Commercial Success for First Probiotic for Stress Management

In France, Urgo markets the formula as ImmunoStim Stress, as part of its new ImmunoStim full range of probiotics, sold through pharmacies. French pharmacists were appealed by the innovation and scientific background behind this product.

Dec 13 2011 --- Institut Rosell-Lallemand’s Probio’Stick (a combination of Lactobacillus Rosell-52 and Bifidobacterium Rosell-175), the first probiotic solution proven to alleviate both physical and psychological symptoms of stress, has recently expanded into new territories with launches in France and Mexico by the company’s local partners Urgo and medix, respectively.

In France, Urgo markets the formula as ImmunoStim Stress, as part of its new ImmunoStim full range of probiotics, sold through pharmacies. French pharmacists were appealed by the innovation and scientific background behind this product.

In Mexico, Probio’Stick is sold under trade mark Senex 3. Medix organized a launch tour early November, gathering several hundreds gastroenterologists and internists.

Isabelle Champié, International Marketing Director for Institut Rosell-Lallemand comments: “We are very proud of the success of our Probio’Stick formula among high profile international partners in the healthcare sector. This success is for us the best recognition of our commitment to the scientific & clinical documentation of our products. This formula is the first probiotic preparation to be backed by two clinical studies showing its efficacy on both physical and psychological symptoms of stress and anxiety.” She added: “If stress-relief and well-being are today identified as promising markets, the number of serious, safe and well-documented products is still limited, especially when it comes to psychological benefits, such as those observed with Probio’Stick applying the type of psychological tests traditionally used for drugs.”

Since Institut Rosell-Lallemand developed Probio’Stick formula in 2005, it has been launched in several key markets around the world: China (with Minsheng pharmaceutical), Canada (distributed by Jamieson Laboratories), Scandinavia (with Baltex) and Portugal (with Prisfar).

A first clinical trial, published in 2008 (Diop et al.) showed the preparation’s efficacy to alleviate gastro-intestinal symptoms linked to stress in chronic stress sufferers, mainly abdominal pain and nausea. In 2010, a new study was published by Messaoudi et al., looking into the probiotics’ effects on psychological symptoms this time, using a range of psychological tests as well as a biomarker for stress and anxiety. This unique study concluded to the probiotic’s beneficial effects on general signs of anxiety and depression and to improve one’s ability to cope with the stress of everyday’s life events. These significant effects are supported by several pre-clinical studies.

Probio’Stick combines a patented micro-encapsulation technology — Probiocap — with a blend of two well-documented Institut Rosell-Lallemand strains: Lactobacillus Rosell-52 and Bifidobacterium Rosell-175. Thanks to this protective micro-encapsulation technology, the probiotic resists gastric acids. Packaged in single-dose sticks of flavored powder that dissolves quickly in the mouth, Probio’Stick can be taken anywhere without water and at any time of the day, even between meals when gastric pH is at its lowest. It is recommended to reduce the gastro intestinal symptoms due to stress.

Diop L., Guillou S., Durand H. : Probiotic food supplement reduces stress-induced gastrointestinal symptoms in volunteers: A double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial. Nutrition Research Volume 28, Issue 1, January 2008. Pages 1-5.

Messaoudi M., Lalonde R., Violle N., Javelot H., Desor D, Nejdi A., Bisson J.-F., Rougeot C., Pichelin M., Cazaubiel M. And Cazaubiel J.-M.: Assessment of psychotropic-like properties of a probiotic formulation (Lactobacillus helveticus R0052 and Bifidobacterium longum R0175) in rats and humans. Br J Nutr. 2010 Oct 26:1-9.