The temperature is dipping and you all know what that means – cold and flu season is upon us. No one wants to end up stuck in bed for a week with uncomfortable, draining flu symptoms. Happily, there are a few basic things you can do to prevent the onset of the flu:
- Get the flu vaccine
- Wash your hands religiously
- Avoid crowds
- Do not sneeze or cough into your hands
- Drink lots of fluid
- Eat lots of fruits and vegetables
- Exercise regularly
- Get at least 7 hours of sleep, per night
These recommendations are the typical prescription for prevention from most practiced care providers. However, there’s one more key step that could make the difference for you this flu season: taking a probiotic.
The Proof Is in the Research
Published health studies such as Probiotics Effects on Cold and Influenza-like Symptom Incidence and Duration in Children1 from the medical journal Pediatrics, demonstrate the validity of probiotics as a preventative health supplement.
For example, this particular study divided healthy children, ages 3-5, into three separate groups:
- Those receiving a placebo (104 participants)
- Those receiving a probiotic containing Lactobacillus acidophilus (110 participants)
- Those receiving a probiotic containing Lactobacillus acidophilus & Bifidobacterium lactis (112 participants)
For the purposes of the study, each child received their supplement daily, for 6 months, under close cold and flu symptom scrutiny.
At the end of the study researches found that, when compared to the placebo groups, the other two participant groups had reduced flu-like symptoms, antibiotic use and days missed from school – a huge relief to parents and physicians alike.
What The Research Means for You
Studies in adults2, similar to the Pediatrics study, have been performed and the results indicate similar findings, particularly in cases of upper respiratory infections.
Scientific outcomes infer that this occurs because oral probiotic supplements can stimulate the immune system in the gastrointestinal tract. Once this occurs, the GI tract typically begins producing more immune cells. Those cells can then stop cold and flu inflammation before it becomes severe and attack viruses as they invade the lining of the respiratory tract3,4,5,6. Thus, the body eradicates viruses before they settle.
Take Home Message
Results like these highlight the importance of taking a daily, oral probiotic supplement during flu season – particularly one containing the potent bacteria strain combination of lactobacilli and bifidobacteria in a serving size of 10 billion colonies or more.
Try a probiotic, like EndoMune Advanced Probiotic or EndoMune Junior Advanced Probiotic for your little ones, that meets these standards to help counter disastrous flu symptoms this autumn and winter.