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A new study published in the journal Pediatrics suggests that a daily supplement of two common probiotic strains may help children resist cold and flu.
The research team, headed by Gregory Leyer from the Department of Research and Development for Danisco in Madison, Wisconsin, followed 326 children, between the ages of three and five, in a Chinese childcare centre. The children were randomly divided among three groups, each of which received one of a Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM probiotic strain, a combination of L. acidophilus with Bifidobacterium or a placebo twice a day for six months.
When data was analysed, the researchers found that the groups using single and combination probiotics experienced dramatic reductions in fever, coughing, runny noses and the use of antibiotics when compared to the placebo group. In some cases, the improvements were astounding. For example, the use of single or combination probiotic supplements resulted in 53% and 72% reduction in fever incidence and a 41.4% and 62.1% reduction in coughing, respectively.
“Daily probiotic dietary supplementation during the winter months was a safe and effective way to reduce episodes of fever, rhinorrhea [runny nose], and cough, the cumulative duration of those symptoms, the incidence of antibiotic prescriptions, and the number of missed school days attributable to illness,” the authors wrote.
While the use of L. acidophilus NCFM alone produced positive effects, the results indicated greater viral protection with the combination of L. acidophilus NCFM and Bifidobacterium.
How do probiotics support immune function?
Probiotics are beneficial bacteria found in the gastrointestinal tract that aid digestion and boost the immune system. In total, more than 400 species of bacteria live in the digestive system. It is known that some 30% of the body’s immunity comes from a healthy digestive tract.
Source: Gregory J. Leyer (PhD), Shuguang Li (MS), Mohamed E. Mubasher (PhD), Cheryl Reifer (PhD) and Arthur C. Ouwehand (PhD), Pediatrics Volume 124, No. 2 August 2009, pages 172-179, “Probiotic Effects on Cold and Influenza-Like Symptom Incidence and Duration in Children.”
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