Pregnancy probiotics: Probi’s concept can prevent anemia in mothers-to-be, study finds

19 Jun 2019 --- A probiotic concept containing Lactobacillus plantarum 299v and a mix of vitamin C, folic acid and iron, Probi FerroSorb, has been found to improve the iron status of pregnant women significantly. Iron deficiency is the most common nutrient deficiency in the world and is especially common during pregnancy. However, Probi, who developed the concept, notes that common iron supplements can cause unpleasant side effects such as abdominal pain and constipation. These findings support the further development of probiotic concepts targeting pregnancy, which may reduce iron deficiency levels without unpalatable side effects.

Based on the Probi FerroSorb concept, the company is now also introducing Probi Gravid on the Swedish market as a supplement. It is also under introduction to customers worldwide, expecting to see new product launches moving forward.

“The study findings present an opportunity to safely improve health in pregnant women, a particularly sensitive population, through the use of Probi’s probiotics,” says Titti Niskanen, Director of R&D and Clinical Operations at Probi. “The results show that use of Probi FerroSorb reduced iron deficiency as well as the prevalence of anemia for the study participants. This is the first double-blind, placebo-controlled study in pregnant women evaluating the effect on iron status of probiotics and is an important milestone for Probi in proving the health benefits of our probiotics also for expecting mothers.”

Probi’s probiotics have been found to support the health of other populations, such as bone health in seniors and delaying the onset of gluten intolerance in children.

Importance of tackling Iron deficiency 
Iron deficiency is especially common during pregnancy and can lead to anemia, which can cause multiple symptoms, such as fatigue, weakness, pallor, tachycardia, and shortness of breath. It also confers negative outcomes for the baby, such as low birth weight, premature birth, and increased mortality. 

Iron supplementation is currently the standard treatment for iron deficiency. However, only a small part of the supplemented iron is absorbed, and users can experience side-effects.

Probi FerroSorb has earlier been proven to increase iron absorption in healthy women of childbearing age, notes the company. This new trial included 326 healthy, pregnant women. The results provide evidence that iron status is significantly improved for pregnant women after intake of Probi FerroSorb, which was administered twice daily from early pregnancy and until delivery.

The effect was measured on iron status and the treatment with the probiotic product showed significant improvement compared to placebo. The treatment resulted in reduced iron deficiency, and also significantly reduced the prevalence of anemia and iron deficiency anemia during the last trimester of pregnancy.

The findings show that the increased iron absorption results in not only improved iron stores but also prevents iron deficiency anemia in this sensitive population of mothers-to-be – a group of consumers in high need of additional iron, Niskanen tells NutritionInsight.

“Probi FerroSorb is a unique probiotic concept for people with low iron levels, increasing the uptake of iron and potentially helping to normalize the iron levels for the person taking the supplement. Probi has now shown that this probiotic concept is safe for use by and provides health benefits to the important population of mothers to be all over the world – a group of consumers in high need of additional iron,” says Tom Rönnlund, CEO of Probi.

Meanwhile, in 2018, Probi signed a long-term agreement with Cilag, a member of the Johnson & Johnson Family of Companies, for the development of a probiotic product. The long-term deal with Cilag will aim to further expand Probi’s product development pipeline and commercialize its strain portfolio. The parties will jointly initiate a probiotic development program. The program will be funded under non-disclosed financial terms by Cilag GmbH International and Probi will contribute with probiotic expertise. 

By Laxmi Haigh