Enhances Immune Function

A double-blind parallel study found that supplementing elderly subjects with B. lactisBi-07 led to higher concentrations of phagocytosing monocytes when compared to supplementing with a prebiotic (GOS) or maltodextrin. Researchers observed greater phagocytic activity of granulocytesagainst immunoglobulin-opsonized E. coliwhen elderly subjects were supplemented with Bi-07. The authors concluded that this effect could potentially led to improved immune responses against infecting pathogens. More so, these positive results were observed without the added production of intracellular reactive oxygen species.

Reduces Incidence and Duration of Cold and Flu Symptoms in Children

A double-blind, placebo-controlled study was conducted on 326 children aged 3-5 years old. Children were given one of the following three treatments twice daily for 6 months: 1) L. acidophilus NCFM,  2) L. acidophilusNCFM with B. lactis Bi-07, or 3) placebo. Children were then monitored for cold and flu-like symptoms such as sore throat, runny nose and headaches during the winter season.When compared to placebo, children who were given the single or combination probiotic therapy had significantly reduced incidences of fever (by 53 and 72%), coughing (by 41 and 62%), and rhinorrhea (by 28 and 59%, respectively). The duration of fever, coughing and rhinorrhea were also significantly decreased relative to placebo. This reduced the requirements for antibiotics by up to 84%, and reduced the number of days that children were absent from school or daycare by 27-31%.

Reduces Bloating in IBS and Functional Bowel Disorders

A double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial evaluated the combination treatment of L. acidophilusNCFM and B. lactis Bi-07 in 60 patients with functional bowel disorders. A total dose of 100 billion CFUs twice daily (or placebo) was used for 8 weeks in subjects with non-constipation-irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), functional diarrhea and functional bloating. The group given the probiotic combination had significantly reduced abdominal bloating by 4 weeks and 8 weeks. The subgroup of subjects with IBS had similar results.

Prophylactic use of BLIS K12 in children and streptococcal pharyngo-tonsillitis and acute ear infections.

In a multicentre clinical trial, 222 children aged 3 years were randomized to receive either a slow-dissolving BLIS K12 tablet containing 1 billion CFUs daily or no treatment for 6 months. Children were monitored for an additional 3 months. Researchers evaluated the incidences of streptococcal pharyngo-tonsillitis and acute otits media (ear infection) in both groups. For children treated with K12, the incidence of these conditions was 16% and 44%, respectively, compared to 48% and 80% in the control group. The researchers concluded that children given BLIS K12 daily have significant reductions in episodes of streptococcal pharyngitis and acute otitis media.

Efficacy of BLUS K12 on reducing incidence of recurrent pharyngeal infections in children.

A study was conducted on children aged 3 to 12 years in five Italian day care centres.

Of the 82 participants, 65 were with and 17 were without a history of three or more recurrent episodes of pharyngitis and/or tonsillitis in the previous year. Forty-five of the 65 children with recurrent infections were treated with BLIS K12 (group A), whereas all remaining children were given no treatment and served as control groups (group B: recurrent infections, no treatment, and group C: non-recurrent infections, no treatment).

In a study of 130 children with recurrent pharyngo-tonsillar infections (three or more episodes of infection over a 6-month period, or four or more episodes over a 12-month period), 76 children were treated with the K12 probiotic daily for 90 days, and 54 children who made up the control group did not receive treatment. All children were followed for 12 months. Those given the probiotic had significantly fewer infections than in the period before treatment during the 90-day treatment period, and during the 9-month follow-up period, and a greater reduction than the control group.