AB-Biotics and Kaneka Probiotics’ blend for infants shown to reduce colic symptoms

A probiotic blend by AB-Biotics and Kaneka Probiotics has been shown to address infants’ colic symptoms better when compared to other strains. The study investigated the strains’ ability to control “crying and fussing time” in colicky infants.

“This study marks a potential step-change for the symptom support of colicky infants. L. reuteri DSM17938 is demonstrated to be effective in the study, but the combination of Bifidobacterium longum KABP042 and Pediococcus pentosaceus KABP041 is significantly more effective in reducing crying time,” comments Jordi Espadaler, director of innovation at AB-Biotics.

“To us, bringing probiotics to life means advancing the field of probiotics with improved or alternative solutions for consumers worldwide. In this latest study, we wanted to examine our probiotic solution for infant colic treatment, not just in their inherent ability to relieve symptoms but to bolster the evidence for newer solutions compared to the established norms.”

The randomized, parallel, single-blind study, published in the European Journal of Pediatrics, monitored the responses of 112 colicky infants. It was designed to compare the companies’ blend that is marketed as AB-Kolicare with L. reuteri, well-documented probiotics for colic. The study was conducted in Spain and Mexico and included results from infants from both countries.

No more crying or fussing

Its findings show that AB-Kolicare can “significantly improve symptoms of colic” after seven, 14 and 21 days of oral supplementation at 109 CFU/day, and it is more effective than L. reuteri DSM 17938.

After a week, the combination of B. longum KABP-042  and P. pentosaceus KABP-041 was shown to reduce “daily crying and fussing” by 60 minutes more than L.reuteri DSM 17938. The combination of strains also led to more noticeable improvements after 14 days of treatment. 

Colic in infants is characterized by frequent and intense crying and fussing without an obvious cause.The study notes that benefits from the probiotic were observed regardless of whether the babies were breastfed or formula-fed. 

These findings build upon those from a previous clinical study conducted in China, which also revealed the efficacy of the prebiotic strain. 

Sergi Audivert, executive director and co-founder of AB-Biotics, comments: “This study is the culmination of years of R&D by our team of experts.”

“Our trial comparing the established support for infant colic with our new probiotic solution not only strengthens the position of our probiotic as the most effective one for colic, but it also supports our ultimate goal to increase the quality of research around probiotics for infants, ensuring we strive to further alleviate the severity of functional gastrointestinal disorders globally.”

Colic symptoms and causes 

Colic in infants is characterized by frequent and intense crying and fussing without an obvious cause and occurs in 20% of infants of up to five months of age. 

The issue tends to get go away on its own after some time. However, it is associated with the onset of functional gastrointestinal disorders later in life.

Colicky infants have been found to often have an altered gut microbiota with higher levels of inflammatory Enterobacteria and lowered levels of “healthy” bacteria like Bifidobacterium.

In such cases, supplementation with specific probiotics is an established and accepted approach.

The AB-Biotics team explains that their probiotic formula of B. longum KABP-042  and P. pentosaceus KABP-041 has an unique mechanism of action, inhibiting the growth of pathogenic bacteria and inducing anti-inflammatory cytokines, while supporting intestinal barrier integrity. This is achieved through specific molecules called polyphosphates. 

The probiotic is available in an oil-based solution, and it is an easy-to-administer solution for breastfed and formula-fed infants.