European study shows benefits of Kiwi-developed probiotic

MEDIA RELEASE

January 23, 2017.

New European study shows benefits of Kiwi-developed probiotic in young children

A recent study by Italy’s pre-eminent researcher into probiotics has concluded that a Kiwi-developed oral probiotic, BLIS K12 TM, is associated with a significant reduction in ear and throat infections (acute otitis media and streptococcal pharyngitis) among children attending their first year of kindergarten.[1]
BLIS K12 is the world’s first probiotic for the mouth and throat.
This news comes as New Zealand children are about to head back to school and pre-school where they will be exposed to a range of pathogens that can cause ear and throat infections.
The study, published in the European Review for Medical and Pharmacological Science by a team from Velleja Research led by Dr Francesco Di Pierro, ran a randomized trial among 222 enrolled children attending the first year of kindergarten. The treated group of 111 children received a daily oral dose of BLIS K12 for six months. A control group (that received no BLIS K12) was also monitored.

During the six-month trial the incidence of throat and ear infections (streptococcal pharyngo-tonsillitis and acute otitis media) was approximately 16 percent and 44 percent respectively in the treated group. This compared to the higher incidence of 48 percent and 80 percent respectively in the control group.

During a three-month follow-up period in a subgroup of children, the corresponding rates of infection were 15 percent and 12 percent in the treated group and 26 percent and 36 percent in the controls, suggesting a potential prolonged benefit.

The authors reported that the results appear to demonstrate for the first time that the preventive administration of BLIS K12 could generate positive health outcomes even in very young children who have not been pre-selected as prone to recurrent streptococcal infection or acute otitis media.

BLIS K12 or Streptococcus salivarius K12 is an advanced probiotic strain hostile to the growth of Streptococcus pyogenes, the most important bacterial cause of throat infections in humans.

“BLIS K12 populates the mouth and throat with a beneficial strain of Streptococcus salivarius which crowds out the bad bacteria. Think of it like a forcefield in your throat that stops the bad bacteria invading. It is effective in the prevention of Streptococcal throat infections which, if left untreated, can lead to more serious health conditions,” explains BLIS Technologies chief technology officer, Dr John Hale.

BLIS K12 is present in ThroatGuard Lozenges and ToddlerProtect powder which are available over-the-counter from pharmacies and online at www.blis.co.nz
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About BLIS Technologies
Blis Technologies Limited was formed to commercialise advanced probiotic strains that work outside the gut. Professor John Tagg of the Microbiology department at the University of Otago gathered and extensively catalogued a collection of more than 2000 of these bacteria over a period of more than 30 years. Blis Technologies acquired the rights to this unique collection of bacteria from the University of Otago in New Zealand and in July 2001, the company was listed on the New Zealand Stock Exchange. In the time since its listing on the New Zealand Stock Exchange, the company has developed consumer products for throat health, halitosis (bad breath), immune support and teeth and gum health.

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