Last update
6/9/2026
Reviewed By
Overview
SCIENTIFIC SCORE
Possibly Effective
Based on 16 Researches
7.9
USERS' SCORE
Good
Based on 2 Reviews
8.6
Top Medical Research Studies
9
Lactobacillus shows promise against flu
We explored the effects of heat-killed Lactobacillus gasseri TMC0356 on mice infected with the flu virus. After 19 days of treatment, we observed improved clinical symptoms, reduced viral loads, and enhanced immune responses in the treated mice compared to controls. This suggests that Lactobacillus could bolster both gut and respiratory immunity against influenza. However, these exciting results are limited to animal studies, and further research in humans is needed to fully understand its benefits.
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We explored the impact of the probiotic Bifidobacterium lactis Probio-M8 on young children hospitalized for acute respiratory infections.
Sixty children received the probiotic, while another sixty received a placebo under a carefully controlled, double-blind setup.
The study suggested that this probiotic could be a natural way to manage respiratory infections, potentially reducing antibiotic use and hospitalization duration.
However, results indicate that further research is needed to solidify these benefits.
Sixty children received the probiotic, while another sixty received a placebo under a carefully controlled, double-blind setup.
The study suggested that this probiotic could be a natural way to manage respiratory infections, potentially reducing antibiotic use and hospitalization duration.
However, results indicate that further research is needed to solidify these benefits.
Read More
8
We examined how probiotics affect our immune system and their potential to reduce the incidence of flu-like symptoms. In a carefully controlled, double-blind trial, adult participants who frequently caught colds were given either a probiotic drink or a placebo for 12 weeks.
The results showed that those consuming probiotics experienced fewer upper respiratory infections and flu-like symptoms. They also displayed higher immune markers in their blood and gut. While probiotics proved effective overall, no significant differences were noted for other immune-related markers.
This highlights the potential of probiotics as a safe way to combat the common cold and flu.
The results showed that those consuming probiotics experienced fewer upper respiratory infections and flu-like symptoms. They also displayed higher immune markers in their blood and gut. While probiotics proved effective overall, no significant differences were noted for other immune-related markers.
This highlights the potential of probiotics as a safe way to combat the common cold and flu.
Read More
Most Useful Reviews
9
Flu and cold-free
133 people found this helpful
I had a serious bout of diverticulitis in the past and was prescribed powerful antibiotics. My doctor recommended this probiotic for preventing infections and promoting bowel health, and I haven’t contracted the flu or cold in years, even though my wife has had it multiple times. I credit this product as one of the best.
Read More
6
Minimises symptoms
1 people found this helpful
I purchase the high-volume package from Amazon Prime, as I use this product daily. It’s priced better online than at local pharmacies. My doctor recommended it, and compared to other pro-biotics, it seems to have an edge. Along with my yearly flu shot, I think this product has helped maintain my health and minimise symptoms. Consistency is key!
Read More
Medical Researches
SCIENTIFIC SCORE
Possibly Effective
Based on 16 Researches
7.9
- All Researches
9
We examined the impact of EpiCor, a yeast-derived postbiotic, on flu symptoms in healthy children. In a study involving 256 kids aged 4-12, participants took either EpiCor or a placebo for 84 days during the flu season.
The results were promising! Kids receiving EpiCor experienced significantly reduced severity of cold/flu symptoms and relied less on cold medications compared to those on the placebo. Overall, EpiCor proved to be a safe option for bolstering immune function in young children.
The results were promising! Kids receiving EpiCor experienced significantly reduced severity of cold/flu symptoms and relied less on cold medications compared to those on the placebo. Overall, EpiCor proved to be a safe option for bolstering immune function in young children.
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9
We conducted a study to see if probiotics could make a difference for flu-vaccinated elderly individuals. Fifty participants in a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial took a multistrain probiotic for 28 days.
After this period, we noticed a decrease in both symptoms and incidence of common infections in those who received the probiotics. Additionally, we found promising changes in immune system markers and gut health. This indicates that probiotics might improve protection against infections by boosting immunity and positively influencing gut microbiota.
