OptiBiotix jointly funds new research project to understand how its microbiome modulation technologies could improve sleep, stress & anxiety
Global market leader in the development of microbiome modulation science and technology, OptiBiotix Health PLC (‘OptiBiotix’), has announced it will jointly fund a new research project exploring the potential role its microbiome modulation solutions could have on sleep, stress and anxiety.
The new project, which will be jointly funded by the Italian-based research institute Fondazione Edmund Mach – Centro Ricerca e Innovazione (‘FEM’) and the University of Southampton, will examine how prebiotics such as SlimBiome® and WellBiome®, and probiotics like LPLDL® can support the human body in effectively managing sleep, stress and anxiety during a period of stress-induced sleep disruption.
Stephen O’Hara, CEO of OptiBiotix, commented: “There is growing scientific evidence that indicates there is a relationship between the gastrointestinal microbiota, neurobiochemistry and emotional behaviour in humans. Recent findings have suggested that prebiotics, for example, can improve psychological or biological measures of depression, anxiety or stress[1].
“At OptiBiotix, we are excited to explore how our science-backed prebiotic and probiotic technologies positively impact the human microbiome in ways that haven’t yet been fully investigated. The industry-recognised ingredients SlimBiome and LPLDL, alongside our newly launched prebiotic blend, WellBiome, are superb candidates for this research project based on their previous demonstrative efficacy in human studies.”
The funded research will be carried out by a PhD student in the School of Human Development and Health (‘HDH’), which is internationally recognised for its multidisciplinary research in nutrition, metabolism and the microbiome, in the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Southampton. As part of the agreement between OptiBiotix and both academic institutions, the project will include a double-blind, placebo controlled human study.
“The research carried out by the University of Southampton and FEM is a fundamental step for OptiBiotix as we move into 2021 and pursue next generation products,” continues O’Hara. “Backed by our better science, better health ethos, this project will provide our global partners with the potential to drive new products in the health and wellbeing sector, opening up new commercial opportunities for SlimBiome, WellBiome and our probiotic, LPLDL.”
Both academic institutions are renowned for their microbiome modulation research. Located in Trento, Italy, the Nutrition and Nutrigenomics Unit at FEM is internationally recognised for its expertise in probiotics, prebiotics, polyphenols and functional foods. Its current mission is to measure how microbiome systems along the food chain can be harnessed to improve food nutritional quality, sustainability and human health. While the HDH at the University of Southampton is currently investigating the far-reaching effects of microbiome modulators on the biomolecular system and their implications for health and disease.
For more information on OptiBiotix, please visit: https://optibiotix.com/.
References
[1] Holscher, H. & Tallor A. (2020) “A review of dietary and microbial connections to depression, anxiety, and stress”. Nutr Neurosci. 23(3): 237-250.