Supporting women’s health with targeted next-gen probiotics

The women’s health category is evolving to meet the needs of today’s female consumers.

With a focus on improving dietary habits and incorporating probiotics into their daily routine, consumers are seeking new ways to optimize their physical and overall wellbeing. Research shows 74% of US consumers report taking supplements daily and 92% of users consider them essential for maintaining their health.¹⁻²

As consumers take their health into their own hands, they are focusing on proactive nutrition to holistically impact their health. A key category in the dietary supplement space is gut health. The connection between gut health and overall wellbeing is well-documented. Studies show that a healthy gut can enhance immune function, improve digestion, and even impact mental health.³

For women, maintaining a balanced microbiome is crucial not only for digestive health but also for vaginal health. This understanding has driven many women to seek out probiotics specifically designed to support their unique health needs.

A recent report by NBJ shows that 70% of women prefer dietary supplements tailored for the female body and 49% of women report they are currently taking or have taken probiotics.⁴⁻⁵

Interestingly, 52% of women who are perimenopausal / menopausal / post-menopausal say they are interested in finding out more information about the role that probiotics can play in helping to address their unique needs.⁶ This presents an opportunity to educate women on the tailored benefits that probiotics deliver specifically to them.

The role of probiotics in women’s health

Probiotics are live microorganisms that, when consumed in adequate amounts, deliver health benefits to the host.⁷ For women, specific strains of probiotics can offer targeted benefits:

Vaginal health Probiotic strains such as Lactobacillus reuteri are known to support vaginal health by maintaining an acidic environment that inhibits the growth of harmful bacteria and yeast.⁸

Gut health Lactobacillus plantarum is well-studied to be beneficial for gut health. This strain helps balance the gut microbiota, improve digestion, and enhance nutrient absorption.⁹⁻¹⁰ This can be particularly beneficial for women experiencing digestive issues such as bloating, constipation, or general discomfort.

A new line of next-gen probiotics

Recognizing the unique health needs of women, Church & Dwight Co., Inc. has developed Evolved Probiotics™, a line of probiotics specifically designed to support women’s health. These probiotics offer advanced solutions for gut and vaginal microbiome health.

Evolved Probiotics are the next generation of probiotic care for gut and vaginal microbiome health and functionality. Each strain uniquely and naturally transforms in the body to activate targeted health benefit system performance.

Evolved Probiotics L. reuteri 3613-1 is the flagship strain by Arm & Hammer™, a world-renowned brand with a 178-year legacy. This strain supports vaginal and urinary health by producing reuterin, a compound that inhibits the growth of harmful bacteria up to 90% more effectively than other strains.¹¹

Its triple mode of action produces lactic acid for pH reduction, hydrogen peroxide, and reuterin for control of harmful bacteria. Clinical studies have shown that L. reuteri 3613-1 can significantly increase the number of urinary disruption free days for women suffering from vaginal infections and can help to control harmful vaginal bacterial and yeast.¹¹

Evolved Probiotics L. plantarum 276 enhances overall digestive health by strengthening the intestinal barrier and promoting the health of the gut lining demonstrated by in vitro transepithelial electrical resistance assays. It has been shown to significantly improve intestinal epithelial cell migration in vitro, aiding in gut repair.¹¹

Evolved Probiotics B. subtilis 839 & 1579 offer better nutrition through biotransformation, converting healthy fruits and vegetables into more absorbable nutrients. This process enhances the antioxidant effects of a healthy diet, providing additional support for women’s health.¹¹

Evolved Probiotics B. subtilis 747 helps control harmful bacteria populations, while supporting gastrointestinal function and overall wellbeing. B. subtilis 747 has shown a high resistance to low pH conditions and bile salts in vitro, making it an ideal strain due to its ability to survive in the gastrointestinal tract.¹²

The team of scientists and microbiologists at Arm & Hammer continue to evolve their probiotics portfolio. Marlena Hidlay, Director of Marketing Communications and Digital Strategy at Church & Dwight, notes: “The scientists at the Arm & Hammer Science-Hearted Center in Waukesha, Wisconsin have a library of nearly 100,000 potential probiotic strains. The launch of these five unique Evolved Probiotics strains offer nutritional solutions that meet the needs of today’s consumers.”

As women continue to take a proactive approach to their health, the demand for effective and innovative probiotics grows. Evolved Probiotics meets this demand by offering scientifically backed, targeted health benefits designed to support women’s unique health needs. By incorporating these advanced probiotics into their daily routines, women can enhance their gut and vaginal health, leading to improved overall wellbeing.

References

1. CRN. Consumer Survey on Dietary Supplements.
2. NBJ. Women’s Health Report. 2023.
3. IFIC. Report 2023: Food & Health Survey.
4. Wu, H.J.; et al. The role of gut microbiota in immune homeostasis and autoimmunity. Gut Microbes. 2012 Jan-Feb;3(1):4-14.
5. IPSOS. Report on Gut Health & the Microbiome. May 2023.
6. FMCG Gurus. Women’s Health Trends in North America. June 2024.
7. Salminen, S.; et al. The International Scientific Association of Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP) consensus statement on the definition and scope of postbiotics. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 18, 649–667 (2021).
8. Liu, P.; et al. Use of probiotic lactobacilli in the treatment of vaginal infections: In vitro and in vivo investigations. Front Cell Infect Microbiol. 2023 Apr 3;13:1153894.
9. Fidanza, M.; et al. Lactiplantibacillus plantarum–Nomad and Ideal Probiotic. Front. Microbiol. 2021.
10. Kaźmierczak-Siedlecka, K.; et al. The role of Lactobacillus plantarum 299v in supporting treatment of selected diseases. Cent Eur J Immunol. 2020;45(4):488-493.
11. Various Arm & Hammer Research Notes.
12. Hill, C.; et al. Expert consensus document. The International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics consensus statement on the scope and appropriate use of the term probiotic. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2014 Aug;11(8):506-14.