Using Probiotics to Prevent Illness

New research involving distance runners who took a probiotic supplement during winter training offers good news for athletes looking to avoid the common cold. Published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, an Australian study found that the probiotic Lactobacillus fermentum VRI-003 enhanced athletes’ immune systems, helping ward off colds and other respiratory aliments.

Probiotics are naturally occurring “good bacteria” or yeasts which may be beneficial to the human body. In essence, they compete with the “bad bacteria” by balancing and strengthening the immune system.

While completing their usual winter training regimens, 20 elite long-distance male runners took Lactobacillus fermentum supplements for one month in the form of a freeze-dried powder encased in gel capsules. During that time, three contracted colds. The group then took a month off from treatment before taking a placebo capsule for another month. During the placebo month, seven of the 20 contracted colds.

To assess the runners’ health, researchers measured their mucosal and systemic immunity, serum cytokine and immunoglobulin A (an antibody) levels, and the incidence, duration, and severity of any respiratory tract infections. The study authors also measured the athletes’ running performance, and found no substantial effects from the supplementation.

Though it was a small study, the findings should open doors for more probiotics research. Because the athletes in this study were elite runners who naturally compromise their immune systems through intense training, it remains to be seen whether moderate-level athletes or non-athletes with healthy immune systems would benefit from probiotic supplements.

To view the abstract of the study, “Oral administration of the probiotic Lactobacillus fermentum VRI-003 and mucosal immunity in endurance athletes,” go to: bjsm.bmj.com and type “probiotics supplement” into the keyword search window.

Training & Conditioning, April 2009, Vol. XIX, No. 3, page 5 and 6.