Fwd:NNF - Probiotic Plus

August 10, 2001

Talk about science being behind...!

In Health,

Steve

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August 10, 2001

NUTRITION NEWS FOCUS

" Nutrition news is important. We help you understand it! "

Today's Topic: Probiotic Plus

A year and a half ago, we wrote that there was virtually no evidence suggesting

that probiotics had any benefit for immunity. Nine months ago, we wrote that

research looked promising. Today, we can report that long-term consumption of

probiotics in milk reduced the incidence and severity of respiratory infections

in children attending day care centers in Finland.

Over 570 children from one to six years old were given milk containing a strain

of beneficial bacteria called Lactobacillus. This is one of many types of

probiotics, which are bacteria that have

health-promoting effects. These children were compared with almost 290 children

who drank conventional milk over the seven-month winter period. Children

receiving the probiotic milk had one less day of illness during this time and

were less likely to be given antibiotics. This report appeared in the June 2,

2001 issue of the British Medical Journal. <

HERE'S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: This was the first

double-blind, randomized, long-term study of milk containing Lactobacillus

bacteria. It is not clear why this worked, but the authors speculate that

non-specific stimulation of the immune system occurred. The children drank at

least 200 ml (7 ounces) of milk on 60% of the days, but it is not known how much

is needed for a benefit.

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