Probiotics, prebiotics & postbiotics

Potato bound polyphenols: A novel delivery method for gut health?

09-Aug-2017 By Tim Cutcliffe

The ability of polyphenols to bind with different types of potato cells may provide a new means of delivering them to the gut, say researchers. 

Tryptophan coupled with probiotics could help sooth gut inflammation: Mouse data

07-Aug-2017 By Nathan Gray

Combining the probiotic Lactobacillus reuteri with the protein tryptophan could help promote greater ‘tolerance’ in immune cells in the gut, according to new animal data.

Flavonoid diet may reduce flu severity – but only if you have the right gut bacteria

04-Aug-2017 By Tim Cutcliffe

A specific microbe found in the gut may protect consumers of flavonoid rich diets against severe flu, finds a new animal study published in Science.

SCIENCE SHORT

Probiotics offer prospect of cheap, eco-friendly nanoparticles

31-Jul-2017 By Tim Cutcliffe

The use of probiotics for the biosynthesis of metallic nanoparticles (MNPs) may offer a cheaper, more eco-friendly alternative to previous production methods, says a new review.

‘Breast milk-like’ formula may help babies sleep more and cry less, suggests study

26-Jul-2017 By Tim Cutcliffe

Infants given formula milk containing high levels of SN-2 palmitate, sleep more and cry less than those given standard formula, reveals a study in Clinics in Mother and Child Health.

Study opens possibility of using algae to manage inflammation via the microbiome

Algal solution: Could Spirulina modify the microbiome to protect against age-related damage?

25-Jul-2017 By David Anderson

Spirulina might help protect against age-related liver inflammation by modifying pathways in the microbiome, say researchers.

Biosearch Life’s mastitis remedy another casualty of EFSA’s probiotic rejection list

25-Jul-2017 By Will Chu

Regulatory authorities have rejected Biosearch Life’s health claim relating to its probiotic strain and its role in decreasing Staphylococcus load in breast milk, which is a risk factor for infectious mastitis.

Infant gut bacteria link with smarter toddlers: Study

24-Jul-2017 By Tim Cutcliffe

The make-up of babies’ gut microbiomes may be associated with with later cognitive development, suggests new research.

Cause or consequence? Investigating the link between gut bacteria and heart health

19-Jul-2017 By Nathan Gray

People with heart failure have been found to have less gut bacteria diversity and lack certain important species groups. So are changes in our microbiome causing heart disease, or visa-versa?

Outlining 'environmental' view of microbiome awaits craftier study designs, experts say

18-Jul-2017 By Hank Schultz

A more holistic, environmental view of the human gut microbiome is taking shape among researchers, but confounding factors complicate the task of fully elucidating this via tenable study designs.

Bioavailability boost: Study backs frankincense to ease IBS symptoms

13-Jul-2017 By Will Chu

A new proprietary method to deliver the Indian botanical extract Boswellia, could boost bioavailability and help manage the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), finds a study by Italian botanical player Indena.

Could cranberries boost your 'good bacteria'?

12-Jul-2017 By Tim Cutcliffe

An indigestible carbohydrate found in cranberries may act as a prebiotic to promote beneficial bacteria in the microbiome, new research says.

International probiotics experts and global firms to feature at first Probiota Asia summit

12-Jul-2017 By Gary Scattergood

A world-class line up of international probiotics experts will feature at our first Probiota Asia summit, to be held in Singapore in October.

NUTRITION ASIA VIDEO SERIES

WATCH: Probiotics in China — ‘The market is set to explode’

11-Jul-2017 By Gary Scattergood

The probiotics sector is forecast to soar by 23% in China to 2020 and even greater long-term growth beckons if the industry unites to better educate consumers and regulators.

Athletes and the gut microbiota: Can we mine for new probiotics?

10-Jul-2017 By Stephen Daniells

The gut microbiomes of athletes are more diverse than non-athletes, and scientists at Harvard are predicting that new probiotics derived from athletic microbiomes could be hitting the market within two years.

Oral microbiome makeup key link in NO pathway, expert says

05-Jul-2017 By Hank Schultz

Boosting nitric oxide in the body has long been a goal in sports nutrition.  But without an understanding of the importance of the proper oral microbiome makeup, it may be a forlorn hope, an expert said recently.

Rising expectations: Health and nutrition drive ‘strong’ Q3 for Chr Hansen

05-Jul-2017 By Nathan Gray

Probiotic and natural colours player Chr Hansen reported a 10% growth in organic revenue in the first nine months, leading the company to slightly raise full year expectations.

