Probiotics May Shorten Duration of Common Cold

21 May 2015 --- With the completion and publication of the world’s largest clinical study on the immune effect of probiotics in adults, Chr. Hansen has obtained results indicating that the probiotic strain named L. CASEI 431 can shorten the duration of common cold and influenza-like illness, lower the use of health care resources and reduce use of antibiotics.

Recently e-published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, the study was initiated by Chr. Hansen in 2011 and included more than 1100 subjects in Denmark and Germany. It investigated the effect of the probiotic strain (L. CASEI 431) on the immune response to an influenza vaccination, and on respiratory symptoms in otherwise healthy adults.

Results from the study indicate that in cases of influenza-like illness, the number of sick days was reduced to five in the group that consumed a daily dairy beverage with 1 billion live bacteria (L. CASEI 431), compared to eight days in the placebo group. Furthermore, the proportion of subjects who required health care system support during the follow-up period was reduced from 28% to 22%.

Mikkel Jungersen, Scientific Advisor, Human Health & Nutrition, Chr. Hansen, says: “Not only is this a clear benefit for individuals. It also indicates that products with this probiotic strain can have a significant impact on productivity in society.”

The L. CASEI 431 probiotic strain has been used as an ingredient in food since 1995 and earlier human studies[1] have shown that the probiotic strain alone or in combinations may have a beneficial effect within the immune and gastrointestinal function. It is gaining popularity as a natural probiotic culture in dairy products across the global, and in particular in China and South East Asia. It also holds potential within dietary supplements and exists in Chr. Hansen’s product portfolio as an immune product, combined with Vitamin C.

Mikkel Jungersen continues: “When it comes to scientific documentation on probiotics, we are committed to delivering the best. Adding these new results to the existing data of the strain (L.CASEI 431), it now stands out as a strong probiotic within immune function”.

[1] Rizzardini et al. 2011 and Gaon et al. 2003. Reference: Jespersen et al. Effect of Lactobacillus paracasei subsp. paracasei, L. CASEI 431 on immune response to influenza vaccination and upper respiratory tract infections in healthy adult volunteers: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study.