Australian research evaluates DuPont probiotics

KANTVIK, Finland - New clinical evidence show the impact of DuPont Danisco HOWARU? Protect probiotics in helping to maintain respiratory health for healthy adults. A joint clinical study by Australian research institutes sees two probiotic formulations reduce the risk of and delay the onset of respiratory illness, and improve training load during physical exercise.

Gold Standard trial

Scientists from Griffith University conducted the randomised, double-blind, placebo controlled clinical trial in cooperation with the Australian Institute of Sport and other collaborating institutions. The 465 trial subjects were split into three groups, each receiving a daily dose of HOWARU Protect Adult, HOWARU Protect Sport or a placebo. All subjects were healthy adults who exercised for at least 30 minutes, three times per week.

Risk of cold-like symptoms reduced 27%

Daily supplementation with Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis Bl-04^TM – known commercially as HOWARU Protect Adult – produced the most notable result. In the healthy men and women who consumed a daily dose over the five-month study period, the risk of upper respiratory tract illness (URTI) was reduced by 27%.

The results also indicate that Bl-04? supports respiratory health, with trial subjects remaining free of upper respiratory symptoms for several weeks longer, on average, than those in the placebo group.

“A significant delay in the onset of symptoms indicates that this probiotic strain may help active adults stay healthy longer,” said Professor Allan Cripps, pro-vice chancellor, Health at Griffith University and the principal scientist of the study.

Increased physical activity

A tendency toward reduced respiratory illness episodes and significant delay in the onset of symptoms also was observed among subjects who received the other probiotic formulation – Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis Bi-07^TM and Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM?, available from DuPont as HOWARU Protect Sport. The most notable finding in this group, however, was a significantly higher level of physical activity, possibly due to the delayed time to symptoms.

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