Probiotics, prebiotics & postbiotics

DuPont add Estonia’s TFTAK to its swelling Microbiome Venture ranks

16-Mar-2018 By Will Chu

DuPont Nutrition and Health can now count on help from Estonia’s Center of Food and Fermentation Technologies (TFTAK) as its Microbiome Venture welcomes its second probiotic research partnership.

My big fat Greek functional food – probiotic feta could become a big cheese

15-Mar-2018 By Tim Cutcliffe

Certain probiotic strains could be a perfect fit for Greek feta cheese, say researchers who suggest 'functional feta' could meet growing demand for healthy foods.

Could early life synbiotics help protect against obesity later in life?

13-Mar-2018 By Tim Cutcliffe

A combination of pro- and prebiotics (synbiotics) protected mice against the obesity-inducing effects of a Western diet, new research shows.

Probiotics 2.0: Are postbiotics a contender to better address skin and gut health?

13-Mar-2018 By Will Chu

Postbiotics—the metabolites and/or cell-wall components released by probiotics—have been touted to play a more active, upgraded role, surpassing probiotics as a way to enhance functional food.

Study links decline of 'good' bacteria in infants to higher long-term increases in pH of poo

12-Mar-2018 By Tim Cutcliffe

Historical changes in the pH level of infant faeces may be the result of lower levels of the beneficial bacteria Bifidobacterium, say researchers.

Gut bacteria has big impact on diet-related changes to blood pressure

08-Mar-2018 By Will Chu

Our gut microbiome environment could impact the effectiveness of dietary changes on blood pressure, say researchers who believe new approaches to reducing blood pressure should consider a person’s microbiological background.

Microbiome make-up linked to risk of leaky gut in people with psoriasis

08-Mar-2018 By Tim Cutcliffe

One particular pattern of microbiome composition appears to be closely linked to gut permeability in people with psoriasis, research suggests.

Chicory root dietary fiber improved bowel regularity in Beneo-backed study

07-Mar-2018 By Adi Menayang

Daily supplementation of 15 g of oligofructose—a dietary fiber found in chicory roots—significantly increased stool frequency per week, according to a recent study conducted by researchers from the University of Memphis.

Probiotic fruits: The future of healthy snacking?

05-Mar-2018 By Tim Cutcliffe

The possibility of incorporating the health benefits of probiotics into fortified fruit snacks could be a reality thanks to researchers in Brazil.

Probiotics and fish oil during pregnancy could cut children’s allergy risk

02-Mar-2018 By Tim Cutcliffe

Allergy and eczema risk in infants and toddlers may be reduced if mothers take probiotics and fish oil supplements during pregnancy, suggest researchers.

Prebiotic blend may offer respiratory protection in infants: Study

01-Mar-2018 By Will Chu

The early administration of a prebiotic formula blend appears to offer some protection against respiratory infections (RI) in infants, as well as promote good gut microbiota health, an Italian study finds.

Potato-derived prebiotic shows insulin resistance benefits in study

28-Feb-2018 By Hank Schultz

A recent study conducted in Canada demonstrated that a potato-derived resistant starch showed positive results in lowering insulin resistance in elderly subjects.

DISPATCHES FROM IPA WORLD CONGRESS + PROBIOTA 2018

Probiotic predictions: Gut trial style sets the tone for NPD

23-Feb-2018 By Will Chu

Ger Rijkers’ snapshot of how probiotics research is shaping up across the world is perhaps a glimpse into future scientific discoveries as well as product development opportunities they could give rise to.

DISPATCHES FROM IPA WORLD CONGRESS + PROBIOTA 2018

Personalisation or lifestyle aid? Probiotics flexes its versatility

23-Feb-2018 By Will Chu

The idea that probiotics could be tailored to address specific disorders or conditions is an idea that taps into the personalised nutrition and gut health themes resonating with the audience at Probiota.

Asthma-prone infants aided by gut-boosting probiotic: Study

20-Feb-2018 By Will Chu

Infant supplementation using the probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (HRLGG) is potent enough to shape the gut microbiota temporarily, reducing the risk of asthma in children, US researchers show.

Prebiotics in formula milk may boost learning and memory, suggests animal study

19-Feb-2018 By Tim Cutcliffe

Supplementing formula milk supplemented with prebiotics might provide a means of improving brain development in infants, according to a recent study in Nutritional Neuroscience.

Botanical barrier adds to ‘unhelpful’ regulatory arena, say one in three

19-Feb-2018 By Will Chu

The difficulty in getting a probiotic health claim approved and the botanical stand-off may explain why one in three industry professionals find the current EU framework unhelpful and difficult to navigate.

