|
Finland's biggest dairy company Valio has been a long-time forerunner in probiotics research, commercialization and marketing. Valio R&D is one of the most highly regarded food industry research units in the world.
Adopting the most rigorous scientific criteria, Valio's research tradition is based on the groundwork laid by the historic achievements of former Valio Laboratory Director, Nobel laureate Professor A.I. Virtanen. Drawing on science-based research, Valio creates genuine innovations rather than imitating existing concepts. Valio is also a pioneer in researching the health effects of functional foods.
Development expertise turns innovation into tasty value added dairy products that make a genuine contribution to human health, pleasure and well-being. Valio has spearheaded research on probiotics, described as beneficial bacteria that combine naturally with the fermented milk products that people consume every day. Valio has a number of important dairy partners around the world and licensed products are on the market in over 40 countries.
Valio is currently focusing on the development of co-operation with its existing partners in new technologies. Starting in the 1990s with the probiotic bacterial strain Lactobacillus GG (LGG®), leading dairy companies continue to adopt new Valio technologies and apply them to their own products. Valio has licensed LGG® in more than 30 countries.
Valio Evolus® products, which help to control blood pressure, were licensed in 2003. Current products are marked as Evolus2®. They help to control blood pressure, as well as lower the serum cholesterol level. The company has also developed a unique method to produce totally lactose free milk that tastes like normal milk. Valio's range of lactose free products covers nearly all basic dairy produce. This technology is available to Valio's partners and is already being applied in a number of markets.
Valio is a pioneer in developing science-based solutions for contemporary health problems such as obesity (Valio ProFeel®), hypertension and blood cholesterol (Valio Evolus2®). The Valio Gefilus® range strengthens the body's natural immunity and Valio Gefilus® MAX relieves a stressed stomach.
Lactobacillus GG (LGG®) is the world's most researched and documented lactic acid bacterium. Alongside daily dose drinks, Valio Gefilus® brand products include milk, yoghurts, buttermilks, fruit drinks, cheese, fermented milk products and whey-based drinks. Valio Evolus® products were the first in Europe to contain a sufficient amount of bioactive tripeptides to help control elevated blood pressure.
As many as one in five adults in the West suffers from a stressed stomach which manifests itself periodically as painful bloating, flatulence, abdominal discomfort and variable bowel movement. The underlying cause of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), a harmless but inconvenient ailment, is unknown. And there is no effective medication for it. Studies have shown Valio's patented combination of four functional bacteria to reduce abdominal symptoms in 76% of study subjects. The combination calms a stressed stomach and can be obtained from Valio Gefilus® MAX daily dose drinks.
The Gefilus® MAX combination includes Lactobacillus GG lactic acid bacteria (LGG®) which enhances immunity, has the largest mass of scientific proof in the world demonstrating its effectiveness and is familiar from Valio Gefilus® products. Gefilus® MAX contains three other probiotic bacterial strains (lactobacilli, bifidobacterium and propionic acid bacterium) in a yoghurt-based daily dose drink that is ideal for the whole family. Valio Gefilus® MAX has been developed and patented by Valio and there is no similar product anywhere else in the world. It was launched in Finland at the beginning of 2008.
More information: http://www.valio.com
Other Finnish dairy companies also make probiotic milk products which use recognized pure culture strains from other countries or are products of multi-national companies.
|
