B. bifidium Bl-04® Strain Reduces Infections

Researchers have discovered that Bifidobacterium lactis Bl-04^® may help to reduce the incidence of the common cold in active adults.

The randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study observed a group of 465 healthy adults who were split into three test groups, the first received daily probiotic supplementation of Bifidobacterium lactis Bl-04^®. The second group received a combination of Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM^® and Bifidobacterium lactis Bi-07^® and the third group received placebo. Supplementation occured daily, over a period of 150 days.

Results showed that the first group, supplemented with Bifidobacterium lactis Bl-04^®, were 27% less likely to contract upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs), compared to placebo. The probiotic (visit the Probiotics Learning Lab for more information about probiotics) combination of L. acidophilus NCFM^® and B. lactis Bi-07^® also showed a reduction in risk of 19%, but the researchers were most impressed with the B. lactis Bl-04^® strain which had shown previous potential in other studies, as they explained; "The choice of the probiotics was made on the basis of previous data showing effects on immune-related outcomes in adults and in children."

The research led by Allan Cripps of Griffith University, Australia, adds to the growing number of scientific trials showing an association between probiotic supplementation and immune function.

You can find B. lactis Bl-04^® in Optibac Every Day EXTRA.

You may also wish to read our article: B. lactis Bl-04^® reduces cold risk

References

1. West, N. P., Horn, P. L., Pyne, D. B., Gebski, V. J., Lahtinen, S. J., Fricker, P. A., & Cripps, A. W. (2014). Probiotic supplementation for respiratory and gastrointestinal illness symptoms in healthy physically active individuals. Clinical nutrition (Edinburgh, Scotland), 33(4): 581–587.