Probi is launching Probi FerroSorb, a probiotic iron absorption product for the world marketing from 2016.
The ingredient has also been nominated to the Food Ingredients Europe Innovation Awards 2015, in the category ‘Best Functional Innovation’.
Probi FerroSorb offers a new approach for probiotic consumer products, both within functional food and consumer healthcare segments.
The first product launch will take place in Sweden in February 2016, and other international markets are to follow for the rest of the year and in 2017.
“Probi is already very successful with Probi Digestis and Probi Defendum, our gastro and immune platforms,” says Linda Neckmar, director of marketing and sales consumer healthcare.
“We are now very proud to launch the new probiotic platform Probi FerroSorb, targeting iron deficiency in a unique way.”
“This will create an opportunity for continuous growth for the probiotic category.”
The supplement is documented through five clinical trials showing a significant increase of iron absorption from a meal.
The consumer will experience increased iron uptake while maintaining a well-functioning digestive system.
Probi FerroSorb formulated into a capsule is a combination of the clinically documented lactic acid bacteria LP299V, vitamin C, folic acid and iron.
It is a supplement for preventive use targeting women of childbearing age at risk of iron deficiency.
One capsule daily with the main meal will help to meet iron requirements, while leaving a minimal amount of unabsorbed iron in the intestines.
Probi FerroSorb solves iron deficiency in a completely new way, by increasing the uptake – not only the intake.
“The crucial difference between Probi FerroSorb and a traditional iron supplement is the reduced risk of side effects normally seen with traditional iron supplement,” adds Neckmar.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO) iron deficiency is the predominant nutritional deficiency world-wide, both in industrialized and developing countries.
About 20-30% of the women in child bearing age suffers from iron deficiency with symptoms as fatigue, shortness of breath, poor immune function and impaired concentration.
The gastrointestinal side effects of traditional high dose iron supplements are often caused by poor absorption.
Unabsorbed iron in the intestines can upset the intestinal flora and cause symptoms such as nausea and constipation.
One of the reasons for these side effects is that iron acts as a nutrient for several undesirable intestinal bacteria.
The conflict between a high iron requirement and the risk of side effects when using high doses of iron supplement can only be solved by improving the iron uptake.
