By Ross Pelton, RPh, PhD, CCN
Scientific Director, Essential Formulas
Probiotics Reduce Antibiotic Use 84.2% in 3-5-Year-Old Kids
In a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 326 children were randomly divided into three groups. One group received a placebo (milk with no probiotics), a second group received milk with Lactobacillus acidophilus and the third group received milk containing both Lactobacillus acidophilus* and Bifidobacterium animalis*.
The six month trial took place during cold and flu season and the children selected were preschool age attending daycare. The children received either the placebo milk drink or one of the probiotic-containing milk drinks twice daily throughout the trial period.
The results of this study are quite remarkable, and I think are best viewed when presented in a chart showing the reduction in illness and symptoms compared to the placebo-control children.
Probiotics & Immunity: 326 kids 3-5-years-old
6-month trial in winter cold & flu season (2005-2006)
| PLACEBO KIDS | ACIDOPHILUS | ACIDOPHILUS + BIFIDUS |
| Fever | 53% less | 72.7% less |
| Coughing | 41% less | 62% less |
| Runny Nose | 28% less | 58.8% less |
| Duration | 32% less | 48% less |
| Antibiotics | 68.4% less | 84.2% less |
Leyer GL, et al., “Probiotic effects on cold and influenza-like symptom incidence and duration in children.” Pediatrics, 2009 Aug; 124(2).
This remarkable study demonstrates how effectively supplemental probiotics can enhance kid’s immune systems, while protecting them from cold and flu symptoms and substantially reducing their need for antibiotics.
Probiotics should be considered health insurance for your kids! At Essential Formulas, we understand that Dr. Ohhira’s Probiotics® are the most effective because they provide probiotics, prebiotics and most importantly, a multitude of postbiotic metabolites. The recommended dose for young children is one capsule daily.
Strains of probiotic bacteria used in this study: Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM and Bifidobacterium animalis subsp lactis Bi-07