Fernleaf Expands Its Range to Support Gut Function and Well-Being

An affordable & enjoyable way to maintain good gut function every day!

The foundation of a strong body lies in a good digestive system. The gut, which primarily carries out functions like digestion, nutrient absorption, and waste excretion, can affect our overall health and wellbeing. Factors such as poor dietary habits, stress, unhealthy lifestyles, medication, and aging can disrupt our gut function. This can result in imbalanced gut bacteria, where too much harmful or bad bacteria starts to grow. If left untreated, this may lead to digestive issues including diarrhoea, constipation, change in bowel habits, and more[1]. Hence, protecting and keeping our gut environment in its best possible condition is essential in ensuring that our body’s defence system is working properly[2].

Bringing New Zealand dairy goodness to Malaysian families every day since 1982, Fernleaf, a Fonterra brand, introduces an affordable and enjoyable way to help replenish good bacteria for the gut! Fernleaf Cultured Milk Drink Probiotic+ is the only cultured milk drink in Malaysia that contains a combination of three (3) scientifically researched probiotics, namely Lactobacillus rhamnosus HN001 (DR20), Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis (BB-12), and Lactobacillus acidophilus LA-5.

Taken as part of a daily balanced diet, combined with an active lifestyle, the three scientifically researched probiotics helps to maintain good gut function. Achieving good gut function helps to support the body’s defence system.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), probiotics are live microorganisms[3] that bring health benefits to the host when consumed in adequate amounts. Also known as “good bacteria”, probiotics help to inhibit the growth of bad bacteria to ward off negative health-related effects caused by them[4], while replenishing the good bacteria within, thereby enhancing the body’s defence system. For that reason, maintaining balanced gut bacteria should be practiced every day to support good health and wellbeing.

Ms Liew Yen Lee, Assistant Nutrition Manager of Fonterra Brands (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, explained the importance of incorporating probiotics into one’s daily diet: “70% of our bodies’ immunity lies in our gut, which is constantly exposed to external ‘enemies’ like bacteria, viruses, and other foreign substances. Therefore, having a good gut environment is extremely important to support a strong body defence system, which needs to be ready to ward off any troublemakers that can affect the body or cause unwanted infections.”

“When we get sick, bad bacteria takes the opportunity to multiply and thrive in our bodies. Regular consumption of probiotics helps to improve gut function, keeping the good bacteria in our gut at a healthy level, so that the body can re-establish its natural equilibrium and keep the body defence system working normally,[5]” continued Liew.

In order to deliver gut benefits to Malaysian consumers, Fonterra’s Research and Development (R&D) team worked closely with established probiotic experts from Chr. Hansen to develop Fernleaf Cultured Milk Drink Probiotic+. Puan Megawati Suzari, New Product Development (NPD), Scientific & Regulatory Affairs Director, Fonterra Brands (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd. elaborated “The benefits of the three probiotic strains used in this cultured milk drink are backed by science, and have been rigorously researched in many scientific studies, making it suitable across all ages. As a family brand, Fonterra aims to support all adults’ and childrens’ gut function. When your gut is working well, it not only helps maintain good body defence system, but also encourages regular bowel movement, effective digestion, and nutrient absorption[6].”

“That’s why Fernleaf Cultured Milk Drink Probiotic+, with three types of probiotics offers a convenient and affordable way to help replenish good bacteria in the gut. With the increase in disease emergence, the most recent being COVID-19, supporting our body defence system has never been more important. Though we have stepped into an endemic phase and COVID-19 is no longer life-threatening thanks to the advancement in medical technology, we hope that Malaysians will continue to watch their health, as good health helps all of us enjoy a better quality of life,” said Megawati.

Fernleaf Cultured Milk Drink Probiotic+ is now available at 99 Speed Mart and AEON in West Malaysia at RRP of RM4.35.

[1] Nutrition Society of Malaysia, Probiotics: The Friendly Gut Bacteria for Your Health booklet
[2] Shi, N., Li, N., Duan, X. et al. (2017) Interaction between the gut microbiome and mucosal immune system. Military Med Res 4, 14
[3] Food and Agriculture Organization and World Health Organization Expert Consultation. Evaluation of health and nutritional properties of powder milk and live lactic acid bacteria. Córdoba, Argentina: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and World Health Organization; 2001.
[4] Resta-Lenert, S., & Barrett, K. E. (2003). Live probiotics protect intestinal epithelial cells from the effects of infection with enteroinvasive Escherichia coli (EIEC). Gut, 52(7), 988–997. https://doi.org/10.1136/gut.52.7.988
[5] Guarner, F., & Malagelada, J. R. (2003). Gut flora in health and disease. Lancet (London, England), 361(9356), 512–519.
[6] Bischoff et al (2011) BMC Medicine, 9:24