Probiotics for the young and the not so young

Although interest in the effects of the intestinal flora on health dates from the beginning of the 20th century, controlled clinical trials did not begin until its end. Oral administration of probiotic lactobacilli has been shown to alleviate and prevent atopic eczema. Similar effects were accomplished by administering fructose and glucose oligosaccharides (prebiotics) which encouraged the proliferation of endogenous lactobacilli and bifidobacteria. Nonpathogenic Escherichia coli has been shown to protect premature infants from infection. Twenty years later, infants given this E. coli were still found to be less allergic. Meta-analyses have confirmed that Lactobacillus rhamnosus strain GG prevents and treats rotavirus diarrhoea. By reversing the changes in bowel flora which occur with age comes the prospect of rejuvenating ageing immune systems, preventing Clostridium difficile infections and bowel cancer, thereby fulfilling the early promise of prolongation of life.