Probiotics, prebiotics & postbiotics

European fermentation firms unite

06-Oct-2015

French yeast and cultures specialist Lesaffre has taken a majority share in Italian fermentation biotech firm Gnosis.

Open book: The future of probiotic marketing in Europe

01-Oct-2015 By Shane Starling in Brussels

‘Openness’ and ‘better dialogue’ between industry, scientists and regulators were themes of the day as the newly minted European chapter of the International Probiotics Association (IPA-Europe) launched itself with a mini-congress in Brussels yesterday.

Medicinal probiotics need their own legal framework

29-Sep-2015 By Dr Magali Cordaillat-Simmons, PhD

Probiotic medical products are proliferating but are regulations keeping up, asks by Dr Magali Cordaillat-Simmons, PhD, executive scientist at Pharmabiotic Research Institute (PRI) in this guest article.

Firm files health claim for probiotic and Herpes labialis recurrence

29-Sep-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Italian dairy firm Granarolo Spa has applied for a health claim for a probiotic – prebiotic combination and the reduced recurrence of cold sores.

S. boulardii supplements may reduce risk of antibiotic-associated diarrhea: Meta-analysis

25-Sep-2015 By Stephen DANIELLS

Probiotic supplements containing Saccharomyces boulardii may reduce the risk of antibiotic-associated diarrhea and Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea, says a new meta-analysis of 21 randomized controlled trials.

Yakult wins Swiss probiotic health claim

24-Sep-2015 By Shane STARLING

Yakult has joined fellow probiotic giant Danone in winning health claims for its probiotic yoghurt drinks in Switzerland.

“largest dataset ever published”

Probiotics deliver significant defecation benefits in healthy people: Study

24-Sep-2015 By Shane STARLING

One of the largest probiotic clinical interventions has found significant improvement in gut health in healthy people.

Probiotics can change infant gut bacteria to prevent cow milk allergy: Study

23-Sep-2015 By Eliot Beer

Infants with allergies to cow’s milk can become tolerant after treatment with hydrolysed casein and a probiotic formula which alters their gut microbiome, according to a new study.

Special edition: Inside Europe’s food supplement markets

Q&A: Industry bodies lay down the law on key European issues

17-Sep-2015 By Shane STARLING

European food supplement groups share insights from the law to distribution to marketing and science in this Q&A on the €7bn European supplements sector, according to Euromonitor International.

Gut microbes may play key role in iron status

16-Sep-2015 By Nathan Gray

The make-up of our gut bacteria may have a direct influence on iron status and storage, according to new research which also suggests certain probiotic strains may increase iron uptake and storage.

French prebiotic supplier expands operations

14-Sep-2015

French prebiotic nutrition and feed specialist Group Solactis has set up an R&D centre near Paris to research its primary nutrient, galactofructose (lactulose), and others.

IBS health claims approval

11-Sep-2015 By Nicholas Robinson

Lesaffre Human Care, the northern France-headquartered manufacturer of bacteria-based health ingredients, has received health claims approval from the Canadian Health Authorities (CHA) for its product Ibsium, which helps to relieve the symptoms associated...

‘Incubator’ steps aside as Danish probiotic start-up seizes control

31-Aug-2015 By Shane STARLING

After a few years of rapid growth the part owners of nascent Danish probiotics specialist Biocare Copenhagen have bought out the private and public investors that birthed it in 2012 for an undisclosed sum.

Gut bacteria play vital role in benefits and harms of different fats: Mouse data

31-Aug-2015 By Nathan Gray

The impact of different dietary fats on our health may be mediated by the changes the cause in our gut bacteria ecosystem, according to new research. 

DSM reshuffle spells 1000+ job losses

26-Aug-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Nutrition giant DSM has outlined organisational adjustments that will see 900-1100 jobs lost – half of which will be in the Netherlands.

Omega-3 could help support ‘friendly bacteria’ in the gut

25-Aug-2015 By Nathan Gray

The omage-3 fatty acid EPA may help to support the growth and tolerance of probiotic bacterial strains in the human gut, according to new preliminary research.

Should probiotics star in Helicobacter pylori therapy?

