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Probiotics are thought to have favorable effects on colic, diarrhea, and other medical problems. To examine the effects of probiotics on cold and flu symptoms, researchers conducted a randomized, controlled, double-blind, industry-supported clinical trial involving 326 healthy children (age range, 3–5 years) from a child-care center in China. Children received Lactobacillus acidophilus alone, L. acidophilus and Bifidobacterium animalis, or placebo twice daily for 6 months as powder mixed with 4 ounces of 1% milk.
Significantly fewer children in the two probiotic groups than in the placebo group had episodes of fever (28% and 16% vs. 63%, respectively), cough (46% and 29% vs. 84%), or rhinorrhea (55% and 31% vs. 82%) reported by parents or da…