| Encouraging results from recent studies indicate that | | | | need for antibiotic treatment. |
| probiotics may be beneficial in the prevention of | | | | Another double-blind study in Sweden in 2005 |
| contracting colds and flu, reducing the severity if | | | | examined the effects of taking probiotic Lactobacillus |
| contracted and boosting the immune system. The | | | | reuteri protectis as a preventative for colds and |
| word "probiotic" comes from the Greek, "for life." | | | | diarrhoea in healthy adults in a work environment. The |
| These live microorganisms are "good" bacteria that | | | | study showed that individuals taking probiotics took |
| promote growth of other microorganisms in the | | | | sixty percent fewer sick leave days for respiratory |
| intestinal tract. The United Nations Food and Agriculture | | | | illness and diarrhoea. |
| Organization (FAO) and World Health Organization | | | | A third double-blind study, conducted in 2009 by an |
| (WHO) define probiotics as: "Live microorganisms, | | | | international team of researchers, demonstrated that |
| which when administered in adequate amounts, confer | | | | administration twice daily for six months of probiotics |
| a health benefit on the host" | | | | Lactobacillus acidophilus, or a combination of |
| Russian Nobel Prize winner Elie Metchnikoff noted | | | | Bifidobacterium animalis subsp lactis and Lactobacillus |
| during his work at the Pasteur Institute in the early | | | | acidophilus reduced the incidence of fever, cough and |
| twentieth century that particular microbes ingested with | | | | rhinitis in young children. |
| food helped to replace harmful bacteria with good | | | | A study in 2006 examined the effect on immune |
| bacteria in the gut. His study identified live-culture | | | | system health when fermented foods were removed |
| yoghurt as a vehicle for better health and longer life | | | | from the diet of healthy adults. The results indicated |
| span in Balkan peasants. Other early researchers | | | | that immune responses were lowered, affecting the |
| noted the presence of good bacteria in healthy people | | | | body's ability to fight infection. The reintroduction of |
| and the effect of good bacteria in assisting the | | | | yogurt containing standard probiotic bacteria or |
| treatment of diarrhoea. | | | | non-food lactobacilli counteracted these effects. |
| More recent scientific studies suggest that the use of | | | | Researchers are encouraged by these results and |
| probiotics may be of benefit in promoting health, | | | | recommend continued rigorous studies to substantiate |
| preventing disease and in strengthening the body's | | | | the health benefits of probiotics indicated by these |
| immune responses. A stronger immune system helps | | | | data. |
| to maintain heath and reduce occurrence of illness. | | | | The human intestines are host to more than 400 types |
| Several strains of lactobacilli and bifidobacteria | | | | of microorganisms. The different strains of probiotics |
| available in food products such as yoghurt and as | | | | interact with the natural flora of the intestinal tract in |
| dietary supplements have been shown to have | | | | unique ways. Thus, no two strains will have the same |
| positive effects on immune strengthening. | | | | effect in the body. The International Scientific |
| Consumer demand for natural and safe remedies for | | | | Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics has identified |
| ailments such as colds and flu has spurred research to | | | | several species and strains that have proven probiotic |
| evaluate the effectiveness of using probiotics as a | | | | microorganisms. They also list a set of guidelines for |
| preventative to these illnesses. A double-blind study in | | | | safe selection of commercial products that include |
| 2001 with children in day care centres in Finland | | | | probiotic ingredients. When considering taking |
| demonstrated that consumption of probiotic milk | | | | alternative treatments such as probiotics, it is |
| containing Lactobacillus rhamnosus resulted in fewer | | | | recommended to consult a medical practitioner, |
| cases of respiratory tract infections and subsequent | | | | particularly when being treated for illness. |