Webinar preview: Morinaga Milk’s probiotic targets the gut-brain axis for memory support

Morinaga Milk will reveal the impacts of its discovered strain on enhancing cognitive health. The dairy company claims that its probiotic is the first in the world to help maintain memory function with a single bifidobacteria strain.

Ahead of its webinar, Nutrition Insight sits down with Saki Yamashita, Morinaga Milk’s assistant manager of the Marketing Strategy Team, to give viewers a sneak peek into what they can expect to learn.

Attendees can now register to join the webinar “Unlocking the Power of Probiotics: Discover the Benefits of MCC1274 in Cognitive Health,” which will go live on December 3 at 15:00 CET.

According to Yamashita, viewers may already know that probiotics have positive effects on gut health. However, the webinar will reveal evidence showing how their benefits “extend far beyond the digestive system.”

“Bifidobacterium breve MCC1274, a cutting-edge probiotic strain, has been specifically developed to target cognitive health and support optimal brain function. Experts will touch base on the recent trend of healthy aging in relation to brain functions,” she adds.

“In addition, we will share the latest research findings on the role of probiotics in cognitive health. We will explain clinically documented evidence and deeper research to investigate how MCC1274 works to improve memory function. You will gain a comprehensive understanding of the potential mechanisms through which probiotics interact with the brain function through the gut and influence cognitive processes.”

Morinaga Milk suggests MCC1274 can maintain memory function in middle-aged adults.Special probiotic for memory

Backed by the rapidly aging society and insight into the gut-brain axis, Morinaga Milk has been studying the connection between the gut and brain, which is how it found the “special” strain Bifidobacterium breve MCC1274.

“In recent years, the gut-brain axis has gained increasing attention and is being vigorously studied around the world. MCC1274 possesses an attractive effect in maintaining memory function in middle-aged adults, which is part of cognitive function that declines with age.”

“This is the first Bifidobacterium in the world to be recognized for its ability to maintain memory function with a single bifidobacteria strain,” she adds.

Recent research suggests that the interaction between the brain and gut is mediated by the nervous, circulatory and immune systems. “Acetic acid produced by MCC1274, tryptophan metabolites, Aglycone type isoflavone, ILA, etc. might affect the central nervous system via those three routes and bring a positive result to humans through the gut,” adds Yamashita.

“Mechanistic studies show that MCC1274 reduces brain atrophy and improves nerve connectivity. Intake of MCC1274 protects against brain inflammation and reduces HbA1c, a blood parameter that reflects blood sugar levels and systemic inflammatory conditions.”

Preemptively tackling dementia progression

We will see the global aging population reach 2 billion in 2050, underlines Morinaga Milk.

Yamashita claims MCC1274 the first Bifidobacterium in the world to be recognized for its ability to maintain memory function with a single bifidobacteria strain. “One of the biggest challenges associated with the aging population is a decline in cognitive function and ultimately, dementia. Symptoms of dementia include memory loss, difficulty performing familiar tasks and problems in language, all of which significantly impact quality of life,” says Yamashita.

“There is increasing evidence showing that the dynamic changes in the gut microbiota can affect cognitive function and are associated with neurodegenerative disease. With such heightened consumer awareness on the gut-brain axis and the rise of an aging population, Bifidobacterium breve MCC1274 is well-positioned as an effective probiotic ingredient that helps maintain memory that declines with age and fulfills consumer expectations,” she continues. 

Morinaga Milk suggests brands in the functional food sector should leverage probiotics for cognitive health as a preventative measure since a common problem with dementia is its progression. “It begins before clinical onset, and once the symptoms appear, it is difficult to overcome it.”

“With a well-consolidated regulatory oversight, quality assurance and a track record of human substantiation of safety and efficacy, bifidobacterium breve MCC1274 can provide an extraordinary nutritional solution that resolves consumer needs for an effective preventive measure.” 

Morinaga Milk suggests the ingestible strain could provide an easy way for consumers to maintain memory function.