Probiotic Formula May Reduce Antibiotic Side Effect, Study Says

A probiotic formula may help reduce the side effect of diarrhea associated with taking antibiotics, a new study says. The probiotic formula is DuPont Danisco’s (New Century, KS) newly reformulated, branded Howaru Restore formulation.

The triple-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical study involved 503 patients undergoing antibiotic therapy, the company reported. Patients were given placebo or Howaru Restore, which is a blend of four trademarked DuPont Nutrition & Health probiotic strains: Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM, Bifidobacterium lactis Bl-04, Bifidobacterium lactis Bi-07, and Lactobacillus paracasei Lpc-37.

The company says patients saw benefits, including a significant reduction in the number of diarrhea incidents; a significant reduction in the duration of diarrhea and the number of liquid stools; and a significant reduction of diarrhea-associated symptoms such as fever, bloating, and abdominal pain.

Antibiotic use can often have detrimental effects on gut microflora, which can lead to negative side effects such as diarrhea, explains Gregory Leyer, business development director, consumer healthcare, for DuPont Danisco. Probiotics can help restore a healthy bacterial balance in the gut.

Leyer will discuss these new study results at the SupplySide West show in Las Vegas this week, in a presentation titled “Probiotics: New Clinical Data and the Path to Better Digestive Health.” The presentation, which also will include recent information on global digestive health market trends, takes place on Wednesday, Nov. 7, at 10 A.M. PST.  Interested show attendees also are invited to visit DuPont at booth number 25019.