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Overview of the Science behind Bimuno

Research on how the gut microbiome can be modulated through exogenous strains of beneficial bacteria (probiotics) has been well documented. The effects of stimulating endogenous bacteria through consumption of dose-controlled prebiotics are arguably less well known.

Clasado has published human clinical trials on the prebiotic Bimuno® since 2008 and to date has over 90 scientific publications including over 20 clinical trials.

The research journey started at the University of Reading, UK by demonstrating how beneficial endogenous bacteria can be selectively grown in the colon using the galactooligosaccharides (GOS) contained in Bimuno.

Bimuno (also in publications referred to as B-GOS®) is shown to beneficially affect the human gut microbiome through its selective stimulation of bifidobacteria. The growth of good bacteria in the gut has been repeatedly demonstrated in studies in healthy adult populations1,2,3 individuals with IBS4,5,6 and obese adults7,8.

Human research has demonstrated the effect of bifidobacteria and associated metabolites on the gut microbiome, the host and the resulting influence on digestive health, immune health and cognitive health.

Digestive discomfort

Bloating, Flatulence and associated Abdominal Pain

Bimuno® has been shown to reduce the physical effects of digestive discomfort1,2,3,4.

Clinical research using Bimuno has shown that it reduces flatulence, bloating and abdominal pain in individuals who experience gastrointestinal discomfort and leads to a significant reduction in urgency2. Bimuno also has a positive effect on improving bowel habits in individuals with IBS4 and maintaining regularity in healthy individuals5.

Digestive Discomfort

It's important to note that by specifically targeting gut bifidobacteria (which do not contribute to gas production), Bimuno does not lead to increased gas6, which could be a concern for some individuals.

People who experience digestive discomfort are often advised by nutrition professionals to temporarily follow a restrictive diet which avoids fermentable (FODMAP) foods. Whilst this approach often yields short term benefits, a low FODMAP diet has a number of challenges as it can alter the gut microbiota, impact nutrient intake and diet quality, is complex to understand, requires the patient to be adequately supported to follow the diet accurately and safely, and lastly, not all patients respond to the diet1.

People who experience digestive discomfort respond more favourably to Bimuno GOS2,7 compared to inulin type prebiotics which may aggravate gastrointestinal symptoms.

Immune function

Immunity can be affected by lifestyle, stress, poor nutrition and it also changes as people age. Particularly with ageing, the decline of immune function - so called immunosenescence - may start to play a bigger role and can affect all parts of the immune system making a person more prone to getting ill.

Bimuno provides diverse benefits to the immune system. It improves immune resilience in the elderly1,2, improves low-grade chronic inflammation in the overweight3 and decreases asthma-associated pro-inflammatory cytokines4. Bimuno has shown to increase the level of anti-inflammatory cytokines and decrease the level of proinflammatory cytokines.

Immune Function

As many athlete’s experience GI problems and exercise-induced asthma, application of Bimuno to a physically active population could be advantageous. In addition, typically many athletes follow a high-protein, low-fibre diet so supplementation of Bimuno could help bridge the fibre gap.

Behaviour, mood and cognition

Modulation of the gut microbiome has also been demonstrated to affect behaviour, mood and cognition through the gut-brain axis. Bimuno supplementation has been shown to reduce stress through decreasing cortisol levels in healthy individuals1, impacting on their attention and mood.

In another study involving autistic children, supplementation with Bimuno led to significant improvements in social skills2. In an IBS cohort, Bimuno supplementation reduced anxiety and improved quality of life3.

Behaviour, Mood & Cognition

Travellers' Diarrhoea

Studies have shown that Bimuno reduces the adhesion of pathogens to gut cells and increases certain internally secreted substances to prevent invasion of pathogens. This strongly suggests a positive effect by Bimuno on the innate immune system. This effect is reflected in studies1,2 where Bimuno was shown to reduce incidence of diarrhoea caused by pathogens.

Travellers' Diarrhoea

Summary of Science

The below provides an overview of the clinical research undertaken on Bimuno.

