingredients manufacturer Galam has invested $20m (€17.7m) in the launch of two new fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS) production plants, each with a capacity to manufacture thousands of tons of the increasingly popular gut health benefiting...

Researchers discover gut bacteria linked to lower cholesterol

18-Jun-2020 By Nikki Hancocks

Researchers from the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard and Harvard University have discovered a group of gut bacteria that can metabolise enough cholesterol to potentially affect people's metabolism.

Debiopharm and Takeda enters microbiome agreement to tackle GI disorders

17-Jun-2020 By Will Chu

Debiopharm and Takeda are to embark on a license agreement and research collaboration that looks to develop novel microbiome therapeutics for the treatment of Gastro-Intestinal (GI) disorders.

AGA issues guidelines for probiotics for sick, at-risk populations

12-Jun-2020 By Stephen Daniells

The American Gastroenterological Association has released guidelines for a range of conditions, with strong support for necrotizing enterocolitis in infants and for the prevention of C. difficile infection in adults and children who take antibiotics.

OptiBiotix Health subsidiary inks UK probiotics distribution deal

11-Jun-2020 By Will Chu

ProBiotix Health, a subsidiary of UK microbiome firm OptiBiotix Health announces a distribution deal with Cambridge Commodities (CCL) for its LPLDL ingredient and the dietary supplement CholBiomex3.

Probiotic consolidation: Chr Hansen to acquire UAS Labs for $530 million

10-Jun-2020 By Stephen Daniells

Denmark’s Chr. Hansen Holding A/S has today entered into an agreement with the owners of Wisconsin-based UAS Laboratories LLC to acquire 100% of the B2B probiotics company.

Mediterranean diet effective in IBD as part of multidimensional approach, says study

10-Jun-2020 By Will Chu

Patients with Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) could benefit from following a Mediterranean diet, after a study finds an impact on nutritional state and disease activity.

Non-dairy fermented beverages show promise as probiotic and prebiotic carriers: Review

09-Jun-2020 By Will Chu

Legumes, cereals, pseudocereals, fruits, and vegetables show much promise as transport mediums for probiotics, prebiotics, and bioactive compounds to the gut at concentrations that prove beneficial, says researchers.

Probiotics with 'top-performing' Lactobacillus strains may improve vaginal health

09-Jun-2020 By Nikki Hancocks

Vaginal Lactobacillus bacterial strains largely perform better than strains currently used for vaginal health, according ot a new study from South Africa.

Probiotics developers push boundaries of product categories

04-Jun-2020 By Danielle Masterson

Probiotic supplements are widely promoted as a general way to support gut microbiome and promote health, but what about condition-specific probiotics?

Immunity advice for pharmacists: Blackmores publishes whitepaper on nutrition and supplement guidelines

03-Jun-2020 By Tingmin Koe

Blackmores has published a new whitepaper on nutrition guidelines for strengthening the immune system, preventing and treating respiratory tract infections – designed specifically for pharmacists.

Fermented food-based lactic acid bacteria linked to gut microbiome health

02-Jun-2020 By Will Chu

Fermented foods can be regarded as a possible source of Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB) adding additional probiotic properties to the gut microbiome, according to a team of scientists.

Pharmactive launches carob fruit extract that offers weight management support

28-May-2020 By Danielle Masterson

The manufacturer says its new product, dubbed CSAT+, a blend of carob bean extracts, is showing promise in weight management and metabolic syndrome (MetS).

Probiotics may improve asthma control in infants – China systematic review

27-May-2020 By Tingmin Koe

While probiotic supplementation cannot prevent asthma or wheezing, it may improve lung function and asthma control in infants, according to a new systematic review.

Two studies find oral probiotic effective in blocking plaque

26-May-2020 By Danielle Masterson

Blis Technologies Limited and distributor Stratum Nutrition announced the publication of two recent studies that investigated the effectiveness of BLIS M18 on black teeth staining.

Eagle Genomics and Cargill agree on microbiome research collaboration

26-May-2020 By Will Chu

UK-based microbiome firm Eagle Genomics is to enter into a pact with Cargill as part of a multi-year deal looking to harness artificial intelligence (AI) to the agricultural commodity giant’s microbiome and life sciences R&D.

