A devastating lung disease which strikes in childhood, cystic fibrosis causes recurrent airway infections. Treatment involves copious antibiotics; this leads to disturbed microbial populations. Could probiotics help? A pilot study in Israel found that probiotics reduced pulmonary exacerbation rates in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). Ten CF patients were supplemented with Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG for six months. This […]
Articles
Probiotics for Low Birth Weight Infants
Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a significant cause of death for low birth weight premature infants. NEC means abdominal distension, vomiting, bloody diarrhea, and bradycardia; it is reported in 10 to 25% of preterm infants and may affect 1/3 to1/2 of all low birth weight infants. The mortality ranges from 20 to 30% and those who […]
Can Probiotics Help Diabetic Foot Ulcers?
With the explosion in cases of diabetes (the International Diabetes Federation predicts 1 in 10 worldwide could have diabetes by 2030), complications of this chronic condition will soar. Diabetic foot ulcer is one which requires vigilance and thoughtful care. Delayed wound healing and higher rates of infection can occur and lead to more serious events. […]
The Uncommon Cold
Because it infects adults between two and four times per year, the guilty virus has earned its name as the common cold. What to do? Decongestants and antihistamines may relieve its miserable symptoms including fever, sore throat and stuffy noses. Zinc and vitamin C have shown some benefit. Of course, antibacterials are useless because […]
After You, Doctor
For some scientists, the easiest and often best research subjects are those closest. Textbooks are full of lively examples which have led to great discovery. Take the polio vaccine which has eradicated the deadly disease from most countries in the world: Almost two decades before Jonas Salk announced his breakthrough, a research assistant at New […]
Fermentation in Filipino Foods
Filipino cuisine offers a delightful menu of fermented dishes, each one as different as the region of the country from which it comes. Fermentation extends the shelf-life of food in this country of nearly 100 million people many of whom live in poverty. But rich they are in probiotic taste treats. A recent paper—access the […]