Italian researchers have
discovered a postbiotic that can reduce respiratory and
gastrointestinal infections in children aged 0-4 by more than
60%, in a study published in the journal Clinical Nutrition and
presented in a press conference at the Italian Senate on
Wednesday.
The postbiotic, consisting of cow's milk fermented with the
human-origin probiotic Lactobacillus paracasei CBA, was the
focus of the study conducted by the European Institute of
Oncology (IEO) in cooperation with the universities of Naples,
Milan and Palermo.
The study was coordinated by professor Roberto Berni Canani
of the Department of Translational Medical Science at the
University of Naples, and the effects were analysed on 400
children attending daycare.
"Compared to the placebo group, with the new ingredient
there was a 64% average reduction in infections per child, with
a 75% reduction in the use of antibiotics, as well as a decrease
in the use of antipyretics, doctor visits and school absences,"
Canani said.
Giovanni Corsello, president of the Italian Pediatric
Society, said nutrition is essential in illness prevention.
"It's therefore important to promote scientific research in
this area and ensure that the results reach pediatricians,"
Corsello said.
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