Provided herein is an anti-allergic agent for ameliorating an allergic disease in infants, particularly newborns, without causing side effects. The anti-allergic agent for infants comprises a bifidobacterium.

The present invention provides a novel anticariogenic agent without side effects so that anticariogenic effect can also be obtained in humans who are highly sensitive to oligosaccharides and sugar alcohols. Also, an agent for preventing periodontal disease or for treating periodontal disease which has an effect of preventing or treating periodontal disease and which does not have side effects is provided. The invention relates to an anticariogenic agent and an anticariogenic composition comprising a bifidobacterium, an agent and a composition for preventing periodontal disease comprising a bifidobacterium and an agent and a composition for treating periodontal disease comprising a bifidobacterium.

The present invention provides a novel anticariogenic agent without side effects so that anticariogenic effect can also be obtained in humans who are highly sensitive to oligosaccharides and sugar alcohols. Also, an agent for preventing periodontal disease or for treating periodontal disease which has an effect of preventing or treating periodontal disease and which does not have side effects is provided. The invention relates to an anticariogenic agent and an anticariogenic composition comprising a bifidobacterium, an agent and a composition for preventing periodontal disease comprising a bifidobacterium and an agent and a composition for treating periodontal disease comprising a bifidobacterium.

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.

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.

An object of the present invention is to provide a brain function improving agent for neonates, especially, newborn neonates. According to the present invention, there is provided a brain function improving agent for neonates, comprising a lactic acid bacterium and/or a Bifidobacterium. The brain function improving agent or composition for improving brain function for neonates according to the present invention is advantageous in that the use thereof can improve the developmental quotient without any side effect and also enables effective development and growth of neonates.

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.

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.