Probiotics, prebiotics & postbiotics

Fat fighting microbes? New study backs GM probiotic to supress obesity

23-Mar-2015 By Nathan Gray

Intestinal bacteria that have been genetically modified to secrete appetite supressing metabolites could help battle obesity and type 2 diabetes, according to initial findings in mice.

Nestlé files whey world patent: Lactoferrin for infant memory and learning

20-Mar-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Nestlé has filed an international patent for the whey fraction lactoferrin to improve memory, learning speed and promote brain maturation in children.

Special edition: Beauty from within

In the eye of the beholder: Where does the EU stand on beauty claims?

18-Mar-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Unlike health claims, ‘beauty from within’ claims are regulated post-market and only when challenged – and how this process goes will depend on the case and the member state concerned.

From the Gut Microbiota for Health congress in Barcelona, Spain

ISAPP: Can we reclaim the word probiotics?

16-Mar-2015 By Shane STARLING

EU-banned marketing terms like ‘probiotics’ need to be reclaimed and recently reworked definitions and criteria can help win ongoing regulatory and research battles, ISAPP told a microbiota congress in Barcelona on Saturday.

Agave prebiotic significantly increases some faecal friendly bacteria, say researchers

16-Mar-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

The prebiotic agave fructan significantly increases the faecal count of bifidobacteria and lactobacilli compared to maltodextrin, according to research backed by industry.

Could prebiotics help iron-deficient anaemics?

11-Mar-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Prebiotic supplementation may help increase the expression of proteins that regulate iron absorption, according to research in anaemic rats.

Gut bacteria could predict food allergies

09-Mar-2015 By Niamh Michail

Levels and variety of infant gut bacteria may be used to predict food allergies or asthma, say researchers from the University of Alberta. 

Gut microbiota shifts could predict diabetes risk, suggests study

06-Mar-2015 By Nathan Gray

The composition of our microbiota may change through the development of pre-diabetes and diabetes, thus predicting risk and potentially leading to new ways to aid blood sugar management, say researchers.

Better together? Co-encapsulation study shows potential for stable omega-3 and probiotic mix

05-Mar-2015 By Nathan Gray

New research describing the stable co-encapsulation of omega-3 rich oil with probiotic bacteria could be a boon for manufacturers looking to incorporate the functional ingredients in to foods and supplements, say researchers.

Heat-killed bacteria may offer immune support for the elderly

03-Mar-2015 By Stephen Daniells

Supplements containing heat-killed Lactobacillus gasseri TMC0356 bacteria may enhance the immune system of older people and protect them from infection, says a new study from Japan.

ESSNA membership: Medix Laboratoires and Smart Nutrition in, HFMA out

26-Feb-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

The European Specialist Sports Nutrition Alliance (ESSNA) sees two new members – Medix Laboratoires and Smart Nutrition – join its ranks after its associate member Health Food Manufacturers Association (HFMA) bows out. 

Industry creating 'health halos' by adding vitamins, says BEUC

18-Feb-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Adding in vitamins and minerals is one way the industry is getting around current health and nutrition regulation and creating a 'health halo' around otherwise unhealthy products, according to the European Consumer Organisation (BEUC).  

Cultured views from Probiota 2015 in Amsterdam

Game on: Probiotics & sports performance

18-Feb-2015 By Shane STARLING

Clinical data is building around the role of probiotics to aid athletic performance – from recovery to muscle development to immune defense. We spoke to a leading researcher at Probiota in Amsterdam this month…

Yakult at Probiota 2015: “We want to be clear that before we invest we need to have some dialogue with EFSA...”

6 years of hurt: Probiotic heavyweights debate the EU’s health claim blockade

17-Feb-2015 By Shane STARLING

Yakult and leading academics expressed frustration at what they see as unfair and opaque scientific requirements around probiotic health claims in the European Union – but how much is industry to blame and could social media be a data-sharing saviour?

Habitual yogurt eaters in Spain fail to report improved health-related quality of life

13-Feb-2015 By Ben BOUCKLEY

Habitual yogurt eating showed no association with improved health-related quality of life reports among 4,000+ Spanish adults, scientists conclude in a new study, but they admit their work has several limitations.

How can reviews be used to get a probiotic health claim?

13-Feb-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

If the probiotic industry wants to secure a health claim it must scientifically justify its use of reviews looking at more than one strain, according to research backed by the sector. 

New patented probiotic for Nestlé toddler formula

12-Feb-2015 By Niamh Michail

Nestlé and Swedish-based supplier BioGaia have announced the launch of a new toddler formula containing the patented probiotic Lactobacillus reuteri Protectis.

