Actimel in the News

Expert verdict: 'Contains large amounts of a unique strain of a well-researched probiotic. It may help with antibiotic-associated diarrhoea, or that caused by C. difficile.

'It could also help minimise or stop traveller's diarrhoea or a stomach bug.

'A study indicated Actimel may reduce severity of wintertime infections in the elderly, and could help the body respond better to flu vaccinations.'

Rating: 9/10

The Mail Online – No, probiotics aren’t a waste of money
Last updated at 9:57 AM on 10th November 2009

Researchers at Imperial College London and Hammersmith Hospital analysed 135 patients over the age of 50.

All were taking antibiotics for other illnesses, which lower the immune system, making people more infection prone.

They were exposed to the Clostridium Difficile bug then given Actimel or a milkshake to drink.

No patients given Actimel went on to develop the chronic diarrhoea that makes C.Diff so deadly.

It also slashed the chance of them developing other side effects from the antibiotics they were taking. The trial was published in the online British Medical Journal.

Treating a C.Diff patient with powerful antibiotics costs £4,000, but Actimel costs only £3.50 for a two week supply.

The researchers said that the Lactobacillus bacteria in the Actimel had a protective effect on the body, and could save the NHS thousands in drug bills.

The Sun – Actimel Drinks Stop Superbug
Published – 29th June 2007, Appeared on Page 3

The study is published online by the British Medical Journal today. It involved 135 people from three London hospitals all aged over 50 and split at random into two groups.

One was given Actimel, a commercially available probiotic yogurt drink, while the other received a sterile milkshake with no active ingredients. Neither group knew which drink they had received.

Drinks were given twice a day while the patients received antibiotic therapy and continued for one week after the medication stopped.

Of the 113 patients contacted for follow up, only 12 per cent of those taking probiotic drinks developed antibiotic associated diarrhoea, compared with 34 per cent of the other group. None of the probiotic group developed C.Difficile associated diarrhoea, compared with 17 per cent of the other group.

The researchers estimate the cost of supplying the probiotic drink to prevent one case of C.Difficile associated diarrhoea to be £60. Treating one case can cost £4,000.

The Times – Drinking yogurt can cut hospital sickness
Published – 29th June 2007, Appeared on Page 13

Chest

They had an average age of 74 and were receiving antibiotics for a range of conditions.

They were split into two groups, one given Actimel and the other a milkshake in a "blind" test.

Each patient received their drink within 48 hours of starting antibiotic therapy.

Samples of any diarrhoea were taken for analysis and the patients were followed up four weeks after the study.

The results showed that, of 113 patients tested again, those given the probiotic drink had suffered far less diarrhoea.

Only 12 per cent developed antibiotic associated diarrhoea, compared with 34 per cent of the milkshake group.

No one in the probiotic group had diarrhoea linked to C.Diff, compared with 17 per cent in the milkshake group.

C.Diff is responsible for around 15 to 25 per cent of all cases of diarrhoea associated with antibiotics, mostly occuring in older people.

Dr Hickson said: "We are not saying that a probiotic can cure C.Diff because the trial was to prevent the diarrhoea associated with it.

"It will reduce the risk of diarrhoea - not only to patients taking antibiotics in hospital but those taking them at home too."

Daily Record – Yogurt boost in bug battle – Drink is 'lifesaver'
Published – 29th June 2007, Appeared on Page 40

Its medical director Matthew Fletcher said:

"There is some evidence to suggest that using these probiotics may reduce a patient's risk of C.Diff and we will be evaluating the difference it makes to the number of cases."

More than two million Britons now buy drinks, yogurts and capsules containing probiotics.

There are 50 different such products marketed in the UK, making up an industry worth more than £135million a year.

Research shows they can restore a healthy digestive system, particularly after antibiotics have wiped out good as well as harmful bugs. But the mechanism is poorly understood.

Research suggests they help prevent bowel conditions such as ulcerative colitis, protect children against allergies, and may even reduce the risk of colon cancer.

A study last year found drinking two pots a day stopped diarrhea symptoms caused by C.Diff and antibiotics.

Other studies show a regular supply can help hospital patients make speedier recoveries. It is now routine in some countries to give good bacteria to intensive care patients.

Scientists warned in 2006 that some probiotic products do not live up to the promises on their labels.

But the warning did not apply to major brands such as Yakult, Actimel and Vitality.

Daily Mail – Could a yogurt drink beat hospital superbug?
Published – 6th Feb 2008, Appeared on Page 19

The trial is being carried out by Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust, which runs the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton and the Princess Royal Hospital in Haywards Heath. Its medical director Matthew Fletcher said: 'There is some evidence to suggest that using these probiotics may reduce a patient's risk of C.diff and we will be evaluating the difference it makes to the number of cases.' More than two million Britons now buy drinks, yoghurts and capsules containing probiotics. There are 50 different such products marketed in the UK, making up an industry worth more than 135million a year. Research shows they can restore a healthy digestive system, particularly after antibiotics have wiped out good as well as harmful bugs. But the mechanism is poorly understood. Research suggests they help prevent bowel conditions such as ulcerative colitis, protect children against allergies, and may even reduce the risk of colon cancer. A study last year found drinking two pots a day stopped diarrhoea symptoms caused by C.diff and antibiotics. Other studies show a regular supply can help hospital patients make speedier recoveries. It is now routine in some countries to give good bacteria to intensive care patients. Scientists warned in 2006 that some probiotic products do not live up to the promises on their labels. But the warning did not apply to major brands such as Yakult, Actimel and Vitality.

Evening Standard – Doctors unveil latest weapon against hospital superbugs—yoghurt
Published – 6th Feb 2008, Web

But ladies lead the way in boosting their body's defences and taking steps to avoid getting sickly, according to the research.

A third of women compared to 17 per cent of men are more likely to self-diagnose cold symptoms and try to cure themselves by eating healthy foods.

Professor John Oxford, cold and flu expert and the Royal London Hospital, said: ' The best way to prevent either 'man' or 'woman' flu is probably to sleep in a separate bedroom to a suffering partner.

' This close proximity is a sure way to spread the virus, much more so than a person just coughing or sneezing on a train – in this setting, holding an infected handrail is a more likely method of transmitting the virus.'

Nutritionist Fiona Hunter said people needed to take extra care to eat well in winter and gave some top tips for staying fighting fit. She said: ' A good healthy diet is essential to help lower your chances of catching colds and flu.'

' The evidence is increasing for consumption of food and nutrients such as zinc and vitamin c, and food like garlic and probiotic drinking yoghurts (such as Actimel). '

'These can help strengthen the body's defences and in turn make it easier to deal with viruses.' Additional research showed that 46 per cent of men and 44 per cent of women admit to being unproductive and incapable of doing anything well when suffering with a cold.

Their combined sick days cost the Irish economy approximately €700 million every year, the study by probiotic yoghurt manufacturers Actimel discovered. According to Gladeana McMahon, a consultant psychotherapist, the findings were surprising because men had a tendency to talk more about their illnesses.

She said: ' Women tend to talk more about their feelings generally, but men it seems, appear to vocalise more when they are sick – that's where the myth around man flu originated.

' So it's surprising that these results show women to be the biggest complainers when it comes to colds and flu.

She added: ' Maybe it is more a case of needing more recognition for what they do and if they can't get that on a day-to-day basis, then looking for a bot of sympathy when they're sick, is a way of making up for this.'

Irish Daily Mail – Stop that sniffling, man flu is just a myth
Published – 18th Dec 2008, Page 9