Introducing Bimuno
Gut health is surging to the top of the public health agenda, as studies uncover the true extent of beneficial gut bacteria’s influence. Consumers are becoming more proactive and informed on matters of health and wellbeing. Naturally, the gut microbiome forms an important area of focus through its relationship to areas such as immune health, cognition and even sport and athletic health.
Bimuno is a proprietary galactooligosaccharide (GOS) ingredient that puts performance and versatility at the forefront for product developers.
The most widely studied commercially available GOS prebiotic, Bimuno is supported by a comprehensive portfolio of research – over 90 scientific publications, including more than 20 clinical trials.
The proprietary GOS structure is derived from lactose, a natural component of cow’s milk.
What is the active ingredient of Bimuno?
A unique mixture of galactooligosaccharides (GOS) make the active ingredient of Bimuno. The chemical properties (beta-linkages and the degree of polymerisation profile) of our proprietary GOS drive the scientifically proven functionality of Bimuno.
Importantly, one of the structures in Bimuno’s GOS is 3-galactosyl-lactose which is also found in human breast milk oligosaccharides (HMOs), a favoured substrate by bifidobacteria.
The GOS in Bimuno cannot be found in any types of food and unlike oligosaccharides found in foods such as beans, garlic or pulses, it does not contain the alpha-linked galactose and alpha-linked glucose, with a terminal beta-linked fructose, known as Fructans.
Instead, Bimuno contains only galactose and glucose as structural components. The composition of our proprietary GOS makes it a preferred source of carbohydrates for the good gut bacteria, bifidobacteria.
The GOS in Bimuno is scientifically proven to be more selective towards bifidobacteria when compared to other commercially available prebiotics, which lack this selectivity and can therefore be metabolised by many types of microbes, beneficial or otherwise1.
In addition, key opinion leaders recommend that for some indications, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), GOS with beta-linkages, such as the one in Bimuno, is advantageous over any plant-based prebiotics, such as FOS and Inulin, which contain fructan groups2. Fructans have been shown to exacerbate symptoms of IBS3,4. Conversely, Bimuno has demonstrated positive effects on symptom relief in IBS sufferers or in individuals suffering from some undiagnosed GI discomfort5,6,7.
What is the research behind the effectiveness of Bimuno?
Bimuno has been developed with science as its core driver, in order to offer food and supplement manufacturers an ingredient that provides value and that consumers can trust. The science behind Bimuno is one of the most comprehensive of any commercially available prebiotic, with its safety and efficacy supported by over 90 scientific publications.
The research journey for Bimuno started at the University of Reading. Since 2008, Clasado has completed over 20 clinical trials on its unique prebiotic, demonstrating that Bimuno contributes to overall health and wellbeing.
Bimuno's key areas of effectiveness
Gastrointestinal Health
Promotes gastrointestinal wellbeing by reducing abdominal pain and discomfort, bloating and flatulence, and improving bowel regularity.
Immune Defence
Strengthens the body’s natural defences and prevents diarrhoea caused by pathogens and modulates the immune system by increasing anti-inflammatory and decreasing pro-inflammatory molecules.
Cognitive Health
Reduces stress hormone levels and anxiety, and improves brain health and cognitive function.
Studies on the efficacy of Bimuno are supported by human clinical trials data, the majority are also backed by in vitro and in vivo studies.
Prebiotic Activity
Human trials
in children, adults, elderly, overweight, IBS, FGD
In vitro and in vivo studies
Fermentation models
Positive microbiome modulation
Works in synbiotic combinations
Digestive Health & Wellbeing
Human trials
in IBS, FGD, healthy adults, and healthy with GI discomfort
Reduced abdominal pain, bloating, flatulence
Immune system modulation
Human trials
In elderly, overweight, athletes
In vitro and in vivo studies
Reduced pro-inflammatory markers, improved systemic and mucosal immunity
Metabolic Syndrome
Human trials
in overweight volunteers
Reduced liqids, insulin
Positive microbiome modulation and improved systemic and mucosal immunity
ANTI-PATHOGENIC ACTVITY
Human trials
in individuals travelling abroad
In vitro and in vivo studies
Protection from diarrhoea, reduction of severity and/or incidence
Brain Health, function and mood
Human trials
in healthy adults, IBS, children with ASD, individuals with psychosis
In vivo studies
Positive modulation of areas involved in learning, cognition and mood.
Reduces stress and inflammation.
Is the gut microbiome the key to health?
Over the past decade, research into the microbial organisms that live in us has come to the forefront of human science. The gut microbiome, in particular, is now being coined as an organ in its own right, carrying approximately 150 times more genes than are found in the entire human genome. Scientists have recognised its impact on human physiology, as well its ability to affect our mental and physical health.
This revelation is driving scientists to look at the benefits of microbiome-altering ingredients such as prebiotics and probiotics, which have been shown to have positive effects on human health.
