Probiotics, Prebiotics & Postbiotics

Probiotics show allergy, immune system benefits: Nestlé study

11-Jan-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

A daily dose of Nestlé’s Bifidobacterium lactis NCC2818 probiotic strain may help manage allergic responses during pollen season, says a new study from the Nestlé Research Center.

Probiotic society disputes research bias accusations

07-Jan-2013 By Shane STARLING

The International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP) has refuted accusations that probiotic researchers under-report negative or neutral results due to corporate interest.

Multi-nutrient supplement shows big benefits for lung function in asthmatics

07-Dec-2012 By Stephen DANIELLS

A supplement containing a combination of fish oil, probiotics, and extracts from fruit and vegetables may improve lung function in young asthmatics, says a new study from Taiwan.

Ultra-fast- acting novel prebiotic will turn market on its head, predicts Deerland Enzymes

06-Dec-2012 By Elaine WATSON

Deerland Enzymes has launched a novel prebiotic that unlike fiber or carbohydrate-based rivals, is highly effective in small doses, starts working within hours rather than days, and does not cause flatulence.

Scientists map genome for BLIS K12 probiotic

30-Nov-2012

Europe-based scientists have mapped the genome of the probiotic BLIS K12 strain, finding no negative traits and supporting the safety of the strain.

New models hold promise for probiotic claim substantiation

29-Nov-2012 By Nathan Gray

Exposing healthy people to modified pathogens in a controlled clinical trial setting could be an exciting new way for industry to overcome the challenges of health claim substantiation, says Nizo Food Research expert.

Dearth of science limits aloe's potential, expert says

28-Nov-2012 By Hank Schultz

Aloe vera is a popular botanical in beverages and functional foods, but a dearth of credible science keeps the ingredient from achieving superstar status, according to a consultant.

Reckitt Benckiser-Schiff: Another giant jumps into nutra space

22-Nov-2012 By Shane STARLING

UK-based consumer goods firm Reckitt Benckiser told NutraIngredients today, “nutrition had been on its radar for awhile”, as it plunged $1.4bn (€1.09bn) to outbid German pharma firm Bayer for the US’s second biggest dietary supplements firm, Schiff Nutrition...

DuPont on EU probiotic health claim ban: “Mention specific strains”

21-Nov-2012 By Shane Starling

Giant of probiotic supply, DuPont, is not afraid to admit its European business has been altered by the rejection of probiotic health claims under the EU nutrition and health claims regulation (NHCR).

Probiotics may help cut body fat levels: RCT data

14-Nov-2012 By Stephen DANIELLS

Daily probiotic yogurt consumption may improve energy metabolism and reduce body fat levels by up to 4%, say results of a placebo-controlled, double-blind cross-over clinical trial in Canada.

'Our probiotic science will lead to an EFSA health claims approval': DuPont VP of marketing

14-Nov-2012 By Hank Schultz

Recent studies using DuPont’s HOWARU strain combination, combined with a better understanding of ‘the rules of the game’, will lead to positive health claims in Europe, DuPont’s Scott Bush has confidently predicted.

New EFSA health claims chief: Probiotics can win claims within “one or two years”

13-Nov-2012 By Shane Starling in Frankfurt

Emerging genomic data and better understanding of European Food Safety Authority requirements will win probiotic health claims within “a year”, the EU science agency’s new health claims panel chief told us after a Frankfurt congress this morning.

Probiotics may ease eczema for children: RCT data

08-Nov-2012 By Stephen Daniells

Daily supplements of the probiotic Lactobacillus plantarum CJLP133 may improve eczema in children, says a new study from South Korea.

Ganeden BC30 strain shows potential against C. diff: Mouse study

02-Nov-2012 By Stephen Daniells

Supplements containing the GanedenBC30 ingredient may reduce the recurrence of C. difficile-induced infection, according to a study with lab mice.

Spruce extract could be ‘untapped’ prebiotic

26-Oct-2012 By Stephen Daniells

An extract from spruce (Picea abies) may selectively enhance the growth of beneficial gut bacteria and offer a novel prebiotic for the nutritional products, says a new study.

Competition heating up among spore forming probiotics suppliers

18-Oct-2012 By Hank Schultz

Competition in the spore-forming quadrant of the probiotics sphere is heating up with a new offering from Nebraska Cultures called ProDURA, a strain of bacillus coagulans.

