Globally, Upper Respiratory Tract Infections (URTI) are the leading cause of acute disease incidence worldwide and contribute to a significant healthcare burden[sup]2[/sup].

In the UK, Acute Respiratory Infection (ARI) - comprising of all viral and baterial respiratory tract infections - are one of the most common reasons for attending A&E[sup]3[/sup], and pre-pandemic direct healthcare costs associated with URTI were estimated at £86 million per year[sup]4[/sup].

Scientific research has shown that LGG® and BB 12® strains may help support the body’s immune function, stimulate cytokine production and reduce duration and/or degree of respiratory discomforts[sup]5-7[/sup].

Lactobacillus rhamnosus, LGG® is the most documented live bacterium in the world with almost 2,000 scientific publications, including human studies in all ages, from newborns to the elderly.

Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis, BB-12® is the world's most documented bifidobaterium in the world, described in over 400 scientific publications, including studies on infants, children, and adults.

In adults, a double-blind RCT in 198 healthy college students demonstrated that daily supplementation with BB-12® and LGG® for 12 weeks[sup]6[/sup]:

• Reduced the median duration of URTIs by 2 days vs. placebo
• Reduced median severity score of URTIs by 34% vs. placebo
• Led to fewer missed school days vs. placebo

A recent Cochrane review and meta-analysis[sup]10[/sup] examined the effectiveness and safety of probiotics in preventing acute upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) in individuals of all ages.

The review included 23 randomised controlled trials (RCTs) involving 6950 participants (children, adults, and older adults). The studies were conducted in various settings, including community, care facilities, schools, and hospitals, primarily during the winter/spring seasons.

The analysis found that probiotics, compared to placebo or no treatment, may reduce[sup]10[/sup]:

• The number of participants diagnosed with at least one URTI by 24% (RR 0.76, 95%CI 0.67-0.87)
• The number of participants diagnosed with at least three URTIs by 41% (RR 0.59, 95% CI 0.38-0.91)
• The mean duration of an episode of acute URTIs by 1.22 days (p=0.007)
• The number of participants who used prescribed antibiotics for URTIs by 42% (RR 0.58, 95% CI 0.42-0.81)

Overall, authors concluded that probiotics were well tolerated, and were better than placebo or no treatment in preventing acute URTIs, particularly when taken for 3 months or more.