Bimuno has been shown to beneficially affect the human gut microbiome through its selective stimulation of bifidobacteria. The proliferation of good bacteria in the gut has been repeatedly demonstrated in studies in healthy adults8, elderly9,10, individuals suffering with IBS11,12 and obese adults13,14 .
| Bimuno Prebiotic | PROBIOTIC |
|---|---|
| Indigestible fibre utilised by probiotics | Beneficial, living microorganisms which use fibre to thrive. Rarely permanently colonise the gut. |
| Nourishes the good bacteria that we already have in the gut | Needs to compete with present resident bacteria in the gut |
| Stable: not affected by temperature, acidity, storage time | Not stable: can be damaged by heat and acid; sensitive to storage time |
| Not affected by stomach acid and digestive enzymes | Can be killed off by the pH during transit through GI tract |
| Recommended dose of GOS for GI symptom relief: 1.37 g/day; for prebiotic effect, immune system modulation, antipathogenic activity, brain health and function: 2.75 g/day | Desired benefits depend on effective dose/serving size and strain used |
| Bimuno Prebiotic | Probiotic |
|---|---|
| Indigestible fibre utilised by probiotics | Beneficial, living microorganisms which use fibre to thrive. Rarely permanently colonise the gut. |
| Nourishes the good bacteria that we already have in the gut | Need to compete with present resident bacteria in the gut |
| Stable: not affected by temperature, acidity, storage time | Not stable: can be damaged by heat and acid; sensitive to storage time |
| Not affected by stomach acid and digestive enzymes | Can be killed off by the pH during transit through GI tract |
| Recommended dose of Bimuno GOS for GI symptom relief: 1.37 g/day; for prebiotic effect, immune system modulation, antipathogenic activity, brain health and function: 2.75 g/day | Desired benefits depend on effective dose/serving size and strain used |
- Mao B, Li D, Zhao J, Liu X, Gu Z, Chen YQ, Zhang H, Chen W.In vitro fermentation of fructooligosaccharides with human gut bacteria. Food Funct 6:947–954. doi:10.1039/c4fo01082e.
- Wilson B, Whelan K. 2017. Prebiotic inulin‐type fructans and galacto‐oligosaccharides: definition, specificity, function, and application in gastrointestinal disorders. J Gastroenterol Hepatol.;32 Suppl 1:64-68. doi: 10.1111/jgh.13700.
- Shepherd SJ, Parker FC, Muir JG, et al. Dietary triggers of abdominal symptoms in patients with irritable bowel syndrome: randomized placebo-controlled evidence. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol 2008;6:765–771.
- Murray K, Wilkinson-Smith V, Hoad C, et al. Differential effects of FODMAPs (fermentable oligo-, di-, mono-saccharides and polyols) on small and large intestinal contents in healthy subjects shown by MRI. Am J Gastroenterol 2014;109:110–119.
- Silk DB, Davis A, Vulevic J, Tzortzis G, Gibson GR. 2009. Clinical trial: the effects of a trans-galactooligosaccharide prebiotic on faecal microbiota and symptoms in irritable bowel syndrome. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 1;29(5):508-18. DOI:1111/j.1365-2036.2008.03911.x
- Huaman JW, Mego M, Manichanh Ch et al. 2018. Effects Of Prebiotics Vs A Diet Low In Fodmaps In Patients With Functional Gut Disorder. Gastroenterology. 155(4):1004-1007. DOI:1053/j.gastro.2018.06.045
- Vulevic J, Tzortzis G, Juric A, Gibson GR. 2018. Effect of a prebiotic galactooligosaccharide mixture (B-GOS®) on gastrointestinal symptoms in adults selected from a general population who suffer with bloating, abdominal pain, or flatulence. Neurogastroenterol Motil.;30(11):e13440. DOI:1111/nmo.13440
- Depeint F, Tzortzis G, Vulevic J, I’anson K, Gibson GR. 2008. Prebiotic evaluation of a novel galactooligosaccharide mixture produced by the enzymatic activity of Bifidobacterium bifidum NCIMB 41171, in healthy humans: a randomized, double-blind, crossover, placebo-controlled intervention study. Am J Clin Nutr. 87(3):785-91.
- Vulevic J, Drakoularakou A, Yaqoob P, Tzortzis G, Gibson GR. 2008. Modulation of the fecal microflora profile and immune function by a novel trans-galactooligosaccharide mixture (B-GOS) in healthy elderly volunteers. Am J Clin Nutr. 88(5):1438-46. DOI 10.3945/ajcn.2008.26242
- Vulevic J, Juric A, Walton GE, Claus SP, Tzortzis G, Toward RE, Gibson GR. 2015. Influence of galacto-oligosaccharide mixture (B-GOS) on gut microbiota, immune parameters and metabonomics in elderly persons. Br J Nutr.;114(4):586-95. DOI: 10.1017/S0007114515001889
- Silk DB, Davis A, Vulevic J, Tzortzis G, Gibson GR. 2009. Clinical trial: the effects of a trans-galactooligosaccharide prebiotic on faecal microbiota and symptoms in irritable bowel syndrome. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 1;29(5):508-18. DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2036.2008.03911.x
- Huaman JW, Mego M, Manichanh Ch et al. 2018. Effects Of Prebiotics Vs A Diet Low In Fodmaps In Patients With Functional Gut Disorder. Gastroenterology. 155(4):1004-1007. DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2018.06.045
- Vulevic J, Juric A, Tzortzis G, Gibson GR. 2013. A mixture of trans-galactooligosaccharides reduces markers of metabolic syndrome and modulates the fecal microbiota and immune function of overweight adults. J Nutr.143(3):324-31. DOI: 10.3945/jn.112.166132
- Sergeev IN, Aljutaily T, Walton G, Huarte E. 2020 Effects of Synbiotic Supplement on Human Gut Microbiota, Body Composition and Weight Loss in Obesity. Nutrients.;12(1). pii: E222. doi: 10.3390/nu12010222.
