Treats IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome)
- In 2015 World Journal of Gastroenterology published a meta-analysis of 9 placebo-controlled trials which included a total of 1793 IBS patients. The data showed that probiotics can reduce pain and severity associated with IBS when compared with a placebo. [Source]
- In 2010 Gut published a meta-analysis of 19 randomized controlled trials examining the effect of probiotics on IBS symptoms. Fifteen of these trials assessing 1351 patients showed improvements in IBS symptoms. [Source]
Immune Boosting
- In 2012 The British Journal of Nutrition published a double-blind, placebo-controlled study which administered either a probiotic capsule, a probiotic drink or a placebo to 211 subjects for a 6-week period, while injecting all subjects with a flu vaccine after 2 weeks. Both probiotic groups showed significantly greater increases in flu-specific antibodies as well as total antibody concentrations suggesting that probiotics supplementation may improve immune function. [Source]
- In 2007 Military Medicine published a study which tested the effects of probiotics compared with a placebo on cadets undergoing military training. The findings suggested that probiotics may help prevent infections from spreading in high stress-environments. [Source]
- In 2013 Poultry Science published an animal study which found that probiotics were able to stimulate T-cells – a type of white blood cell key to immune function – in chickens. [Source]
Anxiety
- In 2009 Gut Pathogens published a 2-month, double-blind, placebo-controlled study which administered either 24 billion CFU (colony forming units) of the probiotic strain Lactobacillus casei or a placebo to 39 chronic fatigue syndrome patients. Those taking the probiotic saw a significant decrease in anxiety symptoms. [Source]
Gestational Diabetes
- In 2010 The British Journal of Nutrition published a double-blind, placebo-controlled study which found that, in a sample of 256 women, probiotic supplementation reduced the incidence of gestational diabetes with no negative side effects. [Source]
Type 2 Diabetes
- In 2016 the International Journal of Molecular Sciences published a review of human clinical trials which found that some probiotics lead to reductions in insulin resistance and improved fasting blood glucose levels among other benefits in subjects with type 2 diabetes. [Source]
Antibiotic-Associated Diarrhea
- In 2011 Therapeutic advances in Gastroenterology published a review which concluded that, based on clinical trials, various probiotic stains have good efficacy in preventing antibiotic-associated diarrhea. [Source]