Special edition: Immune support

Immune sector in rude health despite regulator attacks

18-Oct-2012 By Shane STARLING

Foods, drinks, botanicals and other food supplements that boost the immune system have been one of the best performing functional sectors since, well, the birth of functional foods and supplements.

Special edition: Immune support

Top Immune Health Ingredients

18-Oct-2012 By Stephen Daniells

As part of our special edition on immune support, NutraIngredients presents our pick of the top immune ingredients. First up: Echinacea.

Prebiotics backed to help recovery from intestinal failure

17-Oct-2012 By Nathan Gray

A combination of ‘the right’ pre- and probiotcs could help people suffering with intestinal failure to grow a new and improved gut ecosystem, say researchers.

Probiotic found to reduce eczema symptoms over long-term period

08-Oct-2012 By RJ Whitehead

Clinical trials have found that a dairy culture probiotic shows significant long-term benefit for children suffering from eczema, even after they have stopped taking the supplement.

Sabinsa widening horizons for probiotic ingredient

04-Oct-2012 By Hank Schultz

Sabinsa, a  New Jersey-based supplier of botanical and other functional food ingredients, is breaking new ground with an older ingredient by placing its LactoSpore probiotic into a bread brand in Colombia.

Probiotic study shows UTI promise: Chr Hansen

04-Oct-2012

Research has suggested that Chr Hansen’s Urex probiotics could help prevent urinary tract infections in postmenopausal women.

Douglas Labs launches Klean Athlete sports line

27-Sep-2012 By Hank Schultz

Sometimes less is more, as in the new line of supplements from Douglas Laboratories called Klean Athlete. The line was formulated to help athletes feel healthier, without claiming to make them run faster or jump higher.

Gut bacteria changes touted as a cause of diabetes

27-Sep-2012 By Nathan Gray

Major changes to the profile of our gut bacteria ecosystem are associated with the development of type two diabetes, according to ‘exciting’ new meta-genomic data published in Nature.

New prebiotic technology drives company launch

24-Sep-2012 By Hank Schultz

A new company called Nutrabiotix has launched around a prebiotic fiber technology that aims to boost both the ingredient’s health benefits and functionality.

Probiotics may boost gut health for athletes

20-Sep-2012 By Stephen Daniells

Daily supplements of a probiotic blend may improve gut function in performance athletes and help provide a way of reducing gastrointestinal complaints, suggests new research from Austria.

Gut bacteria play key role in fat absorption: Study

13-Sep-2012 By Nathan Gray

The presence of certain gut microbes is linked with better digestion and absorption of dietary fats, according to new research that suggests modifying gut bacteria could help to battle malnutrition and obesity.

Synbiotic shows constipation relief potential

30-Aug-2012 By Stephen Daniells

Daily supplements of a symbiotic mix of prebiotic fibers and probiotic bacteria may provide relief for constipation without affecting abdominal symptoms, suggests a new study.

Special edition: Oral health

Probiotics’ oral health potential gathers pace

22-Aug-2012 By Stephen Daniells

Probiotics are not only about gut health. The friendly bugs have also been touted to become the next blockbuster functional ingredients in gum and mints by Euromonitor. But which strains show the most potential, where does the science stand, and how do...

Special edition: Oral health

The A to omega-3 of oral health nutrients

22-Aug-2012 By Stephen Daniells

Oral health is much more than just calcium and vitamin D for healthy teeth, and vitamin C for healthy gums. A number of nutraceutical compounds are emerging with potential benefits for the oral cavity, from omega-3s to EGCG from green tea. But how much...

LactoSpore chosen for Tutti Frutti frozen yogurt, with more product launches to follow

08-Aug-2012 By Stephen Daniells

Sabinsa’s LactoSpore has been selected for Tutti Frutti Frozen Yogurt, the world’s top-selling self-serve frozen yogurt brand, and consumers can expect more products with the probiotic ingredient from other companies soon, says Sabinsa’s marketing director.

Ganeden gets GRAS no objection from FDA for BC30

03-Aug-2012 By Stephen Daniells

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has said it has no objections to the Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) status of Ganeden’s BC30 strain (Bacillus coagulans GBI-30, 6086) for use in food and beverage.

Probiotics show anti-diarrhea potential in kids: RCT data

02-Aug-2012 By Stephen Daniells

Daily supplements of probiotic bacterial strain Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938 may reduce the frequency and duration of diarrhea for children, says new data from Italy.

Yakult Light probiotic drink makes US debut

02-Aug-2012 By Elaine WATSON

Japanese probiotics pioneer Yakult has launched a light version of its fermented dairy drink in the US.

