New evidence that lactoferrin reduces the prevalence of tummy troubles in toddlers

Lactoferrin is receiving increased interest from researchers for its beneficial effects on the immune system in infants and younger children. Recent Japanese research showed children with an increased dietary lactoferrin intake had a 33% reduction in the prevalence of diarrhea, vomiting and fatigue. The study involved children aged 12 – 32 months old that were given growing up milk with added lactoferrin and then compared to a “control” group that did not receive the added lactoferrin.

This research builds on a significant database of scientific knowledge that supplement manufacturers can utilise to develop nutrition products containing lactoferrin. Consumer demand is increasing for immune products. The proportion of families that have both parents in the workforce is increasing, which also increases the time children spend in pre-school or daycare. This opens opportunities to help parents support the health of their children’s immune system and minimise the impacts of acute gastrointestinal symptoms for kids and parents alike.

Further information on the study results below.

Effects of Lactoferrin-Fortified Formula on Acute Gastrointestinal Symptoms in Children Aged 12–32 Months: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial
A randomised, double-blind, placebo controlled study by Motoki et al. in 2020 evaluated the efficacy of lactoferrin from cows milk (bLf) added to growing up milk in preschool aged children. The primary study outcome was the prevalence of respiratory and gastrointestinal symptoms. Japanese children aged 12-32months were enrolled in the study and randomised into two groups, 101 children completed study. The 53 children in the treatment group were provided 48mg of bLf a day, added to a growing up milk. While the 48 children in the control group received only growing up milk. The prevalence of symptoms was reported by parents during the 13 week trial.Those children in the treatment group demonstrated a 33% reduction in the prevalence of acute gastrointestinal symptoms, which include diarrhea, vomiting and fatigue whereas the acute respiratory symptoms were comparable between the groups.

Co-isolates MPF Sentin Complex Nutrition

The study highlights the consumption of lactoferrin in growing up milk supports a decrease in the prevalence of acute gastrointestinal symptoms in children 12 – 32months.

Full study: Motoki N, et al. (2020) Effects of Lactoferrin-Fortified Formula on Acute Gastrointestinal Symptoms in ChildrenAged 12–32 Months: A Randomized,Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial. Front. Pediatr. 8:233. doi: 10.3389/fped.2020.00233

New study shows lactoferrin may help with school gastroenteritis

School gastroenteritis is no laughing matter. It means major disruptions on children, families and teachers. A new large scale study of preschool children in Japan compared kids that were fed yoghurt containing lactoferrin to a control group that wasn’t. The study saw a 49% reduction in absent days from school from gastroenteritis.

This is welcome news for consumers and manufacturers. Lactoferrin’s health properties are increasingly being recognised in a positive prevention role, and in broader age groups. This gives supplement manufacturers new possibilities for product innovation and support for realising new market opportunities.

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Study results summary

The Preventive effect of Lactoferrin-Containing Yogurt on Gastroenteritis in Nursery School Children.

A randomised prospective study by Tsukahara et al. in 2020 evaluated the efficacy of bLf on gastroenteritis in preschool aged children during the winter season. Pre-school children aged 3-6 years were enrolled in the study and randomised into two groups. 1162 children completed the study. The 578 children in the treatment group were provided 100mg of bLf in yogurt once a day, while the 584 children in the control group received a fruit jelly.

Those children consuming 100mg bLf a day, for at least 3 days a week over a 15 week period demonstrated a significantly lower rate of absent days from school due to vomiting.
The study highlights the consumption of 100mg of lactoferrin in yogurt for more than 3 days/week might help alleviate the symptom of vomiting in preschool aged school children during the winter.

Tsukahara Lactoferrin study on gastroenteritis reduction in pre-school children Co-isolates MPF Sentin Complex Nutrition for Young Children Lactoperoxidase

New Inferrin™ assists in delivering the benefits of lactoferrin

Bega Bionutrients is launching Inferrinâ„¢, a novel form of microencapsulated lactoferrin. The microencapsulation can help deliver the benefits of lactoferrin by protecting it from degradation in conditions found in the stomach. Inferrinâ„¢ opens up new benefits and applications for lactoferrin based products including foods and dietary supplements.

An initial pilot clinical trial on Inferrin™ has shown promising results. In a double-blind, randomised, controlled, cross-over trial in healthy males, InferrinTM demonstrated effects on immune markers and the gut microbiome. The study also showed higher levels of lactoferrin in the faecal matter in those consuming InferrinTM. This suggests InferrinTM is indeed surviving degradation in the stomach and influencing the gut microbiome. “We are very excited by these results, and we are already planning to commence a larger scale clinical study later this year to follow up on these results.” said Dr Bradley Coleman, Business Manager of Bega Bionutrients.

“Lactoferrin has been extensively studied and documented for its multiple health benefits in adults and infants. But as a protein, lactoferrin is at risk of being broken down in the mature stomach before it can reach the small intestine, where it is believed much of its activity takes place.” said Dr Coleman. “Understanding this issue, we worked with Australian encapsulation company Progel Pty Ltd and the University of Queensland to develop a form of lactoferrin that is protected through the stomach and released intact in the small intestine. Using Progel’s novel and patented microencapsulation technology, we developed InferrinTM – lactoferrin microencapsulated in common food grade materials. InferrinTM will open new market opportunities for our customers and supports innovative product applications”.