Key:

Digestive Discomfort Key
Immune Function Key
Behaviour, Mood & Cognition Key
Prebiotic Effect Key
Travellers' Diarrhoea Key

Depeint F, Tzortzis G, Vulevic J, I'anson K, Gibson GR. 2008. Prebiotic evaluation of a novel galactooligosaccharide mixture produced by the enzymatic activity of Bifodobacterium bifidum NCIMB 41171, in healthy humans: a randomized, double-blind, crossover, placebo-controlled intervention study. Am J Clin Nutr. 87(3):785-91.

Prebiotic Effect Key

Drakoularakou A, Tzortzis G, Rastall RA, Gibson GR. 2010. A double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized human study assessing the capacity of a novel galactooligosaccharide mixture in reducing travellers' diarrhoea. Eur J Clin Nutr.64(2):146-52.

Digestive Discomfort Key
Travellers' Diarrhoea Key

Grimaldi R, Gibson GR, Vulevic J, Giallourou N, Castro-Mejia JL, et al. 2018. A prebiotic intervention study in children with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). Microbiome;6(1):133.

Behaviour, Mood & Cognition Key
Prebiotic Effect Key

Hasle G, Raastad R, Bjune G, Jenum PA, Heier L. 2017. Can a galactooligosaccharide reduce the risk of traveller's diarrhoea? A placebo-controlled, randomized, double-blind study. J Travel Med 24(5);1-9.

Travellers' Diarrhoea Key

Huaman JW, Mego M, Manichanh Ch et al. 2018. Effects Of Prebiotics Vs A Diet Low In Fodmaps In Patients With Functional Gut Disorder. Gastroenterology. 155(4):1004-1007.

Digestive Discomfort Key
Prebiotic Effect Key

Kao AC, Safarikova J, Marquardt T, Mullins B, Lennox BR, Burnet PWJ. 2019. Pro-cognitive effect of a prebiotic in psychosis: A double blind placebo controlled cross-over study. Schizophr Res. pii: S0920-9964(19)30085-4.

Behaviour, Mood & Cognition Key

Mego M, Accarino A, Tzortzis G, Vulevic J, Gibson G Guarner F, Azpiroz F. 2017 in press. Colonic gas homeostasis: Mechanisms of adaptation following HOST-G904 galactooligosaccharide use in humans. Neurogastroenterol Motil.

Digestive Discomfort Key

Mego M, Manichanh C, Accarino A, Campos D, Pozuelo M, Varela E, Vulevic J, Tzortzis G, Gibson G, Guarner F, Azpiroz F. 2017. Metabolic adaptation of colonic microbiota to galactooligosaccharides: a proof-of-concept-study. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 45(5):670-680.

Digestive Discomfort Key
Prebiotic Effect Key

Schmidt K, Cowen PJ, Harmer CJ, Tzortzis G, Errington S, Burnet PW. 2015. Prebiotic intake reduces the waking cortisol response and alters emotional bias in healthy voluteers. Psychopharmacology (Berl). 232(10):1793-801.

Behaviour, Mood & Cognition Key

Sergeev IN, Aljutaily T, Walton G, Huarte E. 2020. Effects of Synbiotic Supplement on Human Gut Microbiota, Body Composition and Weight Loss in Obesity. Nutrients;12(1). pii: E222.

Prebiotic Effect Key

Silk DB, Davis A, Vulevic J, Tzortzis G, Gibson GR. 2009. Clinical trial: the effects of a trans-galactooligosaccharide prebiotic on faecal microbiota and symptoms in irritable bowel syndrome. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 1;29(5):508-18.

Behaviour, Mood & Cognition Key
Digestive Discomfort Key
Prebiotic Effect Key

Vulevic J, Drakoularakou A, Yaqoob P, Tzortzis G, Gibson GR. 2008. Modulation of the fecal microflora profile and immune function by a novel trans-galactooligosaccharide mixture (B-GOS) in healthy elderly volunteers. AM J Clin Nutr 88(5):1438-46.

