Bifidobacterium longum ncimb 41676

Abstract

Bifidobacterium longum strain NCIMB 41676 improves sleep.

1 - 16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . A method of treating a human subject, the method comprising administering to the subject a formulation comprising  Bifidobacterium longum  strain NCIMB 41676 and an ingestible carrier, wherein the formulation comprises more than 10 6  cfu of the  Bifidobacterium longum  strain, and wherein the formulation improves sleep quality in the subject as measured by a decrease in amount of time to fall asleep, an increase in sleep duration, a decrease in sleep disturbance, a decrease in daytime dysfunction due to sleep disturbance, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the formulation comprises 10 7  to 10 10  cfu of the  Bifidobacterium longum  strain. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the formulation comprises 10 8  to 10 9  cfu of the  Bifidobacterium longum  strain. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the formulation further comprises a prebiotic. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the formulation is in the form of a capsule, a tablet or a powder. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the formulation includes a controlled release coating. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the formulation is in the form of a food product. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the food product comprises an acidified milk, a yoghurt, a frozen food, a gum, a candy, a milk powder, a milk concentrate, a cheese spread, a nutritional composition, a nutritional supplement, a cereal bar, a dressing or a beverage. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the formulation further comprises a protein, a peptide, a vitamin, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the formulation further comprises a drug entity or a biological compound. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the subject is a baby. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the subject is an elderly person. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the subject has irritable bowel syndrome. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the formulation is administered to the subject once per day for at least one week. 
     
     
         31 . A method of treating a human subject, the method comprising administering to the subject a formulation comprising  Bifidobacterium longum  strain NCIMB 41676 and an ingestible carrier, wherein the formulation comprises more than 10 6  cfu of the  Bifidobacterium longum  strain, wherein the  Bifidobacterium longum  strain is in powder form, and wherein the formulation improves sleep quality in the subject as measured by a decrease in amount of time to fall asleep, an increase in sleep duration, a decrease in sleep disturbance, a decrease in daytime dysfunction due to sleep disturbance, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein the formulation is in the form of a capsule, a tablet, or a sachet. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein the formulation comprises 10 7  to 10 10  cfu of the  Bifidobacterium longum  strain. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein the subject is a baby. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein the subject is an elderly person. 
     
     
         36 . A method of treating a human subject, the method comprising administering to the subject a formulation comprising  Bifidobacterium longum  strain NCIMB 41676, wherein the formulation improves sleep quality in the subject as measured by a decrease in amount of time to fall asleep, an increase in sleep duration, a decrease in sleep disturbance, a decrease in daytime dysfunction due to sleep disturbance, or a combination thereof.