The Latest from Our Experts

The Bimuno experts provide the latest news on prebiotic research and advancement.

December 2008

New Development in Immunity Protection in the Elderly
A new study by one of the leading gut research departments at Reading University’s Food Biosciences unit has shown how a simple specifically targeted prebiotic can improve immunity in the elderly.

Prebiotics, galactooligosaccharides are known to stimulate the growth in younger adults of Bifidobacteria, a highly beneficial gut bacteria but aging is associated with a decline in beneficial colonies, increasing the risk of pathogenic invasion and reducing immunity capability. This study showed by just taking the specifically formulated prebiotic, Bimuno there were significant increases in phagocytosis, NK cell activity, and the production of anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-10 in people 65 and over. There was also a significant reduction in the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines.

Lead researcher, Dr Jelena Vulevic says “Bimuno significantly shows a direct effect on the body’s immune defence cells thus enhancing immune function in elderly people.” Previous studies demonstrated a reduced risk of infection and inflammation but this is the first study to be specifically targeted at the elderly. This study demonstrates that a simple supplement can boost elderly immunity, reducing the risk of gastrointestinal disorders, and infections such as colds and flu. The study concluded that Bimuno “may be a useful dietary candidate for the enhancement of immune function in elderly persons.”

November 2008

New Natural Approach to Staying Healthty in Old Age
Reading University’s Food Biosciences unit has over the years established itself as one of the top research facilities in digestive health. Their latest study now gives us a much greater understanding of the role of the gut flora in ageing and what we can do to protect health as we age. Levels of gut flora, in particular beneficial Bifidobacteria naturally decline as we age making us much more vulnerable to digestive disorders and infection.

The result of eight years of intensive research has led to the development of a prebiotic, Bimuno which studies show greatly enhances Bifidobacteria populations in the colon. This latest study shows a positive improvement in beneficial gut flora in people aged 65 and over simply by taking this prebiotic. Lead researcher, Dr Jelena Vulevic says “this study demonstrates Bimuno reverses the decline in elderly people’s health by promoting bifidobacteria.”

Previous research has demonstrated this specific prebiotic’s potential at preventing and reducing the severity of infections and alleviating the symptoms of IBS, health problems we are also more likely to experience as we age. This makes Bimuno a beneficial multipurpose dietary supplement for enhancing gastrointestinal health in the elderly.

October 2008

Prebiotics Found To Be Beneficial in Enhancing Mineral Metabolism and Bone Mineralization
Research at the Institute of Physiology and Biochemistry of Nutrition in Kiel, Germany have found that non-digestible oligosaccharides, better known as prebiotics, can stimulate the absorption of several minerals, including zinc, iron, calcium and magnesium which in turn improves bone mineralization.

During recent years, a range of studies discovered improved prebiotics influenced calcium absorption and bone mineralization. A paper published in the Alimentary, Pharmacology and Therapeutics Journal highlighted the range of prebiotic health benefits, including enhanced calcium absorption. Evidence from a range of papers also endorses the findings that prebiotics also enhance magnesium, iron, zinc and copper absorption.

One of the main beneficial gut bacteria is Bifidobacteria. Beneficial effects are dependent on the rate of fermentation by intestinal flora and ingested dose. The prebiotic Bimuno has been scientifically formulated to specifically target Bifidobacteria and designed to provide the most advantageous dosage and bio-availability.

Prebiotics Have the Potential To Reduce the Risk of Health Conditions Specific to the Elderly
A study by professor Hamilton-Miller at the Department of Medical Microbiology, Royal Free and University College Medical School, London has provided an overview of the health benefits to the elderly of maintaining levels of beneficial gut flora though prebiotic supplements. Beneficial gut flora, a key one being Bifidobacteria, have been shown to help prevent disease and promote good health. In this review, professor Hamilton-Miller highlighted the evidence from clinical trials of the benefits of supplementation in the elderly.

The key health issues specific to the elderly are malnutrition, calcium absorption and constipation. It was commented that deregulation of the immune system appears to be the main disorder in old age and prevalence of good gut bacteria can harmonise the immune system. The study concludes by stating that beneficial gut bacteria clearly show an ability to boost immunity and therefore it was justified to establish the role of supplementation in the elderly through further studies.

