| The consumption of probiotics has been | | | | manufacturers and big-time celebrities have |
| well-known to eastern cultures for centuries. Even | | | | created a craze for colon cleansing. Once the |
| the Europeans accepted this concept long before | | | | colon is cleansed, good bacteria need to be |
| Americans did and incorporate a good dose of | | | | replenished in the system. Probioitcs supplements |
| friendly bacteria religiously into their diets. While | | | | are part of every major colon cleanse program. |
| Americans were slow in catching up, we’ve | | | | - The safety of probiotics is not doubted as |
| made up for lost time. In 2006, just about 20 | | | | probiotics already exist naturally in the digestive |
| percent of the American population knew what | | | | system. It is estimated that a 100 trillion bacteria |
| “probiotics” meant. In 2007, this figure | | | | with over 500 different species already exist in |
| rose to 31 percent; in 2008 it rose to 48 percent. | | | | the intestines. |
| And today our knowledge of probiotics has | | | | What’s Needed? |
| reached even greater enlightenment with the | | | | - The public needs to be educated on the various |
| advent of the probiotics pizza! | | | | strains of bacteria and levels required by the |
| What’s Proliferating the Probiotic Market? | | | | body. Most people are aware of the two most |
| So how did we get from being probiotic-ignorant | | | | common bacteria: Lactobacillus and |
| to being probiotic-savvy so quickly? Here are | | | | Bifidobacterium. But even this is not enough. |
| seven trends that are pushing the probiotics | | | | Lactobacillus is just a bacterium and there are |
| market to greater heights: | | | | hundreds of strains to this bacterium. Lactobacillus |
| - Research indicates the efficacy of probiotics as | | | | GG, for example, is a strain that has been |
| a solution to many of man’s modern | | | | extensively studied. Lactobacillus GG is noted for |
| digestive problems including acute diarrhea, | | | | its positive effects on atopic eczema as well as in |
| indigestion, IBS, lactose intolerance, and other | | | | treating milk allergies in infants and children (The |
| gastrointestinal complaints. | | | | Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology, 2008). |
| - Substantial advertising campaigns launched by | | | | Different probiotics species and strains impart |
| probiotic manufacturers themselves. Massive | | | | different health benefits. |
| advertising for probiotics done mostly by probioitc | | | | - Most probiotics manufacturers do not include |
| manufacturers teaches us the benefits of | | | | details of strain and strain levels on their product |
| probiotics in our diet, specifically to improve | | | | label. More transparency on product labels is |
| digestive health. | | | | required. Probiotics dietary supplements have no |
| - More people are finding that probiotics work! | | | | standard labeling requirements and hence buyers |
| Glance through some of the major forums | | | | are often unable to make a sensible decision. The |
| related to IBS and you’ll find people talking | | | | genus, species, and strain level should be clearly |
| about probiotics. It may be safe to assume that | | | | stated on labels by probiotics manufacturers. |
| since the sales are up, people are finding an | | | | - More research on probioitcs would be helpful in |
| improvement in their digestive health by | | | | revealing which strains work for specific digestive |
| supplementing their diets with probiotics. | | | | concerns, such as bloating, IBS, indigestion, etc. |
| - Innovation drives the market. Innovations in | | | | The Market Facts |
| products by probiotics manufacturers have | | | | - According to The Probiotics Market: Ingredients, |
| created more consumer awareness with products | | | | Supplements, Foods from BCC Research, |
| that appeal to the public. According to a Frost | | | | probiotics supplements is the second largest |
| & Sullivan report, "Product innovation is a key | | | | segment in probiotics sales. This segment was |
| factor for increasing market share. The | | | | worth a global $1.2 billion in 2007 and is expected |
| introduction of diverse products with new | | | | to increase to $1.3 billion by 2013. |
| probiotic strains has had a significant impact on | | | | - Probiotics supplements are sold as capsules, |
| the growth of the yogurt market in recent years. | | | | tablets and powders, with capsules accounting for |
| For most consumers, though, taste and | | | | about 75 percent of the supplement |
| convenience will continue to be the most | | | | sales.Probiotics manufacturers have seen a rise in |
| important selling points.” | | | | probiotics supplement sales in spite of the |
| - Digestive health issues among Americans are | | | | economic downturn. |
| rising. People are paying attention to their health | | | | - The market is ready for probiotics supplements |
| needs not just to live longer, but to live healthier | | | | with a scientific approach to formulation. Those |
| lives. Good diet and nutrition are playing a major | | | | interested in manufacturing their own line, whether |
| role. Since good health begins in the digestive | | | | private labeled or an original formula should |
| system and a healthy digestive system can prime | | | | contact a reputable Probiotics Manufacturer who |
| immune health, probiotics is perceived as a major | | | | can guide them into the more popular strains or |
| contributor to good health. | | | | combination of strains to create innovative |
| - The increase in the use of colon cleansers and | | | | probiotics supplements that will appeal to |
| colon detoxes propagated by colon cleanse | | | | consumers. |