A recently completed clinical trial has successfully demonstrated that Probi FerroSorb, a unique probiotic concept containing Lactobacillus plantarum 299v significantly improves iron status in pregnant women.
 
“We are very excited to have concluded the study showing an opportunity to safely improve health in pregnant women, a particularly sensitive population, through the use of Probi’s probiotics. The results show that use of Probi FerroSorb reduced iron deficiency as well as the prevalence of anemia for the study participants. This is the first double-blind, placebo-controlled study in pregnant women evaluating the effect on iron status of probiotics and is an important milestone for Probi in proving the health benefits of our probiotics also for expecting mothers,” said Titti Niskanen, director of R&D and clinical operations.
 
Iron deficiency is the most common nutrient deficiency in the world and is especially common during pregnancy. Deficiency of iron can lead to anemia, which can cause multiple symptoms, e.g. fatigue, weakness, pallor, tachycardia, and shortness of breath, affecting the expecting mother. Furthermore, iron deficiency anemia also confers negative outcomes for the baby, such as low birth weight, premature birth, and increased mortality. Iron supplementation is currently the standard treatment for iron deficiency. However, only a small part of the supplemented iron is absorbed, and the remaining unabsorbed iron often causes side effects such as abdominal pain and constipation.
 
Probi FerroSorb has earlier been proven to increase iron absorption in healthy women of childbearing age. This new randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial on Probi FerroSorb included 326 healthy, pregnant women. The results provide evidence that iron status is significantly improved for pregnant women after intake of Probi FerroSorb. The product containing Lactobacillus plantarum 299v and a carefully balanced mix of iron, vitamin C and folic acid, was administered twice daily from early pregnancy and until delivery. The effect was measured on iron status and the treatment with the probiotic product showed significant improvement compared to placebo. The treatment resulted in reduced iron deficiency, and also significantly reduced the prevalence of anemia and iron deficiency anemia during the last trimester of pregnancy in healthy, pregnant women.
 
“Probi FerroSorb is a unique probiotic concept for people with low iron levels, increasing the uptake of iron and potentially helping to normalize the iron levels for the person taking the supplement. Probi has now shown that this probiotic concept is safe for use by and provides health benefits to the important population of mothers to be all over the world—a group of consumers in high need of additional iron. We are currently introducing Probi Gravid on the Swedish market as a supplement based on this probiotic concept, available in pharmacies right now. The concept is also under introduction to our customers worldwide, expecting to see new product launches moving forward,” said Tom Rönnlund, CEO of Probi.