Wham: Probiotics found to aid burn patients

A new study out from Israel describes how a probiotic supplement of Lactobacillus bacteria may help reduce sepsis and cut mortality from acute burns. These researchers, from Ben-Gurion University and Soroka University Medical Center, studied the effects of probiotic supplementation on 28 patients with second and third degree burns on less than 70 per cent of their body.

They found that in acute burns, lactobacillus bacteria food additives were clinically beneficial in patients with a total burned body surface area of 41 to 70 per cent; their research was published in the journal Burns.

In the research study, the team recruited 56 burns patients, of which half were given a placebo and half were given lactobacillus supplements. The 25 patients on probiotics received capsules containing Lactobacillus acidophilus and yogurt containing Lactobacillus casei.

At the end of the study, the researchers report that a significant benefit of probiotic supplementation was observed, specifically in those patients which had burns covering 41-70% of their body. In that subgroup, none of the patients died. This compares with five patients who died in the corresponding placebo group.

Probiotic benefits have long been highlighted for gut and immune health. Products containing these friendly bacteria are now well accepted by consumers in Europe, and they appear to be on a fast track for acceptance in North America.

Probiotics continue to churn out positive reports in trials, and this category of supplement will certainly be more influential in daily healthcare around the world in the future.

Dave