Globally, the number of people aged over 60 is growing; by 2050, the population of those aged 60 and over is expected to be more than double 2019 figures.1
As we age, many changes happen within the body. One is the ability to burn calories, and this impacts metabolic health. In addition, a decrease in activity and undesired changes in body composition can have a significant impact on metabolic health. Ageing and metabolic health are interrelated, with accelerated cellular and molecular aging impacting metabolic dysregulation.2
Worldwide, adult obesity has more than doubled since 1990. In Asia, where ageing populations are fast rising, instances of metabolic disease, such as obesity, are high. Obesity and impaired metabolic health are established risk factors for numerous non-communicable diseases, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, neurodegenerative diseases and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Yet many causes of obesity are preventable.
While there are positives to living longer, living well in older age is not a given; research has revealed a gap of 8.73 years (men) and 12.06 years (women) between life expectancy and healthy life expectancy in later years in ageing Japanese society.3
Optimal nutrition for weight management
In recent decades, research into the role of the gut microbiome in modulating obesity and related metabolic diseases has rapidly increased. Specifically, gut microbiota regulates obesity by regulating energy absorption, central appetite, fat storage, intestinal barrier function and chronic inflammation.4
Diet is the main factor influencing the balance of the gut microbiota, and studies into the relationships between the gut microbiome and obesity, and obesity-related diseases, have advanced our understanding of the importance of optimal nutrition for healthy ageing.5, 6 Dietary interventions, such as increasing the intake of probiotic-rich foods, are now known to help maintain healthy gut microbiota, which can aid weight management and promote healthy ageing.
The body’s intestinal barrier plays a key role in preventing harmful substances from entering the bloodstream, thereby preserving gut health. The intestinal barrier can weaken as the body ages and this can lead to inflammation and contribute to metabolic disorders, including obesity.
Furthermore, accumulating evidence indicates that obesity is associated with a state of chronic, low-grade inflammation, suggesting that inflammation may be a potential mechanism by which obesity leads to insulin resistance.7
B. breve B-3: A widely studied probiotic
Beneficial bacteria, such as Bifidobacterium, has been shown to help regulate metabolism and decrease metabolic diseases. B. breve B-3 is a Human Residential Bifidobacterium (HRB) probiotic that has co-evolved with and adapted to the human host for over 15 million years. Morinaga Milk Industry Co. Ltd has carried out extensive research into its proprietary B-3 strain in relation to its potential to support metabolic health and healthy ageing.
B. breve B-3 has proven efficacy for reducing body weight/body fat associated beneficial effects, such as the improvement of intestinal barrier function which deteriorates as the body ages and has been linked to multiple markers of systemic ageing.8-10 Therefore, maintaining a healthy intestinal barrier is essential for preventing inflammation-related obesity and its associated health risks. Even in instances where the intestinal barrier function is damaged, B-3 has been shown to prevent fat accumulation and alleviate inflammation.
A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted to evaluate the effect of the intake of B. breve B-3 on body compositions and blood parameters in adults with a tendency for obesity.6 Participants were randomised to receive either placebo or a B-3 capsule (approximately 5 × 1010 colony-forming units of B-3/d) daily for 12 weeks.
Improvements were observed for some blood parameters related to liver functions and inflammation, such as γ-glutamyl transpeptidase and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein. Significant correlations were found between the changed values of some blood parameters and the changed fat mass in the B-3 group. In addition, a significantly lowered fat mass was observed in the B-3 group compared with the placebo group at week 12. These results suggest the beneficial potential of B. breve B-3 in improving metabolic disorders.
Other studies have shown B-3 can prevent the build-up of fat in the body which leads to obesity. A 2023 double-blind, randomised clinical trial aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of B. breve B-3 for reducing body fat.11 Participants aged 19-60 were randomly classified into treatment and placebo groups with the B-3 group receiving a daily intake of 5 billion CFU/capsule/day. At 12 weeks, change in body fat mass (g) and body fat percentage (%) were assessed on dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA).
