The formulation uses strain ATCC 53103, “for use in reducing the duration and/or severity of upper respiratory tract infection (URI)”.
The patent also mentions a blend of Lactobacillus rhamnosus and Bifidobacterium animalis (DSM 15954) to increase, “the Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQL) in teenagers and adults having URI.”
Chr proposed that the blend is suitable for, “reducing … the symptoms of sore throat, scratchy throat, cough, hoarseness, chest congestion and for reducing the median severity score in teenagers and adults having URI.”
The patent was filed in January and published by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) this month and at a time that similar blends and claims have been rejected by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).
URI’s and respiratory tract infections (RTIs), or common colds, are estimated to effect the average person 2.5 times per year in the US.
Different strains, different effects
The application noted that mixed research results for varying probiotic blends indicated not all probiotic strains behaved in the same way.
It said, “studies provide evidence that certain probiotic strains may be effective in reducing the duration and severity of URIs and RTIs in generally healthy adults, when compared to non-probiotic controls.”
“None of these studies were made with a composition comprising the combination of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG and Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis.”
“Mixed results in the published probiotic studies underscore the notion that not all probiotics are created equal, and the beneficial effects of probiotics on URI outcomes appear to be strain specific and may work optimally in combination.”
Chr Hansen said the blend can be used in, “sachets, capsules, chewing gum, or in more general compositions such as oil drops.”