BLT
18/12/2012 08:57
GENERAL
REL: 0857 HRS BLIS Technologies Limited
GENERAL: BLT: New Italian research proves benefit of BLIS K12 probiotic
From: BLIS Technologies Ltd (NZX:BLT)
MediaPak: National Pak
Date: Tuesday, 18 Dec 2012
Release: Immediate
New Italian research proves the benefit of BLIS K12 probiotic in Children
BLIS Technologies Ltd (NZX:BLT) announces the publication of an independent
research study into the effectiveness of BLIS K12 oral cavity probiotic for
preventing ear and throat infections in children. Published this month in
the International Journal of General Medicine, an Italian research team
demonstrated that they could prevent the reoccurrence of common childhood ear
and throat infections, such as otitis media (glue ear) and tonsillitis by
around 40% and 90% respectively. Conducted over 3 years, 82 children aged
between 4-5years with a history of recurrent ear and throat infection, were
recruited for this study to determine the effect of 90 days of treatment with
either the BLIS K12 probiotic or a placebo. Researchers concluded
"Prophylactic administration of S. salivarius K12 [BLIS K12 probiotic] to
children with a history of recurrent oral streptococcal pathology reduced
episodes of streptococcal pharyngeal infections and/or tonsillitis as well as
episodes of acute otitis media."
Di Pierro, F., et al. (2012). Preliminary paediatric clinical evaluation of
the oral probiotic Streptococcus salivarius K12 in preventing recurrent
pharyngitis and/or tonsillitis caused by Streptococcus pyogenes and recurrent
acute otitis media. International Journal of General Medicine, 5, 991-7.
doi:10.2147/IJGM.S38859
In commenting after the publication of this landmark Italian research study,
Dr Barry Richardson said, "We know that BLIS K12 probiotic, when taken on a
daily basis, is very effective at establishing itself inside the mouth and
throat. This is important because BLIS K12 has evolved a number of defense
mechanisms, which protects it from other invading bacteria, such as those
known to cause tonsillitis etc; and by protecting itself from harmful
bacteria, BLIS K12 also protects us from harmful bacteria." Dr Richardson
described a recent example of a customer who had a specific condition, which
made them very susceptible to oral candidiasis (oral thrush) with recurrent
episodes every 4-6 weeks. At the direction of a pharmacist they started
taking one BLIS K12 lozenge a day back in June and to date, they have
remained symptom free.
Dr Richardson said that in a week where the New Zealand Government was urged
to address the causes of childhood poverty because of the increasing number
of children being hospitalised for poverty-related conditions such as
tonsillitis, BLIS Technologies is pleased to be associated with The Salvation
Army in New Zealand. "We have joined forces and are now giving away free BLIS
K12 lozenges to the children and their families in the lower South Island,
who The Salvation Army has determined are in need of additional welfare and
likely to be at higher risk from tonsillitis. While we can't change the big
social issue of poverty; we can take practical steps to help alleviate
poverty related illnesses such as tonsillitis and rheumatic fever" Richardson
said.
The success of this product is also getting through to mainstream New Zealand
consumers. Market research data that tracks product sales throughout New
Zealand pharmacies, showed that while the cough and cold market contracted by
1% for the 12 months to September 2012, the BLIS "Throat Guard" range of BLIS
K12 probiotic lozenges actually grew a healthy 11.6% in unit sales over the
past year.
# # #
YOUR CONTACT:
Dr Barry Richardson
BLIS Technologies Ltd
PO Box 56
87 St David Street
Dunedin
New Zealand
Phone +64 (3) 479 5337
www.blis.co.nz
End CA:00231253 For:BLT Type:GENERAL Time:2012-12-18 08:57:34
