Bimuno IMMUNAID
The Clinical Challenge
A number of factors can compromise your patients’ positive bacterial balance and immune system. These include stress, poor diet, infection (including hospital acquired infections), ageing and the use of antibiotics.
The ageing process leads to a reduction in beneficial and increase in harmful bacteria and a subsequent marked decline in immune function (immunosenescence), which can promote hyporesponsiveness to vaccination and a predisposition to infectious and non-infectious diseases1.
Antibiotic Associated Diarrhoea (AAD), results from the disruption of the normal bacterial balance caused by antibiotics thus enabling the overgrowth of harmful bacteria such as C.difficile2. AAD occurs in up to 30% of patients either early during antibiotic therapy or up to two months after end of treatment3,4.
More about Bimuno® IMMUNAID
Bimuno® IMMUNAID is designed to work in harmony with the body’s natural defences. It is intended to increase and strengthen the body’s immunity boosting Bifidobacteria.
It is formulated to provide an improved Bimuno® product which combines the unique B-GOS prebiotic properties with the added benefit of vitamin C in an easy to use, discrete pastille format.
It is clinically proven to energise the body’s immunity boosting bacteria (Bifidobacteria)5.
It is also clinically proven to help enhance the immune function in the elderly6. Over the age of 55 Bifidobacterial levels, which are essential in stimulating the body’s immune cells, begin to decline and this has a negative effect on gut and immune health. The older we become, the less Bifidobacteria we have.
The Clinical Evidence
Energising the body’s immunity boosting bacteria (Bifidobacteria):
• Bimuno® significantly increased the numbers of beneficial bacteria, especially Bifidobacteria5
• It’s prebiotic (increase and strengthening in beneficial bacteria) and bifidogenic (increase and strengthening in Bifidobacteria) effect was superior to 1st generation GOS prebiotics5
• Bimuno® significantly increased bifidobacteria within a week5.
Enhancing Immune Function in the Elderly:
• Bimuno® significantly increased the numbers of beneficial bacteria, especially Bifidobacteria, at the expense of less beneficial groups compared with baseline and placebo6
• It had a direct positive effect on the innate immune system by significantly increasing phagocytic and NK cell activity6
• It had a direct positive effect on the adaptive immune system by increasing production of anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-10 (IL-10) and significantly reducing the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-1β, and tumour necrosis factor-α)6.
Who can benefit from Bimuno® IMMUNAID?
It is ideal for patients and customers who are proactive about their immune health and for older individuals with a weak or suppressed immune system.
Specifically, the following people can benefit from Bimuno® IMMUNAID:
• Those feeling ‘run down’
• Those recovering from illness
• About to enter hospital and are concerned about hospital acquired infections
• Taking antibiotics
• About to take the flu vaccination (especially the elderly who are hyporesponsive to vaccinations)
• Aged 55+ and elderly
• Anyone who is proactive about their immune health
Recommending Bimuno® IMMUNAID
Bimuno® IMMUNAID is classed as a food supplement and does not have any of the warnings and contra-indications associated with medicinal products.
Although no adverse effects have been reported, it should be noted that Bimuno® IMMUNAID contains small amounts of lactose (from milk).
The product contains 30 chewable pastilles and the active ingredients are galacto-oligosaccharides equivalent to a daily dose of 1.38g and also Vitamin C equivalent to a daily dose of 12mg. It is free from artificial colours, flavours and preservatives and is gluten free. The lactose content is 0.36g* per daily dose. Per daily dose it contains 13 kcal, 1.6g of sugar and 0.0g of fat.
It is suitable for children aged 6 years and over and for adults.
The dosage is two pastilles per day. For best results the two pastilles should be taken after breakfast. Since the benefits build over time, a daily intake is recommended.
Reference:
1. Aspinal R et al. Biochem Soc Trans 2000;28:250-4.
2. Barlett JG et al. N Engl J Med 1978;298:531-534.
3. Wilstrom J et al. J Antimicrob Chemother 2001;47:43-50.
4. McFarland LV. Dig Dis 1998;16:292-307.
5. Depeint F et al. Am J Clin Nutr 2008;87:785-91.
6. Vulevic J et al. Am J Clin Nutr 2008;88:1438-46.
* Lactose doses of less than 10g per day are likely to be tolerated by most of the population of lactose deficient adults. EFSA Journal (2007) 565,1-6.