Probiotics can help prevent upper respiratory tract infections

Summary: A recent study analyzing ten individual trials offers evidence that probiotics (beneficial flora such as Lactobacillus, Bifidus and other species) help prevent acute upper respiratory tract infections.A study published recently by The Cochrane Library examined the potential for probiotics taken as supplements to ward off upper respiratory tract infections. The authors state:

"Probiotics may improve a person's health by regulating their immune function. Some studies show that probiotic strains can prevent respiratory infections...Acute upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) include the common cold, inflammation of the trachea and larynx with symptoms including fever, cough, pain and headaches...Some live micro-organisms can confer a health benefit to the patient when administered in adequate amounts. Lactic acid bacteria and bifidobacteria are the most common types of probiotics... However, no evidence of the benefits of probiotics for acute upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) and related potential adverse effects has been published. "

So they set out to assess the effectiveness and safety of probiotics for preventing acute upper respiratory tract infections by examining a range of international randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that compare probiotics with placebo. What did the data show?

"We found that probiotics were better than placebo when measuring the number of participants experiencing episodes of acute URTI: at least one episode: odds ratio (OR) 0.58; at least three episodes: OR 0.53...and reduced antibiotic prescription rates for acute URTIs: OR 0.67...Side effects of probiotics were minor and gastrointestinal symptoms were the most common."

As the ability to research the vast human microbiome and its vital interactions with an individual's unique resident flora for immune and metabolic modulation continue emerge, we are slowly gaining more insight into how to use probiotics to benefit health in many ways. This and other studies offer compelling evidence that we can benefit by 'exercising' our immune system and modulating the genetic expression of our stable resident flora with appropriate probiotic administration in key foods and supplements. The authors conclude:

"Probiotics were better than placebo in reducing the number of participants experiencing episodes of acute URTIs, the rate ratio of episodes of acute URTI and reducing antibiotic use. This indicates that probiotics may be more beneficial than placebo for preventing acute URTIs."

Lab tests that examine microbial DNA in the stool help to know which strain of beneficial flora and when.