Beta-glucan supplement may help leaky gut syndrome: study

16-Feb-2018 By Tim Cutcliffe

A prebiotic dietary fibre containing beta-glucan has shown promise in reducing gut permeability, reveals a recent study in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases

Faecal transplantation model predicts which bacteria will colonise gut of donor: study

15-Feb-2018 By Tim Cutcliffe

The development of a complex model, which tracks types of bacteria, may help predict the success of faecal microbiota transplants (FMT) in patients suggests a new study in Cell Host and Microbe.

Probi’s iron absorption claim dismissed by the European Commission

14-Feb-2018 By Will Chu

The European Commission has declined Probi’s claim that its probiotic Lactobacillus plantarum 299v can increase non-haem iron absorption.

Health Canada approves IBS claims for Lallemand probiotic B. LAFTI B94

07-Feb-2018 By Adi Menayang

A probiotic strain marketed by Lallemand Health Solutions has been granted new health claims related to Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) by Canadian health authority Health Canada.

Probiotic may help beat the common cold, suggests study

07-Feb-2018 By Tim Cutcliffe

A proprietary mixture of two probiotic strains developed by Swedish company Probi AB may help people catch fewer winter colds. Details of the study will be revealed in a webinar on March 1st.

Manipulating gut with probiotics helps restore cognitive function in mice on high-fat diet: Thai study

06-Feb-2018 By Cheryl Tay

The consumption of probiotics, prebiotics and synbiotics can improve cognitive function in obese and insulin-resistant individuals by manipulating the gut, say researchers in Thailand.

Evolve BioSystems and KCL in infant gut health collaboration

05-Feb-2018 By Will Chu

In the latest pairing between industry and academia, Evolve BioSystems and Kings College London collaborate in their efforts to improve gut health in Caesarean-section delivered infants.

Is OptiBiotix’s prebiotic fibre a contender to topple sugar’s standing?

01-Feb-2018 By Will Chu

The development of a viable low calorie prebiotic sweetener that disrupts the industry’s use of sugar took another step forward after OptiBiotix Health revealed details of its latest taste study.

China supplement giant BY-HEALTH to buy Australian probiotic firm Life-Space Group for $690m

31-Jan-2018 By Gary Scattergood

Yet another Australian supplement brand is set for a Chinese takeover, with BY-HEALTH agreeing to pay $690m for probiotic firm Life-Space Group.

Vitafoods survey shows digestive health is top concern for industry – for the first time

Gut feelings: Digestive health is top of the agenda for nutraceutical industry

30-Jan-2018 By Nathan Gray

An increasing consumer interest in probiotics and the microbiome could be one reason why digestive health has hit the top of the nutraceutical and functional food industry agenda for the first time, say experts.

Durian-based probiotic products on the cards after researchers reveal ideal combination

26-Jan-2018 By Cheryl Tay

The sequential inoculation of a certain type of yeast in durian pulp fermentation could lead to the development of a new non-dairy durian-based probiotic beverage, say researchers in Singapore and China.

Register now for global congress in Barcelona on Feb 7-9

Last chance: Two weeks to go until IPA World Congress + Probiota 2018

24-Jan-2018 By .

There are just two weeks remaining until hundreds of top academics and business leaders from the ever-more connected worlds of probiotics, prebiotics and the microbiome come together at the IPA World Congress + Probiota 2018 in Barcelona. Will you be...

BioGaia’s probiotic just the tonic for infant colic, studies claim

22-Jan-2018 By Will Chu

Biogaia are in the news again with two studies that point to the Swedish firm’s Lactobacillus reuteri Protectis probiotic that appear to show promise for managing colic in breastfed infants.

PEEK INSIDE: IPAWC + PROBIOTA 2018, BARCELONA 7-9 FEBRUARY

The microbiome in mind: Probiotic futures point to gut-brain axis leading the way

18-Jan-2018 By Will Chu

The gut-brain axis holds great promise for a future in which probiotics could be capable of slowing down the progression of neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson's and Alzheimer's, says Dr Ger Rijkers ahead of his appearance at the IPA World...

Probiotics in pregnancy could protect against against childhood obesity

17-Jan-2018 By Tim Cutcliffe

Intake of probiotics during pregnancy and breast feeding has been shown to modify genes related to obesity in both themselves and their infants, say researchers.

New NZ study to explore impact of Fonterra's probiotic strain on pre-diabetics

17-Jan-2018 By Cheryl Tay

A new study is aiming to find out if Fonterra's probiotic Lactobacillus ​rhamnosus HN001 can help to prevent diabetes in pre-diabetic individuals.

BioGaia launches probiotic, vit D chewable tablet in Swedish market

16-Jan-2018 By Will Chu

Swedish-based supplier BioGaia have announced the launch of a new chewable tablet containing the patented probiotic Lactobacillus reuteri Protectis and vitamin D.

