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Probiotics and Immune Support |
| Posted by Sean Heerey (sean) on Nov 20 2009 at 1:25 AM |
Numerous blogs and websites are telling the American public to support their immune system. There are even television commercials advertising products that can boost immune function. This may be a new concept to advertisers but Naturopathic Physicians have been making these types of recommendations for decades. A safe and effective way to support the immune system in children and adults is with probiotics. Probiotics are beneficial organisms that inhabit our digestive tract. An August 2009 study in the Journal Pediatrics looked at the effect of single and combination probiotic products on cold and influenza-like symptoms. Children ages 3-5 were treated twice a day for six months. When compared to a placebo group single strain probiotics reduced the incidence of fevers by over 50% and combination probiotics reduced fever by 72%, incidence of coughing reduced by 41% for single and 62% for combination probiotics, and incidence of runny nose reduced by 28% for single and 58% for combination products. Duration of fever, cough and runny nose was reduced by 32% for single probiotic and 48% for combination probiotic products. Compared to placebo, antibiotic use was reduced by 68% for single probiotic and 84% for combination probiotics. More than just immune support, daily consumption of probiotics can be a powerful component of your family’s wellness care and prevention plans. There are many quality probiotics available that are free of potential allergens such as wheat, starch, yeast, corn, sodium, artificial coloring, flavoring or preservatives. Ask your Naturopathic Physician about quality probiotic products and how they can fit into you and your child’s daily routine.
Pediatrics. 2009 Aug;124(2):e172-9. Epub 2009 Jul 27.
Probiotic effects on cold and influenza-like symptom incidence and duration in children.
Leyer GJ, Li S, Mubasher ME, Reifer C, Ouwehand AC.