Inflammatory bowel disease: Manipulating the gut microbiome a promising future treatment option

05-Jul-2017 By Gary Scattergood

There is considerable promise in manipulating the gut microbiome to treat the two main forms of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, according to a new review.

Functional potential: Spanish team backs melanoidins as functional ingredients

03-Jul-2017 By Nathan Gray

Melanoidins are found in many thermally processed foods, but researchers in Spain say they could be better utilised as functional ingredients.

Global microbiome market to triple by 2022, with France a primary driver

29-Jun-2017 By David Anderson

The global microbiome market is forecast to nearly triple in size to €0.44bn ($0.5bn) by 2022, according to a new report, which pinpointed France, Israel and the US as market leaders. 

ISAPP experts update definition and scope of ‘Prebiotics’

29-Jun-2017 By Stephen Daniells

An expert panel convened by the International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP) has updated the definition of “prebiotics” to take into account advances in sequencing technology and the expansion in the use of the ingredients...

Olive fermentation yeast strains have probiotic potential, study finds

27-Jun-2017 By David Anderson

Researchers have called for further testing and fresh investment in novel and non-dairy probiotics after new research suggests that some yeast strains involved in the fermentation of table olives have probiotic potential, leading to the possibility of...

Russian billionaire buys Holland & Barrett for healthy €2.0bn

27-Jun-2017 By Tim Cutcliffe

US private equity firm Carlyle sells Europe’s largest health and wellness retailer to investment fund controlled by Mikhail Fridman

Can probiotics help respiratory illnesses in athletes?

27-Jun-2017 By Tim Cutcliffe

Despite widespread interest in improving athletes’ health and performance with probiotics, the reduction of Upper Respiratory Tract Infections (URTIs) in humans has achieved substantial confirmatory evidence.

Embarrassed by intestinal gas? Don’t worry, it could be healthy

26-Jun-2017 By Tim Cutcliffe

A fibre-containing beverage may help intestinal production of hydrogen, a gas with anti- inflammatory effects according to a Japanese study.   

Ganeden bets on inactivated probiotic ingredient for new applications

20-Jun-2017 By Nathan Gray

Probiotic giant Ganeden says its new immune ingredient looks to take the benefits of its validated strain into categories and areas that probiotics cannot be used.

Review links microbiome makeup to autism

20-Jun-2017 By Emma Jane Cash

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) symptoms could be reduced by altering gut bacteria makeup, according to a review of more than 150 papers.

Industry innovation can help target products to the elderly

16-Jun-2017 By David Anderson

The industry can do more to target fashionable high protein foods and drinks to the over 65s market, while rest of Europe should follow Norway with nutrition-filled NPD for the elderly, say researchers.

Taiyo launches ‘Regular Girl’ symbiotic supplement blend into EMEA

15-Jun-2017 By Nathan Gray

Japan-based Taiyo says the digestive health supplement containing a blend of its prebiotic Sunfiber and functional probiotics is now available in the EMEA region.

Gut health & sleep: Is there potential for pre- and probiotics for sleep improvement?

14-Jun-2017 By Stephen Daniells

The potential link between the gut microbiota and sleep is emerging, so could prebiotics and probiotics find a lucrative place in the booming natural sleep aid category?

Study supports probiotic yogurt’s immune boosting effects

13-Jun-2017 By Stephen Daniells

Yogurt containing two probiotic strains plus heat-treated bacteria may boost the activity of immune cells called natural killer (NK) cells in people over 60, says a new study.

‘Next gen’ probiotics: Chr. Hansen adds 100 new strain development library

12-Jun-2017 By Nathan Gray

Danish bioscience firm Chr. Hansen says 100 new strains added to its library could help development of new commercial probiotics for a range of metabolic, immune, and digestive health issues.

Prebiotic may lower body fat in obese children

09-Jun-2017 By Tim Cutcliffe

Consuming oligofructose-enriched inulin (OI) alters gut microbiota, reducing body fat in overweight or obese children, according to a new RCT conducted at Calgary University.

Biopolymer microgels improve probiotic viability, study suggests

07-Jun-2017 By Tim Cutcliffe

Delivering probiotics via alginate-gelatin microgels could help survival into the large intestine.

