Probiotics can reduce the frequency, length and severity of common colds

A new era of research is opening up our understanding of the role of the human microbiome, the microbial flora of our body that outnumber our own cells by at least ten to one. The potential for helping with a multitude of diseases by exploiting their influence on immune and metabolic regulation is only beginning to be understood. Research just published in the European Journal of Nutrition offers evidence that probiotics can be used to ward off and reduce the severity of common colds. The authors set out to...

"...investigate whether consumption of Lactobacillus plantarum and Lactobacillus paracasei could affect naturally acquired common cold infections in healthy subjects. "

They performed a randomised, parallel, double-blind placebo-controlled study with 272 subjects to investigate whether the probiotic mixture could reduce the risk of common cold episodes, number of days with common cold symptoms, frequency and severity of symptoms, and affect the cellular immune response in common cold infections. Their data showed that for those who received the probiotics, both the total symptom score and number of symptom days were markedly reduced:

"The incidence of acquiring one or more common cold episode was reduced from 67% in the control group to 55% in the probiotic group. Also, the number of days with common cold symptoms were significantly reduced from 8.6 days in the control group to 6.2 days, in the probiotic group... The total symptom score was reduced during the study period from a mean of 44.4 for the control group to 33.6 for the probiotic group. The reduction in pharyngeal symptoms was significant."

While there are countless disorders far worse than the common cold, there is emerging evidence that supporting the immune system for this purpose may reduce the risk of more serious diseases too. As for the common cold...

"In conclusion, intake of the probiotic strains Lactobacillus plantarum HEAL 9 (DSM 15312) and Lactobacillus paracasei 8700:2 (DSM 13434) reduces the risk of acquiring common cold infections."