Prebiotics supplements such as Bimuno have been scientifically formulated to target beneficial gut bacteria, enabling the digestive system to maintain healthy levels of gut flora.

September 2008

Changing Enteric Microflora in Inflammatory Diseases through Therapeutic Manipulation
An article featured in Gastroenterology by Dr. R. B. Sartor focused on highlighting the problems of antibiotics in the treatment of Crohn’s Disease, Ulcerative Colitis and Pouchitis. These conditions are caused by an inappropriate and aggressive immune response to a subset of commensal enteric bacteria that normally are non-pathogenic but in some individuals there is a genetic predisposition that triggers an inflammatory response. The balance of aggressive and protective bacteria have been shown in various clinical and experimental studies to be altered in people with these conditions.

Antibiotics are used to reduce infection levels but are also known to imbalance bacterial levels. An alternative is the administration of prebiotics to restore a dominance of beneficial bacteria, in particular Bifidobacteria, the bacteria specifically targeted by the second generation prebiotic, Bimuno. They could also help in reducing or even preventing a relapse. Although further trials are required, prebiotics could become an integral component in the treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases.

The Role of Prebiotics in Gut Microbial Ecology in Relation to Critical Illness
A paper featured in Current Opinion in Critical Care by Dr. S. Bengmark added further to the growing body of evidence that prebiotics are a beneficial consideration in the treatment of critical illnesses. Approximately 60 to 70 percent of the immune system is in the gastrointestinal tract and this greatly influences health condition as it produces large quantities of gastrointestinal secretions claimed to be as beneficial as breast milk in factors that help support health and prevent disease. This area of immunity is supported by the activity of beneficial gastrointestinal flora and in healthy conditions bacteria outnumber immune cells by about 10 to 1.

To function at their optimum level, beneficial bacteria depend on a supply of food in the form of fibres now referred to as prebiotics. Unfortunately during illness, drug treatments—especially antibiotics—and reduced food intake can reduce both intestinal secretions and bacteria, reducing the body’s natural ability to repair and heal. To improve the chances of effective treatment, prebiotics are suggested as one of the ways of improving treatment and maintaining health supporting activities of both secretions and bacteria. Bifidobacteria is deemed to be one of the most beneficial bacteria, and studies show that the prebiotic Bimuno has particularly high levels of growth activity specifically toward Bifidobacteria.

August 2008

Selective Prebiotics Proven to Provide Protection from Salmonella Infection
Research carried out by the Departments of Food and Environmental Safety, Molecular Pathogenesis and Genetic,s and the Department of Food and Biosciences at Reading University have shown a reduced severity in Salmonella Typhimurium infection when the Bifidobacteria specific prebiotic, Bimuno is taken. Prebiotics are non-digestible oligosaccharides fermented by colonic bacteria and associated with improved gastrointestinal health and improved immunity. Their ability to proliferate beneficial bacteria could play a part in inhibiting the spread of pathogens.

In this study the results showed pre-dosing with Bimuno protected from Salmonella Typhimurium colonisation in all the organs sampled. In the gut, no adhesion, invasion or pathology was observed in the presence of Bimuno.

The study concludes that this reduction in invasion indicates that Bimuno appears to prevent over colonisation of Salmonella Typhimurium, offering increased protection from infection and severity of infection.

Good Bacteria Could Protect Against Hospital Acquired Infections
Superbugs and viral infections seem to be relentlessly sweeping the nation. Nasty bugs such as the C.diff are an ongoing problem in hospitals today, and our fear for super bugs has become so great that nearly a third of people could be declining hospital treatment rather than run the risk of infection.

Contracting infection is often put down to just bad luck, but research now shows there are things we can do to protect ourselves, in particular maintaining a healthy gut.
Extensive studies have brought to light a greater understanding of the beneficial role played by good bacteria, specifically Bifidobacteria.

