Probiotics Slash Cold Risk

Probiotics, microorganisms that help maintain the natural balance of organisms (microflora) in the intestines, have become of greater interest as certain studies suggest their utility in a number of gastrointestinal conditions. Allan W. Cripps, from Griffith University (Australia), and colleagues enrolled 465 healthy men and women, average age 36 years, to one of three groups: the first group received a dietary supplement containing 2 billion colony forming units (CFUs) of Bifidobacterium lactis subsp lactis B1-04; the second group received a combination probiotic consisting of Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium animalis subsp lactis B1-07; and the third group received a placebo. The participants took their designated pill for 150 days. At the study’s conclusion, the researchers observed that the subjects who received Bifidobacterium lactis subsp lactis B1-04 had a 27% reduced risk of upper respiratory tract infections, as compared to placebo. In addition, the group experienced a delay in the time to reach an illness episode, of 0.7 months (as compared to placebo). The study authors conclude that: “The [Bifidobacterium lactis] probiotic appears to be a useful nutritional supplement in reducing the risk of URTI in healthy physically-active adults. “