Probi finds stress-alleviation properties for probiotic strain

28 Aug 2020 --- Probi has issued clinical results demonstrating newfound potential stress-alleviation properties of its probiotic strain L. Plantarum, HEAL9. In a randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled clinical study, the trial showed significant reduction in the pro-inflammatory markers fractalkine and CD163. Maintaining or improving mental health and function is of growing interest for many people and the number of chronically stressed people is increasing dramatically, the company notes.

“The strain was initially identified in the early 1990s together with Probi’s flagship L. plantarum 299v. The strain has previously been examined in both the gut and immune health areas,” Titti Martinsson Niskanen, Director of R&D and Clinical Operations at Probi, tells NutritionInsight.

“Based on earlier studies within gut and immune health the strain has been included in immune products for many years. Recently, the strain, together with two other strains, was found to significantly suppress bone loss and is marketed as a new and innovative product called Probi Osteo,” she continues.

Probi highlights that this is the first time it has been shown that acute mental stress triggers the immediate release of soluble fractalkine, which is mitigated by probiotic intervention. “The product is optimally a probiotic dietary supplement. It would be suitable for the stressful periods in life with increased demands, such as exams, job interviews or important presentations,” says Niskanen.

Probiotics may play a role for psychological function as the intestine and the brain are connected via the gut-brain axis. Furthermore, the intestinal microbiota influences the immune activation and signaling molecules that are involved in the stress response.

“The aim of the study was to investigate if intake of the probiotic strain L. plantarum, HEAL9 could counteract elevated cortisol and inflammation levels in subjects with chronic stress that are exposed to an acute stress test,” explains Niskanen. While probiotics influenced the cortisol level in subjects who did not have chronic stress, no differences between chronically stressed experimental and control groups were found. Probi highlights that this is the first time it has been shown that acute mental stress triggers the immediate release of soluble fractalkine.

Minding your mental health
During times of acute stress, the immune system is activated, leading to an imbalance between inflammatory and anti-inflammatory responses. In chronic stress, this imbalance and resulting low-grade inflammation may lead to development of diversified stress-related diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, neurodegenerative diseases and cancer.

“The study population included is a vulnerable population as they are chronically stressed, which raises the bar for being able to reduce the stress levels of such individuals. The study was an exploratory study with a limited number of subjects and a larger study is needed to confirm the initial results,” Dr. Niskanen remarks.

Tom Ronnlund, CEO at Probi, emphasizes the clinical importance of probiotics and mental health: “We are very excited about the study results with HEAL9. Probi believes that probiotics can play a part in mental health and improve the well-being of many people. This exploratory study provides us with a good platform for further investigations within the gut-brain axis area.”

According to Innova Market Insights, F&B launches with a digestive claim grew by nearly 25 percent from 2015 to 2019. Supplements were the top market category in 2019, with digestive health claims featuring on 29 percent of launches. This marks a major growth from just 16 percent in 2015. 

NutritionInsight reported that gut health is set to be a major theme at Vitafoods, including with a new immunity angle in light of COVID-19. Another significant trend is set to be healthy aging, with collagen being a key ingredient.

By Benjamin Ferrer