Gut-brain axis: Kefir's impact on behaviour and mood

26-May-2020 By Nikki Hancocks

Kefir consumption could increase the production of the neurotransmitter GABA which is responsible for many important cognitive functions and helps regulate anxiety, according to new research in mice.

Stress relief benefits of gut microbiome may not extend to fungal components

22-May-2020 By Hank Schultz

The gut brain connection has been a hot topic of research in recent years. A new study suggests the supplementation a fungal ingredient may not confer the same stress relief benefits observed in some research using probiotic bacterial species.

Immunity and holistic wellness: Innovating for the post-pandemic world

21-May-2020 By Nikki Hancocks

Worldwide demand for immunity products is likely to deliver a permanent ‘new norm’ of higher growth for these types of supplements and brands will need to innovate to meet heightened demands, according to the head of global nutraceutical developer SIRIO...

ADM supports clinical trial into effects of probiotic supplements for COVID-19 patients in hospital care

19-May-2020 By Jim Cornall

ADM and Hospital de Sagunto, one of the largest medical centers in the Valencia region of Spain have partnered on a clinical trial into the effects of using a food supplement containing live microbial strains to promote gut microbiome balance and help...

Leading scientists urge UK government to re-examine gut’s role in coronavirus

19-May-2020 By Will Chu

The UK’s most prominent scientists are asking the country’s health secretary Matt Hancock to assess the role of the gut microbiome in coronavirus citing evidence that points to its impact on susceptibility and recovery from the disease.

Commercial prebiotics may ‘talk’ to cells when exhibiting gut benefits, scientists say

15-May-2020 By Will Chu

Commercially available prebiotics have the potential to directly increase intestinal integrity and function, say scientists as they believe these carbohydrates ‘crosstalk’ with cells to encode biological information.

ASA fast tracks clampdown on ads that ‘exploit health-related anxieties during crisis’

13-May-2020 By Will Chu

The UK’s Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) is instructing a probiotics firm and aesthetic clinic to revise claims made on its ads that the watchdog says exploits health related anxieties during the current crisis.

New report looks at opportunities for probiotic ingredients in food service

07-May-2020 By Jim Cornall

Functional ingredients like probiotics can help the food service industry respond to growing consumer focus on wellness, according to a new report from Kerry Group, producers of probiotic brand GanedenBC30.

Probiotic combination boosts amino acid absorption from plant protein: RCT

06-May-2020 By Stephen Daniells

A novel combination of two Lactobacillus paracasei strains may increase absorption of key amino acids in plant proteins, according to a new placebo-controlled, randomized, double-blind, multicenter, crossover study.

Coronavirus: Doctors outline role of immunonutrition

05-May-2020 By Nikki Hancocks

Better use of immunonutrition could benefit vulnerable groups during a pandemic such as COVID-19, according to an article published in BMJ Nutrition, Prevention and Health.

LIVE NUTRAINGREDIENTS WEBINAR SERIES: 26 MAY – 25 JUNE 2020

NutraIngredients global teams to host series of immunity-focused webinars

04-May-2020 By Will Chu

NutraIngredients’ teams worldwide are to host the first ever co-ordinated series of webinars looking at immunity, with a focus on the microbiome, active nutrition, clinical research and botanicals.

Guest Post: Taxonomic changes are 'timely opportunity' to turn probiotic strains into household names

30-Apr-2020 By Nikki Hancocks

Highly anticipated news of taxonomic changes to the genus Lactobacillus this month would have been unlikely to cross the average consumer's radar but the update is a great and surprisingly timely communication opportunity, explains Kristina Campbell,...

Probiotics and immunity: Tips to maximise the online opportunity

29-Apr-2020 By Nikki Hancocks

Probiotic products for immune health are enjoying a surge in online searches – with some brands enjoying a 500% boost, but what can businesses do to turn interest into commercial success? Lumina Intelligence’ online marketing expert reveals her top tips...

Lactobacilli probiotic blend found to reduce Bacterial Vaginosis reoccurrence: Study

29-Apr-2020 By Will Chu

Supplementation of a probiotic blend of Lactobacilli strains appear to reduce the reoccurrence of Bacterial Vaginosis (BV) in women recently treated with antibiotics, according to a team of scientists.

