Probiotics, prebiotics & postbiotics

WATCH - Danone Nutricia: 'Some stakeholders don't appreciate highly regulated formula industry'

19-Nov-2018 By Will Chu

Danone Nutricia says it is committed to a new Code of Practice encouraging responsible infant formula marketing and transparency in what is already a highly regulated industry, in which it believes ‘is not appreciated by some stakeholders’.

Deerland Enzymes’ probiotic supplement may reduce inflammation in athletes

16-Nov-2018 By Will Chu

Probiotic supplementation appears to enhance immunity and recovery in athletes after a period of intense physical activity by reducing compound levels that are play a role in inflammation.

SPECIAL EDITION - HiE EUROPE PREVIEW

Probiotics for sports nutrition in its ‘early days’ but only a matter of time, say ESSNA

12-Nov-2018 By Will Chu

Probiotic use amongst athletes is not quite a 'must have' but a small and growing number are using them for immunity, digestion and their potential effects on health and body composition.

Immigration impacts gut health as team links microbiome changes to obesity

09-Nov-2018 By Will Chu

Immigrants and refugees moving from Southeast Asia to the US demonstrate a ‘westernisation’ of their gut microbiota, a study finds, that could provide insight into metabolic health issues affecting newcomers.

Special Edition: Pre- and Probiotics

Focus on functional sports benefits seen as growing opportunity within microbiome research

07-Nov-2018 By Hank Schultz

Research in the effects of exercise on the microbiome has boosted not just a recent startup, but will fuel a growing category within the wider field of probiotics, an expert says.

When marketing probiotics, do consumers care about delivery technology?

07-Nov-2018 By Adi Menayang

When marketing probiotics, delivery system technology is still mostly a B2B tool, according to data from Lumina Intelligence. But as consumers scrutinize efficacy more, it may become an important marketing tool.

Probiota Asia 2018

WATCH — 'A daunting task': IPA chief on the challenges of commercialising a global probiotic product

06-Nov-2018 By Gary Scattergood

Companies seeking to commercialise a probiotic product across the globe face a 'daunting task', which is why trade association the International Probitics Association (IPA) is vowing not to let up in its efforts to achieve a more consistent...

The gut a ‘starting point’ for Parkinson’s disease, study suggests

01-Nov-2018 By Will Chu

Parkinson’s disease (PD) ‘starts in the gut’ says an expert, who spoke of a study that identifies the gut-brain axis and change in microbiome environment as playing key roles in disease onset and progression.

20 things we learned at the 2018 IPA DC Workshop

31-Oct-2018 By Stephen Daniells

The Nagoya Protocol, the big changes coming for Lactobacillus classification, and how to boost your chances of success with an NDI notification were just some of the topic covered during the third annual IPA Workshop in DC.

DuPont identifies ingredient efficacy as driver for elderly purchases

31-Oct-2018 By Will Chu

The prime purchasing decision of fortified and nutritional products amongst the elderly remains the efficacy of the active ingredients contained within the product, according to a survey carried out by DuPont Nutrition & Health.

Infant’s first 2.5 years crucial in healthy gut bacteria development, study reaffirms

30-Oct-2018 By Will Chu

UK researchers appear to have confirmed the importance of the first years of a child's life as a prime window of opportunity for gut development and optimal health in later life.

MYNEWGUT PROJECT FINAL CONFERENCE, BRUSSELS

WATCH: ‘Strain choice, dose & role are the main probiotic R&D issues'

29-Oct-2018 By Will Chu

The translation of microbiome science into commercially viable applications remains an ongoing challenge that needs addressing before consumers are able to reap the mental and physical health benefits.

Probiota Asia 2018

Replace probiotics regulatory complexity with consistency and clarity: IPA

26-Oct-2018 By Tingmin Koe

The International Probiotics Association (IPA) has urged the industry to support its efforts to bring consistency to the global regulatory landscape, so that the rules can keep pace with technology and scientific advancement.

Probiota Asia

WATCH — Blackmores innovation chief hits out at 'health-washing' as firm ramps up probiotic efforts

24-Oct-2018 By Gary Scattergood

'Health-washing' products with a sprinkling of probiotics risks drawing the sector into disrepute, and could threaten the concerted growth the industry is currently enjoying, claims Blackmores' director of product innovation.

Dairy fat consumption linked to lower diabetes risk: Meta-analysis

19-Oct-2018 By Nathan Gray

High levels of markers of dairy fat consumption may be linked to a lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes, a new analysis of more than 16 previous studies suggests.

Probiota Asia 2018

'Data is power': Danone Nutricia lauds the importance of machine learning to provide precision nutrition

19-Oct-2018 By Pearly Neo

The importance of digital technology and machine learning as a means to provide precise, tailored nutrition took centre-stage at Probiota Asia 2018, as Danone revealed some of the pioneering research it is undertaking in Singapore.

