Probiotics as a Treatment for Infectious Diseases
The common cold affects adults an average of two to three times per year, according to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. In most individuals, a cold lasts about 1 week, but the symptoms can be quite bothersome and disrupt daily activities. Many patients turn to traditional OTC products, such as decongestants or antihistamines, to ease symptoms. Consumers also try other supplements, such as vitamin C, zinc, and echinacea. Probiotics are now investigated as an option for restoring a healthy immune system.
A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study by de Vrese and colleagues investigated whether taking a probiotic product containing three different microorganisms— one Lactobacillus strain and two Bifidobacterium strains—for at least 3 months in the winter/spring period influenced the duration, incidence, and severity of the common cold. Both the probiotic supplement and the placebo contained vitamins and minerals, similar to a multivitamin. Although the group taking the probiotic had fewer cold symptoms and a slightly reduced incidence of colds, neither result was statistically significant. However, the probiotic group showed a significant reduction in cold duration (probiotic, 7 ± 0.5 days, vs. placebo, 8.9 ± 1 days; P = .045). The significant reduction in cold duration is similar to that seen with supplements such as echinacea, which also has been purported to reduce the duration and severity of a cold.
This study, and many like it, have shown positive effects of probiotics on cold symptoms, especially in terms of reducing the number of days that cold symptoms are experienced. However, many studies, including this one, used a product also containing vitamins and minerals, limiting the conclusiveness of evidence that a probiotic alone is effective for a cold. Also, specific bacterial strains have yet to be identified, thereby limiting routine recommendation of a probiotic as an option to treat cold symptoms.
Use in the Common Cold
The common cold affects adults an average of two to three times per year, according to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. In most individuals, a cold lasts about 1 week, but the symptoms can be quite bothersome and disrupt daily activities. Many patients turn to traditional OTC products, such as decongestants or antihistamines, to ease symptoms. Consumers also try other supplements, such as vitamin C, zinc, and echinacea. Probiotics are now investigated as an option for restoring a healthy immune system.
A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study by de Vrese and colleagues investigated whether taking a probiotic product containing three different microorganisms— one Lactobacillus strain and two Bifidobacterium strains—for at least 3 months in the winter/spring period influenced the duration, incidence, and severity of the common cold. Both the probiotic supplement and the placebo contained vitamins and minerals, similar to a multivitamin. Although the group taking the probiotic had fewer cold symptoms and a slightly reduced incidence of colds, neither result was statistically significant. However, the probiotic group showed a significant reduction in cold duration (probiotic, 7 ± 0.5 days, vs. placebo, 8.9 ± 1 days; P = .045). The significant reduction in cold duration is similar to that seen with supplements such as echinacea, which also has been purported to reduce the duration and severity of a cold.
This study, and many like it, have shown positive effects of probiotics on cold symptoms, especially in terms of reducing the number of days that cold symptoms are experienced. However, many studies, including this one, used a product also containing vitamins and minerals, limiting the conclusiveness of evidence that a probiotic alone is effective for a cold. Also, specific bacterial strains have yet to be identified, thereby limiting routine recommendation of a probiotic as an option to treat cold symptoms.
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