The Effect of Probiotics (L. Helveticus, B. Longum, and B. Bifidum) on Immune Function and Digestive Health

The Effect of Probiotics on Immune Function, and Digestive Health in Academically-stressed University Students: A Randomized, Double-blinded, Placebo-controlled Study

The purpose of this study is to determine if daily consumption of a probiotic in the period before, during and after academic exams will help maintain digestive and immune health and quality of life of undergraduate students.

A randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial will be used. Healthy full-time undergraduate students will be recruited from the University of Florida via flyers, emails, announcements, etc. Informed consent will be obtained and the inclusion/exclusion criteria will be reviewed to determine whether a participant qualifies for the study. All participants will be consented for the main six-week intervention and a subgroup (n=50/group) of these students will be consented to provide two stool samples.

Participants will provide saliva and stool samples (for the sub-group)during the pre-baseline week and during the week of final exams at approximately week 4. At the randomization visit, height, weight and age will be obtained. Participants will be stratified based on body mass index and randomized via sealed envelopes to one of four groups: Lactobacillus helveticus, Bifidobacterium longum ssp. Infantis, Bifidobacterium bifidum or the placebo (n=145/group). Participants will take the study provided capsule of probiotic or placebo daily for 6 weeks. Participants will receive daily questionnaires via email throughout the prebaseline week and the 6-week intervention. Daily questionnaires will ask about intake of the supplement, cold symptoms, and general health (i.e., new medications, doctor visits). Throughout the study, participants will also be asked to complete weekly questionnaires (inquiring about gastrointestinal symptoms and physical activity) and Quality of Life Questionnaires (administered during pre-baseline, final exam week and week 6 of the study).

Inclusion Criteria:

To participate in the study you must:

• be 18 years of age or older.
• be a healthy full-time undergraduate at the University of Florida.
• be willing to complete daily questionnaires form via computer.
• be willing to discontinue any immune-enhancing dietary supplements (e.g., prebiotics and fiber supplements, probiotics, echinacea, fish oil, vitamin E >400% of the RDA or >60 mg/day).
• be willing to take the probiotic capsule daily of 6 weeks.
• have had at least one cold in the last 12 months.
• have at least 1 final during the scheduled exam week.
• have daily access to the Internet.

Exclusion Criteria:

To participate in the study you must NOT:

• be a current smoker.
• have chronic allergies involving the upper respiratory tract.
• have had immunosuppressive illness or treatment within the last year.
• have received antibiotic therapy in the past two months.