EFSA issues immune and gut health claim guidance; 'It will be better for all concerned'

10-Feb-2015 By Shane STARLING

EFSA has issued a long-awaited immune and gut health claim guidance document it says draws on years of dossier assessment and includes biomarker updates, but a leading consultant was left unimpressed saying it “does not provide big news”.

Probiotic strain counting: New method proposed at Probiota

09-Feb-2015 By Shane STARLING

A new method of quantifying probiotic content in products promises greater accuracy and efficiency, according to emerging research.

"The EU is the only region in the world where the use of the term ‘probiotic’ is banned.”

Probiotic sector chief: ‘I am ashamed how the EU is dealing with this’

06-Feb-2015 By Shane STARLING

The secretary general of a leading probiotic association has launched a stinging attack on the European Union health claims regime she said is discriminatory, confusing and shameful.

New science takes centre stage at Probiota Scientific Frontiers session

05-Feb-2015 By Nathan GRAY

The winners of the Probiota Scientific Frontiers poster sessions took centre stage today, offering insights into bacterial strain assessment, novel yeasts and practical translation of probiotic science. 

Probiotic drink may help control insulin resistance: Healthy human research

04-Feb-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Probiotic supplementation may be useful in preventing insulin resistance caused by excessive consumption of high-fat foods, according to industry-backed research published in the British Journal of Nutrition.

science short

Probiotic yeast shows IBS benefits: 63% v 47% (placebo)

03-Feb-2015 By Shane STARLING

A proprietary probiotic yeast reduced abdominal discomfort among Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) sufferers, a study has found.

Insider: The three groups reached accord “surprisingly quickly”

3 into 1: Euro probiotics sector unites as sector sales drop 8%

02-Feb-2015 By Shane STARLING

Europe’s three biggest probiotic groups have united behind a new European chapter of the International Probiotics Association (IPA) to deal with the “critical” 6-year regulatory imbroglio that has seen an EU-wide sales slide in the health claim-less sector.

Probiotic pill shows promise in blood sugar management and battling diabetes: Rat data

30-Jan-2015 By Nathan Gray

A genetically engineered strain of human gut bacteria from the lactobacillus family could help to slash in incidence of high blood sugar by up to 30%, according to new research in rats.

L-glutamine may alter gut microbiota to resemble changes seen in weight loss programs

30-Jan-2015 By Stephen Daniells

Supplements of L-glutamine may alter the composition of the gut microbiota in obese people, and shift it towards a profile seen in leaner individuals, says a new study from Brazil.

Probiotic industry value set to reach £29bn

30-Jan-2015 By Nicholas Robinson

Sales of probiotic food, drink and supplements are set to reach £29bn by 2018, as consumers seek food-based answers to health issues, according to one expert commentator.

Clinical trial backs probiotic strain to help reduce cold and flu in times of stress

29-Jan-2015 By Nathan Gray

Regular consumption of the probiotic strain Bifidobacterium bifidum R0071 is associated with more ‘healthy days’ and a lower reporting of cold or flu, according to new research in academically stressed student

Clinical trial supports BLIS M18’s oral health benefits

29-Jan-2015 By Stephen DANIELLS

Lozenges containing Streptococcus salivarius M18, branded as BLIS M18, for 30 days resulted in significant improvements in multiple measures of periodontal health, says a new study from India.

Australia

Researchers ‘astounded’ by results of probiotic peanut allergy study

28-Jan-2015 By RJ Whitehead

A probiotic could hold the key to treating peanut allergies in children, researchers in Melbourne have found.

Probiota 2015, February 3-5, Amsterdam, the Netherlands

6 days to go! Probiota 2015 unveils game-changing innovation in pre- & probiotics

28-Jan-2015

Probiota 2015 in Amsterdam is less than a week a way - a rare place where business leaders and leading researchers gather to transfer knowledge and innovation in the dynamic field of prebiotics and probiotics. 

French oligosaccharide specialist wins €5m VC funding

27-Jan-2015 By Shane STARLING

French pea starch player Olygose has won a €5m cash injection from three venture capitalists (VC) as the firm seeks to build markets outside western Europe, with the US and Asia key targets.

Supplement industry has changed and now our advice reflects that: Sweden

27-Jan-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

The Swedish National Food Agency (SLV) has released its first manual on best food supplement practice – something it says responds to the increasingly complex nature of the growing sector.

“Food companies will be able to use the knowledge that we develop.”

