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| Global Experts Convene to Address Emerging Research about Probiotics |
| New Evidence Presented at Fourth Danone International Convention on Probiotics Shows Their Potential Role with Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Child Atopic Eczema |
| March 22, 2006 |
| White Plains, NY, March 22, 2006 |
| The Dannon Company today announced a summary of the recently concluded Fourth Danone International Convention on Probiotics. The convention, which took place in Paris, France on March 9 and 10, 2006, brought together more than 150 researchers from more than 20 countries to take stock of the progress in probiotics knowledge and to share and review their research. Probiotics, meaning “for life,” are living microorganisms, which upon ingestion in sufficient quantities provide additional health benefits beyond basic nutrition.
“The findings presented build on decades of science focused on understanding the health benefits of probiotics,” said Miguel Freitas, Scientific Affairs Manager, The Dannon Company. “We are committed to pioneering innovations in clinical research. This is the only annual meeting of its kind aimed at advancing research on probiotics.” The abundance of scientific publications regarding probiotics reflects that research about probiotics is attracting increasing interest. There have been more than 2,200 original articles since 2000, of which about 1,400 have been published since 2003. Following are a few of the high points of 2005 and 2006 that were shared at the Danone convention. Increasing Clinical Evidence in Favor of Probiotic Bacteria Use in Child Atopic Eczema Stephanie Weston, MD, Telethon research fellow, Department of Pediatrics at the University of Western Australia, reported on the latest scientific evidence regarding probiotics and atopic eczema. Considerable evidence of the clinical efficacy of probiotic bacteria, particularly Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG, now exists. In infants aged 6-18 months with moderate to severe atopic eczema, Weston demonstrated the effects of Lactobacillus fermentum VRI-033PCC supplementation with respect to the severity and extent of child atopic eczema. Probiotic bacteria supplementation appears to be effective. Administration of those bacteria to neonates at allergic risk (through familial history) may ultimately be recommended (Rautava SJ et al., 2005). Probiotic Bacteria Are Reported to Have a Key Role in the Management of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Robin C. Spiller, MD, Professor of Gastroenterology, Center for Digestive Diseases, Nottingham Teaching Hospital, United Kingdom, reviewed findings reported on the potential of probiotic bacteria in an editorial published in the journal Gastroenterology in 2005. Dr. Spiller highlighted that several randomized clinical trials (treatments assigned at random and indistinguishable treatments) to test the efficacy of two probiotics, Lactobacillus plantarum and Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG, and mixture VSL#3 containing Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus delbreueckii, Bifidobacterium longi, Bifidobacterium breve, Bifidobacterium infantis and Streptococcus salivarius, have yielded very encouraging results. Also in 2005, Liam O’Mahony, MD, University College Cork Department of Medicine, Cork, Ireland, studied certain strains, one Lactobacillus salivarius and one Bifidobacterium infantis, in patients with IBS (O’Mahony L et al., 2005). O’Mahony observed significant alleviation of certain symptoms in the Bifidobacterium infantis group. In addition to the clinical results, Bifidobacterium infantis induced normalization of the interleukin 10/interleukin 12 ratio, involved in inflammation. Certain probiotics may thus have an effect in the inflammation process and Bifidobacterium infantis could play an important role in the management of IBS. The Involvement of the Intestinal Flora in Obesity Professor Jeffrey I. Gordon, MD, Director, Center for Genome Sciences, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MS, United States, and his team reported that ‘flora-free’ mice born and maintained in a sterile environment, preventing bacterial colonization of the digestive tract, ingest more food than ‘control’ mice with flora, but gain less weight. In mice, the flora thus appears to be involved in the constitution of fat mass. This finding affords new research prospects, particularly with regard to how probiotic bacteria may influence lipid storage. To chart the course for future research about the efficacy of probiotics, four workshops with clinical themes or mechanistic approaches were conducted with respect to areas such as childhood immunity and gastrointestinal disorders. A workshop about childhood immunity explored probiotic actions, particularly with respect to allergic phenomena, infectious or antibiotic-related diarrhea, and affecting the mortality rate among low-birth weight neonates (or even premature neonates) associated with necrotizing enterocolitis, a serious and frequent complication in those newborns. The session about gastrointestinal diseases evaluated the understanding of the diathesis of irritable bowel syndrome and the position of probiotic bacteria in the management of IBS. About Probiotics Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that can help impact the balance of bacteria in the digestive tract, where about 70 percent of the body’s immune system is located. Different strains of probiotics usually provide specific benefits. Health benefits of probiotics vary, depending on the strain of probiotic bacteria used, the activity of the strain, the quantity consumed and how they are delivered. Probiotics must be identified, food-grade and alive in adequate amounts at the time of ingestion. In addition, research shows that probiotic cultures which survive and are active in the human gastrointestinal tract confer the most benefits. For more information about probiotics and their role in human health, please visit the Dannon Probiotics Center Web site, www.dannonprobioticscenter.com, a comprehensive online resource for health professionals, consumers and the media. The Dannon Company recently introduced Activia®, the first and only probiotic yogurt available in the United States that is clinically proven to help naturally regulate the digestive system in two weeks when eaten daily, as part of a healthy and balanced diet. Activia is the only lowfat yogurt with the special probiotic culture Bifidus Regularis™ and combines great taste with a clinically demonstrated functional benefit. Activia is scientifically proven to help with slow intestinal transit. In select markets and at natural food stores nationwide, Dannon also sells DanActive™, a probiotic cultured dairy drink that is clinically proven to help naturally strengthen your body’s defenses. In addition to containing S. thermophilius and L. bulgaricus, DanActive contains a proprietary strain, L. casei Defensis™. About The Dannon Company, Inc. The Dannon Company, Inc., is America’s founding national yogurt company and continually leverages its expertise to develop and market innovative cultured fresh dairy products in the United States. Headquartered in White Plains, NY, Dannon has plants in Minster, OH, Fort Worth, TX, and West Jordan, UT. The company produces and sells approximately 100 different types of flavors, styles and sizes of cultured fresh dairy products. Dannon is owned by Groupe Danone, one of the world’s leading producers of packaged foods and beverages, and Dannon is the top-selling brand of yogurt products worldwide, sold under the names Dannon and Danone. With a strong commitment to high-quality, wholesome, nutritious and innovative products, The Dannon Company, Inc. is committed to encouraging healthy eating and living and strives to innovate with one goal in mind: to create foods for families and individuals with their health and enjoyment in mind. For more information, please visit ww.dannon.com. |
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