Women’s Health Archives

Can Probiotics Help Protect Against the Flu?

What a wonderful time of the year! October is just the beginning of the cooler weather and the varied, inspiring fall colors. Beyond the changes in nature, it’s the time when we all begin to feel the spirit of the joyful holiday season, and gather closer with family and friends.

There is one drawback: fall also ushers in the flu season. In the next several weeks, the flu season will start. According to the latest CDC report, two states (Hawaii and Texas) already report a slight increase in flu cases.

Before we begin to unpack those seasonal decorations, we should all start taking precautions to avoid the flu – especially getting the flu vaccine. If you are prone to making excuses against the vaccine, here are some flu facts to keep in mind concerning the US population:

5% to 20% of the population gets the flu
More than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu complications
About 23,500 people die from flu; 80% of such deaths occur in persons aged 65 years and older.

At this point you may be wondering why we are discussing the flu in monthly probiotic newsletter. Great question!

Probiotics are Effective Blockade

Recently, there have been some very interesting medical studies reviewing the benefits of probiotics with regard to the flu. More specifically, how a probiotic might lessen the risk of contracting the flu and/or decrease flu symptoms.

In one such experiment, orally administered lactobacilli bacteria successfully assisted the immune cells to produce antibodies within the bronchial airway⁽¹⁾. Another investigation found that giving probiotics two weeks before the flu vaccine injection increased the immune system’s antibody response, as compared to the placebo control group⁽²⁾.

Two recent studies were conducted to specifically evaluate the benefits of taking probiotics during the flu season.

The first investigation was completed with 356 children ages 3-5 years old attending daycare⁽⁴⁾. The children who took a probiotic twice a day (the other group took a placebo) experienced the following benefits:

More than two-thirds less fevers (72%)
62% less coughs, and 59% less runny noses
Duration of illness was nearly HALF of that in the placebo group (48%)
Missed 38% less school days, and used 84% less antibiotics

The other study⁽⁵⁾ was conducted on 250 healthy adults. Two different probiotic preparations were used, and there was also a control group who received a placebo. As compared to the control group, the two groups who consumed probiotics for 90 days during the cold and flu season experienced these astounding benefits:

41% less number of infections
25% less severity of infections
25% decrease in the length of infections
27% reduced days out from work.

What Can You Do to Avoid Getting the Flu This Season?

The single, most important step is to get the flu vaccine. A vaccine is your insurance against the flu – it may not stop contraction of the flu, but it will greatly decrease your symptoms, helping you to get healthy much more quickly.

Additionally, here are 5 healthy habits to avoid the flu:

Get at least 7 hours of sleep
Eat healthy, fruits and vegetables which help to support the immune system
Exercise and regular workouts enhance the immune system
Avoid crowds and people who are coughing and sneezing
Wash your hands or use sanitizers after touching public objects

And based on the findings from the studies discussed above, it is extremely worthwhile to add a good probiotic like EndoMune to your daily regimen.

Eat healthy, exercise and live well!
Dr. Hoberman

References:

(1) Int J Immunopathol Pharmacol. 1999 May-Aug;12⁽²⁾:97-102.Influence of the oral administration of lactic acid bacteria on iga producing cells associated to bronchus.Perdigon G, Alvarez S, Medina M, Vintiñi E, Roux E

(2) Nutrition. 2007 Mar;23⁽³⁾:254-60.Oral intake of Lactobacillus fermentum CECT5716 enhances the effects of influenza vaccination.Olivares M, Díaz-Ropero MP, Sierra S, Lara-Villoslada F, Fonollá J, Navas M, Rodríguez JM, Xaus J

(3) Effect of long term consumption of probiotic milk on infections in children attending day care centres: double blind, randomised trial.Hatakka K, Savilahti E, Pönkä A, Meurman JH, Poussa T, Näse L, Saxelin M, Korpela R.BMJ. 2001 Jun 2;322(7298):1327

(4) Pediatrics. 2009 Aug;124⁽²⁾:e172-9. Epub 2009 Jul 27.Probiotic effects on cold and influenza-like symptom incidence and duration in children.Leyer GJ, Li S, Mubasher ME, Reifer C, Ouwehand AC

(5) J Clin Gastroenterol. 2008 Sep;42 Suppl 3 Pt 2:S224-33.A new chance of preventing winter diseases by the administration of synbiotic formulations.Pregliasco F, Anselmi G, Fonte L, Giussani F, Schieppati S, Soletti L.

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Probiotics are Effective Treatment for Pediatric IBS

Children’s Health, Mental Health, Women’s Health / By @drHoberman

If you’re a parent, then you are probably familiar with the phrase, “My stomach hurts!”

This is often a self limited problem, but some children do experience recurrent abdominal pain which is often diagnosed as Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).

A recently published study examined the benefits of probiotics for alleviating the symptoms of IBS in children⁽¹⁾. IBS is a common problem in pediatrics, and no safe and effective treatment has been available up until now⁽²⁾.

