New Study Shows Probiotic Strain Effective in Boosting Immune Response

Bacillus coagulans boosts key immune marker upon exposure to cold and flu
viruses

CLEVELAND, March 12 /PRNewswire/ -- A promising new study in the March issue
of Postgraduate Medicine suggests that a strain of probiotic bacteria,
GanedenBC30 (Bacillus coagulans GBI-30, PTA-6086), increases the body's immune
response to viruses that cause common viral respiratory tract infections such
as colds and flu. Study data showed significant increases in T-cell
production of TNF-alpha, a key immune marker, versus control upon exposure to
adenovirus and influenza A in healthy adults who consumed a daily capsule of
GanedenBC30 for 30 days. While many health professionals believe that
probiotics can help people who have specific health conditions, there has been
controversy surrounding the benefits of probiotics in healthy people. The new
study supports the idea that probiotics can indeed benefit those who are
healthy.

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The study measured the changes in blood TNF-alpha levels upon exposure to
adenovirus and influenza A in 10 healthy adults prior to and following a 30
day regimen of GanedenBC30, which is marketed as a dietary supplement called
Sustenex and is also available in a variety of fortified packaged foods.
Results showed a 250% increase in TNF-alpha levels with adenovirus and a 1709%
increase in TNF-alpha levels with influenza A after subjects took the
probiotics for a period of 30 days. Increased production of TNF-alpha in
response to viral exposure indicates a heightened immunological effect.

Colds and flu are the most common illnesses among humans. They have
significant health and economic consequences, especially among young children,
the elderly, and people with underlying or chronic conditions. Every year, an
average of 5 to 20 percent of people in the U.S. contract the flu, more than
200,000 people are hospitalized with flu-related complications, and
approximately 36,000 people die from the flu. It is also estimated that 1
billion colds occur annually in the U.S.

"These results demonstrate the ability of GanedenBC30 to boost the immune
system of healthy adults against viruses that cause some of the most common
human illnesses," said Mira Baron, M.D., author of the study. "The study
helps support the long-suspected belief about the beneficial effects of
GanedenBC30 on the immune system and adds to the emerging body of evidence
that probiotics can benefit healthy people as well as those with specific
health issues.

Probiotics are live, beneficial microorganisms similar to the "friendly"
bacteria found naturally in the body's digestive system and have best been
known for their ability to support the body's digestive system by helping to
reduce symptoms of digestive disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS),
diarrhea, gas, and bloating. Researchers have long postulated the role
probiotics play in boosting immune function through promoting a healthy
bacterial ecosystem in the digestive tract, which comprises approximately 70
percent of the body's immune system, a hypothesis supported by the current
study.

"The results of this research are interesting and set the stage for the
continued study of the effects of the GanedenBC30 strain of probiotics on the
immune system," said Dr. Justin Sonnenburg, an assistant professor of
microbiology and immunology at the Stanford University School of Medicine, who
has reviewed the study's findings. "The standard practice today is for people
to take medicine to achieve symptomatic relief of colds and flu, but this
research hints that healthy adults may be able to boost their immune system to
potentially ward off infection and prevent such illnesses."

The study points out that different strains of probiotics have different
inherent properties, suggesting that the unique ability of GanedenBC30 to
survive common conditions that can potentially kill other probiotics before
they can have a beneficial effect, such as manufacturing conditions, extreme
temperatures, and the harsh gastric environment, may contribute to its ability
to support the immune system. Dr. Ken Alibek, M.D., Ph.D., Sc.D., an
infectious disease, microbiology, and immunology expert who has studied
Bacillus coagulans extensively, believes that the strain may be the most ideal
in existence, noting that "no other probiotic has the ability like that of
Bacillus coagulans to survive the challenges probiotics face in reaching the
intestinal tract where they can do good" and added that "once there, no other
strain is as prolific in producing the beneficial by-products responsible for
many of the benefits of probiotics."

"This study is another step forward in our understanding of probiotics and the
many health benefits they can deliver," said Andrew Lefkowitz, CEO of Ganeden
Biotech, which helped fund the study through a research grant and has
completed a total of seven clinical trials using GanedenBC30, including trials
in immunity, IBS, intestinal gas, Crohn's disease, osteoarthritis, and
rheumatoid arthritis. "We will continue to fund research investigating the
benefits of GanedenBC30 and its ability to improve the quality of life."

About Ganeden Biotech
Founded in 1996, Ganeden Biotech Inc. is a private company based in Cleveland,
Ohio, and is the largest seller of over-the-counter probiotics in the U.S.
through its Digestive Advantage and Sustenex brands. It also licenses its
patented probiotic bacteria, GanedenBC30, for use in commercial food and
beverage applications as well as in medical foods and dietary supplements.
GanedenBC30 was found to be Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) by an
independent expert panel assembled to assess its safety in use as a food
ingredient. Digestive Advantage and Sustenex are available at over 40,000
retailers nationwide including Walmart, CVS/pharmacy, Walgreens, Rite-Aid,
Stop & Shop, Giant, Publix, Kroger, and Target. For more information, visit
www.digestiveadvantage.com, www.sustenex.com, or www.ganedenlabs.com.

SOURCE Ganeden Biotech Inc.

Marshall Fong, Ganeden Biotech, Inc., +1-440-229-5216,
fong@ganedenbiotech.com