Cultivate probiotic knowledge to boost consumer uptake, Lumina report advises

18-Oct-2018 By Will Chu

Firms looking to capitalise on probiotic interest should look to documentaries and the power of social media as channels to educate the consumer of the benefits live bacteria and yeasts’ give to the digestive system.

Researchers reaffirm the enduring relationship between gut and exercise

17-Oct-2018 By Will Chu

The link between gut bacteria and exercise continues to be an area of extreme interest with Finnish researchers publishing results that show the positive influence of endurance training on gut microbiota composition.

Danone study outlines possible mechanisms behind gut-brain axis in infants

16-Oct-2018 By Cheryl Tay

The mechanisms behind the gut-brain axis in infants should be further explored and better understood, so possible nutritional interventions can be explored to support healthy brain development, according to a Danone-led study.

Probiotics: CRN VP says increased scrutiny is 'not unexpected'; CFU issue needs to be resolved to satisfy scientists, consumers

09-Oct-2018 By Stephen Daniells

Probiotics are a hot category and consumer interest is intense. Therefore, it is unsurprising that the beneficial microorganisms are receiving increased scrutiny from the media and industry critics, says Andrea Wong, PhD, vice president, scientific &...

Consumer health and wellbeing targets reach new heights

08-Oct-2018 By Nikki Cutler

Consumers will treat their bodies like ecosystems and increase their health and wellbeing targets in 2019 and beyond, Mintel has revealed.

Probiotic strain may alleviate eye health problems caused by blue light exposure: Japanese study

08-Oct-2018 By Cheryl Tay

A particular probiotic strain, Lactobacillus paracasei KW3110, might alleviate eye fatigue symptoms caused by exposure to blue light from visual display terminals (VDTs), say researchers in Japan.

From kimchi to torshi, could naturally fermented food be the next big thing in healthy snacking?

04-Oct-2018 By Niamh Michail

Tickles’ Pickles makes naturally fermented Korean kimchi and Persian torshi that are packed with healthy vegetables and live cultures. “Naturally fermented pickles are great snacking food,” says its founder.

Optibiotix launches probiotic supplement range aimed at cholesterol management

02-Oct-2018 By Will Chu

UK microbiome company Optibiotix has launched a range of supplements formulated to reduce and manage cholesterol as well as promote cardiovascular health and wellness.

Join Blackmores, Danone, Herbalife, Life-Space and more at Probiota Asia: Two weeks to go!

02-Oct-2018 By Gary Scattergood

There are just two weeks to go until the region’s leading probiotic and microbiome event, Probiota Asia, gets underway in Singapore, with a stellar line-up of speakers from the likes of Blackmores, Danone, Herbalife and Life-Space set to take to the stage.

Not to be sniffed at: DuPont study links nasal microbiota to common cold

28-Sep-2018 By Will Chu

The nasal microbiota could form the starting point for addressing the symptoms of the common cold, according to a collaborative clinical study involving DuPont Nutrition & Health.

NEWS IN BRIEF

Bifodan expand lab facilities in anticipation of probiotic service expansion

27-Sep-2018 By Will Chu

Bifodan has expanded its microbiology laboratory facilities increasing production capacity with a view to including fermentation capabilities and bulk powder manufacturing as part of the firm’s future offerings.

IPA defends probiotic efficacy & safety after questions by Pieter Cohen in JAMA journal

25-Sep-2018 By Stephen Daniells

Supplement critic Dr Pieter Cohen has trained his sights on probiotics for a new opinion paper, stating that the sector has spun hundreds of small studies favorably and also practices creative advertising.

Probiotic strain shows anti-stress and anxiety benefits in RCT

20-Sep-2018 By Stephen Daniells

Daily supplements of the probiotic Lactobacillus plantarum P8 may alleviate stress and anxiety in stressed adults, says a new randomized, double-blind and placebo-controlled study with over 100 participants.

Multi-strain probiotic supplementation may improve cardiometabolic measures in diabetics

19-Sep-2018 By Stephen Daniells

A combination of eight probiotic strains may help improve measures of cardiometabolic health including insulin resistance, blood sugar levels, and cholesterol levels, says a new study.

Aspen sells nutritional business to Lactalis

13-Sep-2018 By Jim Cornall

Aspen Pharmacare Holdings Limited, a global pharmaceutical company based in South Africa, has announced today, in conjunction with the announcement of its annual results for the year ended June 30, 2018, that it has concluded an agreement to divest of...

Lumina Intelligence lights the way for business brand innovation

11-Sep-2018 By Peter Courtney-Fitch

Natural health and nutrition as consumer markets have long been a minefield of legislation, formulation and indeed trepidation.

New line of practitioner supplements billed as 'multivitamin' among probiotics

10-Sep-2018 By Hank Schultz

Practitioner channel specialist Designs for Health has bet on a high CFU count and branded, proprietary strains to create a line of probiotic supplements that it says has garnered the confidence of health care providers.