Suspected Causes of IBS

The symptoms of abdominal bloating, gas, pain and change in stools are very common in both children and adults. Once appropriate tests have ruled out any underlying disorder like ulcers, colitis, or celiac disease, the diagnosis is often IBS.

Between 5 to 20% of kids have IBS, and about one in five adults do, too. It’s not fun, but the good news is that IBS doesn’t lead to more serious problems. It is more about quality of life for the child and the family.

Since the cause is not really known, and the symptoms can vary, IBS can be hard to treat.

Over the years a variety of theories have been offered to explain IBS symptoms in children. These have included emotional stress, intestinal hypersensitivity, altered intestinal motility, dietary intolerances and genetics^(3,4).

In the last several years there has been a shift in the paradigm, and now alterations in the intestinal bacteria are thought to be a major factor leading to IBS.

We are all familiar with the term “food poisoning” — a bout of infectious diarrhea due to the consumption of harmful bacteria in contaminated foods or drinks.

Researchers in the area of IBS noted that many of the people who developed symptoms of IBS had experienced a recent episode of food poisoning⁽⁵⁾. It was theorized that the infection caused a disruption of the healthy intestinal bacteria resulting in ongoing intestinal inflammation and GI symptoms⁽⁶⁾.

Recent studies have supported this association and identified post-infectious irritable bowel syndrome (PI-IBS) as a disorder due to a previous bout of infectious gastroenteritis. Approximately 30% of individuals with IBS can date the onset of their symptoms following an episode of gastroenteritis⁽⁷⁾.

Pediatric Medical Studies

In February of this year, a study⁽⁸⁾ was published that documented for the first time that exposure to acute gastroenteritis in childhood is associated with an increased risk of IBS in early adulthood. There was an outbreak of infectious gastroenteritis due to drinking contaminated city water. Children were followed for 8 years after the exposure. The children who had a bout of gastroenteritis had a greater than fourfold increase in IBS compared with unexposed children.

This now brings us back to the new medical article that I mentioned at the beginning of this newsletter. The study⁽¹⁾ enrolled children 4 to 18 years of age who fulfilled the criteria for IBS. The children received a probiotic or a placebo. A daily record of their symptoms was maintained. At the end of the study, the results were reviewed.

The group receiving probiotics had a better than 50% improvement in their symptoms of abdominal pain, and bloating compared to the placebo group. There was also an improvement in the passage of stools. Additionally, no adverse effects were noted in the group taking probiotics.

In 2008, a review article⁽²⁾ on medications to ease the symptoms of IBS in children stated, “The lack of clear evidence of effectiveness for any of the recommended drugs suggests that there is little reason for their use outside of clinical trials.” The new study on childhood IBS, though, does show that probiotics are effective.

Take Home Message

If your child has IBS, probiotics may help to ease their symptoms. Fortunately, there have been no adverse effects associated with their use. Consider using EndoMune Jr for children less than 8 years of age and EndoMune Advanced for older children. It won’t hurt, and it certainly may help!

Eat healthy, exercise and live well!
Dr. Hoberman

(1) VSL#3 improves symptoms in children with irritable bowel syndrome: a multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, crossover study.Guandalini S, Magazzù G, Chiaro A, La Balestra V, Di Nardo G, Gopalan S, Sibal A, Romano C, Canani RB, Lionetti P, Setty M.J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2010 Jul;51⁽¹⁾:24-30.

(2) Pharmacological interventions for recurrent abdominal pain (RAP) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in childhood.Huertas-Ceballos A, Logan S, Bennett C, Macarthur C. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2008 Jan 23;⁽¹⁾.

(3) Irritable bowel syndrome: epidemiology, diagnosis and treatment: an update for health-care practitioners.Grundmann O, Yoon SL.J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2010 Apr;25⁽⁴⁾:691-9. Epub 2010 Jan 13.

(4) Pathogenesis of IBS: role of inflammation, immunity and neuroimmune interactions.Ohman L, Simrén M.Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2010 Mar;7⁽³⁾:163-73. Epub 2010 Jan 26. Review.

(5) The irritable colon syndrome. A study of the clinical features, predisposing causes, and prognosis in 130 cases.CHAUDHARY NA, TRUELOVE SC. Q J Med. 1962 Jul;31:307-22.

(6) Bacillary dysentery as a causative factor of irritable bowel syndrome and its pathogenesis . Wang LH , Fang XC , Pan GZ . Gut 2004 ; 53 : 1096 – 101.

(7) Postinfectious irritable bowel syndrome–a meta-analysis.Halvorson HA, Schlett CD, Riddle MS.Am J Gastroenterol. 2006 Aug;101⁽⁸⁾:1894-9; quiz 1942.

(8) An Outbreak of Acute Bacterial Gastroenteritis Is Associated With an Increased Incidence of Irritable Bowel Syndrome in Children Marroon Thabane, Marko Simunovic, Noori Akhtar-Danesh, Amit X Garg, William F Clark, Stephen M Collins, Marina Salvadori, John K Marshall The American Journal of Gastroenterology 105, 933-939 (23 February 2010).

