The gut microbiome provides a critical link between a healthy lifestyle/diet and improved overall well-being. Having the appropriate bacteria in the gut is vital for healthy digestion, a strong immune system and to fight infection.
Clasado Biosciences, headquartered in Jersey, the Channel Islands, is a global leader in the innovative development of clinically proven galacto-oligosaccharide (GOS) products and solutions that target gut microbiome modulation and gut-mediated health disorders.
Bimuno is a daily nutritional supplement that contains the novel, patent-protected B-GOS, which works at the gut to support natural systems of the human body. Bimuno is the result of intensive research and development that began in 2000 and was conducted in collaboration with internationally acclaimed research institutes.
“The key to Bimuno’s superiority compared with other GOS and prebiotics is the use of a proprietary enzyme in its manufacture, rather than a commercially available generic enzyme, resulting in a unique B-GOS mixture.”1
Bimuno works by selectively increasing the level of Bifidobacteria and other health-promoting bacteria found in the gut microbiome.2,15 As well as its prebiotic function, which aids the microbial balance in the gut and thereby resists pathogen colonisation through direct competition for nutrients, by producing growth inhibitors or through indirect actions, Bimuno has multiple biological activities, including
- an anti-invasive function that protects the small intestine against bacterial pathogens3,4,15
- direct interactions with the immune system that enhance the gut barrier function and trigger positive systemic effects throughout the human body.10–12,15
Clinically supported
To date, more than 30 Bimuno studies have been published in international peer-reviewed scientific and clinical journals. Scientific studies have confirmed that Bimuno possessed the greatest bifidogenic effect at the lowest daily dose of any commercial prebiotic.2
The unique structures of Bimuno have been demonstrated to act as decoy molecules that mimic the attachment sites of certain pathogens, thus reducing their infectious and invasive capacities.3,4
Bimuno has also been shown to prevent inflammation in the brain.5 Furthermore, functional similarities between Bimuno and human milk oligosaccharides (HMOS), which are known to have potent immunomodulatory effects in infants, were reported in a recent study.6
Numerous clinical trials involving specific human populations showed that Bimuno positively impacted gastrointestinal discomfort and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)-like symptoms — such as bloating, flatulence and abdominal pain, significantly reduced stress hormone cortisol and improved emotional processing, significantly reduced faecal and blood inflammatory markers in the elderly and in overweight adults with metabolic syndrome, as well as reduced markers of airway inflammation in asthmatic adults.7–13
Commercially available in the USA
Bimuno with 50% patented B-GOS content was first made available in the USA in 2009. Continuing technological advances in the manufacturing process enabled the introduction of Bimuno with 80% B-GOS content in powder formulation to the trade in 2016.
This higher purity content permits the advantage of an even lower daily volume of Bimuno while still providing the greatest bifidogenic effect (the ability to increase the number of selected species of Bifidobacteria) of any prebiotic commercially available.
Conditions and applications
A healthy gut microbiome is associated with improved digestion, better immunity and can also influence neural development, cognition and behaviour (through interactions with the gut–brain axis). In contrast, an imbalanced gut microbiome can contribute to gastrointestinal disorders such as inflammatory bowel disease.
In the event of a breakdown of the gut epithelium, the intrusion of gut microbiome components into other host compartments can lead to sepsis. Additionally, metabolites from certain members of the gut microbiome may influence host signalling pathways, contributing to disorders such as obesity and colon cancer.14
In the USA, Bimuno is currently used in prebiotics, medical foods, meal replacements and synbiotics, as well as other supplement/food/beverage applications at various stages of development.
Bimuno is a unique product with proven health benefits that empowers individuals to take control of their future health; it can enhance any food, beverage or supplement.
The advantageous physical characteristics of Bimuno enables its inclusion in almost any delivery system. Plus, Bimuno possesses excellent heat, pH and microbiological stability, in addition to pleasant tasting characteristics. These properties make Bimuno suitable for the broadest range of applications (Table I).
“Gut microbiome dysbiosis is a major root cause of all diseases.”1 Bimuno contains a unique, patent-protected B-GOS with powerful bifidogenic, antipathogenic and immunomodulatory effects at low doses.2,15
The clinically proven benefits of Bimuno range from gut health support across all age groups, from infants to the elderly, improving gut barrier function, preventing colonisation by certain pathogens and keeping the immune system healthy.
