Provided is a novel Lactobacillus acidophilus YTI strain (deposition number: KCCM 11808P); and a composition for preventing, alleviating, or treating menopause, comprising, as an active ingredient, Lactobacillus acidophilus comprising the novel strain.

The present invention is directed to compositions comprising a mixture of microbes and the metabolites produced when the microbes are grown together. The invention is further directed to methods for making and using the compositions.

The present invention is directed to compositions comprising a mixture of microbes and the metabolites produced when the microbes are grown together. The invention is further directed to methods for making and using the compositions.

Inorganic anions nitrate and nitrite influence metabolic rate and glucose homeostasis. Infusion of nitrite iv caused an acute drop in resting energy expenditure (oxygen consumption) and nitrate, when given perorally, caused a reduction in oxygen consumption during exercise and a depression of the increase in blood glucose observed after an oral glucose tolerance test. The doses of nitrate and nitrite did not cause any detectable change in methemoglobin levels of blood. Also, nitrate and nitrite did not alter lactate levels in blood. This discovery provides useful treatments to regulate the energy expenditure and glucose homeostasis of a mammal by administration of inorganic nitrite and/or nitrate.

Inorganic anions nitrate and nitrite influence metabolic rate and glucose homeostasis. Infusion of nitrite iv caused an acute drop in resting energy expenditure (oxygen consumption) and nitrate, when given perorally, caused a reduction in oxygen consumption during exercise and a depression of the increase in blood glucose observed after an oral glucose tolerance test. The doses of nitrate and nitrite did not cause any detectable change in methemoglobin levels of blood. Also, nitrate and nitrite did not alter lactate levels in blood. This discovery provides useful treatments to regulate the energy expenditure and glucose homeostasis of a mammal by administration of inorganic nitrite and/or nitrate.

The disclosure provides a method of freeze-drying encapsulated cells, the method comprising at least two consecutive incubation steps, wherein the encapsulated cells are incubated in each incubation step in an incubation solution containing cryoprotectant over a suitable period of time, wherein the concentration of cryoprotectant in the incubation solution is increased with each subsequent incubation step. The disclosure also provides freeze dried cells that are obtained by this method as well as various uses of these cells as pharmaceutical, food additive or additive in cosmetics. The disclosure also provides a composition that contains skim milk, glycerol and a carbohydrate.

Processes for producing a nutritional supplement that contains sulforaphane, and supplements formed thereby. Such a process includes combining a cruciferous vegetable, for example, broccoli sprouts, with strains of Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus, and Streptococcus to form a mixture, causing the mixture to undergo lactic acid fermentation, transform a glucosinolate within the cruciferous vegetable to sulforaphane, and yield a fermented mixture that contains sulforaphane, and then producing from the fermented mixture a supplement that can be ingested by an individual.

In the method of producing natural seasoning according to an embodiment, hot water extraction of kelp is carried out, followed by drying to prepare kelp extract, hot water extraction of oyster mushroom is carried out to prepare oyster mushroom extract, hot water extraction of winter mushroom is carried out to prepare winter mushroom extract, the oyster mushroom extract is inoculated with Pediococcus pentosaceus strain, followed by fermentation to prepare lactic acid bacteria fermented product of oyster mushroom, the winter mushroom extract is inoculated with Lactobacillus acidophilus strain, followed by fermentation to prepare lactic acid bacteria fermented product of winter mushroom, and the lactic acid bacteria fermented product of oyster mushroom, the lactic acid bacteria fermented product of winter mushroom, and the kelp extract are mixed to produce natural seasoning.

A sweetener composition comprising xylose, a sugar alcohol and brown seaweed extract in solid form, preferably powdered or crystalline form. The sugar alcohol is preferably an erythritol and the brown seaweed extract is preferably obtained from Laminaria japonica. The sweetener composition can further comprise one or a combination of additional vitamins, minerals, probiotic cultures, and other plant-based extracts.

The present invention provides a method and composition for ameliorating or reducing the symptoms and signs and for the treatment of obesity, diabetes, and related conditions in a mammal in need thereof, said method comprising administering effective amounts of a pharmaceutically acceptable composition comprising a mixture of probiotic microorganisms with distinct but complementary pathways of carbohydrate metabolism, for a time sufficient to ameliorate, reduce or treat at least one sign or symptom of obesity, diabetes or cardiovascular disease. Compositions having the desired properties, and methods for their use in pharmaceutical and nutritional formulations, are provided.