Järva Teataja: E-Piim put cheese and probiotic capsules in one package
Cheese producer E-Piima's long-term cooperation with Estonian scientists in the development of probiotic bacteria has reached a new stage. - The unique Tensia bacterium used in the production of Harmony cheese is now also included in Nordwise nutritional supplements, which have been available in Estonian pharmacies for some time.
For the first time in Estonia, E-Piim together with Selver offers the consumer both Harmony cheese containing Tensia bacteria and a food supplement in capsules containing the same bacteria as a combo package.
Jaanus Murakas, chairman of the board of E-Piima, said that during the current corona crisis, society's interest in health prevention has increased significantly, and it is the right time to remind people of the usefulness of probiotics and their ability to protect people. 
"Probiotic dairy products are very popular in many countries, such as Japan and the United States. Probiotic food supplements have become more and more popular in Estonia, more and more people regularly or periodically use the help of probiotics to improve their body and well-being," said Murakas.
Epp Songisepp, senior researcher and head of the development direction of the biocompetency center BioCC, which developed the probiotic lactic acid bacterium Tensia, said that the lactic acid bacterium isolated from an Estonian child is the most outstanding achievement of the domestic research development in the last 15 years, which has passed all research stages, including tests with over 700 volunteer compatriots, and has positive properties for health, including blood pressure the lowering effect has been confirmed.
Songisepp emphasized that pharmacy shelves are full of probiotic food supplements, but there are few probiotic food products that have proven their health effects in clinical studies. One such is Harmony cheese in Estonia.
According to Songisepa, the human body and its microbes are in a symbiotic relationship. More and more, disease states are associated with the depletion or imbalance of the microbiota. Probiotics, as live microorganisms specific to the human body, help to restore the microbial balance in the intestine.
"Most of the human immune system is located in the digestive tract, the total area of which is the size of a football stadium. There, there is direct contact and, so to speak, a two-way conversation between the probiotic microbial cell and the cells of the human body," he said.
Bunisespe is convinced that probiotics are good for lack of exercise, smoking and more
help to reverse lifestyle disease. "It is effective to use probiotics for prevention if there are danger signs with high blood pressure, cholesterol or high blood sugar and if the family doctor does not yet see a reason to start treatment," he said.
Songisepp emphasized that it must be remembered that the properties of each probiotic microbe are specific and one should not automatically assume the properties of another. The lactic acid bacterium Tensia supports the work of the heart and blood vessels by lowering blood pressure.
In addition, Tensia increases the overall number of beneficial lactobacilli in the microbiota, which in turn increases the body's natural resistance. "The effect of Tensia lactic acid bacteria on improving digestion appears faster, after three weeks of consumption, but the effect on blood pressure needs more time to manifest itself, the best effect is achieved after at least eight weeks of regular consumption," explained Songisepp.
According to Songisepa, probiotics must be consumed in order to achieve the desired health effect
regularly. "At the end of the course, the number of microbes in the intestine starts to decrease, and with it the health effect also weakens," he added.
Source: Järva Teataja 23.04.2020 Urmas Glase