After this period, we noticed a decrease in both symptoms and incidence of common infections in those who received the probiotics. Additionally, we found promising changes in immune system markers and gut health. This indicates that probiotics might improve protection against infections by boosting immunity and positively influencing gut microbiota.
Read More
9
Probiotics reduce flu-related costs
We explored how probiotics can reduce the health care costs and societal impacts of flu-like respiratory infections. By using a state-transition microsimulation model, we investigated various scenarios to estimate the economic benefits of probiotics in 2017-2018.
Our findings revealed potential savings of $4.6 million to $1.4 billion, depending on the source of data analyzed. Overall, fewer RTI episodes led to less medical intervention and fewer missed workdays.
While the results suggest probiotics could alleviate some burden on health systems, this study focuses mainly on economic modeling rather than direct clinical effectiveness.
Our findings revealed potential savings of $4.6 million to $1.4 billion, depending on the source of data analyzed. Overall, fewer RTI episodes led to less medical intervention and fewer missed workdays.
While the results suggest probiotics could alleviate some burden on health systems, this study focuses mainly on economic modeling rather than direct clinical effectiveness.
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9
Probiotics show promise against influenza
We investigated the potential of two recombinant probiotics, Lactobacillus plantarum NC8-409-1 and NC8-409-2, in preventing influenza in mice. These vaccines successfully triggered immune responses, notably increasing specific antibodies in both the intestine and serum.
Notably, NC8-409-2 demonstrated substantial protection against H9N2—up to 80%—while NC8-409-1 showed about 60% protection against H1N1. Although these results hint at exciting possibilities for developing oral vaccines against avian flu, the overall effectiveness against human flu is uncertain.
Notably, NC8-409-2 demonstrated substantial protection against H9N2—up to 80%—while NC8-409-1 showed about 60% protection against H1N1. Although these results hint at exciting possibilities for developing oral vaccines against avian flu, the overall effectiveness against human flu is uncertain.
Read More
9
Lactobacillus shows promise against flu
We explored the effects of heat-killed Lactobacillus gasseri TMC0356 on mice infected with the flu virus. After 19 days of treatment, we observed improved clinical symptoms, reduced viral loads, and enhanced immune responses in the treated mice compared to controls. This suggests that Lactobacillus could bolster both gut and respiratory immunity against influenza. However, these exciting results are limited to animal studies, and further research in humans is needed to fully understand its benefits.
Read More
User Reviews
USERS' SCORE
Good
Based on 2 Reviews
8.6
- All Reviews
- Positive Reviews
- Negative Reviews
9
Flu and cold-free
133 people found this helpful
I had a serious bout of diverticulitis in the past and was prescribed powerful antibiotics. My doctor recommended this probiotic for preventing infections and promoting bowel health, and I haven’t contracted the flu or cold in years, even though my wife has had it multiple times. I credit this product as one of the best.
Read More
6
Minimises symptoms
1 people found this helpful
I purchase the high-volume package from Amazon Prime, as I use this product daily. It’s priced better online than at local pharmacies. My doctor recommended it, and compared to other pro-biotics, it seems to have an edge. Along with my yearly flu shot, I think this product has helped maintain my health and minimise symptoms. Consistency is key!
Read More
Frequently Asked Questions
No FAQs are available for this product and symptom.
