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Desk
29 Oct 2024
ADM's Landmark Study Highlights the Benefits of Probiotic and Postbiotic Supplements, Offering New Insights and Flexibility for Enhancing Canine Gut Health in Pet Nutrition
ADM (NYSE: ADM), a leading innovator in nature-derived solutions, has broken new ground in canine health research. In a first-of-its-kind study, recently published in the Journal of Animal Science, ADM examined the health effects of daily supplementation of Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis CECT 8145 (known as BPL1™) on adult dogs. The study assessed both the live probiotic and heat-treated postbiotic forms of BPL1™—a strain previously celebrated in human health studies—on canine wellness.
Increasing Demand for Biotics in Pet Care
According to ADM's latest consumer research, biotic supplements are in demand among U.S. pet owners, with 55% purchasing biotics for their pets annually, often following professional recommendations. Many pet parents turn to probiotics and postbiotics to manage digestive and gastrointestinal issues, which have become common concerns in pet health.
“Pet owners today are more focused than ever on supporting their pets' well-being through functional ingredients,” said Dr. Sophie Nixon, Head of Clinical Research for Pet & Animal Well-being at ADM, who led the trial. “This study sheds light on the role probiotics and postbiotics can play in canine health—a largely unexplored area.”
Study Design and Findings
The study involved 36 dogs, split evenly between beagles and English pointers, in a rigorous 3-arm, randomized, placebo-controlled setup. After a 60-day adaptation period on a standard diet, dogs were given either the live probiotic BPL1™, heat-treated postbiotic BPL1™, or a placebo alongside their diet for 90 days. Researchers tracked several health indicators, including gut microbiome composition, fecal short-chain fatty acids, insulin sensitivity, and inflammatory markers.
Results showed significant improvement in gut health, including increases in fecal short-chain fatty acids and changes in microbiome structure. Both live and heat-treated forms of BPL1™ safely supported gut health in healthy adult dogs, making them a versatile option for pet product formulators.
Implications for Pet Product Formulators
The study highlights an important distinction for pet food manufacturers: while live probiotics can lose efficacy during high-heat processing, such as extrusion and baking, heat-treated postbiotics like BPL1™ remain effective under these conditions. This resilience grants pet food developers more flexibility in incorporating biotics without needing special accommodations to maintain potency.
“Advances in canine biotics, such as this study, are crucial for developing ADM’s functional ingredient portfolio across pet and animal nutrition,” said Mark Lotsch, ADM’s President of Global Health & Wellness. “BPL1™’s proven stability and benefits offer exciting opportunities for expanding pet health products with enduring, science-backed solutions.”
ADM’s research underscores the potential for biotic ingredients to enhance canine wellness, a trend that is increasingly aligning with pet owners' goals for their companions’ health. Further studies are underway to explore additional health benefits of BPL1™ in dogs, with a particular focus on metabolic outcomes.
With these advancements,
ADM continues to set the standard in pet health innovation, empowering pet owners and industry formulators with groundbreaking tools for improved wellness.