Probiotic supplementation reduces the duration and incidence of infections but not severity in elite rugby union players

Haywood, Brylee; Black, Katherine; Baker, Dane; McGarvey, James; Healey, Phil; Brown, Rachel

doi:10.1016/j.jsams.2013.08.004

Cited by 70 publications

(73 citation statements)

References 15 publications

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“…Some well-controlled studies in athletes have shown that daily probiotic ingestion results in fewer days of respiratory illness and lower severity of URTI symptoms [30,31,32]. A meta-analysis using data from both athlete and non-athlete studies concluded that there is a likely benefit of reducing URTI incidence [45].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Exercise and associated dietary extremes were shown to increase gut microbial diversity in comparison to sedentary people [27]. Some studies have established that probiotic intake can improve low-grade inflammation [28,29] and enhance resistance to URTI in athletes [30,31,32]. In a previous study, Lamprecht and colleagues found that adequate probiotic supplementation composed of six strains consisting of Bifidobacterium bifidum W23, Bifidobacterium lactis W51, Enterococcus faecium W54, Lactobacillus acidophilus W22, Lactobacillus brevis W63, and Lactococcus lactis W58 could improve redox hemostasis and low-grade inflammation in men under sustained exercise stress [29].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Probiotic Supplements Beneficially Affect Tryptophan–Kynurenine Metabolism and Reduce the Incidence of Upper Respiratory Tract Infections in Trained Athletes: A Randomized, Double-Blinded, Placebo-Controlled Trial

et al. 2016

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Background: Prolonged intense exercise has been associated with transient suppression of immune function and an increased risk of infections. In this context, the catabolism of amino acid tryptophan via kynurenine may play an important role. The present study examined the effect of a probiotic supplement on the incidence of upper respiratory tract infections (URTI) and the metabolism of aromatic amino acids after exhaustive aerobic exercise in trained athletes during three months of winter training. Methods: Thirty-three highly trained individuals were randomly assigned to probiotic (PRO, n = 17) or placebo (PLA, n = 16) groups using double blind procedures, receiving either 1 × 1010 colony forming units (CFU) of a multi-species probiotic (Bifidobacterium bifidum W23, Bifidobacterium lactis W51, Enterococcus faecium W54, Lactobacillus acidophilus W22, Lactobacillus brevis W63, and Lactococcus lactis W58) or placebo once per day for 12 weeks. The serum concentrations of tryptophan, phenylalanine and their primary catabolites kynurenine and tyrosine, as well as the concentration of the immune activation marker neopterin were determined at baseline and after 12 weeks, both at rest and immediately after exercise. Participants completed a daily diary to identify any infectious symptoms. Results: After 12 weeks of treatment, post-exercise tryptophan levels were lowered by 11% (a significant change) in the PLA group compared to the concentrations measured before the intervention (p = 0.02), but remained unchanged in the PRO group. The ratio of subjects taking the placebo who experienced one or more URTI symptoms was increased 2.2-fold compared to those on probiotics (PLA 0.79, PRO 0.35; p = 0.02). Conclusion: Data indicate reduced exercise-induced tryptophan degradation rates in the PRO group. Daily supplementation with probiotics limited exercise-induced drops in tryptophan levels and reduced the incidence of URTI, however, did not benefit athletic performance.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Probiotic Supplements Beneficially Affect Tryptophan–Kynurenine Metabolism and Reduce the Incidence of Upper Respiratory Tract Infections in Trained Athletes: A Randomized, Double-Blinded, Placebo-Controlled Trial

et al. 2016

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“…Products have been provided from 1 to 6 months, before and/or after exercise or a competition, and at varying doses (10 9 –10 12 colony‐forming units per day). Some studies report clinical results of improved outcomes of upper respiratory tract illness 64 – 69 and GI illness 70 – 72 as well as immunological measures and outcomes 67 , 68 , 73 – 76 …”

Section: Influences On the Gut Microbiomementioning

confidence: 99%

Gut Microbiome

2015

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Within the last decade, research regarding the human gut microbiome has exploded. While the gastrointestinal tract was once regarded simply as a digestive organ, new technologies have led the science world to wonder about the impact that the gut microbiota may have on human health and disease. The gut microbiome is now becoming known for its role in metabolism, immune defense, and behavior. From in utero variations to those that rapidly occur post partum, our gut microbiome changes with age, environment, stress, diet, and health status as well as medication exposure. This article reviews what is currently known regarding various influences on the gut microbiome and is meant to encourage the reader to further explore the unknown.

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“…Nieman et al (13) showed that 40% of the study participants had $1 URTI episodes in a 2-mo training period before the Los Angeles marathon. In New Zealand, a study reported >50% of a professional Super 15 Rugby team experienced URTI symptoms during a 4-wk training period (14). Consequently, researchers are looking for new and novel ways to decrease URTI incidence, one of which is flavonoids.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effect of Flavonoids on Upper Respiratory Tract Infections and Immune Function: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Somerville

Braakhuis

Hopkins

2016

Advances in Nutrition

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Previous research on animals indicates flavonoid compounds have immunomodulatory properties; however, human research remains inconclusive. The aim of this systematic review was to assess the efficacy of dietary flavonoids on upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) and immune function in healthy adults. A created search strategy was run against Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, MEDLINE, EMBASE and EMBASE classic, CINAHL, and AMED. The returned studies were initially screened, and 2 reviewers independently assessed the remaining studies for eligibility against prespecified criteria. Fourteen studies, of 387 initially identified, were included in this review, and the primary outcome measure was the effect of flavonoids on URTI incidence, duration, and severity. Of the included studies, flavonoid supplementation ranged from 0.2 to 1.2 g/d. Overall, flavonoid supplementation decreased URTI incidence by 33% (95% CI: 31%, 36%) compared with control, with no apparent adverse effects. Sick-day count was decreased by 40% with flavonoid supplementation, although unclear. Differences in bio-immune markers (e.g., interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-α, interferon-γ, neutrophils) were trivial between the intervention and control groups during the intervention and after exercise when a postintervention exercise bout was included. These findings suggest that flavonoids are a viable supplement to decrease URTI incidence in an otherwise healthy population.

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Probiotic supplementation reduces the duration and incidence of infections but not severity in elite rugby union players

Cited by 70 publications

References 15 publications

Probiotic Supplements Beneficially Affect Tryptophan–Kynurenine Metabolism and Reduce the Incidence of Upper Respiratory Tract Infections in Trained Athletes: A Randomized, Double-Blinded, Placebo-Controlled Trial

Probiotic Supplements Beneficially Affect Tryptophan–Kynurenine Metabolism and Reduce the Incidence of Upper Respiratory Tract Infections in Trained Athletes: A Randomized, Double-Blinded, Placebo-Controlled Trial

Gut Microbiome

Effect of Flavonoids on Upper Respiratory Tract Infections and Immune Function: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

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