An excellent safety profile
Bimuno has been clinically shown to possess minimal side-effects. To date, there have been no reported cases of adverse reactions involving diabetic patients who take the recommended dosage of Bimuno. Patients with diabetes should consult their healthcare professional before taking Bimuno.
In addition, no adverse effects have been reported in consumers with milk allergies or lactose intolerance when taking Bimuno. Depending on the Bimuno product recommended, the lactose content of a daily dose is 0.36–1.5 g, which is many folds lower than the 12 g/day that is likely to be tolerated by most lactose-intolerant adults. Milk allergy or lactose intolerant sufferers should exercise caution when first taking Bimuno.
References
1. www.clasado.com/news-events/a-gut-feeling.
2. F. Depeint, et al., “Prebiotic Evaluation of a Novel Galactooligosaccharide Mixture Produced by the Enzymatic Activity of Bifidobacterium bifidum NCIMB 41171 in Healthy Humans: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Crossover, Placebo-Controlled Intervention Study,” Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 87, 785–91 (2008).
3. L.E. Searle, et al., “A Mixture Containing Galactooligosaccharide, Produced by the Enzymic Activity of Bifidobacterium bifidum, Reduces Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium Infection in Mice,” J. Med. Microbiol. 58, 37–48 (2009).
4. L.E. Searle, et al., “Purified Galactooligosaccharide, Derived from a Mixture Produced by the Enzymic Activity of Bifidobacterium bifidum, reduces Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium Adhesion and Invasion In Vitro and In Vivo,” J. Med. Microbiol. 59, 1428–1439 (2010).
5. H.M. Savignac, et al., “Prebiotic Administration Normalizes Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-Induced Anxiety and Cortical 5-HT2A Receptor and IL1-ß Levels in Male Mice,” Brain, Behavior and Immunity 52, 120–131 (2016).
6. D.S. Newburg, et al., “Human Milk Oligosaccharides and Synthetic Galactosyloligosaccharides Contain 3’-, 4’- and 6’-Galactosyllactose and Attenuate Inflammation in Human T84, NCM-460 and H4 Cells and Intestinal Tissue Ex Vivo,” J. Nutr. 146(2), 358–367 (2016).
7. A. Drakoularakou, et al., “A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Randomized Human Study Assessing the Capacity of a Novel Galacto-Oligosaccharide Mixture in Reducing Travellers’ Diarrhoea,” Eur. J. Clin. Nutr. 64(2), 146–152 (2010).
8. D.B.A. Silk, et al., “Clinical Trial: The Effects of a Trans-Galactooligosaccharide Prebiotic on Faecal Microbiota and Symptoms in Irritable Bowel Syndrome,” Aliment. Pharmacol. Ther. 29, 508–518 (2009).
9. K. Schmidt, et al., “Prebiotic Intake Reduces the Waking Cortisol Response and Alters Emotional Bias in Healthy Volunteers,” Psychopharmacology 232, 1793–1801 (2015).
10. J. Vulevic, et al., “Modulation of the Fecal Microflora Profile and Immune Function by a Novel Trans-Galactooligosaccharide Mixture (B-GOS) in Healthy Elderly Volunteers,” Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 88, 1438–1446 (2008).
11. J. Vulevic, et al., “A Mixture of Trans-Galactooligosaccharides Reduces Markers of Metabolic Syndrome and Modulates the Fecal Microbiota and Immune Function of Overweight Adults,” J. Nutr. 143(3), 324–331 (2013).
12. J. Vulevic, et al., “Influence of Galacto-Oligosaccharide Mixture (B-GOS) on Gut Microbiota, Immune Parameters and Metabonomics in Elderly Persons,” Br. J. Nutr. 114, 586–595 (2015).
13. N.C. Williams, et al., “A Prebiotic Galactooligosaccharide Mixture Reduces Severity of Hyperpnoea-Induced Bronchoconstriction and Markers of Airway Inflammation,” Br. J. Nutr. 87, 785–791 (2016).
14. F. Guarner, et al., “Gut Flora in Health and Disease,” Lancet 361(9356), 512–519 (2003).
15. G. Tzortzis, “Development and Functional Properties of Bimuno: A Second-Generation Prebiotic Mixture,” Food Sci. Technol. Bulletin 6(7), 81–89 (2009).
