College kids can avoid or reduce severity colds

A blend of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) and Bifidobacterium animalis ssp lactis (BB-12) reduced the duration of common colds among typically stressed out students, US researchers have found. In a British Journal of Nutrition study that gave 1 billion colony forming units (CFUs) of each strain or placebo to about 200 of US college students at Framingham State University, the study group experienced colds that lasted four days as opposed to six in the placebo group – coupled with a 34% reduction in severity.

The student group was significant because it was a population that typically was under extreme stress and prone to colds and flu as a result. The students took the blend that was being trialed for the first time in a powder form.

Steve: This is not the first, and certainly will not be the last study showing how probiotics benefit immune health.