A Translation, Scientific Review, and Clinical Analysis
by Stephanie Ray, ND

Based on Hungarian scientific publications, pediatric observational research, and practitioner reports.

Infant colic is one of the most common and emotionally exhausting challenges during early infancy. Excessive crying, gas, abdominal tightness, fussiness, and digestive discomfort can leave parents overwhelmed and searching for safe, effective support. While colic has traditionally been viewed as a temporary developmental phase, emerging microbiome research suggests there may be a deeper connection between infant colic, gut dysbiosis, intestinal inflammation, and immature digestive function.

A collection of Hungarian scientific papers, pediatric reports, and clinical observations reviewed for this white paper support the growing understanding that the infant microbiome plays an important role in digestive comfort, immune development, and nervous system regulation during the first months of life.

NDF Colic Relief was developed as a microbiome focused nutritional intervention designed to support infants experiencing colic related symptoms. The formula combines multi-strain probiotic technology with probiotic lysates, also known as postbiotics, to help support digestive balance, healthy intestinal flora, and gut immune communication.

Understanding Infant Colic

Infant colic is generally defined as excessive crying in otherwise healthy babies, often occurring during the first three to four months of life. Symptoms commonly include:

• Intense crying episodes 

• Gas and bloating 

• Tight or tense abdomen 

• Pulling legs toward the stomach 

• Fussiness during evening hours 

• Sleep disruption

According to the translated Hungarian pediatric materials, infants with colic may demonstrate altered gut flora composition compared to infants without digestive discomfort. Several papers referenced reduced levels of beneficial Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium species along with reduced microbial diversity.

Researchers increasingly believe these imbalances may contribute to:

• Gastrointestinal inflammation 

• Excess gas production 

• Digestive irritation 

• Altered gut barrier function 

• Heightened nervous system sensitivity

The papers also emphasized that the infant microbiome influences more than digestion alone. Early microbial development may affect immune regulation, skin health, inflammatory signaling, and long-term gastrointestinal resilience.

The Science of Probiotic Lysates and Postbiotics

One of the most important themes throughout the Hungarian scientific materials was the emerging role of probiotic lysates and postbiotics.

Traditional probiotics contain live beneficial bacteria. Probiotic lysates differ because the bacterial cell walls are gently broken down, releasing biologically active compounds from within the cells. These compounds may include peptides, metabolites, lipoteichoic acids, DNA fragments, and immune signaling molecules.

According to the translated papers, probiotic lysates may offer several advantages:

• Faster biological activity 

• Greater stability 

• Better consistency in dosing 

• Enhanced immune signaling 

• Improved tolerance in vulnerable populations 

• Support for beneficial bacterial growth

The scientific materials repeatedly noted that many probiotic benefits may come not only from live organisms themselves, but from the bioactive compounds and metabolites they produce.

Researchers cited in the papers observed that these postbiotic components may help:

• Support gut barrier integrity 

• Encourage healthy microbiome balance 

• Reduce inflammatory signaling 

• Support mucosal healing 

• Improve digestive comfort

The papers also highlighted the importance of broad microbial diversity. NDF Colic Relief includes probiotic lysates derived from 11 strains, allowing multiple bacterial species to contribute different supportive functions.

Hungary Pediatric Intervention Study

A Hungary based pediatric observational intervention study evaluated NDF Colic Relief in 53 infants under the supervision of 25 pediatricians.

The study monitored symptoms over a 28-day period. Parents tracked symptoms twice daily using standardized scoring methods.

Symptoms evaluated included:

• Crying 

• Bloating 

• Abdominal tightness 

• Fussiness 

• Constipation 

• Diarrhea 

• Skin irritation

Among the infants participating:

• 18 were delivered by cesarean section 

• 12 were formula fed

These details are clinically relevant because both cesarean delivery and formula feeding are associated with altered microbiome development during infancy.

Clinical Outcomes

To evaluate the effectiveness of NDF Colic Relief, a 28-day observational intervention was conducted in Hungary involving 53 infants under the supervision of 25 pediatricians. Parents tracked crying episodes, bloating, abdominal tightness, digestive symptoms, and overall comfort throughout the study period.

