Bacillus subtilis CU1 from Lesaffre Human Care was found to reduced the incidence of upper respiratory infection in elderly subjects in a newly published clinical trial. The study was conducted by a team of researchers from the University of Bordeaux, Biofortis-Mérieux NutriSciences, Paris 7 University and Lesaffre Human Care.
 
Bacillus subtilis CU1 is made of an exclusive and patented strain of Bacillus subtilis, registered with the French National Collection of Microorganism Cultures as CNCM I-2745. It is a spore forming bacteria that helps support immune health, especially in people with weakened natural defenses.
 
Researchers recruited 100 healthy volunteers, aged between 60 and 74 years old and with a history of winter infections, to participate in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. The purpose of this trial, conducted in collaboration with Pr. Philippe Marteau—independent expert in the area of gastroenterology— was to investigate the effect of Bacillus subtilis CU1 on winter respiratory and gastrointestinal infectious episodes in elderly people.
 
The target group was purposely selected as natural defenses weaken as we age and, among other things, a decrease in secretory IgA (sIgA) concentrations can be observed. Gastrointestinal and respiratory sIgA are the first line of immune body defenses and a deficiency can lead to increased risks of infections. Seniors are therefore a relevant population to assess Bacillus subtilis CU1’s efficacy in boosting the immune function.
 
This trial was performed in the winter within a period of over 4 months, alternating 10 days of consumption of Bacillus subtilis CU1 (2×10 spores of the bacteria/day) or the placebo, followed by 18-day without consumption. Findings of this clinical study were recently published in the journal Immunity & Ageing.
 
In a sub-group of 44 participants, consumption of Bacillus subtilis CU1 was found to significantly decrease the frequency of upper respiratory infections versus consumption of the placebo (-45%). Further analysis of the data also showed a significant and durable increase in sIgA concentrations with consumption of Bacillus subtilis CU1 versus the placebo. “Increased SIgA levels of 87 % and 45 % in feces and saliva respectively are most probably of physiological significance in ameliorating the health status of seniors receiving B. subtilis CU1,” researchers concluded. It is worth noting that no side effects were reported during the study.
 
“These results provide evidence that consumption of B. subtilis CU1 may be a safe and effective prevention strategy to stimulate immune responses and provide long-term support to people at risk of sIgA deficiency such as the elderly, people suffering from chronic stress/sleep deprivation, professional athletes, etc.,” stated Elodie Ruffin, probiotics marketing manager at Lesaffre Human Care.
 
For more information: www.lesaffrehumancare.com