GETTY Are probiotics really the best cure for cold and flu symptoms?

A term that literally means ‘for life’, probiotics are live bacteria and yeasts promoted as having various health benefits. They’re usually added to yoghurts or taken as food supplements, and are often described as ‘good’ or ‘friendly’ bacteria. But do we really need them to stave off a cold? Speaking to Express.co.uk, Dr Sarah Brewer, GP, Medical Director of Healthspan and the author of Eat Well Stay Well revealed whether probiotics can help relieve cold and flu symptoms. Probiotics have been used as cures for a number of conditions.

GETTY Cold and flu treatment: Probiotics have been used as cures for a number of conditions

Probiotic bacteria have a natural immune boosting action, while micronutrients such as vitamin E, iron and selenium are needed to boost the production of antibodies and other infection-fighting chemicals

According to Dr Brewer, lactic acid bacteria (LAB), one of the most commonly used probiotic organisms, can inhabit the growth of harmful bacteria that cause gastroenteritis such as Salmonella, Shigella and Clostridium. It’s also been known to help relieve the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, urinary tract infections and helped reduce the development of allergic conditions such as eczema. So what about probiotics curing colds? Dr Brewer explained why probiotics in combination with vitamins and minerals work best. She said: “Probiotic bacteria have a natural immune boosting action, while micronutrients such as vitamin E, iron and selenium are needed to boost the production of antibodies and other infection-fighting chemicals.

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“One study found that taking probiotics plus multivitamins and minerals significantly reduced the duration of common cold and ‘flu episodes by almost two days, compared with a similar group taking multivitamins and minerals alone. “The researchers felt this was most likely through an effect on the activity of T-lymphocytes - the cells that regulate immune responses.” She added that another study found that taking supplements containing both probiotics and vitamins and minerals (for at least three months in winter/spring) reduced the severity and - perhaps more importantly - the incidence of common colds. “Those taking the combination supplement were 13.6 per cent less likely to develop cold and flu symptoms than those taking inactive placebo (no participants had been vaccinated against influenza),” she said. “Symptoms severity was also reduced by 19 per cent, and the number of days with fever was more than halved.

GETTY Cold and flu treatment: Probiotics and multivitamins and minerals have been found to work