TRY BOOSTING THE IMMUNE SYSTEM WITH PROBIOTICS

IMMUNITY AND HEALTH

Colds and flu are commonAcute respiratory tract infections (ARTIs), including upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) and common colds remains highly prevalent in the general population and accounts for approximately 70 % of the primary diagnosis at healthcare office visits. Antibiotics are often prescribed, but have a limited effect in case of URTI1 since viruses are most often the cause. In addition, use of antibiotics may lead to side effects such as antibiotic associated diarrhea which is the result of a disturbance of the microbiota.

When the physiology of the immune system and the intestinal system is understood and the effect of probiotics on intestinal health established, the relation between probiotics and immune health becomes obvious.

In general, prevention is more effective than therapeutic treatment in stemming viral infections, and in the continued search for alternative ways to control them, probiotics are likely to catch consumers attention.

GUT HEALTH AND IMMUNITY

The gut microbiota is important for the immune functionDiet and nutrition are important elements of a balanced gut microbiota and the human gut microbiota plays a crucial role in establishment and maintenance of a well-functioning immune system by performing important metabolic and immunological tasks. The micro- biota primarily interacts with the gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT), comprising 70 % of the immune system through which the microbiota is able to modulate and balance the immune system at systemic and mucosal levels.

In addition to providing a strong mucus membrane to keep pathogens away from the blood stream, immune responses initiated in the gut covers2:

· Production of different cytokines and chemokines· Protein induced increase in immunoglobulin A· Activation of T-cells for release of IL-10

The gut is the largest immune system in the body – 70% of the human immune system is located in and around the intestines

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PROBIOTICS AND GUT HEALTH

Boosting the immune systemHaving established the relation between gut health and immunity, probiotic supple-mentation are known to support intestinal health. Probiotic bacteria are ‘live micro- organisms which when administered in adequate amounts confer a health benefit on the host’3. For decades, probiotics have been used to improve gut health by maintaining or restoring the intestinal microbiota. Mounting evidence suggests that probiotics may also be a factor in modulation of the human immune system by improving the diversity and balance of the gut. Supplementing the diet with probiotics may work on the intestines in several ways4:

Strain properties· pH and bile resistance allow probiotics to reach the intestine· adhesion to intestinal ephithelial cells

Pathogen interference· pathogen growth inhibition· inhibition of pathogen adhesion· displacement of pathogens· production of antimicrobial substances

Microbiota interaction· increase in beneficial bacteria, such as lactobacilli and bifidobacteria· decrease in pathogenic bacteria· restoration of healthy microbiota

Immune function· increase in specific antibody production· increase in immune cell activity, such as cell proliferation and differentiation· modulation of cytokine production

‘All diseases begin in the gut’ – Hippocrates (460-370 EC)

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The mechanism by which probiotics interact with the immune system, is based on nume-rous studies investigating how probiotics could support the immune system. Results from these studies indicate that probiotics might not only affect the innate immune response – the immediate response system, but also parts of the adaptive immune response5 – which has been developed by pathogen exposure for targeted immune response.

Probiotics are frequently associated with keeping potential pathogenic bacteria in check to maintain a balanced intestinal microbiota and to avoid infection. However, the effect of probiotics could likely be extended to other types of agents causing disturbances, including rotavirus, but may also be extended to viruses involved in URTIs and common colds symptoms.

Probiotics in respiratory tract infectionsViral respiratory infections are the most common diseases in humans and research suggests that probiotics may be able to decrease the risk and/or the duration of respiratory infection symptoms. The potential antiviral mechanisms of probiotics remain unclear although increasingly studied. In a clinical trials review twentyeight out of thirtythree trials reported that probiotics had beneficial effects in the outcome of respiratory tract infections (RTIs). Based on these experimental studies, probiotics may exert antiviral effects directly in probiotic-virus interaction or via stimulation of the immune system, but detailed study of probiotics on specific viruses has not been investigated sufficiently3.

THE SCIENCE

Research and scientific interest in probiotics and human health have increased rapidly over the latest decades. Currently, metagenomic analysis is a powerful tool in under- standing the underlying mechanisms of the probiotic effect, but does not replace investigation of the clinical effect in humans. Clinical trials in humans remain the most reliable proof of efficacy of any intervention and have already shown significant results for probiotics and immune health. A number of specific strains of lactobacili and bifidobacteria have shown improvements in clinical outcomes in the magnitudes indicated below:

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Probiotics may also be able to keep viruses involved in URTIs and common colds at bay

Research suggests that probiotics may be able to affect both the innate and the adaptive immune response

Real and significant effects on respiratory tract infections of select probiotic bacteria – examples1

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When the digestive system is functioning properly it serves as a barrier to bacteria, viruses and pathogens

PROTECTING THE ENTIRE FAMILY

The respiratory illness caused by vira suggests that anything that strengthens the mucosal and systemic immune systems would be welcomed.

Probiotic supplements must be taken daily and regularly. It is therefore essential to provide dosage formats that are convenient, safe and appealing to the target age group. Formulating documented probiotics in powder sticks, tablets or capsules depending on consumer age group, will enhance ease of use and compliance.

Infant Immune system development

The immune system is immature at birth, but develops rapidly in response to external stimuli after birth and throughout infancy

Child /young adult

Immune system development and maturation

The immune system matures upon exposureto pathogens and other harmful substances, supported by vaccinations and immunizations

Adult Mature immune system

In healthy individuals the immune system is now fully matured and functional. The body reacts effectively to previous known pathogens

Elderly Declining immunity The efficacy of the immune system declines as the different mechanisms of the immune system become weaker

Age Immune function Immune system activity

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The evolution of the immune system over lifetime6

MULTI TARGET SUPPLEMENTS

Supporting the immune system in several ways in one supplement is appealing from a consumer point of view: efficacy is multiplied and convenience simplified. However, survivability of probiotic bacteria may be influenced by the presence of other active ingredients, hence formulating a dietary supplement featuring both probiotics and vitamins, requires know-how and specific formulation technology.

QUALITY

How exactly do you determine the ‘quality’ of a probiotic supplement? It’s not complicated – but there are several parameters essential to quality. A high quality probiotic product must:

• Contain and identify the right and specific probiotic strains• Contain the clinically adequate amount of CFU• Contain the labelled dose of probiotics through the end of shelf life (EOSL)• Be tested under the appropriate storage conditions• Be manufactured according to GMP

GOT A QUESTION? WE CAN HELP

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References 1: Whitepaper Immuno: Bifodan A/S, Lasse Sommer Mikkelsen, 2: Beneficial Effects of Probiotic Consumption on the Immune System: M. Galdeano C et al, 3: Probiotics and Immunity: M. Georgieva et al, 4: Probiotics and the gut microbiota in intestinal health and disease: M. Gareau et al, 5: M. Galdeano C et al: Probiotics and Immunity, 6: S. Maggini et al: Immune function and micronutritien requirements change over life course’

Information presented in this document is intended for professional business-to-business readers only. Content not meant for the final consumer and products not intended to diagnose, cure or prevent any disease.

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BIFODAN offers probiotic turnkey solutions of superior quality. Scientific documentation, stability and innovation are the cornerstones of our YOURBRAND portfolio. Our extensive competencies in understanding, formulating and pro-cessing probiotic bacteria, allow Bifodan to support partners in bringing a range of unique products to the market with short lead time. Bifodan® is a subsidiary of Deerland® Probiotics and Enzymes.

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