Seven years of research at the University of Reading Microbial Sciences fronted by Professor Glen Gibson, the man accredited with inventing the term “prebiotic,” has lead to the development of an advanced, evidence based second generation prebiotic, Bimuno, which has already demonstrated its protective qualities against the well known pathogens, enteropathogenic E.coli and Salmonella enterica Typhimurium. This has been specifically designed to aid immunity and protect against pathogens, recognising the greater protective value of prebiotics over the more commonly consumed probiotics. His findings have caused considerable interest among scientists, and further research is underway to assess its effectiveness against a range of pathogens and gastro-intestinal toxins.

Bimuno’s clinically proven triple effect of prebiotic, immune modulation and anti-pathogenic activity can boost immunity and thus help to protect against illness and infections. Bimuno was developed specifically to assist our natural in-house Bifidobacteria to flourish, reinforcing our immunity and protecting against infection. Although regular consumption is suggested as a preventive measure, it is particularly useful for people recovering from illness or going through surgery.

July 2008

GOS Prebiotics Demonstrate the Potential to Have a Wide Range of Health Benefits
The Dundee University Group based at the Hospital Medical School, Dundee have compiled a review outlining the specific benefits of galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS), a prebiotic found chiefly in mothers breast milk but also now developed into the supplement, Bimuno. This specific prebiotic feeds Bifidobacteria, a gut bacteria considered to be one of the most beneficial, with a wide range of suspected health benefits.

The paper highlights the prebiotics role in supporting the immune system, particularly the digestive tract’s own mucosal immunity. It also covers allergy, IBS, bone mineralisation and joint inflammation. The review collected individual pre- and probiotic papers and presented them in a collective context, concluding that consumption of prebiotics can have significant health benefits.

Gut Microflora Differences Found in Children Suffering From Autistic Spectrum Disorders
A study carried out by the Food Microbial Sciences Unit at the University of Reading has discovered that children with autistic spectrum disorders, who are more likely to suffer from severe gastrointestinal problems, have a higher incidence of so-called “bad” bacteria in the gut than healthy children. Higher levels of Clostridium bacteria, a toxin producer associated with gut dysfunction, were found to be evident in the ASD case studies.

The strategy suggested to reduce clostridial populations was to improve the child’s gut microflora by increasing the levels of beneficial gut bacteria through dietary modulation with the aim of alleviating gut disorders common in ASD sufferers. Beneficial gut bacteria, Bifidobacteria, has properties that can reduce inflammation and help with gut related disorders. Prebiotics, found in fruit, vegetables and Bimuno feed Bifidobacteria, enabling it to destabilize bad bacterial colonies such as clostridium.

June 2008

Bifidobacterium Reduces Inflammatory Effects of Ulcerative Colitis
Published this month is a new paper from the Nihon University School of Medicine, Tokyo outlining the benefits of maintaining healthy levels of specific good gut bacteria. In a healthy gut, Bifidobactrium is the most predominant good gut bacteria and known for its immune regulating properties. Bifidobacterium is fuelled by prebiotics found in many fruit, vegetables and the prebiotic Bimuno which selectively targets Bifidobacterium.

The study aimed to determine the anti-inflammatory activity of Bifidobacteria against the painful inflammatory symptoms experienced by UC sufferers. The results showed Bifidobacterium enhanced the production of Interleukin-10, an essential immunoregulator in the intestinal tract, and inhibited secretion of Interleukin-8, an inflammatory component of the immune response. This suggests that Bifidobacterium specifically produces anti-inflammatory effects against UC, relieving suffers of some of the awful pain and suffering experienced from this condition.

Specific Prebiotic Protects Against Pathogens
Prebiotics are the food source of good gut bacteria. Bimuno, a selective prebiotic developed at Reading University, has been designed to specifically target Bifidobacteria, known for its immune boosting qualities.

A study carried out at Reading University not only showed this prebiotic increased Bifidobacteria levels in the gut but also inhibited the attachment of infectious agents, E.Coli and Salmonella.

The prebiotic decreased the pH concentration in the gut making it more conducive for good gut bacteria to flourish and less inviting for harmful strains. Its anti-adhesion qualities also makes it beneficial in the fight against infection. These benefits have not been observed in other prebiotics suggesting this particular mix has a greater prebiotic potential.

