Add some friendly bacteria
The oral probiotic strain K12 has been studied for preventing and treating respiratory infections and for oral health. Studies suggest it can change the body-wide immune response and point to a significant link between oral bacteria (opens in a new tab) and respiratory health. Other gut probiotic strains show promise for reducing symptoms of upper respiratory tract infections, COVID-19 included (opens in a new tab)00423-5/fulltext).
The studies below look at probiotics as a non-invasive way to support the immune defenses of the airways. Like every practice here, it is a way to help prevent illness, not a cure.
Food, supplements or a lozenge
Probiotics come in food or supplements, for gut and oral health. Many K12 studies used lozenges rather than pills so the bacteria colonize the mouth. Various formulations are sold over the counter. For more about BLIS K12, see the research below or the BLIS Technologies website (opens in a new tab).
Not for everyone
Caution
Probiotics are not safe for everyone. A 2022 review (opens in a new tab) notes that bacteria from probiotic capsules have reached the blood of patients in intensive care. The risk is highest for people who are seriously ill or whose immune system is weakened.
The research
19 papers chosen for this practice, each with its source and summary. After them, every study in the database that mentions microbiome balancing.
Probiotics—A complete oral healthcare package (opens in a new tab)
Probiotics can provide a comprehensive solution for oral healthcare, offering benefits such as improved oral health and a reduced risk of dental diseases.
Key points
- Probiotics offer a complete oral healthcare package.
- They can help prevent dental caries and periodontal diseases.
- Probiotics can also reduce bad breath and improve overall oral health.
- Regular use of probiotics can be beneficial for maintaining oral hygiene.
- Probiotics are a safe and natural alternative to traditional oral care products.
Probiotics may have potential therapeutic benefits in the prevention and treatment of COVID-19, as they can modulate the immune response and alleviate symptoms, according to a systematic review of current evidence.
Key points
- Probiotics can help control inflammation and reduce mortality and morbidity by strengthening the immune system.
- Some probiotics may alleviate symptoms and severity of COVID-19, such as diarrhea, cough, anosmia, and weakness.
- Probiotics may have antiviral effects and can modulate the immune response against COVID-19.
- Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus strains have shown positive effects in managing COVID-19.
- Probiotics can improve gut microbiota and reduce the risk of secondary infections.
- Probiotics may play a role in preventing and treating COVID-19, but more research is needed.
Probiotic treatment with Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) as post-exposure prophylaxis for COVID-19 may reduce the likelihood of developing illness symptoms and delay the time to COVID-19 infection when used within 7 days of exposure, according to a double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized trial.
Key points
- Probiotic Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) may reduce the risk of developing COVID-19 symptoms.
- LGG is associated with a prolonged time to COVID-19 infection and reduced incidence of illness symptoms when used as prophylaxis within 7 days of exposure.
- Overall incidence of COVID-19 diagnosis did not significantly differ between LGG and placebo groups.
- LGG may inform future COVID-19 prevention studies, especially in developing nations where Lacticaseibacillus probiotics have been used to reduce other infectious diseases.
The study investigated the effect of probiotics on the innate inflammatory response and viral shedding in experimental rhinovirus infection, finding that the administration of Bifidobacterium animalis subspecies lactis Bl-04 resulted in a reduction in the inflammatory response and viral shedding in the upper respiratory tract of human volunteers.
Key points
- Ingestion of the probiotic may be associated with an increased CXCL8 response in the nose at baseline that modifies the response to infection.
- The probiotic Bl-04 may have reduced virus shedding in nasal secretions.
- Probiotics have been shown to induce expression of antiviral responses in vitro and in animal models.
- Probiotic supplementation may have a potential for preventing viral respiratory infection and illness.
- Further investigations are needed to determine the effects of specific probiotics on innate immune function in the human host.
The study investigated the systemic immune response to the oral probiotic Streptococcus salivarius BLIS K12 and found that its consumption led to changes in immune cell frequencies and cytokine production, suggesting potential health benefits.
Key points
- Consumption of the oral probiotic S. salivarius K12 may result in an anti-inflammatory systemic immune response.
- Further studies with a larger cohort are needed to confirm these findings.
- Understanding the mechanisms of probiotics’ role in health is important.
Probiotic therapy, in combination with chlorhexidine disinfection, can help reduce the severity of halitosis (bad breath) in children over longer periods of time.
Key points
- Probiotic therapy following oral disinfection with chlorhexidine may reduce the severity of halitosis over longer periods.
- Mechanical and chemical oral hygiene practices alone may not significantly improve halitosis.
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The daily use of Streptococcus salivarius K12 (BLIS K12) has been associated with a significant reduction in streptococcal pharyngotonsillitis and other respiratory infections in children, suggesting its potential as a preventive measure against these diseases.
Key points
- Streptococcus salivarius K12 can be used to prevent streptococcal pharyngotonsillitis in children.