25-Aug-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

There are some promising results but no firm conclusions when it comes to using probiotics against the stomach germ Helicobacter pylori, a review finds.

L. reuteri supplements may modulate gut insulin metabolism: RCT

21-Aug-2015 By Stephen DANIELLS

Consumption of Lactobacillus reuteri probiotics may boost insulin release in healthy people, says a new study.

Tate & Lyle Ventures invests in Evolve BioSystems for newborn probiotics & prebiotics

20-Aug-2015 By Stephen Daniells

Evolve BioSystems is receiving a $2 million investment from Tate & Lyle Ventures to support Evolve’s ongoing clinical activities and preparations for commercial launch of its novel probiotic and prebiotic products.

Alterations to gut microbe environment may have role in type 1 diabetes risk

19-Aug-2015 By Nathan Gray

Changes to our gut microbiota could have a direct impact the production of antimicrobial peptides that play a role in the risk of developing type 1 diabetes and other autoimmune conditions, say researchers.

Will novel konjac-combo weight loss ingredient hit EU market?

19-Aug-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

US nutraceutical supplier InovoBiologic has applied for EU novel food approval for its proprietary mix of konjac, sodium alginate and xanthan gum for weight loss.

Excessive workout supplement use: An emerging eating disorder in men?

17-Aug-2015 By Nathan Gray

More gym going men are turning to over-the-counter bodybuilding supplements to help sculpt better bodies – but with nearly 30% of gym-goers concerned about overuse, some researchers believe it may qualify as an emerging eating disorder.

Unlocking the mysteries of the microbiome, with better software and statistics

17-Aug-2015 By Nathan Gray

Advances in the field of statistics and statistical software for modelling the microbiome are helping to unlock even more of its mysteries, say researchers behind the new metagenomics tools.

Probiotics won’t help you lose weight, say researchers

12-Aug-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Probiotics are not effective for weight loss, say researchers behind a review of current data.

What’s the evidence for probiotics and liver diseases?

11-Aug-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

There is growing evidence that probiotics are a useful tool against liver diseases but blind spots remain, according to a review.

In the year 2020: Global nutraceuticals market to be worth €35bn; 7% annual growth forecast

10-Aug-2015

Botanicals are the fastest growing nutraceutical ingredient class in a category being driven by ageing populations around the world, a report has found.

Fast food fever: Modern diets impact immune health of you and your kids

05-Aug-2015 By Nathan Gray

Modern ‘Western diets’ can lead to poor immune functioning and increased risk of inflammatory conditions, allergy, and auto-immunity, researchers warn.

Prebiotics improve gut microbiota in obese kids: Study

03-Aug-2015 By Stephen Daniells

A prebiotic-rich diet may shift the gut microbiota profiles of obese children to a more beneficial profile, regardless of whether the obesity was related to lifestyle or genetics, says a study from an international team of researchers.

Putting the probiotics where your mouth is: Probiotics may help oral thrush

31-Jul-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Probiotics may help older people tackle antibiotic-induced oral Candida, says industry backed research.

Prebiotic boosts healthy elderly immune systems: Study

30-Jul-2015 By Shane STARLING

A proprietary prebiotic blend can deliver immune system benefits to the healthy elderly better than placebo, an industry-backed study in the UK has found.

Probiotics offer potential ‘safe, low cost, non-antibiotic’ strategy for infections

29-Jul-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Clostridium difficile infections have been noted by EU and US health authorities as an ‘emerging’ healthcare threat – costing the US $1bn annually. Now, researchers preparing a pilot study are looking at whether probiotics could be a solution. 

Special Edition: Innovations in Delivery Systems

Surviving the stomach takes center stage in world of probiotic innovation

29-Jul-2015 By Hank Schultz

Innovation in delivery modes has been a hallmark of the probiotic space for many years. That’s because researchers saw early on that to deliver on their benefits, probiotics had to survive the death march through the stomach’s acid defenses.

Probiotic pair may improve lipid metabolism: Human data

27-Jul-2015 By Stephen DANIELLS

Supplements containing Lactobacillus curvatus HY7601 and Lactobacillus plantarum KY1032 may reduce triglyceride levels, and improve other markers of heart health, says a new study from Korea.

