Combining micronutrients with prebiotics? Clasado Biosciences pegs immunity potential

01 Sep 2022 --- Clasado Biosciences Bimuno GOS, a prebiotic galactooligosaccharide (GOS) ingredient, may have a significant potential role in enhancing immune function and, in particular, in reducing inflammation.

Bimuno GOS is pegged as the most researched prebiotic, with over 100 scientific publications, including more than 20 clinical trials, supporting its safety and efficacy.

“The key message as we see it is that as the link between prebiotics and immune health strengthens, there is a growing opportunity to look at immunity through a new lens – that of gut health,” Per Rehné, CEO at Clasado Biosciences, tells NutritionInsight.

“As we know, prebiotics are one of the most versatile and stable functional ingredients in the gut health category, and they lend themselves to a lot of different product applications, including nutraceutical supplements and functional F&B. So, what this tells us is that the future of immune health product development could start to look more diverse and varied.”

Replacing micronutrients for immune health?
In considering if prebiotics could replace immune-boosting micronutrients, Rehné explains that they will “not necessarily replace – as vitamins and micronutrients have their key role to play, supporting the immune system in different ways.”

“What’s more likely is that we will see products that combine prebiotics with vitamins and minerals to approach immune health from a wider and more inclusive angle.”

Clasado notes that the importance of gut health is increasing as global consumers become more aware of their well-being.A particular area of research in this field is to what extent the gut microbiome can help the body to absorb nutrients more effectively and initial emerging evidence is positive, he explains.

“This could prove to be an exciting area of future exploration, creating a potential synergic action on immune support.”

Impact of prebiotics on immune health
Clasado explains that around 70% of the immune system resides in the gut, including the relationship between prebiotics and immunity.

“When we speak on immune health support, that insight comes from the culmination of many different studies,” says Rehné.

Concerning which “leading prebiotic technology” can be used to make immune-supporting products, Rehné explains: “There are several different approaches that formulators can take when adding a prebiotic element, but the focus is on GOS.”

“For our team, it’s about taking prebiotic technology, backed by strong scientific principles and many scientific studies, and making it commercially effective for health and nutrition businesses to use.”

Beneficial at a low dosage
Bimuno GOS benefits from a low efficacious dose of 1.37 g and stability across a wide range of pH and temperatures, which makes formulating with it easier and more consumer-friendly, Rehné explains.

“This is a bonus for formulators and manufacturers in simpler handling and logistics.”

Regarding what makes the research portfolio behind Bimuno GOS the “strongest on the market,” Rehné adds that “it’s the most comprehensively studied in its category – that in itself is a huge draw for consumers, that we see time and again are looking for products they can trust.”

In the future, combining prebiotics with vitamins and minerals may be an approach to supporting immune health.“The safety and efficacy of Bimuno GOS is supported by over 100 scientific publications, including more than 20 clinical trials and that number is still climbing.”

Approved health claims
Clasado previously received approval to extend the novel food status for GOS in food for medical purposes from the European Food Safety Authority.

“We see a great example of how strong the portfolio is when we look at the wider market – we see other developers in the same space citing prebiotic research conducted using Bimuno,” says Rehné.

In addition, the science can be translated into approved health claims in select territories, he explains.

“For example, there are 22 Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) claims as well as two approved claims by the FDA in the Philippines and structure and function claims in the US.”

“These are key for formulators to convey the scientific value proposition to their customers and differentiate their products in the marketplace from other food products or supplements.”

Distribution, sports nutrition and “seismic shifts”
Rehné details that the company is “building a very strong global footprint, with Bimuno GOS available in Europe, North America, Asia, Australia and New Zealand.”

In light of this, Clasado previously extended its distribution agreement with CTC Group to solidify its presence in the APAC region in response to the rising demand for prebiotics. The present agreement placed CTC Group as the primary distributor of its Bimuno GOS prebiotic ingredient in the Philippines, with extensions now including Indonesia and Vietnam.

According to Clasado experts, gut-health-centered athletic supplements are entering a “completely new” segment within sports and nutrition products. Clasado also noted that the prebiotics industry is poised for lucrative growth due to scientific, technological and consumer education developments. As a result, the company observes “seismic shifts” in the use of prebiotics for immunological and gastrointestinal health.

By Nicole Kerr

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