- The use of Streptococcus salivarius K12 reduced streptococcal infections by approximately 90%.
- Streptococcus salivarius K12 also showed potential in reducing tracheitis, viral pharyngitis, rhinitis, flu, laryngitis, acute otitis media, and enteritis.
- Prophylactic administration of Streptococcus salivarius K12 could be a safe and cost-effective preventative measure for various pediatric infections.
- The use of Streptococcus salivarius K12 may have anti-inflammatory, immunomodulating, and anti-viral effects.
- Further studies are ongoing to understand the mechanisms and potential benefits of Streptococcus salivarius K12.
A strain of probiotic bacteria called Streptococcus salivarius K12 may help improve oral and lung health while boosting the immune response against COVID-19.
Key points
- Streptococcus salivarius K12 may improve oral and lung microbiotas.
- It can help raise defenses against SARS-CoV-2.
- K12 strain shows potential in reducing viral upper respiratory infections.
- It stimulates immune responses without causing inflammation.
- Healthy lung microbiota correlates with better patient outcomes in COVID-19.
- Dysbiosis in lung microbiota can increase susceptibility to infections.
Patient Nutrition and Probiotic Therapy in COVID-19: What Do We Know in 2021? (opens in a new tab)
The key takeaway of this article is that nutrition and probiotic therapy play an important role in the management of COVID-19, as they can support the immune system and improve the nutritional status of patients, potentially leading to better outcomes.
Key points
- Probiotics have potential uses in clinical practice.
- Probiotics may be effective in managing childhood diarrhea.
- Probiotics can alter gut microbiota and attenuate fecal inflammatory markers.
- Probiotics have been studied for their potential role in respiratory virus infections.
- Probiotics have been investigated for their effects on the immune response to influenza vaccination.
- Probiotics may have beneficial effects in viral infections by affecting the innate and acquired immune systems.
- Probiotics have been shown to protect human and animal intestinal epithelial and immune cells from enteric virus infection.
- Probiotics may play a role in the treatment of COVID-19 patients and prevention of complications associated with increased antibiotic use.
- Gut dysbiosis can impact secondary disease outcomes during viral respiratory infections.
- Probiotics have been studied for their potential link to COVID-19.
Oral Bacteriotherapy in Patients With COVID-19: A Retrospective Cohort Study (opens in a new tab)
Oral bacteriotherapy, as a complementary treatment, showed potential benefits in reducing mortality rates in severe COVID-19 pneumonia patients, according to a retrospective cohort study.
Key points
- Oral bacteriotherapy may be beneficial for patients with COVID-19.
- The gut-lung microbiota axis and high-fiber diet with probiotics may have anti-inflammatory effects in COVID-19 infection.
- The commensal microbiota plays a role in viral infections.
- Hypoalbuminemia, coagulopathy, and vascular disease are associated with COVID-19.
A specific oral bacteriotherapy significantly improved the health of COVID-19 patients, reducing symptoms and the risk of respiratory failure, highlighting the importance of gut health in fighting the virus.
Key points
- Oral bacteriotherapy can improve clinical conditions in COVID-19 patients.
- Patients receiving bacteriotherapy showed faster symptom relief, including diarrhea.
- Risk of respiratory failure was significantly lower in patients treated with bacteriotherapy.
- Higher mortality and ICU transfer rates were observed in patients not receiving bacteriotherapy.
- The gut-lung axis plays an important role in managing COVID-19.
The study investigated the effects of Streptococcus salivarius K12 probiotic on the saliva and nasopharyngeal microbiome in children attending daycare, and found that the use of S. salivarius K12 probiotic appeared to be safe and did not disrupt the normal microbiome in young children, although its impact on otopathogens in the nasopharyngeal microbiome remained uncertain.
Key points
- Streptococcus salivarius K12 has been evaluated in clinical trials for its potential benefits in preventing recurrent pharyngitis and/or tonsillitis caused by Streptococcus pyogenes in adults.
- The safety of Streptococcus salivarius K12 has been assessed in various studies.
- The impact of the 10-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV10) on the nasopharyngeal microbiome has been investigated.
- The introduction of protein-polysaccharide conjugate vaccines has led to a decline in invasive pneumococcal disease.
- The use of PCV10 has been associated with a reduction in antimicrobial use and tympanostomy tube placements.
- The intestinal microbiome of pre-school children has been found to be related to lifetime antibiotic use.
- The oral and nasopharyngeal microbiota have been shown to have a loss of microbial topography in relation to the development of respiratory infections in early life.
- The clinical presentation of otitis media has been studied in relation to the impact of PCV on its pathogenesis.
- Next-generation sequencing technologies have been used for microbiome analysis, but caution is needed to account for potential biases in PCR amplification and sequencing.
A preliminary study suggests that the probiotic Streptococcus salivarius K12 may help improve outcomes and reduce mortality in hospitalized COVID-19 patients by positively influencing their oral and lung microbiota.
