BIFIZEN Focus
Neurology
- Improves mood and sleep quality
- Helps reduce anger and fatigue
- Produces GABA neurotransmitter
- Helps protect & reinforce membrane integrity
Limosilactobacillus fermentum LF16 (DSM 26956)
Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus LR06 (DSM 21981)
Lactiplantibacillus plantarum LP01 (LMG P-21021)
Bifidobacterium longum 04 (DSM 23233)
Food supplement with probiotic strains.
Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid)
EFSA claim: contributes to normal mental performance
Phosphatidylserine
(no EFSA claim) constituent of neuronal membranes, essential for the proper functioning of the neuronal network, it has been shown to improve memory and cognitive performance
Psychiatric disorders such as depression and schizophrenia, along with stress and anxiety, have been linked to alterations in gut microbiota composition, including:
Decreased abundance of Lactobacillus, Faecalibacterium, and Bifidobacterium [1].
Increased presence of LPS-producing bacteria (like Proteobacteria, including Escherichia coli, Klebsiella, Enterobacter), associated with increased gut permeability, systemic inflammation, neuroinflammation, and oxidative and nitrosative stress [1-4].
BIFIZEN® is a food supplement composed of four strains that have been characterized for their:
Strong antipathogenic activity against E. coli and K. pneumoniae, with Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus LR06 and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum LP01 also active against enterohemorrhagic E. coli O157:H7 [5]. Additionally, LP01 is effective against Enterococcus faecalis and Staphylococcus aureus, and Limosilactobacillus fermentum fermentum LF16 significantly opposes the growth of various Candida spp. Strains [6].
Anti-inflammatory effects, with LP01 and LR06 exhibiting strong activity [7].
Significant antioxidant properties demonstrated for all four strains in in vitro studies [8].
The ability of LP01 to produce GABA in an in vitro study [10].
BIFIZEN® has been shown to be more effective than single strains in positively affecting the epithelial intestinal barrier, ROS production, and cell viability in different cellular models, suggesting that the mixture offers a better treatment strategy [11].
In a double-blind, placebo-controlled study on healthy volunteers, a daily dose of BIFIZEN® for six weeks significantly improved mood, accompanied by [12,13]:
A reduction in depressive mood state (which persisted for three weeks after washout), anger/hostility (remaining three weeks after washout), and fatigue.
Improvement in acceptance (facilitating recovery from depression), sleep quality, and the adoption of avoidance strategies (participants felt better and were more likely to avoid negative thoughts or situations).
Increased novelty seeking (a greater inclination towards new experiences).
1. Bharwani A, et al. Structural & functional consequences of chronic psychosocial stress on the microbiome & host. Psychoneuroendocrinology. 2016 Jan;63:217-27. doi: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2015.10.001
2. Bauer ME, Teixeira AL. Inflammation in psychiatric disorders: what comes first? Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2019;1437(1):57-67. Doi: 10.1111/nyas.13712
3. Maes M, et al. In depression, bacterial translocation may drive inflammatory responses, oxidative and nitrosative stress (O&NS), and autoimmune responses directed against O&NS-damaged neoepitopes. Acta Psychiatr Scand. 2013 May;127(5):344-54. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0447.2012.01908.x
4. Marin IA, et al. Microbiota alteration is associated with the development of stress induced despair behavior. Sci Rep. 2017 Mar 7; 7():43859. Doi: 10.1038/srep43859
5. Mogna L. et al. Assessment of the in vitro inhibitory activity of specific probiotic bacteria against different Escherichia coli strains. J Clin Gastroenterol. 2012; 46 Suppl:S29-32.
6. Deidda F, et al. How Probiotics may Kill Harmful Bacteria: The in vitro Activity against Some Haemolytic Strains. J Prob Health, 2020. Vol. 8 Iss.2 No: 216. DOI: 10.35248/2329-8901.20.8.216
7. Amoruso A. et al. A Systematic Evaluation of the Immunomodulatory and Functional Properties of Probiotic Bifidobacterium Breve BR03 (DSM 16604) Lactobacillus plantarum LP01 (LMG P-21021). J Prob Health. 2019; 7:214. Doi: 10.35248/2329-8901.19.7.214
8. Magistrelli L, et al. Probiotics May Have Beneficial Effects in Parkinson's Disease: In vitro Evidence. Front Immunol. 2019 May 7;10:969. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.00969
9. Saggioro A. Probiotics in the treatment of Irritable Bowel Syndrome. J Clin Gastroenterol, 2004; 38(8): S104-106. DOI: 10.1097/01.mcg.0000129271.98814.e2
10. Internal Probiotical data
11. Visciglia A., et al. Probiotics and Gut-Brain Axis: Insights on local and systemic mechanisms of action. Poster from the 12th Probiotics, Prebiotics & New Foods, Nutraceutical and Botanicals for Nutrition & Human and Microbiota Health, held in Rome on 12-14 September 2021.
12. Marotta A, et al. Effects of Probiotics on Cognitive Reactivity, Mood, and Sleep Quality. Front Psychiatry. 2019 Mar 27;10:164. doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2019.00164.
13. Calgaro M, et al. Metabarcoding analysis of gut microbiota of healthy individuals reveals impact of probiotic and maltodextrin consumption. Benef Microbes. 2021 Apr 12;12(2):121-136. doi: 10.3920/BM2020.013