References
- Al-Akel FC, Chiperi LE, Eszter VK, Bacârea A. Role as a Probiotic in Children's Health and Disease Prophylaxis-A Systematic Review. Life (Basel). 2024;14. 10.3390/life14121613
- Singh RG, Garcia-Campayo V, Green JB, Paton N, Saunders JD, et al. Efficacy of a yeast postbiotic on cold/flu symptoms in healthy children: A randomized-controlled trial. Pediatr Res. 2024;96:1739. 10.1038/s41390-024-03331-z
- Zhao Y, Dong BR, Hao Q. Probiotics for preventing acute upper respiratory tract infections. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2022;8:CD006895. 10.1002/14651858.CD006895.pub4
- Sandionigi A, De Giani A, Tursi F, Michelotti A, Cestone E, et al. Effectiveness of Multistrain Probiotic Formulation on Common Infectious Disease Symptoms and Gut Microbiota Modulation in Flu-Vaccinated Healthy Elderly Subjects. Biomed Res Int. 2022;2022:3860896. 10.1155/2022/3860896
- Mageswary MU, Ang XY, Lee BK, Chung YF, Azhar SNA, et al. Probiotic Bifidobacterium lactis Probio-M8 treated and prevented acute RTI, reduced antibiotic use and hospital stay in hospitalized young children: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Eur J Nutr. 2022;61:1679. 10.1007/s00394-021-02689-8
- Lenoir-Wijnkoop I, Merenstein D, Korchagina D, Broholm C, Sanders ME, et al. Probiotics Reduce Health Care Cost and Societal Impact of Flu-Like Respiratory Tract Infections in the USA: An Economic Modeling Study. Front Pharmacol. 2019;10:980. 10.3389/fphar.2019.00980
- Bo F, Yang WT, Shonyela SM, Jin YB, Huang KY, et al. Immune responses of mice inoculated with recombinant Lactobacillus plantarum NC8 expressing the fusion gene HA2 and 3M2e of the influenza virus and protection against different subtypes of influenza virus. Virus Res. 2019;263:64. 10.1016/j.virusres.2019.01.001
- Zhang H, Yeh C, Jin Z, Ding L, Liu BY, et al. Prospective study of probiotic supplementation results in immune stimulation and improvement of upper respiratory infection rate. Synth Syst Biotechnol. 2018;3:113. 10.1016/j.synbio.2018.03.001
- Belkacem N, Bourdet-Sicard R, Taha MK. Lactobacillus paracasei feeding improves the control of secondary experimental meningococcal infection in flu-infected mice. BMC Infect Dis. 2018;18:167. 10.1186/s12879-018-3086-9
- Belkacem N, Serafini N, Wheeler R, Derrien M, Boucinha L, et al. Lactobacillus paracasei feeding improves immune control of influenza infection in mice. PLoS One. 2017;12:e0184976. 10.1371/journal.pone.0184976
- Di Pierro F, Colombo M, Zanvit A, Rottoli AS. Positive clinical outcomes derived from using K12 to prevent streptococcal pharyngotonsillitis in children: a pilot investigation. Drug Healthc Patient Saf. 2016;8:77. PubMed
- Meng H, Lee Y, Ba Z, Peng J, Lin J, et al. Consumption of Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BB-12 impacts upper respiratory tract infection and the function of NK and TÂ cells in healthy adults. Mol Nutr Food Res. 2016;60:1161. 10.1002/mnfr.201500665
- Lenoir-Wijnkoop I, Gerlier L, Bresson JL, Le Pen C, Berdeaux G. Public health and budget impact of probiotics on common respiratory tract infections: a modelling study. PLoS One. 2015;10:e0122765. 10.1371/journal.pone.0122765
- Langkamp-Henken B, Rowe CC, Ford AL, Christman MC, Nieves C, et al. Bifidobacterium bifidum R0071 results in a greater proportion of healthy days and a lower percentage of academically stressed students reporting a day of cold/flu: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Br J Nutr. 2015;113:426. 10.1017/S0007114514003997
- Kawase M, He F, Kubota A, Yoda K, Miyazawa K, et al. Heat-killed Lactobacillus gasseri TMC0356 protects mice against influenza virus infection by stimulating gut and respiratory immune responses. FEMS Immunol Med Microbiol. 2012;64:280. 10.1111/j.1574-695X.2011.00903.x
- Bieuvelet S, Seyrig C, Leclerc C. [A preliminary survey on the interest of eating probiotics, cypress and echinacea to prevent the apparition of winter infections]. Phytotherapie (Paris). 2011;9:120. 10.1007/s10298-011-0613-x