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Can Probiotics Lessen Infantile Allergies?

Children’s Health, Mental Health, Women’s Health / By @drHoberman

In last month’s newsletter, I mentioned some of the benefits of probiotics for children. This month I would like to discuss how probiotics may lessen childhood allergies like asthma, eczema and hay fever.

Emergence of the Hygiene Theory

Over the last 30 years, there has been a two-to-three fold increase in childhood allergies in developed countries. This is significant as compared to the 19th century when hay fever (allergic rhinitis) and asthma were rare.

The rise in allergies like asthma, rhinitis, and eczema has not been seen in underdeveloped countries. This observation has resulted in the “Hygiene Theory”⁽¹⁾.

The theory attributes the rise of allergies to our sanitized lifestyle. In our super-clean world –
vaccinations, anti-bacterial soaps, antibiotics, and airtight doors and windows – we are keeping dirt and disease-causing germs at bay.

Seventy percent of our immune system is in the intestines. Since the intestines serve as our window to our environment, it is important that the intestines monitor our exposure to harmful infections and toxins.

The Hygiene Theory explains the rise of allergies to a change in the immune activity of the gut ⁽²⁾. Our bodies no longer need to fight germs as much as they did in the past. As a result, the immune system has shifted away from fighting infection to developing more allergic tendencies.

The lymphocytes (immune cells) in the intestines are of several types:

Th1 helps to fight infections due to bacteria and viruses
Th2 responds to infections caused by parasites.

If an infant is not exposed to infectious bacteria and viruses, then Th1 will be less active, causing a shift the balance of activity in favor of the Th2 lymphocytes, producing antibodies to parasites and also to harmless allergens.

The initial theory has been modified some ⁽³⁾. There is another lymphocyte called a regulatory cell (Treg). This lymphocyte can regulate the activity of both Th1 and Th2 lymphocytes. By adding probiotic bacteria, the (Treg) cells can downregulate the Th2 allergy-mediated immune response.

Probiotics to Regulate Incidence of Eczema

In 2001, a study was done to determine if giving probiotics to mothers prenatally and to infants for the first six months could lessen the frequency of eczema ⁽⁴⁾. During the first two years of life, eczema occurred 50% less in the group given probiotics compared to the group given placebo.

Subsequent similar studies have had mixed results ⁽⁵⁾. However, a recent study found that giving a probiotic blend to pregnant women with a family history of allergies was beneficial. The women were given either a placebo or the probiotic starting 4-8 weeks before delivery and then for an additional three months. The infants receiving probiotics had a 55% less involvement with eczema at one year compared to the placebo group ⁽⁶⁾.

Based on the available studies, probiotics can modify the immune system in infants and lessen the risk of developing eczema and possibly childhood asthma.

There are very few studies that have shown that probiotics can treat existing allergies in children or adults ⁽⁵⁾. In this regard, it is of interest that a recent study reported probiotics lessened symptoms of nasal allergy in children during the birch pollen season ⁽⁷⁾.

Much more research is needed to understand how probiotics interact with the intestinal immune cells, but it is really fascinating how our intestinal bacteria play such a major role in our general health.

Take Home Message

For women who are allergy prone, taking a probiotic like EndoMune may help prevent eczema in their offspring. In addition, giving EndoMune Junior to your child during infancy may help to lessen the risk of developing allergies. It is always recommended that you talk to your doctor before taking new medications and supplements.

(1) Strachan DP. Hay fever, hygiene, and household size. BMJ. 1989 Nov 18; 299(6710):1259–1260.

(2)Probiotics in children.Kliger B, Hanaway P, Cohrssen A. Pediatr Clin North Am.2007 Dec;54(6): 949 Kligler B, Hanaway P, Cohrssen A.

(3)Hygiene theory and allergy and asthma prevention. Liu AH.Paediatr Perinat Epidemiol. 2007 Nov;21 Suppl 3:2-7.

(4)Probiotics in primary prevention of atopic disease: a randomized placebo-controlled trial.Kalliomäki M, Salminen S, Arvilommi H, Kero P, Koskinen P, Isolauri E.Lancet. 2001 Apr 7;357(9262):1076-9.

(5)Effect of probiotic mix (Bifidobacterium bifidum, Bifidobacterium lactis, Lactobacillus acidophilus) in the primary prevention of eczema: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial.Kim JY, Kwon JH, Ahn SH, Lee SI, Han YS, Choi YO, Lee SY, Ahn KM, Ji GE.Pediatr Allergy Immunol. 2009 Oct 14.

(6)Probiotics and prebiotics in atopic dermatitis: a review of the theoretical background and clinical evidence.van der Aa LB, Heymans HS, van Aalderen WM, Sprikkelman ABPediatr Allergy Immunol. 2009 Jul 2.

(7)Specific probiotics alleviate allergic rhinitis during the birch pollen season. Ouwehand AC, Nermes M, Collado MC, Rautonen N, Salminen S, Isolauri E. World J Gastroenterol. 2009 Jul 14;15(26):3261-8.

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