Probiotics: New strains, new gains

FOR centuries, probiotics have been used for reasons other than those that are popular today. Recent findings that attest to their value have driven output for products incorporating trademarked probiotics/prebiotics. This is no more obvious than in the food industry where health and wellness now plays a major part in new product development. As a result, the probiotics industry, though young and dominated by a mere handful, is on the up and up. By 2015, global sales for probiotics could exceed US$28.8 billion, according to Global Industry Analysts, Inc (GIA).

As demand for health-giving products continues to rise,  manufacturers of probiotics are pressured to develop more efficient strains that incorporate well into foods. Already the consumer market is seeing growth in the number of therapeutic properties that can be had in ordinary foods and beverages, thanks to new strains of good bacteria. A range of new ones have been made available in the form of dietary supplements and foods such as dairy, including cheese. Probiotics in baked goods and even meat products are new trends.

To help fight digestive health problems –  chronic  constipation,  peptic ulcer, inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs), and other conditions – food companies have conscripted several food categories where they can promote the addition of probiotics to their list of ingredients. Fortified food products and digestive-aids-and-enzymes are showing up in frozen desserts, food supplements, meal replacements, and dairy, yoghurt and kefir categories, which have jumped nearly 80% in sales, according to the research firm SPINS.

Outside the food sector, probiotics are making headway in dental and immune health.  However,  what will maintain strong sales are fortified baked products, ice cream and chocolate, according to the GIA. These are examples of products that consumers are willing to pay for a little more, and at the same time are easy to fit in the normal diet.

RAW Probiotics overdrive

The RAW Probiotics line, originally released in 2011 by manufacturer  Garden of Life, are raw, whole food probiotic formulas that contain over 30 different strains of probiotics including strains from wild kefir and yoghurt. With this ample number of strains, Garden of Life feels that its formulas are the most diverse probiotic supplement available today. The company claims that these 30 different strains contribute to a high potency. And in fact, with over 85 billion colony-forming units (CFUs) per serving, it could indeed be amongst one of the highest-potency probiotics available on the market.

But this year, the spotlight is on four new additions, which target more specific health issues:

? The Ultimate Care Formula focuses on Bifido strains to repopulate the gastrointestinal tract with good bacteria when extra help is needed by the colon after a period of illness or stress. This formula has 100 billion active probiotics from 34 different strains.

? The Colon Care Formula contains 17 digestive enzymes and 33 different strains of probiotics to help with more frequent and comfortable bowel movements.

? Vaginal Care had scientifically studied strains to support vaginal and urinary tract health
? The 5-Day Max Care Formula is a high-potency formula which has 400 billion probiotic cultures to help rebuild the digestive tract after antibiotics or other intense attack.

Boosting immune response

New research suggests that certain probiotics help boost the immune response to certain flu virus strains. In a randomised, double blind, placebo-controlled study conducted at the Luigi Sacco Hospital, in Milan, 2Air Jordan III 3 Shoes