B. infantis probiotic alters babies' bowel habits for the better

07-Jun-2017 By Hank Schultz

Evolve BioSystems has announced results of a study that shows its strain of B. infantis probiotic is safe to give to infants and significantly alters their microbiomes and bowel habits.

Probiotics may counter obesity effects on vascular function: Study

07-Jun-2017 By Stephen Daniells

Supplementing the diet with probiotic Bifidobacterium pseudocatenulatum CECT 7765 may reverse the detrimental effects that obesity has on the function of blood vessels, suggests preliminary data from lab mice.

What is a probiotic? IPA releases guidance document on qualifying probiotics

05-Jun-2017 By Stephen Daniells

The definition of probiotic varies by region, and an increasing number of products potentially mislabeled as “probiotic”. In response, the International Probiotics Association has released a guidance document.

A scientific first: Study highlights potential cardiometabolic benefits of prebiotics

05-Jun-2017 By Stephen Daniells

Supplementing the diet with inulin-type fructans may improve the function of the endothelium in blood vessels and reduce the risk of metabolic disorders-related cardiovascular diseases, says a new study.

Special Edition: Bone & Joint Health

Can bone health be improved through microbiota manipulation?

31-May-2017 By Emma Jane Cash

Bone mineral density could be altered by prebiotics and probiotics, according to a new review that links diet-induced obesity, the gut microbiota and bone health.

Prebiotic and antioxidant-packed white chocolate: 'A promising opportunity for industry'

29-May-2017 By Gary Scattergood

Adding prebiotics and an antioxidant source to white chocolate can alter its taste and texture, but a new sensory analysis reported that consumers still ranked it highly, with researchers concluding it provides new product opportunities for industry.

Looking ahead to IPA World Congress + Probiota Americas 2017

Howaru Shape: 'A new way of looking at weight management'

26-May-2017 By Stephen Daniells

DuPont Nutrition & Health’s newly launched Howaru Shape is backed up by a clinical study that found that daily supplements of the probiotic may reduce body fat by 4.5%.

Nestlé-backed study links probiotic strain and depression

25-May-2017 By Nathan Gray

Probiotics could help relieve symptoms of depression in addition to aiding gastrointestinal upsets, according to new Canadian research backed by Nestlé.

Is dairy a hindrance and not a help for probiotics growth?

25-May-2017 By Gary Scattergood

The vast majority of new product development for functional foods featuring probiotics “remains in the dairy space”, but this may be more of a hindrance than a help for the sector’s growth prospects.

Timing of probiotic consumption 'unimportant’ for colonization: Study

24-May-2017 By Stephen Daniells

Should probiotics be consumed on an empty stomach or with a meal? A new study from the University of Milan suggests it doesn’t matter.

Evolve BioSystems: We’re facing a ‘generational loss’ of critical gut bacteria in infants

23-May-2017 By Elaine Watson

Research into the gut microbiome suggests that the ‘generational loss’ of a specific variety of beneficial bacteria - B. infantis - in the infant gut could increase the risk for a range of health problems later in life, from allergies to obesity. But...

Probiota Americas built around cutting edge research

19-May-2017 By Hank Schultz

Experts from diverse research fields including infant health, skin health and global microbial demographics will expand the view of the microbiome at the upcoming 2017 IPA World Congress + Probiota Americas on June 7-9 in San Francisco.

Could probiotics restore microbiome imbalance linked to autoimmune disorder?

19-May-2017 By David Anderson

Probiotics might help restore gut bacterial imbalance in patients with systemic sclerosis, says a new study looking at gastrointestinal bacterial compositions in two geographically-distinct populations suffering from the autoimmune disorder.

NAXA head launches five new single-ingredient trade associations

18-May-2017 By Hank Schultz

The principal of a consulting firm that is the motivating force behind two single-ingredient trade organizations has launched an ‘incubator’ program that debuts with the formation of five new trade groups targeting categories such as ashwagandha, chondroitin,...

Danone Nutricia study backs synbiotic to ‘normalise’ microbiota after C-section

18-May-2017 By David Anderson

Supplementation with a synbiotic combination could help normalise the microbiota of infants born by Caesarean, according to new research heralded as a ‘big step’.

Looking ahead to the IPA World Congress + Probiota Americas 2017

Ghosts of our African guts: What traditional hunter-gatherers can teach us about gut health

18-May-2017 By Stephen Daniells

Understanding how our ancestors lived and how this affected their gut microbiome may boost prebiotic and probiotic formulations, and give companies a compelling story for consumers, says an expert.