About Symprove
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Symprove is a unique, water-based food supplement containing four strains of live and active bacteria, which are delivered to the gut to support the microbiome. 1, 2 Symprove should be taken as part of a healthy lifestyle. Symprove has been studied in research leading to the publication of several clinical papers.
About Symprove
Symprove is a unique, water-based food supplement containing four strains of live and active bacteria, which are delivered to the gut to support the microbiome. Symprove should be taken as part of a healthy lifestyle. Symprove has been studied in research leading to the publication of several clinical papers (see research to download below).
About Symprove
Symprove is a unique, water-based food supplement containing four strains of live and active bacteria, which are delivered to the gut to support the microbiome. Symprove should be taken as part of a healthy lifestyle. Symprove has been studied in research leading to the publication of several clinical papers (see research to download below).
University College London researchers studied a range of bacteria-containing food supplements in an in vitro model that simulated human gut conditions. Symprove’s bacteria were shown to arrive, survive and thrive in the gut.1
Professor Simon Gaisford, Professor of Pharmaceutics, University College London
University College London researchers studied a range of bacteria-containing food supplements in an in vitro model that simulated human gut conditions. Symprove’s bacteria were shown to arrive, survive and thrive in the gut.
Professor Simon Gaisford
Symprove Product Information
Symprove contains four live strains of bacteria
- Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus NCIMB 30174
- Enterococcus faecium NCIMB 30176
- Lactobacillus acidophilus NCIMB 30175
- Lactiplantibacillus plantarum NCIMB 30173
The bacteria in Symprove have all been independently characterised by the NCIMB (The National Collection of Industrial and Marine Bacteria) using the latest DNA sequencing and mass spectrometry techniques. These methods have enabled characterisation of the genera, species and strains.
Symprove delivers 10 billion CFUs (colony-forming units) per 70ml cup, consistent with amount used in human clinical research trials.
More information about the bacteria in Symprove:
The Lactiplantibacillus species
Various types of these bacteria are found in the human gastrointestinal tract. Rhamnosus, acidophilus and plantarum all have a history of being used in food, including fermented milk and food supplements, starters for Emmental cheese and the fermentation of vegetables. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has added these three species to the Qualified Presumption of Safety list.
Enterococcus faecium
Various types of these bacteria are found in the human gastrointestinal tract. Rhamnosus, acidophilus and plantarum all have a history of being used in food, including fermented milk and food supplements, starters for Emmental cheese and the fermentation of vegetables. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has added these three species to the Qualified Presumption of Safety list.
Other ingredients:
Water, extract of germinated barley, acidity regulators: ascorbic acid, trisodium citrate; preservative: potassium sorbate
In addition to the above ingredients in the original flavour, the mango and passion fruit flavour also contains natural flavourings and sweetener: sucralose
- Gluten-free
- Dairy-free
- Suitable for vegans and vegetarians
- No added colours
Product labels:
Original flavour
Mango and passion fruit flavour
Strawberry & Raspberry flavour
Symprove product information
Symprove contains four live strains of bacteria
- Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus NCIMB 30174
- Enterococcus faecium NCIMB 30176
- Lactobacillus acidophilus NCIMB 30175
- Lactiplantibacillus plantarum NCIMB 30173
The bacteria in Symprove have all been independently characterised by the NCIMB (The National Collection of Industrial and Marine Bacteria) using the latest DNA sequencing and mass spectrometry techniques. These methods have enabled characterisation of the genera, species and strains.
Symprove delivers 10 billion CFUs (colony-forming units) per 70ml cup, consistent with amount used in human clinical research trials.
More information about the bacteria in Symprove:
The Lactiplantibacillus species
Various types of these bacteria are found in the human gastrointestinal tract 3. Rhamnosus, acidophilus and plantarum all have a history of being used in food, including fermented milk and food supplements, starters for Emmental cheese and the fermentation of vegetables 4. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has added these three species to the Qualified Presumption of Safety list 3.