30 players, 5-years: EU project investigates obesity, energy and the microbiome (& more)

26-Jan-2015 By Shane STARLING

A 30-party, EU-backed project is investigating the human microbiome to better understand how gut microbial populations are affected by nutritional inputs – and its effect on human health factors like obesity and metabolism.

Chr. Hansen maintains full-year outlook after ‘solid’ Q1

21-Jan-2015 By Nathan Gray

Strong growth in health and nutrition, coupled with increasing demand for cultures and enzymes in Europe and the Americas has led Chr. Hansen to a ‘solid’ performance in Q1, says the firm.

African probiotic project reaching 10,000 infants a day

20-Jan-2015 By Shane STARLING

The potential of probiotics to benefit maternal and infant morbidity and mortality is being shown in on-the-ground projects in Africa and elsewhere, according to lifelong researcher, maternal and infant morbidity and mortality, professor Gregor Reid.

Biosearch Life registers patent for cholesterol-regulating probiotics

20-Jan-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Spanish firm Biosearch Life targets ‘unexplored’ applications with its patent application for probiotic strains it says could help control hypercholesterolemia.

New link adds weight to 'hygiene hypothesis'

Gut bacteria linked to lower MS risk in women

20-Jan-2015 By Nathan Gray

A common gut microbe could help to curb the risk of developing multiple sclerosis (MS) in women, according to new data.

Could plant biotechnology help breed prebiotic-rich food crops?

19-Jan-2015 By Nathan Gray

A targeted approach to breeding food crops that are rich in prebiotic carbohydrates such as fructans and inulin could promote health and aid in beating malnutrition, say researchers.

Is the future of women’s health probiotics medical?

14-Jan-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Danish probiotic firm Bifodan has created a second business unit for probiotics targeting women’s intimate health, splitting the business between dietary supplements and over-the-counter (OTC) medical products.  

‘Excipient foods' show promise in enhancing nutrient bioavailability

14-Jan-2015 By Nathan Gray

Improving the design of functional and finished products by better understanding the role of excipient foods could help increase the bioavailability of functional nutrients, according to new research.

Early human microbiome studies may aid modern nutrition science

13-Jan-2015 By Nathan Gray

A better understanding of the ancient human microbiome could contribute to a better understanding of health and nutrition today, say researchers.

Coming to Probiota 2015 - February 3-5, Amsterdam

Germvangelist set to shake Probiota with holistic shout

12-Jan-2015 By Shane STARLING

Self-styled 'germvangelist' and microbiologist Jason Tetro says the probiotic industry is obsessed with technicalities and needs to venture back in time to access the innate, holistic power of probiotics.

Gut bacteria that digest beer and bread aid development of new prebiotics

09-Jan-2015 By Nathan Gray

Bacteria that have evolved to help us digest the yeast that give beer and bread their bubbles could also help to fight off yeast infections and autoimmune diseases such as Crohn's disease, say researchers.

FDA warning over infant's death shouldn't call safety of probiotics into question, experts say

08-Jan-2015 By Hank Schultz

The recall last last year of a probiotic product found to be contaminated with a fungus should not cast a pall over the entire sector, experts say.  Though they are products consisting of cultured microorganisms, probiotic ingredients are no more at risk...

EFSA health claim opinions

EFSA rejects yoghurt weight loss health claims

08-Jan-2015 By Shane STARLING

168 human publications including 48 intervention studies, 20 observational studies, 12 meta-analyses, 13 reviews, and 75 other studies (bioavailability and mechanistic studies) have failed to convince the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) that fat-free...

Exclusive discount on registration for prebiotic and probiotic event

Probiota 2015: NutraIngredients reader discount for probiotic and prebiotic event

06-Jan-2015 By Nathan Gray

NutraIngredients is offering a new year 10% discount on registration for our annual prebiotic and probiotic event held on 3-5 February 2015, less than a month away.

Probiotic term could reappear on yogurt in UK

23-Dec-2014 By Rick Pendrous

The term ‘probiotic’ could make a re-appearance on pots of yogurt on sale in UK supermarkets, if Italy is successful in getting approval for its use as a ‘generic descriptor’.

“We are optimistic about a successful outcome.”

Danish industry and academia unite on ‘live’ probiotic project

22-Dec-2014

Innovation Fund Denmark is backing local probiotic firm Bifodan in a bioavailability-boosting project using encapsulation methods.

The microbes we eat: Study investigates bacteria in different diets

16-Dec-2014 By Nathan Gray

Researchers investigating the types of microbes found in foods from different dietary patterns have questioned whether the bacteria in our foods plays a role in the structure and function of our gut microbiota.