Probiotics in healthy adults reduce inflammatory markers such

as CRP, one of the prime movers in cardiovascular disease.


Probiotics reduce inflammation in adult men and women

The April 7, 2008 issue of the World Journal of Gastroenterology published the discovery of researchers in Helsinki, Finland, that consuming probiotic bacteria reduces inflammation in healthy adults. Probiotics, known as "good" bacteria, reside in the healthy human digestive tract, and are sometimes consumed as supplements or in yogurt to encourage the growth of beneficial gut microflora. Although their mechanism of action in maintaining health has not been fully elucidated, it may involve immune system response modulation.

In the current study, 62 men and women were randomized to receive a drink containing Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG, Bifidobacterium animalis ssp. lactis Bb12, Propionibacterium freudenrichii ssp. shermanii JS, or a placebo to be consumed daily for three weeks. Blood samples collected before and after the treatment period were analyzed for white blood cells, C-reactive protein (a marker of inflammation), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha and other cytokines involved with inflammation. Additionally, peripheral blood mononuclear cell cultures stimulated with a virus or bacteria were tested for cytokine production.

The researchers found that responses to the individual probiotics varied. Serum C-reactive protein was reduced at the end of the treatment period in the groups that received Lactobacillus rhamnosus and Propionibacterium freudenrichii cultures compared with levels measured at the beginning of the study, with Lactobacillus rhamnosus having the greater effect. In the peripheral blood mononuclear cell cultures, bacteria-induced tumor necrosis factor-alpha production was significantly lower among those who received Lactobacillus rhamnosus compared with those that received the placebo, and interleukin-2 levels were lower in the Bifidobacterium animalis group in cells stimulated with an influenza virus.

"It appears that probiotics have an anti-inflammatory potential seen as a decrease in serum CRP levels and as a reduction in bacteria-induced production of pro-inflammatory cytokines in peripheral blood mononuclear cells in healthy adults," the authors conclude. They suggest that further studies evaluate the effect of probiotics in individuals challenged with inflammatory or autoimmune diseases.

yeast... yum. :toast:

I got 2 markers...1 from each parent.