Enterococcus faecium
These bacteria are commonly found in human and animal microbiomes.3 They also have a history of being used in food, such as cheese,3 and are thought to have a flavour-enhancing effect.5 The strain used in Symprove is fully characterised and has been subject to whole genome sequencing using recognised methodology, by the NCIMB, to confirm identity and provide safety data, which differentiate it from other strains of enterococcus faecium.4
Other ingredients:
Water, extract of germinated barley, acidity regulators: ascorbic acid, trisodium citrate; preservative: potassium sorbate
In addition to the above ingredients in the original flavour, the mango and passion fruit flavour also contains natural flavourings and sweetener: sucralose
- Gluten-free
- Dairy-free
- Suitable for vegans and vegetarians
- No added colours
Product labels:
Original flavour
Mango and passion fruit flavour
Strawberry & Raspberry flavour
How Symprove works
This short animation shows how Symprove arrives in the gut in a live state and goes on to support a diverse microbiome.
About the safety of Symprove
- Symprove contains 4 strains of lactic acid bacteria combined with selected other food grade ingredients. Lactic acid bacteria have been considered safe, suitable bacteria for human consumption for at least 4,000 years and have been widely used in fermented foods 4.
- It is manufactured at registered premises under controlled conditions, in accordance with relevant food regulations. Since commercial sales began in 2010, no serious adverse events have been recorded 4.
- Clinical studies in humans, including those with pre-existing conditions, have been approved by ethics committees and no serious adverse events recorded in those trials 4.
The viability of Symprove
Two key studies have looked to simulate human gut conditions in order to assess the ability of Symprove to deliver live bacteria to the gut to support the microbiome.
M. Fredua-Agyeman and S. Gaisford
UCL School of Pharmacy, London
2015
In the study by Fredua Agyeman & Gaisford,1 Symprove was subjected to in vitro gastric tolerance tests. Tolerance assays were conducted in porcine gastric fluid (PGF) fed and fasted state (pH 3.4±0.04), simulated gastric fluid (SGF, pH adjusted to 1.2 and 3.4) and fasted state simulated gastric fluid (FaSSGF, pH adjusted to 1.6 and 3.4). Isothermal microcalorimetry was also used to measure real-time growth of probiotics after exposure to simulated gastric fluid.
Results from the enumeration tests indicated that recovery of viable organisms per dose is the same as or better than the stated label claims for liquid-based formulations such as Symprove. Results from the in vitro tolerance tests overall suggest that the PGF provided a harsher environment than the simulated systems at similar pH. Microcalorimetric data showed that probiotic species were able to grow following exposure to gastric fluid, suggesting that viable bacteria reach the gut in vivo.
Moens, Frédéric
ProDigest, Ghent, Belgium
2019
A study by Moens2 explored how Symprove can facilitate delivery of viable probiotic bacteria to the gut and measured the effect of colonisation and proliferation of specific probiotic species on the human gut microbiota, using an in vitro gut model. The data revealed immediate colonisation and growth of three probiotic species in the luminal and mucosal compartments of the proximal and distal colon, and growth of a fourth species in the luminal proximal colon, leading to higher proximal and distal colonic lactate concentrations. The lactate stimulated growth of lactate-consuming bacteria, altering the bacterial diversity of the microbiota and resulting in increased short-chain fatty acid production, especially butyrate. Additionally, an immunomodulatory effect of the probiotics was seen; production of anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6 and IL-10) was increased and production of inflammatory chemokines (MCP-1, CXCL 10 and IL-8.) was reduced.
The results indicate that the probiotic species facilitate modulation of the gut microbiota composition and metabolic activity thereby influencing the immune response.
The published research behind Symprove
Several research studies involving Symprove have been conducted, including randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials, reflecting the level of scientific interest in food supplements containing live and active bacteria. This PDF features a list of these studies with relevant links.
[ 1 ] Fredua-Agyeman M and Gaisford S. Comparative survival of commercial probiotic formulations: Tests in biorelevant gastric fluids and real-time measurements using microcalorimetry. Beneficial Microbes 2015;6(1):141-151.
[ 2 ] Moens F, et al. A four-strain probiotic exerts positive immunomodulatory effects by enhancing colonic butyrate production in vitro. Int J Pharm 2019;555:1-10.
[ 3 ] Goldstein E, et al. Lactobacillus Species: Taxonomic Complexity and Controversial Susceptibilities. Clin Infect Dis 2015;60(2):S98-S107.
[ 4 ] Gelsomino R, et al. Source of enterococci in a farmhouse raw-milk cheese. Appl Environ Microbiol 2002;68(7):3560-3565.