Studies in both adults and children have indicated that
probiotics may reduce the frequency, duration and symptoms of
flu and respiratory tract infections. There has been growing
evidence that probiotics, the beneficial bacteria in your
digestive tract, play an important role in immunity. Strains
such as acidophilus and bifidobacterium aid in developing
natural defenses against foreign intestinal bacteria and viral
infections, and enhance the immune system. But recent studies
looked more specifically at the effect probiotics may have on
the flu and respiratory infections. Note: These studies did NOT
involve the H1N1 flu virus, as they were conducted before this
year’s outbreak. In the first study, More than 475 healthy men
and women who had not received flu vaccines were randomly
assigned to receive a placebo or a daily probiotic bacteria
supplement combined with a vitamin and mineral supplement over
the course of more than 5 winter/spring months. Immune response
tests showed a 'significantly higher' response