Probiotics Dramatically Boost Infection-Fighting Blood Cells - Study


According to a new study from Ireland, the human probiotic bacterial strain, Bifidobacterium infantis, (also known as Bifidobacterium lactis), has been shown to benefit the whole body by boosting immunity and reducing inflammation. Probiotics are well researched and are beneficial to the gastrointestinal tract, but the new study proves that the benefits extend beyond gastrointestinal health. The report was published in the August issue of the Public Library of Science (PLoS) Pathogens

Dr. Liam O'Mahony, lead investigator of the study explains, "Inflammation is a major factor in a number of chronic diseases affecting millions of people and can cause an unwanted impact on healthy tissue.”Past research has shown that the probiotic Bifidobacterium infantis 35624 can positively impact the body's immune defense3, and this most recent data suggests that its benefits are not restricted to the gastrointestinal tract."

The body’s ability to fight infection is accompanied by inflammation – the kind that can also damage healthy tissue, such as joint inflammation and arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, and Type 1 diabetes, which over time leads to damage of the blood vessels. The very protective mechanisms that occur in the body can also result in permanent damage.

The effect of Bifidobacterium infantis 35624, taken from healthy human tissue, was observed in mice that were infected with Salmonella, after being treated with the probiotic for three-weeks. The mice who received the powdered probiotic showed a dramatic increase in T-cells which protect from inflammation, as well as a host of other immune cells.

The authors concluded that Bifidobacterium infantis offered a significant amount of protection from infection, as well as acting as a mediator to inflammation.

Source: New study shows health benefits of probiotic could extend to the entire body

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Probiotics Found to Help Prevent Respiratory Infection in Children - Study

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