Clinically backed AB-Biotics probiotic blend for reducing colic

New scientific research highlights the beneficial effects of the AB-Biotics probiotic blend created for infants suffering from colic pain. 

Infantile colic is defined as a period of inconsolable, unexplained and incessant crying in a healthy infant that unknowingly leads to frustrated, exhausted and concerned parents seeking to comfort their child/infant. This type of condition appears more frequently in the first six weeks of life, occurring in 17%-25% of newborns depending on the regions and definitions employed. Adding to the present bank of science exploring the role of probiotics in infantile colic, the findings have revealed that daily consumption of AB-KOLICARE can significantly improve symptoms of the condition, including crying time-also creating opportunities for new innovations in the infant nutrition space. ¹

Previous findings have found that in the gut microbiota of colicky babies, there tend to be a lower level of commensal bacteria such as Bifidobacteria and Lactobacilli and also a very higher number of proteobacteria. These findings have also triggered a number of studies investigating the effect of supplementation of the gut microbiota of colicky babies with products that contain probiotic bacteria. 

This latest randomized double-blind controlled study investigated the impact of daily oral administered AB-KOLICARE- which contains combined patented probiotic strains Pediococcus pentosaceus KABP-041 (CECT 8330) and Bifidobacterium longum KABP-042 (CECT 7894)- for the symptoms of infantile colic pain.⁴

This study was conducted in 112 exclusively mixed-fed infants or breastfed infants, it was found that the supplementation with AB-KOLICARE for around 21 days resulted in shorter crying and/or fussing time and very fewer episodes of crying and/or fussing compared to the placebo group. Of note, although both the groups showed a response, infants receiving the probiotic solution showed a significant response in the first week compared to babies in the control group (83% vs 36%), and despite babies in both groups improving over time, the probiotic treatment offered superior results on day 21.  

In addition, the probiotic formulas also improved fecal consistency. Therefore it was concluded that AB-KOLICARE is a very effective solution for the prevention and treatment of infant colic.⁵

“Colic pain can be an extremely distressing experience for both the babies and families,” commented by Jordi Riera, Chief Business Development officer, AB-Biotics. Research shows that babies with infant colic have a different microbiota composition than those without it.²

The presence of Bifidobacterium-beneficial bacteria that helps to digest dietary fiber, helps to prevent infection, and produce vitamins- is just 0.3% in colic babies, compared to 10% in non-colic infants. 

“This suggests that the gut microbiota plays a vital role in the development of the condition and also explains why the probiotics are being explored as a very potent treatment due to their gut-strengthening properties. 

“In this study, the probiotic solution contained strain of B. longum, which is a Human Resident Bifidobacteria (HRB) and is one of the commonest Bifidobacteria in healthy infants. This is significant as most other probiotic solutions for infants contain non-HRB such as B.animalis.”

References:

1. Chen K, Liu C, Li H, Lei Y, Zeng C, Xu S, Li J, Savino F. Infantile colic treated with Bifidobacterium longum CECT7894 and Pediococcus pentosaceus CECT8330: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Frontiers in Pediatrics. 2021:939.

2. Ong TG, Gordon M, Banks SS, Thomas MR, Akobeng AK. Probiotics to prevent infantile colic. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2019(3).

3. Hemann R. Help for colicky babies. Clinical Excellence for Nurse Practitioners: the International Journal of NPACE. 2001 May 1;5(3):144-6.

4. Dong F, Xiao F, Li X, Li Y, Wang X, Yu G, Zhang T, Wang Y. Pediococcus pentosaceus CECT 8330 protects DSS-induced colitis and regulates the intestinal microbiota and immune responses in mice. Journal of Translational Medicine. 2022 Dec;20(1):1-6.
5. Tintore MA, Cune JO. Probiotic treatment with ab-kolicare causes changes in the microbiota which correlate with a reduction in crying time. International Journal of Pharma and Bio Sciences. 2017;8:281-8.