Probiotics protect overweight elderly patients from coughing and wheezing
Daily doses of certain probiotics appeared to reduce upper respiratory symptoms somewhat, especially in patients over 45 years of age and with a body mass index (BMI) in the obese range. Secondary results of a small trial have been shown.
Source reference: Mullish B, et al "Daily probiotic use is associated with a reduced incidence of upper respiratory symptoms in overweight and obese people" DDW 2021; summary 739.
Source reference: Mullish B, et al "Probiotics reduce self-reported symptoms of upper respiratory tract infections in overweight and obese adults: should probiotics be considered during a viral pandemic? Gut Bacteria 2021; DOI: 10.1080 /19490976.2021.1900997.
Commentary
The researchers stated that upper respiratory symptoms such as cough, sore throat, headache, myalgia, and wheezing were less reported by 27% of the 110 people who took Lab4P compared to the control group in a randomized trial. The study also showed an incidence rate ratio of 0.57 for those with a high BMI compared to 0.78 for those with a standard BMI.
The Lab4P probiotic mix (containing two Lactobacillus species and two Bifidobacterium species) was consumed, and the results focused on upper respiratory symptoms and obesity, which were shown to be affected by changes in the gut microbiota.
The results focused on upper respiratory symptoms and obesity, indicating that the effects were due to changes in the gut microbiota. However, it is important to note that probiotics against COVID-19 have not been evaluated.
