Health
and Wellness Research
|
| Paper
Title |
Increasing work-place
healthiness with the probiotic Lactobacillus reuteri: A
randomised, double-blind placebo-controlled study |
| Author(s) |
Py
Tubelius, Vlaicu Stan1 and Anders Zachrisson |
| Journal
Reference |
Environmental
Health: A Global Access Science Source 2005; 4:25 |
| Background |
Short
term illnesses, usually caused by respiratory or gastrointestinal diseases
are disruptive to productivity and there is relatively little focus on
preventative measures. This study examined the effect of the probiotic Lactobacillus
reuteri protectis (ATCC55730) on its ability to improve work-place
healthiness by reducing short term sick-leave caused by respiratory or
gastrointestinal infections. |
| Methods |
262
employees at TetraPak in Sweden (day-workers and three- shift- workers)
that were healthy at study start were randomised in a double-blind fashion
to receive either a daily dose of 108 Colony Forming Units of L.
reuteri or placebo for 80 days. The study products were administered
with a drinking straw. 181 subjects complied with the study protocol, 94
were randomised to receive L. reuteri and 87 received placebo. |
| Results |
In
the placebo group 26.4% reported sick-leave for the defined causes during
the study as compared with 10.6% in the L. reuteri group (p <
0.01). The frequency of sick-days was 0.9% in the placebo group and 0.4%
in the L. reuteri group (p < 0.01). Among the 53 shift-workers,
33% in the placebo group reported sick during the study period as compared
with none in the L. reuteri group(p < 0.005). |
| Clinical
Significance |
Probiotics,
such as L. reuteri, may have potential to decrease numbers of sick
days related to gastrointestinal and upper respiratory illnesses.
Although the specific mechanism is unclear at this point, the impact of
probiotics on workplace health and increases in productivity could be
considerable. It cannot be suggested by the findings of this study
that L reuteri is more effective than either other probiotics
currently available or that natural sources of active cultures such as
yogurt and many cheese products. However, patients seeking proactive
approaches to health care may consider a source of probiotics as part of
their regular dietary or supplement contents. Further research will
help to clarify pros and cons of various sources. |
| NOTE:
The clinical significance review is the opinion of Dr Ken Mueller based
upon the information available at the time of posting. The balance
of the above abstract should be attributed to the published authors.
For further information, please refer to the original article utilizing
the publication information provided. January 2, 2005 |
