Press release -
New study: Probiotic BB-12® may reduce respiratory illness in infants
Daily supplements of Chr. Hansen's probiotic strain BB-12® may significantly reduce the occurrence of respiratory infections in early childhood.
This is the conclusion of a federally funded, clinical study which was published in the September issue of British Journal of Nutrition. In this double-blind, placebo-controlled study, 109 newborn infants were assigned randomly to a probiotic group receiving BB-12® or to a control group receiving placebo. BB-12® was administered to the healthy breastfed infants twice a day from the age of 1-2 months to 8 months with a pacifier or a spoon.
Significant difference
“The main finding was that BB-12® reduced respiratory infections. 65% of the children in the BB-12® group and 94% in the control group had experienced one or more episodes of respiratory infections at the 8-month examination,” explains Dr.Teemu Taipale who supervised the study in the Korpilahti-Muurame Health Care Center in Finland. The symptoms of respiratory infections included running nose, cough, and shortness of breath.
“While some research has been conducted on respiratory tract infections in children, very little research has been done within this indication focusing on infants below the age of 1 year. We are proud that BB-12® was chosen for this milestone study,” says Chr. Hansen’s Birgit Michelsen, Director of Scientific Affairs, Health & Nutrition Division.
The study abstract can be found on www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20863419
Best documentation
With the oldest study dating back to 1986, the benefits of Chr. Hansen’s probiotics have been documented for more than two decades. Hundreds of studies have been conducted on Chr. Hansen’s probiotics. Besides, BB-12® is very likely the most thoroughly characterized probiotic strain in the world: Recently Chr. Hansen researchers revealed the complete genome sequence of BB-12® in the May 2010 issue of The Journal of Bacteriology.
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Chr. Hansen is a global bioscience company that develops natural ingredient solutions for the food, nutritional, pharmaceutical and agricultural industries. The products include cultures, enzymes, probiotics and natural colors, and all solutions are based on strong research and development competencies coupled with significant technology investments. Revenue in the 2013/14 financial year was EUR 756 million. The company holds a leading market position in all its divisions: Cultures & Enzymes, Health & Nutrition and Natural Colors. It has more than 2,500 dedicated employees in over 30 countries and main production facilities in Denmark, France, USA and Germany. Chr. Hansen was founded in 1874 and is listed on NASDAQ OMX Copenhagen.
