12.03.13
Nutraceutical: Probiotics
Indication: Respiratory & Gastrointestinal Illness
Source: Clinical Nutrition, Oct. 14, 2013
Research: This study examined the effect of supplementation with probiotics on respiratory and gastrointestinal illness in healthy active men and women. The randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial included 465 participants (241 males; age 35 ± 12 y (mean ± SD) and 224 females; age 36 ± 12 y), who were assigned to one of three groups: Group 1 – Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis Bl-04 (Bl-04) 2.0 × 109 colony forming units (CFU) per day; Group 2 – Lactobacillus acidophilusNCFM and Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis Bi-07 (NCFM & Bi-07) 5 × 109 CFU each per day); or Group 3 – placebo mixed in a drink.
Results: The risk of an upper respiratory illness episode was significantly lower in the Bl-04 group (hazard ratio 0.73; 95% confidence interval 0.55–0.95; P = 0.022) compared to placebo. There was no significant difference in illness risk between the NCFM & Bi-07 group (hazard ratio 0.81; 0.62–1.08; P = 0.15) and the placebo group.
There was a 0.7 and 0.9 month delay in the median time to an illness episode in the Bl-04 and NCFM & Bi-07 groups, respectively, compared to placebo (placebo 2.5 months; Bl-04 3.2 months; NCFM & Bi-07 3.4 months). There were insufficient GI illness episodes for analysis. The NCFM & Bi-07 group but not the Bl-04 group undertook significantly more physical activity (8.5%; 6.7%–10%; P < 0.003) than the placebo group.
Researchers concluded the probiotic Bl-04 appeared to be a useful nutritional supplement in reducing the risk of URTI in healthy physically-active adults.
Indication: Respiratory & Gastrointestinal Illness
Source: Clinical Nutrition, Oct. 14, 2013
Research: This study examined the effect of supplementation with probiotics on respiratory and gastrointestinal illness in healthy active men and women. The randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial included 465 participants (241 males; age 35 ± 12 y (mean ± SD) and 224 females; age 36 ± 12 y), who were assigned to one of three groups: Group 1 – Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis Bl-04 (Bl-04) 2.0 × 109 colony forming units (CFU) per day; Group 2 – Lactobacillus acidophilusNCFM and Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis Bi-07 (NCFM & Bi-07) 5 × 109 CFU each per day); or Group 3 – placebo mixed in a drink.
Results: The risk of an upper respiratory illness episode was significantly lower in the Bl-04 group (hazard ratio 0.73; 95% confidence interval 0.55–0.95; P = 0.022) compared to placebo. There was no significant difference in illness risk between the NCFM & Bi-07 group (hazard ratio 0.81; 0.62–1.08; P = 0.15) and the placebo group.
There was a 0.7 and 0.9 month delay in the median time to an illness episode in the Bl-04 and NCFM & Bi-07 groups, respectively, compared to placebo (placebo 2.5 months; Bl-04 3.2 months; NCFM & Bi-07 3.4 months). There were insufficient GI illness episodes for analysis. The NCFM & Bi-07 group but not the Bl-04 group undertook significantly more physical activity (8.5%; 6.7%–10%; P < 0.003) than the placebo group.
Researchers concluded the probiotic Bl-04 appeared to be a useful nutritional supplement in reducing the risk of URTI in healthy physically-active adults.