PEEK INSIDE: IPAWC + PROBIOTA 2018, BARCELONA 7-9 FEBRUARY

Depression: A new role for probiotics in nutritional psychiatry?

15-Jan-2018 By Tim Cutcliffe

The possibility that probiotics could be a new tool in fighting depression is gaining increasing attention in nutritional psychiatry, says Caroline Wallace ahead of her talk at the IPA World Congress + Probiota 2018 next month.

Could a healthy microbiome affect genes linked with colon cancer?

12-Jan-2018 By Tim Cutcliffe

Chemical signalling mechanisms in the microbiome seem to be linked to an enzyme previously associated with colon cancer progression, say researchers.

Is Nestlé leading the charge in €4bn race for Merck’s vitamin and supplements business?

12-Jan-2018 By Nathan Gray

Multiple reports peg Nestlé as the front runner to buy Merck KGaA’s consumer health unit in a race that could result in a deal worth up to $5 billion (€4.1bn).

Swallowable sensors could revolutionise understanding of nutrition's impact on gut health

09-Jan-2018 By Gary Scattergood

A breakthrough swallowable capsule could revolutionise understanding of the gut microbiome, and the role nutrition can play in modulating it.

Could fibre stave off the effects of a high-fat diet?

08-Jan-2018 By Tim Cutcliffe

Adding a prebiotic fibre to a high-fat diet (HFD) protected mice against metabolic syndrome, according to a recent study in Cell Host & Microbe.

Low-fibre diet linked to leaky gut: Mouse study

04-Jan-2018 By Tim Cutcliffe

A lack of dietary fibre leads to a rapid increase in gut permeability and changes in microbiota composition in mice, says a new study in Cell Host & Microbe.

DSM to expand gut health portfolio with BioCare Copenhagen deal

22-Dec-2017 By Nathan Gray

Global nutritional ingredients player DSM has acquired BioCare Copenhagen A/S in a deal that will see it expand its probiotic and gut health portfolio.

Is fungus the new bogeyman in gut inflammation?

18-Dec-2017 By Tim Cutcliffe

The role of pathogenic bacteria in disease has been the focus of much recent research. However, the role of fungi, a co-inhabitant of the gut, has been relatively overlooked. The effect of the mycobiome (the fungal community in the gut) on health and...

'Live cultures are not all probiotic, although all probiotics are live cultures...'

CHR Hansen sees growing demand for probiotics in drinkable yogurts, kids’ snacks, plant-based fermented foods

17-Dec-2017 By Elaine Watson

US consumers are increasingly interested in the relationship between intestinal bacteria and overall health, says CHR Hansen, but there is some confusion about which foods and beverages contain probiotics: live microorganisms that, when administered in...

Guest article

Probiotic crusades and other energetic and organized campaigns concerning probiotic issues

15-Dec-2017 By George Paraskevakos, Executive Director of the International Probiotics Association

Despite the connotation of medieval military expeditions when one speaks of crusades, the one which IPA has taken on the last year has not resulted into any blood being spilt. On the contrary, the probiotic crusades have been constructive, open and accepting...

CODEX and probiotics: Argentina supports IPA proposal to harmonize guidelines

12-Dec-2017 By Stephen Daniells

A proposal by the International Probiotics Association to work towards harmonizing probiotic guidelines for use in foods and dietary supplements has received the support of Argentina, and the country will lead the work.

Teenage microbiome disruption linked to multiple sclerosis trigger: Mouse data

07-Dec-2017 By Tim Cutcliffe

Gut bacteria dysbiosis during young adulthood may be involved in the development of multiple sclerosis (MS), according to a recent study in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Probiotic works with breast milk to colonise ‘good’ bacteria, new study finds

07-Dec-2017 By Tim Cutcliffe

Babies supplemented with a proprietary probiotic strain maintained high numbers of the species in their gut, even after supplementation had ceased, reports a new study.

Inability to define bacterial vaginosis may be harming women’s health, suggests review

05-Dec-2017 By Tim Cutcliffe

A lack of clarity over whether bacterial vaginosis constitutes a disease may be deterring investment in probiotic treatments for the condition, according to a recent mini-review in Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology.

Single or multi-strain probiotics: Where is the industry going?

04-Dec-2017 By Tim Cutcliffe

The question of whether a single probiotic strain is more efficacious than a mixture of strains continues to be a subject of intense debate, says one expert.

Mouth bacteria may be key to blood pressure-lowering mechanism, expert suggests

01-Dec-2017 By Tim Cutcliffe

Specific metabolites produced by the oral microbiome may be the reason behind the success of diets that have been shown to lower blood pressure, an expert in vascular pharmacology has suggested.