It is always exciting to read research reports that identify breakthroughs in our knowledge of nutrition.
The latest editions of the Arbor Clinical Nutrition Updates report on research studies that have found new roles for probiotics in the treatment of eczema or atopic dermatitis, the common cold, ulcerative colitis and IBS (irritable bowel syndrome).
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What are probiotics?
Probiotics are beneficial microorganisms such as Lactobacilli and Bifidobacterium, which can assist the human body in warding off a variety of diseases. You are probably aware of the fact that the so-called 'microflora' in our digestive tract consists of millions of these beneficial bacteria, which help to protect us against many diseases.
If the microflora in the gastrointestinal tract are weakened or killed due to infections, competition with pathogens, overuse of antibiotics, or other stresses, we become more vulnerable to certain diseases.
Probiotics have, therefore, been prescribed for many years to assist the body in preserving and regaining its healthy microflora.
New research
The studies reported in the two latest editions of the Arbor Clinical Nutrition Updates shows that probiotics can also be used for other conditions, such as the treatment of atopic dermatitis or eczema, the common cold, ulcerative colitis and IBS.
a) Probiotics and atopic dermatitis
A randomised, controlled trial was conducted in Australia with 56 infants (with an average age of 11 months) suffering from atopic dermatitis that varied from moderate to severe.
The infants were either given probiotics (Lactobacillus) or placebo (an inactive product) twice a day for eight weeks. Tests were carried out to determine if the probiotics influenced the children's immune response to eczema.
The toddlers receiving Lactobacilli showed a significant improvement in markers for immune response and also improved clinically. The authors concluded that probiotics such as Lactobacilli can stimulate immune function in children with atopic dermatitis.
b) Probiotics and the common cold
In another study carried out in Germany with 479 healthy adults, researchers found that the group taking probiotics (Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria) were sick with colds for significantly fewer days, had fever for shorter periods and suffered less severe symptoms.
The researchers concluded that the use of probiotics can stimulate the immune system to resist infections such as the common cold.
c) Probiotics and ulcerative colitis
Scientists in China performed a randomised, controlled trial for 8 weeks with 30 patients suffering from ulcerative colitis.
All the patients received standard ulcerative colitis medication (sulphasalazine and corticosteroids), but one group also used a probiotic (containing three strains of Bifidobacteria).
When the patients were followed up, only 20% of the patients in the probiotics group suffered relapses, while 93% of the placebo group had a relapse of their ulcerative colitis. This is classified as a highly significant result.
In addition, the probiotics group had produced much lower levels of compounds associated with inflammation of the gut.
d) Probiotics and IBS
An American study with 48 subjects suffering from IBS were either given placebo or a probiotic that contained a mixture of beneficial microorganisms (Lactobacilli, Bifidobacteria and Streptococcus species) for periods from four to eight weeks.
The subjects who used the probiotic treatment reported 25% less flatulence (winds) and a significant improvement in bowel movement time.
These results indicate that patients suffering from IBS may benefit from taking probiotics.
Practical suggestions
If you, or members of your family, suffer from IBS or ulcerative colitis, it may be a good idea to try using probiotics for two or more months to see if your symptoms improve. You need to use a probiotic that contains Lactobacilli or Bifidobacteria, so ask your chemist or someone at the health shop to specifically sell you probiotic products that contain these microorganisms.
If you have a child with atopic dermatitis or eczema, you can also try giving him or her probiotic products that contain Lactobacilli twice a day. Remember to ask specifically for a probiotic product that contains Lactobacilli when you buy this product at the chemist or health shop.
So far, little research has been carried out to test the effect of probiotics on adults with eczema or atopic dermatitis, so that it is difficult to say if adult patients would benefit from probiotics or not. As adults, people with atopic dermatitis or eczema can decide if they would like to try a 2-3 month course of probiotics containing Lactobacilli to see if their symptoms improve.
If you tend to suffer from colds during winter and generally have a depressed immune system, using either Lactobacilli or Bifidobacteria may boost your immunity and lessen the length of time that you are ill. It could also help ease severe symptoms.
The results of new research studies reported in the Arbor Clinical Nutrition Updates indicate that probiotics or 'good bugs' as they are often called, can make significant contributions to general health and also help humans to control a variety of diseases ranging from the common cold to ulcerative colitis. – (Dr Ingrid van Heerden, DietDoc)
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