A newly published clinical research paper from ProVen Probiotics reveals that preschool and primary school aged children who take a daily supplementation of a multistrain probiotic with low dose vitamin C, have a lower incidence of upper respiratory tract infections (coughs and colds) and thus less absent days from school, fewer GP visits and a lower number of antibiotic prescriptions.
Antibiotic usage in children for acute respiratory tract infections is still relatively widespread and with the winter months approaching, antibiotic prescriptions will continue to rise. In this randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial in children aged 3 to 10 years, the effect of a daily intake of the Lab4 multistrain probiotic consortium with low dose vitamin C on upper respiratory tract infection symptoms was explored, along with the impact this had on antibiotic prescriptions.
In this study the incidence rates for oral antibiotic prescriptions were significantly reduced in children receiving the probiotic/vitamin C intervention compared to those receiving the placebo. A total of 42.3% of children in the placebo group received oral antibiotic prescriptions for any infection, compared to only 25.6&% in the probiotic/vitamin C group, meaning that children taking the Fit for School probiotic had a 40% less chance of being prescribed antibiotics over a six-month study period.
(Relevant statistics: Risk Ratio = 0.60; 95 % Confidence Interval = 0.39, 0.94; P value = 0.0239)
This data suggests that supplementation with the probiotic/vitamin C may help to reduce antibiotic prescriptions in children.
Cork based, Paediatric Osteopath, Dr Frank Kelleher commented, "I have been recommending probiotics for toddlers and children for over 10 years. It therefore comes as no surprise to me that the data from ProVen Probiotics show a significant positive benefit for children with typical winter illnesses after using ProVen Fit for School probiotic chewable tablets each day. ProVen Fit for School is a multistrain probiotic with a low dose vitamin C and is our probiotic of choice for school going children."
Iveta Garaiova PHD, research manager at ProVen Probiotics, who conducted the clinical trial commented, “The threat of antimicrobial resistance cannot be underestimated and the WHO has declared it as a top ten threat to humanity. Data from this clinical trial suggest that a combination of a multistrain probiotic plus low dose vitamin C may offer a safe and inexpensive means of reducing antibiotic prescriptions among children and thus contribute to health management strategies that help to combat antibiotic resistance.”
This paper is published off the back of two comprehensive studies conducted by ProVen Probiotics that underscore the efficacy and consistent effect of their probiotic supplement. Both studies, which were undertaken six years apart and ran for a six-month period primarily during autumn and winter, showed that children who took the ProVen Fit for School probiotic chewable tablet each day experienced the following results:
- Up to 50% reduction in duration in all symptoms of coughs and colds (cough, sore throat, runny/blocked nose, sneezing)
- 30% reduction in the number of times over the six months that the children had symptoms of coughs and colds
- Longer time to the first episode of cough
- 16-30% reduction in absenteeism from school
- 18% reduction in visits to the doctor
- 27%-40% lower antibiotic usage in the Fit for School probiotic group compared to the placebo group.
ProVen Probiotics are available from nationwide Holland & Barrett stores.
For more information on the clincial study and to shop the full range visit ProVen Probiotics.