Immune Function Key
Prebiotic Effect Key

Vulevic J, Juric A, Tzortzis G, Gibson GR. 2013. A mixture of trans-galactooligosaccharides reduces markers of metabolic syndrome and modulates the fecal microbiota and immune function of overweight adults: J Nutr.143(3):324-31.

Immune Function Key
Prebiotic Effect Key

Vulevic J, Juric A, Walton GE, Claus SP, Tzortzis G, Toward RE, Gibson GR. 2015. Influence of galactooligosccharide mixture (B-GOS) on gut microbiota, immune parameters and metabonomics in elderly persons. Br J Nurt.;114(4):586-95.

Immune Function Key
Prebiotic Effect Key

Vulevic J, Tzortzis G, Juric A, Gibson GR. 2018. Effect of a prebiotic galactooligosaccharide mixture (B-GOS®) on gastrointestinal symptoms in adults selected from a general population who suffer with bloating, abdominal pain, or flatulence. Neurogastroenterol Motil.;30(11):e13440.

Digestive Discomfort Key

Williams, NC, Johnson MA, Shaw DE, Spendlove I, Vulevic J, Sharpe GR, Hunter KA. 2016. A prebiotic galactooligosaccharide mixture (B-GOS) reduces severity of hyperpnea-induced bronchonstriction and markers of airway inflammation. British Journal of Nutrition, 116:798-804.

Immune Function Key

Wilson B, Rossi M, Kanno T, et al. B-Galactooligosaccharide in Conjunction With Low FODMAP Diet Improves Irritable Bowel Syndrome Symptoms but Reduces Fecal Bifidobacteria. Am J Gastroenterol. 2020;115(6):906-915.

Digestive Discomfort Key
Overview of the Science behind Bimuno
  1. Depeint et al., American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 2008; 87(3):785-91.
  2. Vulevic et al., American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 2008; 88(5):1438-46.
  3. Vulevic et al., British Journal of Nutrition, 2015; 114(4):586-95.
  4. Silk et al., Alimentary Pharmocology and Therapeutics, 2009; 1;29(5):508-18.
  5. Huaman et al., Gastroenterology, 2018; 155:1004-1007.
  6. Wilson et al., American Journal of Gastroenterology, 2020; 115(6):906‐915.
  7. Vulevic et al., Journal of Nutrition, 2013; 143(3):324-31.
  8. Sergeev et al., Nutrients, 2020; 12(1): E222.
Digestive discomfort
  1. Silk et al., Alimentary Pharmocology and Therapeutics, 2009; 1;29(5):508-18.
  2. Vulevic et al., Neurogastroenterology and Motility, 2018; 30:11.
  3. Huaman et al., Gastroenterology, 2018; 155:1004-1007.
  4. Wilson et al., American Journal of Gastroenterology, 2020; 115(6):906‐915.
  5. Drakoularakou et al., European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 2010; 64(2):146-52.
  6. Mego et al., Neurogastroenterology Motility, 2017.
  7. Wilson et al., American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 2019; 109(4):1098-1111.
Immune function
  1. Vulevic et al., American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 2008; 88(5):1438-46.
  2. Vulevic et al., British Journal of Nutrition, 2015; 114(4):586-95.
  3. Vulevic et al., Journal of Nutrition, 2013; 143(3):324-31.
  4. Williams et al., Synapse, 2016; 70(3):121-4.
Behaviour, mood and cognition
  1. Schmidt et al., Psychopharmacology, 2015; 232(10):1793-1801.   
  2. Grimaldi et al., FEMS Microbiology Ecology, 2017;93(2):1-10.
  3. Silk et al., Alimentary Pharmocology and Therapeutics, 2009; 1;29(5):508-18.
Travellers' Diarrhoea
  1. Drakoularakou et al., European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 2010; 64(2):146-52.
  2. Hasle et al., Journal of Travel Medicine, 2017; 24(5);1-9.

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This section is an information and educational resource for healthcare professionals. It is not intended for consumers. If you wish to purchase Bimuno please click here