DuPont Nutrition and Biosciences has launched Howaru Protect Prenatal+, an innovative probiotic formula that has been clinically proven to deliver mood, vaginal and immune health benefits for women during pregnancy and beyond.
The company is a world leader in microbial biotechnology, health, and nutrition with the broadest range of clinically-documented probiotics available in the marketplace. They offer a full range of innovative science-based solutions for improved health and wellness under the brand name Howaru, which now features the new Howaru Protect Prenatal+.
State-of-the-art clinical studies with probiotic supplementation in pregnant women have provided new insights into the health of both mothers and their infants. Among the significant trials has been the Probiotics in Pregnancy Study, whose primary aim was to assess whether probiotic supplementation in women with Lactobacillus rhamnosus HN001 provided immune benefits for infants.
The secondary aims focussed on the health of the mothers and the effect HN001 supplementation had on the risk of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and post-natal depression.
In this gold-standard clinical trial of over 400 pregnant women, daily consumption of L rhamnosus HN001 by the mother was found to have been associated with a lower prevalence of GDM as well as lower incidence of post-natal depression and anxiety.
Additional clinical trials showed that daily consumption of L rhamnosus HN001 by the mother and her infant also helped infants develop a balanced immune system function in the first two years and continued to impact immune health through 11 years.
The prevalence of eczema of the children through age 11, the latest time of evaluation, was significantly reduced in the probiotic groups compared to the placebo group. In addition, at ages six and 11, there were significant reductions in allergic sensitisation scores.
The results also showed mothers who had received the HN001 supplement had improved levels of immune markers in cord blood and breast milk than those in the placebo group, demonstrating immune support for expectant mothers as well.
Howaru Protect Prenatal+, formulated with L acidophilus La-14 in combination with L rhamnosus HN001, has also been proven to support healthy vaginal microbiota and also have beneficial effects regarding recurrent bacterial vaginosis and vulvovaginal candidiasis – two of the most common vaginal complaints among women.
This demonstrates that this premium probiotic formulation helps provide full-body wellness for expectant mothers and their unborn children.
“At DuPont, we are focussed on improving people’s lives and we are especially excited to introduce a product that has clinical benefits for such a critical time in life – during pregnancy,” said Anders Gron, vice-president and global business director, probiotics, HMOs and fibres, DuPont.
DuPont will be showcasing this revolutionary product this year at the IPA World Congress + Probiota Americas – the leading annual event for the prebiotic, probiotic and microbiota-focussed food and pharma industries in Vancouver, Canada.