In the B-3 group, body weight was lower than before B-3 ingestion. Waist and hip circumference, and waist/hip circumference ratio, were lower in the B-3 group than in the placebo group. In the B-3 group, the waist/hip circumference ratio was found to decrease at each visit and body fat was significantly lower than in the placebo group. It concluded that ingesting B-3 significantly reduces body weight, waist circumference and hip circumference, and is safe and effective for reducing body fat.
It is worth noting that several clinical trials have consistently shown statistically significant reductions in body fat when subjects took B. breve B-3. Furthermore, these changes were achieved by subjects incorporating probiotics into their daily lives without making major changes to their diet or exercise habits. These results suggest that by incorporating a gut-focused approach into our daily lives, we can move closer to achieving healthy metabolic function.
Market demand for probiotics
Research has found that 45% of global consumers show a greater interest in health-boosting ingredients in the last two years.12 Therefore incorporating ingredients, such as probiotics, that effectively tackle obesity is a key consideration to developing innovative products that meet consumer demand.
Morinaga’s B-3 strain received GRAS status in 2022, and received ‘Reducing waist circumference’ Food with Function claim in Japan and Individual Recognition in South Korea for the claim ‘Reducing body fat’. It also has HALAL and Kosher certifications. It is it flexible in terms of its manufacturing capabilities thanks to its high stability and can be incorporated into a range of supplement formats.
“Our B-3 strain is offered as a solution in products to support healthy ageing from middle-age and beyond, targeted at those who want to take preventative action to become healthier in older age, as well as manage their weight,” says Dr. Junichi Minami, Manager, Marketing Strategy Team at Morinaga Milk Industry Co. Ltd.
“This preventative action can lead to increased healthy life expectancy – which is to say the ability to be mobile and independent as the body ages and maintain the quality of life enjoyed in earlier years.”
As global populations become older, helping consumers live well in older age is becoming an ever-growing area of innovation for manufacturers and Morinaga Milk continually strives to contribute to human wellness through advancements with its B-3 strain.
References
1. WHO. Ageing.
2. Zhang K. Metabolic diseases and healthy aging: identifying environmental and behavioral risk factors and promoting public health. Front Public Health. Volume 11 - 2023.
3. Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.
4. Liu BN.; et al. Gut microbiota in obesity. World J Gastroenterol. 2021 Jul 7;27(25):3837-3850
5. Abenavoli L.; et al. Diet and Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: The Mediterranean Way. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2019 Aug 21;16(17):3011.
6. Stanislawski MA.; et al. Gut microbiota phenotypes of obesity. NPJ Biofilms Microbiomes, 5 (1). 2019. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health, 16 (17). 2019.
7. Minami J.; et al. Oral administration of Bifidobacterium breve B-3 modifies metabolic functions in adults with obese tendencies in a randomised controlled trial. J Nutr Sci. 2015 May 4;4:e17.
8. Clark RI.; et al. Distinct shifts in microbiota composition during drosophila aging impair intestinal function and drive mortality. Cell Rep. 12, 1656-1667.10.1016/j.celrep.2015.08.004
9. Salazar AM, Resnik-Docampo M, Ulgherait M, Clark RI, Shirasu-Hiza M, Jones DL, Walker DW. Intestinal Snakeskin Limits Microbial Dysbiosis during Aging and Promotes Longevity. iScience. 2018 Nov 30;9:229-243.
10. Rera M.; et al. Intestinal barrier dysfunction links metabolic and inflammatory markers of aging to death in Drosophila. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2012 Dec 26;109(52):21528-33.
11. Sung HK.; et al. Body Fat Reduction Effect of Bifidobacterium breve B-3: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo Comparative Clinical Trial. Nutrients. 2022 Dec 21;15(1):28.
12. FMCG Gurus. Top Ten Trends for 2024 - Global Report. 2023.