Something about dairy? Delivery vehicle boosts probiotic efficacy: Studies

21-Jul-2015 By Mark ASTLEY

Probiotics are more effective when ingested with dairy products, UC Davis research suggests. 

Spread the word: Peanut butter delivers probiotics through gastrointestinal jeopardy

21-Jul-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Peanut butter could be a novel way of protecting probiotics as they pass through the gastrointestinal passage, say researchers.

Soluble fibers may curb hunger and counter inflammation in overweight people: Human data

21-Jul-2015 By Stephen Daniells

Prebiotic supplements may reduce appetite, food intake, and inflammation in overweight adults, says a new study from France.

Child’s play: EFSA approves immune and metabolism health claims, rejects colic discomfort

20-Jul-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has approved three children’s health claims for immune health and energy-yielding metabolism but rejected a fourth infant claim for the reduction of gastrointestinal discomfort.

Probiotic fermented milk may improve airway allergies: Danone study

16-Jul-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Probiotic fermented milk may improve airway allergies through immune system shift, says Argentinian research funded by Danone.

Fermented metabolites can be prebiotic biomarkers: Review

15-Jul-2015 By Shane STARLING

Combining knowledge of metabolites with metagenomics could isolate biomarkers that can improve understanding of the prebiotic microbiome, researchers say.

Firm takes hit for customer’s online promotion: ‘If you benefit from it, you’re responsible for it’

15-Jul-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Multi-level marketer Le-Vel Brands has been penalised by the UK’s Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) for the social media marketing of one of its promoter-come-customers.

LGG may ‘transiently’ boost anti-inflammatory functions in the gut microbiota: Human data

14-Jul-2015 By Stephen Daniells

The probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG ATCC 53103 may not change the host’s gut microbiota but may stimulate anti-inflammatory activities of microbes already resident, says a new study.

Sensus, Ganeden team up to offer stable liquid prebiotic/probiotic ingredient

09-Jul-2015 By Hank Schultz

Ganeden Biotech has teamed up with ingredient supplier Sensus in an alliance to bring a liquid prebiotic/probiotic ingredient to market that adds functionality to food formulations and also solves an issue that prevents wider application of probiotics,...

‘Underappreciated’ Lactococcus strain shows anti-inflammatory potential

07-Jul-2015 By Stephen Daniells

Consuming a Lactococcus lactis-fermented milk product may help reduce intestinal inflammation and oxidative stress in lab mice with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), says a new study.

Flaxseed beats probiotics for improved insulin sensitivity & altered microbiota

06-Jul-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

A study comparing fibrous flaxseed with probiotics has questioned the latter’s ability to alter gut microbiota and improve obesity-related metabolic diseases. 

Ecological characteristics of human gut still only dimly understood, researcher says

30-Jun-2015 By Hank Schultz

Ecological models of the human microbiome, underpinned by statistical techniques, have made significant strides over the past 15 years. But much remains to be discovered, including how to make a more or less symptom-free intestinal tract work better,...

patent watch

Nestlé files patent for pregnancy probiotic

29-Jun-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Nestlé has filed a patent for probiotics to be taken during pregnancy and lactation, which it says help reduce the risk of allergies for the infant. 

Tereos Syral applies for sucrose fibre and intestinal regularity claim

25-Jun-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Tereos Syral has applied for a health claim for short-chain fructo-oligosaccharides from sucrose and ‘normal intestinal regularity’.

Probiota Americas

New gut models facilitating microbiome research

24-Jun-2015 By Hank Schultz

The understanding of what happens within the human digestive system has always been hampered by the inability to observe that system in action, leave alone the imperfect understanding of one of the major components of the system, the gut microbiome. ...

Medical Nutrition

Tailored gut microbiota holds promise for lethal ammonia in liver disease: Mouse data

24-Jun-2015 By Nathan Gray

Altering the bacterial make-up of the gut could help to reduce potentially lethal high circulating levels of ammonia in people with liver disease, say researchers.

Microbiome changes may be key to better metabolic health in obesity

23-Jun-2015 By Nathan Gray

The gut microbe Akkermansia muciniphila may hold the key to better metabolic health and healthier body fat distribution in people who are overweight or obese, say researchers.