Improvements were observed as early as days 11 to 20, with continued progress through day 28.

Key Findings

Several observations from this study are noteworthy.

First, improvements were seen across multiple symptom categories rather than in a single isolated outcome. Crying, bloating, and abdominal tightness all improved over the course of the intervention, suggesting that the observed benefits may reflect changes in underlying digestive function rather than simply a reduction in one symptom.

Second, measurable improvements began during the first half of the study and continued through day 28. This progressive pattern is consistent with the time required for changes within the intestinal environment and developing microbiome to occur.

Third, the symptoms that improved most significantly are among the symptoms most commonly associated with infant colic. Excessive crying, abdominal distention, and digestive discomfort are often the primary concerns reported by both parents and practitioners.

Finally, no adverse events were reported during the study period. The product was well tolerated, and participating pediatricians reported that administration was simple and practical for families.

Taken together, these findings support the hypothesis presented throughout the Hungarian research: that supporting the developing microbiome and intestinal environment may play an important role in improving digestive comfort during infancy.

Figure 1. Results from the Hungary Pediatric Observational Study (n=53 infants, 25 pediatricians, 28-day intervention). Improvements in crying, bloating, and abdominal tightness were observed within the first 10–20 days and continued through day 28. No adverse events were reported.

Why the Microbiome Matters in Infant Colic

One of the most consistent themes throughout the Hungarian scientific materials was the relationship between infant colic and the developing microbiome.

Building on these observations, several of the Hungarian papers explored how alterations in the developing microbiome may influence digestive comfort, immune signaling, and gastrointestinal function during infancy. A consistent theme throughout the literature was that infant colic may not be an isolated behavioral phenomenon, but rather a reflection of underlying changes within the developing intestinal environment. Reduced microbial diversity, altered bacterial populations, gastrointestinal inflammation, and impaired gut barrier function were repeatedly discussed as potential contributors to colic related symptoms.

Several probiotic strains discussed throughout the Hungarian papers have been associated in published research with infant digestive and immune support, including Lactobacillus reuteri, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus plantarum, Bifidobacterium bifidum, and Bifidobacterium longum infantis.

Increasing research suggests that early microbial colonization and infant gastrointestinal health may influence immune, digestive, and metabolic function well beyond infancy. These findings raise important questions about whether supporting microbiome development during the earliest stages of life may have implications that extend far beyond the resolution of colic symptoms themselves.

Viewed in this context, the improvements observed in crying, bloating, and abdominal tightness in the Hungarian pediatric study become particularly meaningful. Rather than representing isolated symptom changes, they may reflect broader improvements within the developing intestinal environment and microbiome.

Rationale for Adding Micronized Chlorella to a Postbiotic Formula

As the formulator of NDF Colic Relief and through my years of clinical work with children and families, I have come to appreciate the importance of supporting the terrain in which health develops.

I have never viewed digestive health as separate from the rest of the body. The gut, microbiome, liver, immune system, and elimination pathways are all connected. When we support one, we often support the others.

Micronized chlorella has been a foundational ingredient in BIORAY formulas for many years. One reason is its remarkable ability to bind and support the elimination of environmental toxic compounds, including heavy metals and other chemical exposures that have become part of modern life. Through our own product development work, laboratory findings, published work, and observations over time, we have consistently seen the value of supporting healthy elimination as part of a broader approach to supporting homeostasis.

Equally important, chlorella offers nutritional and microbiome supporting properties that make it particularly well suited for developing systems. Published research suggests chlorella may help support beneficial intestinal bacteria, including Lactobacillus species, while contributing to a healthy intestinal environment. Studies have demonstrated enhanced growth, survival, and metabolic activity of Lactobacillus species in the presence of Chlorella vulgaris, highlighting a potentially supportive relationship between chlorella and beneficial gut bacteria.¹⁻³

Other research has explored chlorella's role in supporting normal liver function and the body's natural antioxidant and detoxification pathways.⁴⁻⁶ During infancy, when the microbiome, digestive system, immune system, and elimination pathways are all still developing, these properties become particularly meaningful.

