Good Germs good for you.

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May 8, 2006 10:13 pm US/Pacific It could just be a child's early exposure to bacteria, such as playing in dirt, or better yet, during vaginal birththat has such a beneficial effect on a developing immune system. 'Good Germs' Good For You Kim Mulvihill, M.D.Reporting (CBS 5) Germs are bad for you, right? Dr. Kim Mulvihill reports that may not always be the case. Researchers are exploring whether some bugs may be able to fend off or even prevent disease.Asthma runs in families, however cases are dramatically increasing in the United States. No one knows

why.However, scientists wonder whether what's found in a capsule of probiotics might prevent asthma, or allergies, or even other disease.You've heard of antibiotics, but probiotics, which means "for life," contain live microorganisms, germs, and bacteria.He wants to see whether a type of live bacteria -- a probiotic called lactobacillus GG -- can stimulate a baby's immune system and prevent the onset of asthma."It would be a great thing to be able to prevent this disease before it happens," Cabana said. "We think that probiotics is a safe and effective way to do that."There are many types of good bacteria. They're sold as supplements and found in certain fermented foods, like yogurt.But the biggest source is inside the human body."There are 500 species of bacteria that colonize us, that live inside us, mostly in the digestive tract," said Dr. David Jackson, a probiotics expert.Scientists believe good bacteria

work with the body's immune system to keep toxic bacteria at bay.However, probiotics may now be susceptible to the American belief all germs are bad and germ killing products should be in every home.It could just be a child's early exposure to bacteria, such as playing in dirt, or better yet, during vaginal birththat has such a beneficial effect on a developing immune system.Some believe you can replenish good bacteria by buying probiotics.However, buyer beware.Dr. John Swartzberg of U.C. Berkeley says some studies have shown certain probiotics bought on the web or in health foods stores contain very little live bacteria, or none at all."Right now, it's the Wild West," Swartzberg said. "There is no quality control. There is no standardization. There is no proof of efficacy, and there is no proof of safety."UCSF Children's Hospital is hoping to find ways to prevent the

development of asthma in children by using a probiotic. To find out more about the trial, visit www.TIPSasthmaresearch.org, or call toll-free 1-866-913-TIPS, or e-mail TIPS. (© MMVI, CBS Broadcasting Inc. .) "Our ideal is not the spirituality that withdraws from life but the conquest of life by the power of the spirit." - Aurobindo.

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