Kerry Group has announced a new consumer perception study suggesting its science-backed Plenibiotic postbiotic is a powerful solution for promoting overall well-being for GLP-1 users.
While GLP-1 medications can be a useful tool in the fight against obesity, they also present challenges for consumers due to the side effects that come alongside their use.
Knowing that these side effects often contribute to 50 to 75 per cent of users discontinuing these medications within the first year, Kerry set out to find solutions that point to positive health improvements.
Plenibiotic (inanimate Lacticaseibacillus paracasei 327) is a rice-derived postbiotic that provides a holistic approach to digestive and skin health.
It offers excellent stability during processing and on the shelf, giving formulators flexibility to innovate across food, beverage and dietary supplement applications — making it easy to incorporate seamlessly into consumers’ daily routines.
Plenibiotic has demonstrated its ability to support both digestive and skin health through multiple randomised controlled trials (RCTs).
Its impact on digestive health and overall quality of life has been further evaluated in an open-label, exploratory consumer perception study involving 233 individuals in the US who were using GLP-1 RA medications and experiencing GI side effects.
Following four weeks of Plenibiotic use, 78% of the GLP-1 RA medication users reported a moderate to huge improvement in their quality of life, which had previously been affected by GI symptoms.
Seventeen per cent described Plenibiotic as a “game changer” in improving their GI health, while 60% rated it as moderately to very helpful.
Interestingly, 75% perceived an improvement within the first two weeks of intervention.
Sixty-nine per cent of users stated they would continue their GLP-1 RA treatment due to Plenibiotic’s positive effect on GI comfort and overall well-being.
Eighty-nine per cent expressed interest in purchasing the product if available. Furthermore, 87% said they would recommend it to other GLP-1 RA medication users.
“The findings of this consumer perception study are incredibly significant as they underscore our commitment to providing science-backed solutions that directly address real-world health challenges,” said Alexandra Boelrijik, Global RD&A Vice President at Kerry.
“For many, the well-known GI side effects of GLP-1 medications can be a major barrier to adherence."
"To see such a large percentage of users report moderate to huge improvement in their quality of life and the majority say they would continue their treatment thanks to Plenibiotic’s positive effect on GI comfort, is a powerful validation."
"Plenibiotic is not just an ingredient, it’s a solution that can help users maintain their treatment regimen and truly unlock the full benefits of their GLP-1 journey for lasting results.”
This is the latest Kerry ingredient to demonstrate significant improvements in quality of life in a consumer study.
It follows the positive results reported for BC30 earlier this year, thus validating Kerry’s unwavering commitment to supporting GLP-1 users in their health journey.