Topic:

Probiotics in the Treatment of Childhood Constipation

Keywords:

CONSTIPATION, CHILDHOOD - Probiotics, Bifidus Yogurt, Bifidobacterium breve, Bifidobacterium bifidum, Lactobacillus acidophilus

Reference:

"Is Bifidobacterium breve effective in the treatment of childhood constipation? Results from a pilot study," Tabbers MM, deMilliano I, et al, Nutr J, 2011 Feb 23; [Epub ahead of print]. (Address: Merit M.M.Tabbers, MD, PhD, Emma Children's Hospital, H7-250, Academic Medical Centre, PO Box 22700, 1100 DD Amsterdam. Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ).

Summary:

In a study involving 20 children (75% male, 25% female) between the ages of 3 and 16 years with "functional constipation," supplementation with probiotics (one sachet/day containing 108 - 1010 cfu Bifidobacterium breve) for a period of 4 weeks was found to significantly increase the frequency of defecation from 0.9 at baseline to 4.9 in week 4, increase stool consistency from 2.6 at baseline to 3.5 in week 4, and significantly decrease the number of fecal incontinence episodes per week from 9.0 at baseline to 1.5 in week 4. Furthermore, episodes of abdominal pain significantly decreased from 4.2 at baseline to 1.9 in week 4. No adverse effects were noted. The authors conclude, "A randomized placebo controlled trial is required to confirm these data."

Topic:

Probiotics in the Treatment of Childhood Constipation

Keywords:

CONSTIPATION, CHILDHOOD, FUNCTIONAL CONSTIPATION, DIARRHEA, BOWEL MOVEMENTS - Probiotics, Bifidobacterium breve

Reference:

"Is Bifidobacterium breve effective in the treatment of childhood constipation? Results from a pilot study," Tabbers M, de Milliano I, et al, Nutr J, 2011 Feb 23; 10:19. (Address: Department of Paediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, Emma Children's Hospital/Academic Medical Centre, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ).

Summary:

In a pilot study involving 20 children (75% male, mean age: 7.4 years) with functional constipation, daily supplementation with probiotics (one sachet of powder containing 108-1010 CFU Bifidobacterium breve) for a period of 4 weeks was found to significantly increase the frequency of defecation from 0.9 at baseline to 4.9, increase stool consistency from 2.6 at baseline to 3.5, significantly decrease the number of fecal incontinence episodes from 9.0 per week at baseline to 1.5 in week 4, and significantly decrease the number of abdominal pain episodes from 4.2 at baseline to 1.9 in week 4. No adverse events were reported. The authors conclude that, "Bifidobacterium breve is effective in increasing stool frequency in children with functional constipation. Furthermore it has a positive effect with respect to stool consistency, decreasing the number of faecal incontinence episodes and in diminishing abdominal pain. A randomized placebo controlled trial is required to c onfirm these data."

Topic:

Probiotics Help Prevent Colorectal Carcinogenesis

Keywords:

COLORECTAL CARCINOGENESIS, COLORECTAL CANCER - Probiotics

Reference:

"Possibility of preventing colorectal carcinogenesis with probiotics," Ohara T, Yoshino K, et al, Hepatogastroenterology, 2010 Nov-Dec; 57(104): 1411-5. (Address: Department of Gastroenterology, International University of Health and Welfare Hospital, Japan. E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ).

Summary:

In a study involving 10 colorectal cancer patients and 20 healthy controls, supplementation with probiotics (Lactobacillus gasseri OLL2716: LG21) for a period of 12 weeks was found to improve the intestinal environment, aiding in the prevention of colorectal carcinoma. The levels of Lactobacillus detected were significantly higher in the healthy group, as compared to the colorectal cancer group, while the total clostridium perfringens was higher in the colorectal cancer group, as compared to the healthy group. The colorectal cancer group was found to have alkalosis, and the total amount of short-chain fatty acids in the stool was lower than in the healthy group. After supplementation with Lactobacillus, the Lactobacillus detection rate increased, the total amount of clostridium perfringens decreased, fecal pH indicated acidosis, synthesis of fecal putrefaction products was inhibited, and an increase in the short-chain fatty acid isobutyric acid was observed. In addition, blood IL-1 beta and NK call activity values were significantly higher from the 4th week of probiotic supplementation, as compared to pre-supplementation. The authors conclude, "A deterioration of the intestinal environment was observed in the colorectal cancer patients in comparison to the healthy controls, and the intestinal environment improved when probiotics was taken. These findings suggest the possibility of preventing colorectal carcinoma with probiotics."

Topic:

Probiotics Reduce Incidence of Upper Respiratory Tract Infection in Athletes

Keywords:

INFECTION, IMMUNITY, UPPER RESPIRATORY TRACT INFECTIONS, COMMON COLD, INFLUENZA - Probiotics, Lactobacillus casei Shirota

Reference:

"Daily probiotic's (Lactobacillus casei Shirota) reduction of infection incidence in athletes," Gleeson M, Bishop NC, et al, Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab, 2011 Feb; 21(1): 55-64. (Address: School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, Loughborough University, Loughborough, UK).

Summary:

In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study involving 58 highly active subjects, daily supplementation with probiotics (Lactobacillus casei Shirota) for a period of 16 weeks was found to be associated with a significantly reduced incidence of upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) and higher concentrations of salivary IgA concentrations. The proportion of subjects who experienced at least 1 week of URTI symptoms was 36% higher in the placebo group, as compared to the probiotics group. The severity and duration of symptoms did not significantly differ between the groups. The authors conclude, "Regular ingestion of LcS appears to be beneficial in reducing the frequency of URTI in an athletic cohort, which may be related to better maintenance of saliva IgA levels during a winter period of training and competition."

Topic:

Probiotics plus High-fiber Diet in Patients with Diverticular Disease

Keywords:

DIVERTICULAR DISEASE, DIVERTICULITIS, DIVERTICULOSIS - Probiotics, Lactobacillus paracasei sub. paracasei F19, Fiber, Diet

Reference:

"Efficacy of Lactobacillus paracasei sub. paracasei F19 on abdominal symptoms in patients with symptomatic uncomplicated diverticular disease: a pilot study," Annibale B, Maconi G, et al, Minerva Gastroenterol Dietol, 2011 March; 57(1): 13-22. (Address: Department of Digestive and Liver Disease, University Sapienza, Rome, 2nd Medical School, Sant'Andrea Hospital, Rome, Italy. E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ).

Summary:

In a randomized study involving 50 patients with symptomatic uncomplicated diverticular disease, supplementation with probiotics (1-2 sachets of Genefilus F19 containing Lactobacillus paracasei sub. paracasei F19, twice/day) in addition to a high-fiber diet, for 14 days/mont for a period of 6 months, was found to significantly reduce bloating. Moreover, abdominal pain decreased within 24 hours, although it was not statistically significant, however prolonged abdominal pain was reduced with treatment. The authors conclude, "Lactobacillus paracasei F19, in association with a high-fibre diet, is effective in reducing abdominal bloating and prolonged abdominal pain in symptomatic uncomplicated diverticular disease, and could thus be a promising option in the treatment of these patients."