2nd Danone Benelux Probiotics Convention:
Invitation 12 November 2010
From proven science to applicable practice
On 12 November 2010 the 2nd Danone Benelux Probiotics Convention informed an audience of health professionals about the latest probiotic science developments and the use of probiotics in today’s practice. The theme: ‘from proven science to applicable practice’ was brought alive by presentations of five well-known Dutch gastrointestinal and probiotic experts and scientists. The audience and speakers shared their opinions by voting on statements. The symposium showed that there is a lot of science behind probiotics but at the same time many effects and mechanisms remain to be elucidated. It is the start of an era in which we will learn much more about the benefits of probiotics and gut health.
Introduction
Prof. dr. Renger Witkamp: President of the 2nd Danone Benelux Probiotics Convention.
Professor in Nutrition and Pharmacology, Wageningen University & Research centre
The opening presentation of the chairman of the convention Prof. dr. Renger Witkamp provided insight in the changing perception on how to underpin health claims of probiotics which are commercially available to consumers. These probiotics are legally categorized as food products. European regulations state that when a food product carries a health claim, it should be demonstrated that this product has beneficial physiological effects in the relevant target group. It is, however, difficult to demonstrate beneficial physiological effects in persons who are apparently healthy.
Prof. dr. Witkamp: "A practical approach starts by defining health in terms of homeostasis: the ability to adapt to stress and environmental factors. With this definition we are better able to demonstrate relevant health effects. For example, measuring the response to a physical or immunological stressor provides an indication of the body’s resilience. Test protocols that use challenges are useful to demonstrate that probiotics may increase our adaptability and contribute to lower disease risk”.
Statement
Probiotics seem to have beneficial health effects, at least in some situations. However, there are many questions remaining regarding their mechanism(s) of action.Yes: 95% No: 5% |
From past to present discovery
Prof. dr. Eric Claassen: Immunologist; professor of knowlegde valorisation and entrepreneurship, Athena Institute Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam and Erasmus Medical Centre Rotterdam
Prof. dr. Claassen gave the attendees an interesting overview of the scientific achievements that have built the current knowledge base for probiotics. Also promising research fields were identified. Currently there is vast knowledge on the general effects of probiotics: they prevent and shorten episodes of diarrhoea, help creating resistance to infections and decrease the number of antibiotics associated diarrhoea cases. Past research has also elucidated the importance of specific strains and types of probiotics in relation to host driven needs.
New discoveries are for instance to be expected in hygiene hypothesis research. We can expect relevant information on the relation of exposure to microbes and development of allergies. Other fields of research where new results are to be expected are cancer, Crohn’s disease and immune related diseases. Prof dr. Claassen: “We only have little knowledge on the mechanisms behind probiotics. In future research we will therefore focus at the complete universe of the human gut and compare the bacterial profile of healthy and diseased people”.
Statement
Probiotics directly regulate systemic immunity. Yes: 72% No: 28% (Voting after presentation) |
The role of probiotics in our defence mechanism
Prof. dr. Johan Garssen: Director Immunology platform at Danone Research - Centre for Specialised Nutrition. Professor Department of Pharmacology and Pathophysiology, Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University
Prof. dr. Garssen showed in his presentation that not only probiotics, but also pre-, syn-, and postbiotics are promising tools to prevent, alleviate and, or treat immune related disorders. The immune system works on different functional levels: it defends against pathogens, but also removes tumour cells. Specific gut cells play an essential role in this complex immune system and pre- and probiotics can support its function. For example: a specific prebiotic mix added to infant formula stimulates immune cell response on flu vaccination, promotes the growth of healthy gut bacteria and protects infants against allergies.
Synbiotics, a mixture of pro- and prebiotics, have shown protective effects for acute allergic skin response, anaphylactic and respiratory symptoms. Prof. Johan Garssen: “In the near future we should study the most promising probiotics and prebiotics that are safe and effective. Synbiotics have in my opinion a very promising future.”
Statement 1
Probiotics are a hype!Yes: Within several years probiotics are not popular anymore: 13% No: we are just at the beginning of a new century in specialized nutrition: 83% No idea: 5% |
Statement 2
The term probiotics is too generalYes: There are many different probiotic families/strains, each with a unique function and effectiveness. Specific strains have to be mentioned on pack: 97% No: All probiotics are similar: 0% No idea: 3% |
Probiotics and gut health
Prof. dr. Robert-Jan Brummer: Professor of Gastroenterology and Clinical Nutrition, Dean Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, Sweden
Prof. dr. Robert-Jan Brummer explained that there is an intimate relation between the human brain and the gut. A well-coordinated bidirectional signalling is important for a well functioning gut. This so called gut-brain axis is in its turn closely related to the immune system and also metabolism. Research indicates that the interaction between brain, gut and intestinal microbes might be influenced by probiotics. A good example is the effect of probiotics on the Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) which is, next to intestinal discomfort, frequently associated with mental and emotional problems.
Patients with IBS probably have an altered gut flora compared to healthy people. Research has shown that probiotics can positively affect the distorted gut flora. Prof. dr. Brummer: “Research suggests that probiotics are effective in for example stabilizing the microbiota and enhancing the epithelial barrier function. Therefore probiotics have a great potential in patients with IBS symptoms.”
Statement 1
Probiotics don’t promote gastrointestinal health when you’re healthyYes: 30% No: 70% |
Evidence in daily practice
Marc Benninga MD, PhD: Pediatric Gastroenterologist at Emma Children’s Hospital/AMC, Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology
Last speaker, paediatric gastro-enterologist Marc Benninga, concluded the day with research results of probiotics in the paediatric practice. Functional gastrointestinal diseases like regurgitation, colic and constipation are common in infants and children. Randomised placebo controlled studies in children show potential for probiotics in constipation, relieve of IBS symptoms, abdominal pain and relieving symptoms like flatulence. Mixed results warrant more investigation. Marc Benninga MD, PhD: “More large clinical trials are needed to evaluate the efficacy of probiotics in children with functional gastrointestinal diseases. The fact that probiotics, given to infants, appear to be safe, well tolerated and can result in improved bowel function is promising for research within the youngest target group”.
Statement 1
There is sufficient evidence suggesting that probiotics are effective in the treatment of children with functional gastrointestinal disease (infant colic, abdominal pain, constipation).Yes: 57% No: 43% |
