Long-distance runners who take probiotic supplements suffer from fewer infections, new research suggests.
A study by experts at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra found that probiotics more than halved the number of days on which athletes had symptoms of infection.
Endurance runners who took pills containing the bacterium Lactobacillus fermentum complained of symptoms such as coughs and runny noses on 30 days, on average, while those taking a daily placebo pill felt under the weather on 72 days.
The researchers also found that those given probiotic supplements had higher levels of immune chemicals in their bloodstream.
The finding is likely to be of interest to those undergoing strenuous training who are at increased risk of a weak immune system and tend to be vulnerable to coughs and colds.
Publishing their findings in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, the researchers wrote: "An improvement in resistance to common illnesses constitutes an important benefit to elite athletes undertaking high-level training in preparation for national and international competitions."
Long-distance runners who take probiotic supplements suffer from fewer infections, new research suggests.