Key points
- S. salivarius K12 improved blood parameters in hospitalized COVID-19 patients.
- Reduced death rate in patients treated with S. salivarius K12 compared to standard care.
- Suggests potential therapeutic role of oral probiotics in managing COVID-19.
- Further studies needed to confirm findings and explore mechanisms.
The administration of S. salivarius K12 to children shows potential in reducing the rate of SARS-CoV-2 infection, according to preliminary research findings.
Key points
- The administration of S. salivarius K12 to children may reduce the rate of SARS-CoV-2 infection.
- The oral microbiota may have a connection with the lung microbiota and could potentially alter susceptibility to viral infection.
- The presence of certain bacterial species in the oral microbiota, such as Prevotella and Veillonella, may be associated with COVID-19 pneumonia.
- The use of S. salivarius K12 as an oral probiotic has been proposed to reduce the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection and/or COVID-19.
- Preliminary results from a study with school-attending children showed that the administration of S. salivarius K12 was associated with a lower rate of SARS-CoV-2 infection.
- Further research is needed to confirm these findings and translate them into clinical practice.
Safety Assessment of the Oral Cavity Probiotic Streptococcus salivarius K12 (opens in a new tab)
The safety assessment of the oral cavity probiotic Streptococcus salivarius K12 showed that it is a safe and promising probiotic for oral health, with no adverse effects reported and stable microbial composition in the oral cavity.
Key points
- Streptococcus salivarius K12 has low pathogenic potential and is unlikely to cause disease in healthy humans.
- The microbial composition of saliva did not significantly change after ingesting S. salivarius K12.
- Some subjects had bacteriocin-producing S. salivarius strains in their oral cavities even after completing the course of K12 lozenges.
- Counts of S. salivarius and facultatively anaerobic bacteria remained stable throughout the study.
The results of this pilot study suggest that the administration of oropharyngeal probiotics to frontline medical staff fighting against COVID-19 significantly reduced the incidence of respiratory tract infections, shortened the duration of infections, and decreased the number of days absent from work.
Key points
- Oropharyngeal probiotic ENT-K12 prevents respiratory tract infections among frontline medical staff fighting against COVID-19.
- The pilot study supports the effectiveness of the probiotic in reducing respiratory infections.
- The probiotic may be beneficial for healthcare workers.
- The study suggests a potential preventive measure for respiratory tract infections.
Probiotics have been suggested as potential prophylactics and therapeutics for COVID-19, but the current evidence is limited and inconclusive regarding their effectiveness in preventing or treating the disease.
Key points
- Probiotic supplements may not be universally effective and safe.
- The gut microbiome may play a role in the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Circadian rhythms can affect gut microbiota and overall health.
- Bacterial transmission from probiotic capsules to blood has been observed in ICU patients.
- There is a potential link between gut microbiota and metabolic and gastrointestinal pathology.
- The interaction between drugs and the gut microbiome is an important consideration.
- The gut microbiome can affect drug metabolism.
- The gut microbiome is involved in maintaining barrier integrity in the colon.
- Saccharomyces cerevisiae var. boulardii fungemia has been reported following probiotic treatment.
- Bacteremia from probiotics has been observed in some cases.
The article discusses the importance of the oral microbiome in periodontal health and disease, and explores potential treatment options, such as dental probiotics and oral microbiome transplantation, but further research is needed to develop innovative preventative measures and effective therapies against periodontal diseases.
Key points
- Probiotics may have health benefits for the mouth, including managing caries and periodontitis.
- Oral microbiota transplantation is being studied as a potential new therapy for oral diseases.
- Triphala, a herbal mouthwash, has been shown to be effective in treating gingivitis.
- Photodynamic therapy using 5-aminolevulinic acid may be a promising treatment for chronic periodontitis.
- Chlorhexidine gel may be effective as an adjunctive treatment for chronic periodontitis.
- The oral microbiome is increasingly recognized as important for periodontal health and disease.
The microbiome of the upper respiratory tract in health and disease (opens in a new tab)
This article discusses the microbiome of the upper respiratory tract, including its composition, how it changes with age and lifestyle, and how imbalances can lead to disease. The article also describes potential therapies, such as saline rinses and probiotics, and the challenges of studying the microbiome in the upper respiratory tract.
Key points
- The microbiome of the upper respiratory tract is still in its infancy in terms of research.
- The majority of current knowledge about the URT microbiome is based on cultivation assays or next generation sequencing of segments of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene amplified from uncultured samples.
- Nasal rinse is an effective, inexpensive, and simple method to treat sinonasal disorders alone or in association with other therapies to reduce medicine consumption.
- Probiotic microbes can interact with other microbes of the human microbiome by production of antimicrobials, competitive colonization, and inhibition of pathogen growth.
- Physicians and patients have high expectations of microbiome-driven therapies, yet most available knowledge stemming from basic research or clinical trials is far from impacting, or being implemented in, medical treatment.