More help for colds and 'flu: Australian elites benefit from probiotic supplements

A study of elite runners in Australia found that a daily dose of probiotics, the "friendly bacteria" you can get in yoghurt drinks and supplements, halved the number of days runners suffered respiratory viruses.

I take a probiotic supplement now and then; this study from the Australian Institute of Sport has reminded me not to be so casual about it. Probiotic use is one of the most heavily-researched areas in nutrition and topping up with a supplement of the type of bacteria normally found in a healthy gut is becoming essential -- especailly if you have had any form of antibiotic treatment.

The Australian study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine involved 20 elite male athletes whsoe events ranged from 800m to marathons. They were tested during prime cold and flu season, while involved in their winter training programs. Researchers gave the athletes either capsules of the probiotic Lactobacillus fermentum or a placebo.

As we all know, intensive exercise tends to suppress the immune system, making runners vulnerable to respiratory viruses.

Lead researcher David Pyne says although the bug did not change athletic performance it did reduce respiratory illness. Over a 72-day period, 7 runners taking the placebo reported problems, such as a sore throat, a cough, runny nose, chest congestion and sneezing, while only 3 on the probiotic; when taking the active probiotics, only 3 runners reported any symptoms, and for only 30 days, AND they were less severe.

Blood tests revealed that levels of interferon gamma, an important immune-system molecule, doubled during the probiotic period.

Not a lot of people know that most of our immune system is in and around the gut; boosting immunity there seems to increase the power of our overall defence system, possibly by boosting the activity of T-cells, say the researchers.

Dr Pyne said the improvement was an "important benefit to elite athletes undertaking high level training in preparation for national and international competitions". The study is published in

* Cox AJ et al. "Oral administration of the probiotic Lactobacillus fermentum VRI-003 and mucosal immunity in endurance athletes" Br J Sports Med 2008, Published Online 13 Feb.