Kyowa Hakko flags immunity-eye health connection in paraprobiotic launch as digital stress causes eye fatigue

09 Apr 2021 --- Kyowa Hakko is launching Eyemuse, touted as the first heat-treated probiotic strain for healthy eye function. Kyowa Hakko’s parent company, Kirin Holdings, found that the strain may reduce eye fatigue via its ability to support a balanced immune response.

“At the beginning, no one believed that paraprobiotics could support eye health, except researchers in Kirin,” Shintaro Ichikawa, PhD, director of technical affairs at Kyowa Hakko USA, tells NutritionInsight.

“Kirin accumulated in vitro evidence and finally received the green light to test it with healthy volunteers and show the benefits that Eyemuse can bring to eye health,” he adds. 

Paraprobiotics, otherwise known as heat-killed probiotics, have long been known for gut and immune health. However, immune cells within the eye play a critical role in supporting a proper response when exposed to stresses, and the retina, in particular, is made up of millions of immune cells.

Ichikawa explains that Eyemuse induces IL-10 secretion from macrophages. “We believe that, by inducing IL-10, Eyemuse regulates immune balance and supports eye health.”Eyemuse uses a novel mechanism of action that may help reduce digital stress-related eye fatigue and other ocular discomforts.

US roll-out
Eyemuse’s roll-out is taking place in the US. Ichikawa says that at this time, however, there is no specific plan to expand to other regions. 

He flags that the eye health market in the US is rapidly growing, especially with Generation X, Y and Millennials. 

“The amount of time everyone has been spending online this past year has made the timing for the launch of Eyemuse perfect for those looking for relief from eye fatigue,” Ichikawa observes. 

The paraprobiotic has been clinically researched to promote healthy eye function and may reduce stiffness in the waist or shoulders in individuals with severe eye fatigue. Eyemuse may also help reduce daily eye fatigue caused by digital stress. Additionally, in vitro studies suggest that Eyemuse may help filter blue light.

Eyemuse, which is Lacticaseibacillus paracasei KW3110, can be used in capsules, powder or tablet supplements. It is non-GMO, vegetarian and Generally Recognized as Safe. 

Threatening quality of life
“More and more adults are likely to face eye strain and fatigue from increasing reliance on technology and spending prolonged hours of the day staring at digital devices,” comments Karen Todd, vice president of global brand marketing at Kyowa Hakko USA. 

She emphasizes that this poses a real health and quality of life issue. Eyemuse comes at a time when it’s estimated that computer-related eye fatigue is responsible for upwards of 10 million visits to the eye doctor. 

From daily professionals to gamers, Todd believes everyone can benefit from this cutting-edge ingredient.

“We envision Eyemuse to be geared toward the screen-glued multitaskers, young professionals who are always ‘on,’ and gamers, who are spending 14 hours a week playing video games, up from 12 hours a week in 2018.”COVID-19 has exacerbated eye health concerns as people spend increasing hours on screens.

Building on a growing movement
While COVID-19 lockdown measures have exacerbated eye health concerns, the sector was already seeing growth prior to the pandemic. 

According to Innova Market Insights, there was 20 percent average annual growth in food, beverage and supplement launches tracked with an eye health claim between 2017 and 2019.

In 2019, supplements was the top category, with 44 percent of launches with an eye health claim taking place in this category. Baby & Toddlers was in second place, attracting 37 percent of launches. 

While probiotics are not a top ingredient, 28 percent of eye health launches in 2019 also featured a digestive or gut health claim. Additionally, 26 percent also had an immunity claim. 

Paraprobiotics offer advantages
Ichikawa details that paraprobiotics offer advantages as they are easy to handle and stable at room temperature.

However, some consumers do not fully understand that heat-killed probiotics have viable functionality.

“Therefore, we are developing programs to educate industry professionals, healthcare practitioners and consumers that paraprobiotics are heat-treated but still have a significant benefit when ingested.”

Late last year, Kyowa Hakko launched a paraprobiotic solely targeting immune support. 

Last month, Kirin also announced that its beta-lactolin would be launching in a beverage, yogurt and supplements in Japan this spring to “support the maintenance of memory, which declines with age.”

By Katherine Durrell