InferrinTM is ideal for use in foods and dietary supplements. The unique microencapsulation technology allows InferrinTM to use in a wide variety of delivery formats including gels, powders and liquids, as well as the more traditional tablets and capsules.

“The installation of the microencapsulation technology at Bega’s Tatura Milk Industries facility in Victoria, Australia strengthens Bega’s product development and production capabilities in specialty ingredients and life-stage nutritionals.”

Bega Bionutrients will feature InferrinTM at Vitafoods on in Geneva this May.

New Inferrin® assists in delivering the benefits of lactoferrin

Bega Bionutrients is launching Inferrin®, a form of microencapsulated lactoferrin. The microencapsulation can help deliver the benefits of lactoferrin by protecting it from degradation in conditions found in the stomach. Inferrin® opens up new benefits and applications for lactoferrin based products including foods and dietary supplements.

An initial pilot clinical trial on Inferrin® has shown promising results. In a double-blind, randomised, controlled, cross-over trial in healthy males, Inferrin® demonstrated effects on immune markers and the gut microbiome. The study also showed higher levels of lactoferrin in the faecal matter in those consuming Inferrin®. This suggests Inferrin® is indeed surviving degradation in the stomach and influencing the gut microbiome. “We are very excited by these results, and we are already planning to commence a larger scale clinical study later this year to follow up on these results.” said Dr Bradley Coleman, Business Manager of Bega Bionutrients.

“Lactoferrin has been extensively studied and documented for its multiple health benefits in adults and infants. But as a protein, lactoferrin is at risk of being broken down in the mature stomach before it can reach the small intestine, where it is believed much of its activity takes place, said Dr Coleman. ” Understanding this issue, we worked with Australian encapsulation company Progel Pty Ltd and the University of Queensland to develop a form of lactoferrin that is protected through the stomach and released intact in the small intestine. Using Progel™ novel and patented microencapsulation technology, we developed Inferrin – lactoferrin microencapsulated in common food grade materials. Inferrin will open new market opportunities for our customers and supports innovative product applications.

Inferrin is ideal for use in foods and dietary supplements. The unique microencapsulation technology allows Inferrin to use in a wide variety of delivery formats including gels, powders and liquids, as well as the more traditional tablets and capsules.

The installation of the microencapsulation technology at Bega’s Tatura Milk Industries facility in Victoria, Australia strengthens Bega’s product development and production capabilities in specialty ingredients and life-stage nutritionals.

See Bega Bionutrients products at SupplySideWest, Las Vegas, October 6 - 7

In partnership with our North American distributor, STAUBER PERFORMANCE INGREDIENTS, Bega Bionutrients will be showcasing our products at SupplySideWest, in Las Vegas on October 6th and 7th.

“It’s been an exciting year of expansion for us and we’re looking forward to sharing our developments with customers at SupplySideWest” commented Business Development Manager Bradley Coleman. “The success we’re having with our flagship lactoferrin product is due to the unique benefits our sourcing and processing methods have for customers. All our dairy bionutrients are sourced from fresh cow’s milk that’s hormone and BSE free. The cows have a pasture based diet and live close – over 80% are within 40 km [25 miles] of our plant. This makes a difference to quality, ensuring natural bionutrients with maximum bio-activity and clean labelling.”

STAUBER, a leading provider of ingredients for nutraceutical, food, beverage, flavour, and pet industries, represents Bega Bionutrients in North America. Visit Bega Bionutrients and Stauber at SupplySideWest, booth# V115, Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas on October 6th and 7th.

Bega Bionutrients products are well suited for use in a range of applications including dietary supplements, functional foods, medical nutrition and cosmetics. To discuss your ingredient requirements, please contact us at info@begabio.com or for North American enquiries, please contact Stauber at busdev@stauberusa.com

Bega Bionutrients Lactoferrin gains novel food status in Europe.

Bega Bionutrients Lactoferrin, produced by Tatura Milk Industries Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of Bega Cheese Ltd, has been recently granted novel food status in Europe and is available for sale.

The decision of the authority assessing the application states: ‘…that the bovine lactoferrin produced by Tatura Milk Industries of Australia is substantially equivalent to bovine lactoferrin already authorised for the EU market with respect to composition, nutritional value, metabolism, intended use and level of undesirable substances.’

Matthieu Arguillere, General Manager Bionutrients added; ‘Our lactoferrin is directly extracted from very fresh, premium quality Australian cow’s milk using gentle methods that preserve the integrity and bioactivity of the protein. Our milk comes from some of the best dairying regions in Australia. Thanks to this high quality production, we have built up a substantial lactoferrin business over the past decade supplying customers throughout Asia and Oceania. This approval opens up a number of exciting new business opportunities in Europe and gives European customers a new source of well-established, high quality lactoferrin for their products.’

Lactoferrin is used in a number of food products, including infant nutrition, supplements and lifestyle nutrition products.

Bega Bionutrients is a manufacturer and supplier of specialty health and nutrition ingredients. Our aim is to improve the health and wellness of people through delivering innovative bionutrient products. Bega Bionutrients is a division of Bega Cheese Limited, one of Australia’s largest dairy companies, listed on the Australian Securities Exchange.

Consumer Information

Welcome to the Research Highlights area of Bega Bionutrients website

Before you explore the research, we want to inform you that this website contains materials and information intended for general interest only. The information is not a detailed analytical overview, nor medical advice. Many of the research areas highlighted are at an early research stage and the final results may differ.

If you have specific health questions, please consult a medical professional.

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