Rethinking risk: Expansion into new markets key to tackle COVID-19 challenges

29-Apr-2020 By Tingmin Koe

Supplement firms need to re-evaluate their attitude towards risk to tap into rising demand and offset some of the challenges brought by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Nouri CEO: ‘I don’t think it’s a bad time to have a new supplement brand, but it has to provide value to consumer’

24-Apr-2020 By Stephen Daniells

2020 may not seem to be a good time for being a year one start-up, but increased consumer interest in supplements and immunity is a rising tide that is raising all boats, says the CEO of Nouri.

‘I’m not sure the current demand is a true reflection of what the market will support,’ says Gemini Pharma CEO

22-Apr-2020 By Stephen Daniells

Skyrocketing consumer interest in dietary supplements is placing increasing demands on a supply chain straining under national and international efforts to contain the novel Coronavirus, but could this be creating artificial demand?

Chr. Hansen strengthens female focused-probiotic interests with HSO purchase

22-Apr-2020 By Will Chu

Chr. Hansen continues its strategy of populating its microbial platform with ‘bolt-on’ acquisitions with the addition of HSO Health Care, a company specialising in probiotics for women’s health.

‘Sixth largest clinical trial’ supports probiotics for digestive health

21-Apr-2020 By Stephen Daniells

Supplementation with select probiotic strains may improve symptoms associated with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and boost quality of life, says a large clinical trial from UAS Labs.

LNC Therapeutics acquires rights to develop Christensenella-based therapy for mood disorders

21-Apr-2020 By Will Chu

French biotech firm LNC Therapeutics is to enter into a licence agreement with the University of Valencia for a patent outlining the Christensenella gut bacteria's role in addressing mood disorders.

Researchers develop new tool to study ancient poop, provides insight into evolution of gut microbiome

20-Apr-2020 By Danielle Masterson

Using shotgun metagenomics applied to archaeological feces, an international team of scientists have unveiled a new method that provides fresh insight into the composition and functions of ancient human and animal gut microbiota.

Editor's Spotlight: Startup Focus

Pandemic positivity: Startup discovers unprecedented opportunities

20-Apr-2020 By Nikki Hancocks

This pandemic and the economic turmoil brought with it can easily be seen as a startup’s worst nightmare, or it can be turned into an unprecedented opportunity.

Lifestyle influences microbiome more than geography: Study

16-Apr-2020 By Danielle Masterson

Researchers found that human contact could play a larger role than geography or even species when it comes to the makeup of the gut microbiome.

Industry-funded study finds probiotic blend efficacy for weight loss

15-Apr-2020 By Will Chu

Supplementation with Lab4P, a probiotic blend of lactobacilli and bifidobacteria for at least six months, appears to contribute to a significant reduction in weight, according to UK-based scientists.

Age and individual factors for prebiotic influence on breastmilk microbiota, study finds

15-Apr-2020 By Will Chu

Using prebiotics to manipulate the microbiota of breastmilk is possible, says researchers, who also find that the mother’s age can influence this response with these changes varying for each individual.

CORONAVIRUS: SPOTLIGHT ON THE SUPPLY CHAIN

Probiotics players express solid supply expectations amid surging sales

13-Apr-2020 By Stephen Daniells

As demand for dietary supplements continues to surge, immune products, including probiotics, are among the most in-demand. We spoke to some leading probiotic players to find out how supply is being impacted by the novel coronavirus and what the next 3-6...

Thousands sign petition demanding Holland & Barrett store closures

08-Apr-2020 By Nikki Hancocks

Holland & Barrett staff have set up a petition, signed by thousands of staff and customers, begging the company to close its stores during the coronavirus pandemic as they argue their lives and the lives of customers are being put at risk.

CRN UK highlights why essential nutrients have never been more essential

02-Apr-2020 By Will Chu

The ongoing threat of coronavirus could increase the potential for deficiencies in key micronutrients supporting the immune system, according to The Council for Responsible Nutrition UK (CRN UK).

Probiotics stakeholders fire back at JAMA article calling for drug regulations for bugs

01-Apr-2020 By Stephen Daniells

Industry experts have slammed statements made in a recent JAMA Viewpoint that called for probiotics to be regulated to the same standard as drugs, and decried the “paucity of high-quality data supporting the value of probiotics”.