Founded in 1993, Life-Space is one of the biggest probiotic companies in Australia, and has presence in China, Singapore, New Zealand, and the Middle East. It is now owned by Chinese giant By-Health.
In the past 18 months, it has launched new products gut health concerns, targeting skin and mental health.
The Probiotics+ Skin Rebalance, launched in February 2022 in Australia, contains probiotic bacteria B.breve M-16V and L. delbrueckii ssp. Bulgaricus Lb-87, bovine lactoferrin, zinc, biotin, vitamin C and E, to prevent acne, blackheads, and skin congestion.
The Probiotics+ Stress Relief, launched in June 2022 in Australia, contains probiotic bacteria B. longum BI-05, L. plantarum DR7, saffron extract, magnesium, and vitamin B6 to relieve symptoms of stress and mid anxiety.
What’s driving probiotics beyond gut health?
The firm’s Scientific Affairs Associate and Naturopathic Practitioner Alex Georgiou, said there was rising consumer knowledge of the importance of microbiome, and they are increasingly turning to probiotics to support their general and targeted health needs.
“The benefits of probiotics were once thought to be confined to the gut. But thanks to an improved understanding of the gut-organ axis, consumers are now looking to probiotics to support multiple body systems, including skin, immune, metabolic, and nervous system health.”
A recent strong performer has been Probiotics+ Stress Relief, with sales increasing by over 23% year-on-year.
Life-Space is also strengthening its research capabilities to provide “evidence-based probiotics.”
Its latest research on native Lactobacilli probiotic bacteria found potential benefits in boosting immunity and intestinal health in animal models, and is currently undergoing human clinical trial study in partnership with the University of New South Wales, Australia.
Lactobacilli is also found in some of Life-Space products, including its Broad Spectrum Probiotic, Probiotics+ Skin Glow and Women’s Microflora Probiotic.
Next frontiers in the probiotics space
Georgiou said that technological advancements in gut microbiome testing, and probiotics personalisation would drive the next wave of innovation in the probiotics space.
However, he cautioned that the technology development is still in its early stage, and the company will continue to focus on building the scientific evidence and expanding their range of probiotics to meet various health needs at different life stages.
Aside from clinical studies, the company engages with both customers and healthcare practitioners to explore the therapeutic applications of probiotics.
“According to our research, their demands are quite familiar. At the end of the day, the goal of the healthcare practitioner is to meet the needs of their patients. Both are seeking solutions for health conditions that respond poorly to conventional medicine.
“However, one difference is that healthcare practitioners often seek evidence-backed probiotics to support use alongside conventional medicines as adjunctive treatments, to either reduce side effects or improve efficacy.
“Probiotics is an adaptable therapeutic tool and the evidence for adjunctive benefits is growing which has contributed to their increased appeal amongst healthcare practitioners.”