The form of chlorella matters. In NDF Colic Relief, chlorella is micronized at very cold temperatures to preserve its nutritional integrity while reducing particle size to smaller than the width of a human hair. This process produces a highly dispersible ingredient while helping preserve the nutritional qualities that make chlorella valuable in the first place.

In my experience, high quality chlorella should smell clean and fresh. Whole, non micronized chlorella can be more difficult to disperse and absorb. This attention to sourcing, processing, purity, and particle size has always been an important part of how we evaluate ingredients used in BIORAY formulations.

The inclusion of micronized chlorella was never intended to address a single symptom. Rather, it reflects my belief that supporting digestive comfort begins with supporting the terrain itself. Healthy microbial development, healthy elimination, proper digestive function, balanced immune communication, and a healthy internal environment are all part of that terrain.

— Stephanie Ray, ND

The perspectives expressed in this section reflect the author's clinical observations, formulation experience, published work, and interpretation of the available scientific literature.

Conclusion

The Hungarian scientific and clinical materials reviewed for this paper contribute to a growing body of evidence supporting the role of the microbiome in infant digestive comfort and overall wellbeing.

The pediatric intervention study demonstrated meaningful improvements in crying, bloating, and abdominal tightness while reinforcing the importance of supporting the developing intestinal environment during early life.

As microbiome science continues to evolve, postbiotic and probiotic lysate technologies may represent an important next generation approach for supporting digestive comfort, immune balance, and healthy development during infancy. The broader implications of early microbial colonization remain an important area for future research and may ultimately influence our understanding of health far beyond the first months of life.

About This White Paper

This white paper was prepared by Stephanie Ray, ND, as a translation, scientific review, analysis, and interpretation of Hungarian scientific publications, practitioner reports, and pediatric observational research related to infant colic, microbiome development, postbiotics, and probiotic lysates.

Stephanie Ray, ND, is the founder of BIORAY and the formulator of NDF Colic Relief. The perspectives expressed throughout include the author's clinical observations, formulation experience, published work, and interpretation of the available scientific literature. Original research findings, study outcomes, and scientific conclusions remain attributable to their respective authors and investigators.

References

1. Dr. Áron Cseh. Infant Colic and Postbiotics: Questions and Answers for Parents.

2. Dr. Ferenc Olasz. About Probiotic Lysates.

3. Eszter Trifán. Biotechnology Innovation: Cell Wall Breakdown to Increase Effectiveness.

4. Dr. Eszter Jánosy. Against Eczema with Probiotics.

5. Fekete Éva. Guidance for Parents of Newborns.

6. Dr. György Póta. NDF Colic Relief Intervention Study, Hungary.

In this section: Rationale for Adding Micronized Chlorella to a Postbiotic Formula, please add Footnote 1-3 

Ścieszka S, Klewicka E. Influence of the Microalga Chlorella vulgaris on the Growth and Metabolic Activity of Lactobacillus spp. Bacteria. Foods. 2020.

The Microalga Chlorella vulgaris Supplements as a Factor Increasing the Growth and Survival of Lactic Acid Bacteria. 2025.

Influence of Chlorella vulgaris on Growth, Digestibility and Gut Microbiota. Scientific Reports. 2022.

Please add Footnote 4-6

Effect of Chlorella vulgaris on Liver Function Biomarkers: A Systematic Review and Meta analysis. 2021.

The Beneficial Effects of Chlorella vulgaris Supplementation on Health Related Indices in Patients with NAFLD: A Systematic Review and Meta analysis.

The Effect of Microalgae Chlorella vulgaris Supplementation on Inflammatory Factors in Patients with NAFLD.

Acknowledgment

I would like to acknowledge and thank Dr. Áron Cseh, Dr. György Póta, Dr. Ferenc Olasz, Dr. Eszter Jánosy, Eszter Trifán, Fekete Éva, and their colleagues for their contributions to the scientific and clinical work reviewed in this paper. Their research, observations, and commitment to advancing our understanding of infant health, the microbiome, and postbiotic science made this review possible.

Special acknowledgment and thank you to Andrea Ecker, MsC. and Onoruiu Manolescu of Higimat Distributors, Budapest, Hungary.

Download the white paper here.