Can Probiotics Prevent Colds?

By Lisa Collier Cool Dec 01, 2012 1.3k Recommend

Tweet

79 This page has been shared 79 times. View these Tweets.

Health Blogs Main

Day in Health
by Lisa Collier Cool

Recent Posts
Could eating meat raise your risk of cancer? Best And Worst Celebrity Health Advice A New Test to Predict Heart Attacks Can chilly weather really cause a cold? More Articles

Eating yogurt could be the key to staying healthy during the cold and flu season. Probioticsthe good bacteria found in yogurt and supplementsmay help stave off colds and other upper respiratory tract infections, according to a Cochrane review pooling data from 10 randomized clinical studies involving

3,451 participants. People who consumed probiotics for more than a week had 12 percent fewer respiratory infections than those who were treated for less than a week or given a placebo, the researchers reported, in the first systematic review to show this benefit of the immune-system boosters. Upper respiratory tract infectionssuch as colds, sinus infections, pharyngitis, croup, and ear infectionsare the #1 reason for doctor visits in the US. And most patients get the wrong treatment, the researchers report, because doctors typically prescribe an antibiotic, even though most respiratory infections, including colds, are triggered by viruses, which dont respond to antibiotics. These worthless prescriptions account for up to 75 percent of all antibiotic use in countries like the US, the researchers report, and a major culprit in the growing threat of antibiotic-resistance superbugs. Heres a closer look at the study. Power your body with these immune-stregthening superfoods.

What are probiotics?

The most common definition comes from the World Health Organization: "live microorganisms, which, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host." Also known as good bacteria or friendly bacteria, probiotics are similar to healthy bacteria naturally found in the human gut. Most probiotics come from two groups of bacteria, Lactobacillus or Bifidobacterium, each of which includes different species, such as Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium bifidus. A few common probiotics, such as Saccharomyces boulardii, are yeasts, not bacteria.

Where are probiotics found?

Foods containing probiotics include yogurt, fermented or non-fermented dairy products, and soy products like miso, tempeh, and soy drinks. Another product thats rich in probiotics is kefir, a drink made with cultures flavored with fruit. Probiotics are also available as dietary supplements.

What are they used for?

People typically take probiotics to prevent gas, cramping and diarrhea sparked by antibiotics. Naturally, the gut contains about 400 types of probiotic bacteria that promote healthy digestion, but taking antibiotics kills off both harmful and helpful bacteria, leading to gastrointestinal side effects. The Cochrane Review reports that probiotics can help reduce or prevent antibiotic-induced diarrhea, by replacing the beneficial bacteria. Limited scientific evidence suggests that friendly bacteria may also be useful for combating other forms of diarrhea, irritable bowel syndrome, vaginal infections, and eczema outbreaks, reports the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine.

Why do probiotics help prevent viral infections like colds?

The Cochrane Review researchers theorize that probiotics may have two immune system-boosting benefits: fortifying the integrity of the gut wall and revving up activity of phagocytes, disease-fighters, such as white blood cells, that engulf and absorb bacteria and other foreign particles. While further research is needed to confirm this theory, researchers do know that gut bacteria play a key role in the immune system, so it makes sense that probiotics could help bolster the bodys natural defenses.

Do probiotics bacteria have side effects?

Some of the studies reviewed found that the live microorganisms could spark gassiness, belly pain, loose stools, or nausea. However, when the researchers pooled all of the studies, they didnt find a statistically significant difference between people who took probiotics and those who didnt.

What should I watch out when shopping for probiotics?

The FDA and Federal Trade Commission have cracked down on food and supplement makers that overhype the health benefits of probiotics. Earlier this year, under a settlement order with the FTC, a subsidiary of Nestl agreed to stop claiming that its BOOST Kid Essentials probiotic product will reduce cold, flu and other upper respiratory tract infections in kids, unless the FDA approves this claim. Dannon settled a similar FTC case last year in connection with claims that its Activa yogurt and DanActive drink relives constipation and helps prevent colds

and flu. To find the best probiotic products, check the label and look for yogurt that says contains live cultures. If you have any medical conditions, ask your doctor if probiotics are appropriate for you. Do probiotics work for everybody? While the new review suggests that eating yogurt or other foods that contain friendly bacteria could be a good way to prevent colds and other infections, the researchers caution that their results may not be valid for older adults, since only three of the studies included older people, with varying results. One found a shorter duration of winter infections in elderly probiotic users, but no drop in the number of infections, and another reported a 3.4 times lower risk of coming down with a cold or flu in older people who use probiotics. More research is needed to better understand the effects on seniors.