Ingredient feeds the body’s immunity boosting bacteria

Trials of a prebiotic similar to that found in breast milk have been found to counter a decline in elderly people’s immune systems, according to Reading University’s Food Biosciences unit.

The study, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition,investigated the role of a natural non-digestible carbohydrate for people aged 65 and over.

In the study, a prebiotic called Bimuno was found to positively change the bacterial balance in the body. Unlike probiotics, which are live bacteria, Bimuno is a carbohydrate which is not destroyed, digested or absorbed in the stomach or small intestine, according to the study.

Therefore, it reaches the colon intact to selectively target and feed the body’s immunity boosting bacteria, while reducing harmful bacteria. “The study proves that Bimuno not only reverses the decline in elderly people’s health promoting bifidobacteria, but more significantly, shows that Bimuno has a direct effect on the body’s immune defence cells thus enhancing immune function in elderly people,” said lead researcher Dr Jelena Vulevic.

Prebiotics are already used in infant milk formulas and can be used in other applications.

Bimuno significantly increases the number of good bacteria, particularly bifidobacteria, which naturally declines with age. A decline can leave older people more susceptible to gastrointestinal disorders, colds and flu.

During the study volunteers aged between 64 and 79 were divided into two groups with one starting with a daily sachet of the prebioticand the other a placebo.

After 10 weeks the groups switched over to the other treatment for a further 10 weeks. The effect of the two treatments was then compared. Sachets of Bimuno are on sale in pharmacies following eight years of research.