Schiff Nutrition: Our brands now account for 9 out of every 10 dollars of revenue

01-Aug-2012 By Elaine WATSON

Branded supplements such as MegaRed and Digestive Advantage now account for almost nine out of every 10 dollars of revenue generated by Schiff Nutrition International, bosses have revealed.

Probiotic cheese provides immuno-support after exercise: rat study

13-Jul-2012 By Joe Whitworth

Researchers have found probiotic cheese may be a viable alternative to enhance the immune system and prevent infection after physical overexertion.

Prebiotic breakfast cereal gets gold standard RCT support

10-Jul-2012 By Stephen Daniells

Fortifying ready-to-eat breakfast cereal with prebiotic wheat bran extracts can selectively enhance the growth of beneficial bacteria, say results from a double-blind, randomized, controlled, crossover trial.

Do probiotics work in outer space? Yakult launches mission to find out...

09-Jul-2012 By Elaine Watson

How do our gut bacteria handle a prolonged stint in space? And do probiotics work in the same way up there vs down here on earth?

Prebiotics may enhance magnesium uptake from diet: Rat data

29-Jun-2012 By Stephen DANIELLS

Prebiotic fibers may enhance the absorption and retention in rats, suggests new data from Purdue University with implications for bone health in postmenopausal women.

Common dietary fibres may alter gut bacteria composition: Study

28-Jun-2012 By Nathan Gray

Consumption of common dietary fibres may promote beneficial shifts in gut bacteria that may lead to better intestinal health, suggesting the fibres may have prebiotic applications, say researchers.

IPA hails ‘huge move forward’ in NDI draft guidance revision

26-Jun-2012

The International Probiotics Association (IPA) has hailed the announcement that FDA is revisiting its controversial new dietary ingredient (NDI) draft guidance, but has warned that more work is required.

Probiotics begin to flex their muscle in the sports nutrition market

21-Jun-2012 By Stephen DANIELLS

The potential benefits of probiotic ingredients in sports nutrition products may extend beyond immune support, as emerging evidence suggests a potential to enhance protein utilization.

Universal probiotic stamp could boost research & consumer understanding, says leading researcher

20-Jun-2012 By Stephen DANIELLS

Probiotics should be classified by a Category Tree system in the US and Europe in order to better inform consumers and counter the impasse imposed by ‘bureaucrats’, says a leading probiotic researcher.

Jarrow calls for Congressional hearings to address NDI guidance woes

19-Jun-2012 By Elaine Watson

Jarrow Formulas has raised its concerns about the FDA’s draft guidance on new dietary ingredients (NDIs) with House Speaker John Boehner as part of its campaign to alert members of Congress to the dangers the “fatally flawed” document presents to the...

LGG probiotic may protect day care kids from respiratory illness: Study

18-Jun-2012 By Stephen Daniells

Long term consumption of milk containing the probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG strain may protect children in day care from respiratory illness, says a new study from Finland.

"will most certainly advance further research into probiotics and prebiotics”

€138m, 5-year Human Microbiome Project completion excites probiotic community

14-Jun-2012 By Shane Starling

The 5-year, $173m (€138m) Human Microbiome Project has completed with a 14-article publication blitz in journals like Nature that spells out some of its pioneering findings into the make-up and behavior of the human microbiota.

Our brand-building strategy is paying off, says Schiff Nutrition boss

11-Jun-2012 By Elaine Watson

Schiff Nutrition’s decision to pump all available cash into branding and innovation instead of deep discounts has paid off for its Move Free joint care brand, with posted a 25% surge in sales in the third quarter in a category that was “basically flat”,...

Pomegranate peel extract shows prebiotic potential

08-Jun-2012 By Stephen DANIELLS

Polyphenol-rich extracts from pomegranate peel may selectively enhance the growth of potentially beneficial gut bacteria, suggesting prebiotic activity for the extract, says a new study.

Ganeden takes BC30 probiotic into instant coffee

05-Jun-2012 By Stephen Daniells

Ganeden Biotech has announced that its BC30 probiotic ingredient will soon be available in instant coffee, as the company builds on success in teas and other beverage formats.

Cereal fibers show prebiotic potential in bread: Puratos study

04-Jun-2012 By Stephen Daniells

Bread enriched with specific cereal fibers may beneficially modify bacterial populations in the gut without any adverse effects, says a new study by scientists from the University of Reading, UK and Puratos.