Probiotic Supplement Reduces Cold/Flu Days in Acutely Stressed Individuals
Researchers reported that supplementation with the probiotic Bifidobacterium in stressed individuals resulted in more healthy days and less days with colds or flu. Previous research indicates that acute psychological stress is associated with colds/ flu.
The researchers randomly assigned 581 academically stressed undergraduate students to receive 1) Lactobacillus helveticus, 2) Bifidobacterium longum ssp. Infantis, 3) Bifidobacterium bifidum, or 4) placebo for six weeks. The subjects recorded the intensity of daily symptoms for nine cold/flu symptoms.
Supplementation with Bifidobacterium bifidum resulted in a greater proportion of healthy days and had significantly less subjects with one or more days of cold/ flu compared to the placebo group. Compared to the placebo group, the Bifidobacterium bifidum and Bifidobacterium longum ssp. Infantis groups had a lower proportion of subjects reporting a cold on any given day at weeks two and three for the average level of stress and the most commonly reported number of hours of sleep.
The researchers concluded, “Daily intake of bifidobacteria provides benefit related to cold/flu outcomes during acute stress.”
Reference:
Langkamp-Henken B, et al. Br J Nutr. 2015 Jan 21:1-9.
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