Yogurt and health

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The medical and lay literature is replete with studies of probiotics and their potential effects on health. Indeed, there are so many studies of this topic that journals such as ours need to be rather selective in choosing them. The current issue of The Journal contains a rather unique study of this topic, with intriguing results. Ringel-Kulka et al report a study of healthy children in a day care center who received a daily dose of a probiotic-containing yogurt product or an unsupplemented acidified milk placebo drink. The probiotic product also contained inulin as a “synbiotic.” During the four months of the trial, a variety of health and wellness measures were assessed. The children receiving the supplement had fewer days of fever and better school and social functioning, as assessed by a validated instrument. The supplemented children had a tendency toward looser stools, possibly a function of the inulin included in the product. Although the magnitude of these effects was quite modest, (if confirmed in a larger trial) they could be important because of the sheer numbers of children in day care. Thus, even though this study should not become the basis for a recommendation, it can certainly inform further investigations of the topic. Article page 1475▶ Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study of Synbiotic Yogurt Effect on the Health of ChildrenThe Journal of PediatricsVol. 166Issue 6PreviewTo assess the effects of daily consumption of a synbiotic yogurt drink on the health, growth, and quality of life of healthy children 12-48 months of age in out-of-home child care. Full-Text PDF