Tapping into gut axes: Probiotical explains the many ways in which the microbiome affects the body

21 Mar 2023 --- As the gut microbiome is continually shown to influence other body systems and science is revealing how pre-, pro- and postbiotics affect the microbiome, Italian-based biotics company Probiotical, continues to investigate and innovate within the gut-health space.

NutritionInsight speaks with Vera Monga, CEO of Probiotical, about how the company utilizes proven probiotic ingredients to create science-backed products.

“We started to study the gut-brain axis some years ago,” says Monga. “Today, we are absolutely sure of the efficacy of the particular strains that we are able to produce.”

“This year, we will have a lot of news,” she elaborates. “First of all, we are the only company, the first company that started to speak about the gut-eye axis. We know that there is not only a gut-brain and gut-skin axis, but we believe that there is also a connection between the gut and the eye. We have already made some clinical trials and we will continue to invest in that.”

GABA is the principal inhibitory neurotransmitter involved in reducing the effects of anxiety and depression disorders in mammals.The gut-brain axis
According to Innova Market Insights, consumers are increasingly concerned with actively caring about their mental well-being. The company notes that supplements with brain-mood health claims grew 37% CAGR over the last five years (Oct 2017-Sep 2022). 

“We presented a new clinical trial last year in the US for mood,” Monga reveals. “We continue to study stress, sleep disorders and the improvement of mood. We found that this particular bacteria that we studied has a strong efficacy. For example, it can help produce GABA directly in the intestines.”

Produced in the gut, GABA is the principal inhibitory neurotransmitter involved in reducing the effects of anxiety and depression disorders in mammals. 

“Our product can have a strong effect on the brain. People that were involved in the study had better sleep, less stress and less anger,” Monga notes.”

She explains that this is a significant finding for mood improvement, noting that the participants said they were happier and felt less stressed.

Other axes
Probiotical is tapping into, investing in and investigating the gut-skin and gut-immunity axes, as well beauty-from-within benefits. 

“We will continue to invest in prevention and immunity, generally speaking, because we think it's very important in several therapeutic areas,” says Monga. “We will also continue to study the skin.”

“We will launch a new line for skin health as well, as we know that there are strains that have a lot of efficacy on skin problems such as atopic dermatitis, psoriasis and acne. Then, some can also have a lot of efficacy on aspects of beauty, as some strains can have a powerful antioxidant activity.”

By William Bradford Nichols