May 2008

Selective Prebiotics Linked To Symptom Relief In Ibs Sufferers
New research carried out at the Central Middlesex Hospital, shows a novel synthesised prebiotic, trans-galactooligosaccharide can relieve the symptoms of IBS. Gut flora-mucosal interactions have previously been linked with IBS. Bifidobacteria have been shown to alleviate IBS symptoms.

The synthesised galactooligosaccharide prebiotic Bimuno used in the trial is designed to specifically enhance the cultivation of an individual’s natural reserves of bifidobacteria. The study concluded that the prebiotic, Bimuno is effective in alleviating the symptoms of IBS making it is a potential therapeutic agent in the treatment of IBS.

Bifidobacteria Found To Have A Suppresive Effect On The Bacteria Responsible Fo Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Research at the University School of Medicine in Tokai has discovered Bifidobacteria, the most predominant good gut bacteria found in a healthy digestive system can potentially suppress the harmful bacteria responsible for IBD. Bacteroides, a commensal gut bacteria is thought to be responsible for IBD development.

The study examined the effect of healthy growth of Bifidobacteria against the levels of Bacteroides in mice and discovered Bifidobacteria highly inhibited the growth of the pathogenic bacteria. It also significantly suppressed systemic antibody responses and increased the number of Peyers Patches, the guts own immune protection. The results suggest Bifidobacteria, enhanced by prebiotics, found naturally in vegetables and the prebiotic Bimuno, protected the gut epithelial layer from Bacteroid invasion, suppressing an anti-body response potentially responsible for the inflammatory symptoms of IBD.

April 2008

Prebiotics – Protection Against Atopic Dermatitis
Prebiotic oligosaccharides have been found to reduce the incidence of atopic dermatitis during the first six months of age. A study presented to the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health show for the first time the beneficial effect of prebiotics on the development of atopic dermatitis in infants. This study has prompted the need for further investigation as it does appear likely that oligosaccharides are modulating postnatal immune development by altering gut flora.  Therefore it appears prebiotics have a potential role in primary allergy prevention during infancy (Moro et al)

Oligosaccharides, a prebiotic are a specific food source of beneficial Bifidobacteria found predominately in breast milk. These particular prebiotics are found naturally in fruit, vegetables and the prebiotic Bimuno.

Gut Bacteria – Prediction Of Obesity
Researchers from the University of Turku, Finland have discovered a link between levels of beneficial bifidobacteria in a baby’s gut and obesity. Published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition the study showed babies with high levels of bifidobacteria had a greater protection from excess weight gain in the future. This supports previous studies in adults that linked obesity with low levels of beneficial bacteria, suggesting manipulation of gut flora could effectively help in the prevention and treatment of obesity. Bifidobacteria is transmitted to the child through breast milk so levels are dependent on what the mother can supply. If the child is not breast fed or has finished breast feeding, propagation of bifidobacteria is dependent on a diet high in prebiotic vegetable and fruit sources. The prebiotic Bimuno is specifically designed to target the growth of bifidobacteria.

March 2008

New research shows that the prebiotic supplement Bimuno significantly boosts levels of ‘good’ gut bacteria
University of Reading, 7 March 2008: New data published today in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition shows that the prebiotic supplement Bimuno significantly increases levels of bifidobacteria in humans within seven days1. Bifidobacteria are the most important types of positive, or ‘good’ bacteria in the gut, as they specifically stimulate the immune system, increase resistance to infection and diarrhoeal disease, reduce markers of chronic gut problems and enhance overall gut health2.

“These results are very exciting because they show that bifidobacteria seem to have a high affinity towards this prebiotic. Interestingly, the large gut where these bacteria are found controls around 70% of the body’s natural immune function, which helps protect against illness. Bifidobacteria play a key role in the gut’s digestive and immune functions and now we have human evidence that prebiotics, like GOS directly stimulate these health enhancing bacteria”, Professor Glenn Gibson, Head of Food Microbial Sciences, University of Reading.

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