SPORTS NUTRITION CONGRESS 2018 PREVIEW

Meet the Trailblazers: Hiddit’s focus extends to a personalised approach for triathletes

10-Sep-2018 By Will Chu

How I did it—or ‘Hiddit’—is the Belgian startup that counts double Ironman world champion Luc Van Lierde on board a venture that has a triathlete’s nutritional needs in mind, both in formulation and ease of use.

EDITOR'S SPOTLIGHT: THE MICROBIOME

NIZO microbiome expert: We must reach 'mechanistic understanding' in nutrition-related gut health

10-Sep-2018 By Kacey Culliney

Gut microbiome research is fast-advancing with plenty of insight into colon activity but there still isn't true mechanistic understanding on its link with nutrition, says group leader of microbiomics at NIZO.

From the Editor's Desk

No BBC, probiotics are not 'quite useless'

07-Sep-2018 By Stephen Daniells

A new BBC article dismisses the benefits of probiotics because a study failed to find colonization. It is a serious mistake to confuse colonization with efficacy and we need to get this message across to consumers.

Probiotics and CFUs: FDA issues draft guidance on how to label supplements containing live microbials

06-Sep-2018 By Stephen Daniells

The US Food and Drug Administration today issued a draft guidance on labeling of live microbial ingredients (probiotics) as colony forming units (CFUs) in addition to weight, as is currently specified in the regulations.

Probiotic strain shows body weight benefits for pre-obese adults: RCT

05-Sep-2018 By Stephen Daniells

Dietary supplementation with the probiotic strain Bifidobacterium breve B-3 may help reduce body fat levels in healthy pre-obese adults, according to a new study from Japan’s Morinaga Milk Industry Co., Ltd.

Delivery systems a 'determining factor' in probiotic success, suggests Lumina Intelligence

04-Sep-2018 By Will Chu

Delivery systems for probiotic supplements will determine probiotic storage, release time and viability through the body, according to recent research with these systems' ability largely determining product success.

Revenue rockets at Swisse parent firm Health and Happiness as probiotics perform well

04-Sep-2018 By Tingmin Koe

Health and Happiness (H&H) achieved a revenue of RMB4573.6m (about US$669m) in the first half of 2018, which is 28.8% higher than the same period last year.

Digestive health: Rowdy Prebiotic Foods introduces new energy bar sweetened with yacón root

31-Aug-2018 By Douglas Yu

Rowdy Prebiotic Foods has added a third flavor, Sunflower Butter N’ Berries, to its energy bar line.

UAS Labs licenses BNR17 probiotic strain for weight management

27-Aug-2018 By Stephen Daniells

Wisconsin-based UAS Labs has announced a licensing agreement with South Korea’s AceBiome, which includes the manufacturing and commercialization of patented probiotic, Lactobacillus gasseri BNR17.

Oral microbiome disparity linked to pneumonia amongst elderly: Study

23-Aug-2018 By Will Chu

A microbial imbalance in the mouth as a result of poor oral hygiene could affect respiratory health in the elderly, according to a study looking at the behaviour of microbiota in this population.

Mushrooms may exert prebiotic, diabetic risk-lowering effect, suggests study

22-Aug-2018 By Will Chu

An 85 gram (g) serving of white mushrooms may be enough to trigger a prebiotic, gut health-boosting action that could lower the risk of Type 2 diabetes, according to a Pennsylvania State University study.

SPORTS NUTRITION CONGRESS 2018: PREVIEW

Microbiome and sport: Interplay between diet, exercise and gut heralds in personalised paradigm

21-Aug-2018 By Will Chu

‘Prescribed exercise’ is a distinct possibility in the future as consumers look to improve gut and overall health as part of the gradual shift towards a holistic personalised nutrition approach.

Survival of the fittest: Gut colonisation study could lead to gene-targeting probiotics

17-Aug-2018 By Will Chu

New probiotic products targeting individual genes for gut microbial diversity could be on the horizon after researchers outline a data-based approach that identifies the growth of beneficial microbes.

EDITOR'S SPOTLIGHT

Nutritional psychiatry: Accessing the gut to address the brain

17-Aug-2018 By Will Chu

As evidence mounts for the existence of the gut-brain axis, nutritional psychiatry has emerged as a promising research field within the food and nutrition community.

ADM completes deal to buy Probiotics International Limited

16-Aug-2018 By Nathan Gray

US-based Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) has completed its acquisition of UK-based Probiotics International Limited - known under its umbrella brand Protexin.

Daily cricket consumption may alter gut microbiota, clinical trial suggests

15-Aug-2018 By Mary Ellen Shoup

Consuming 25 grams of cricket powder per day may alter specific populations of beneficial gut bacteria, a double-blind, randomized crossover trial conducted at Colorado State University indicated.

IPA, other experts roundly reject conclusions of 'brain fog' paper

13-Aug-2018 By Hank Schultz

An observational study that purported to show a link between 'brain fogginess' and probiotics use has so many problems with it that the International Probiotics Association has concluded this is a case where "the peer review process has...