Email this article to a friend Printable Version FREE Email Newsletter
(NaturalNews) Probiotics are just as effective as conventional antiseptics at suppressing pneumonia-causing bacteria in the mouths of critically ill patients, according to a study conducted by researchers from University Hospital in Lund, Sweden, and published in the journal Critical Care.
Probiotics are live microorganisms that provide a health benefit inside the body.
Pneumonia is a well-known risk of being placed on a ventilator for assisted breathing, and often occurs when bacteria from the mouth are inhaled into the lungs from the mouth through the breathing tube. To prevent this from occurring, hospitals regularly swab the mouths of breathing tube patients with the antiseptic clorhexidine. Some patients, however, may have allergic reactions to this drug, while a small number of bacteria are resistant the drug.
Probiotics, in contrast, improve the body's own immune system rather than acting on the infectious bacteria directly. In contrast to antiseptics, which must be reapplied every few hours, a single probiotic swab can remain effective for 24 hours.
In the current study, researchers treated 25 critically ill patients using breathing tubes with the standard care of tooth brushing, suction to remove mouth secretions and a twice-a-day swab with clorhexidine. They treated 25 others with the same care, but replaced the clorhexidine swab with one of carbonated water and then Lactobacillus plantarum 299 (Lp299).
Lp299 naturally occurs in the human mouth, as well as in fermented food products such as pickles and sauerkraut.
Prior to using the antiseptic or probiotic swab on days 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 10, 14 and 21 of the study (which began for each patient at the same time as ventilation), the researchers swabbed each participant's mouth for bacterial culturing. They found no significant difference in the bacterial content of the mouths of patients who had been treated with probiotics and those who had received an antiseptic swab. Patients receiving probiotics also spent the same amount of time on ventilation and in the hospital, and had the same risk of death as those receiving the antiseptic.
Sources for this story include: news.bbc.co.uk.
Get articles like this delivered to you FREE in our popular email newsletter
|

(FREE) Thursday evening, Dec. 3 at 6pm Pacific (9pm Eastern), call in to hear the NaturalNews Talk Hour with special guests Nick Stern, Sun Warrior Protein & KC Craichy, LivingFuel - "Super Foods, Optimal Health" - Register via email to receive call-in number:
|
|
 Explore NaturalPedia.com, the internet's largest natural health encyclopedia of knowledge, covering over 50,000 topics. It's free! Visit NaturalPedia.com.
|
FREE Report: The Five Best Anti-Viral Products to Beat Influenza, Swine Flu, Bird Flu and SARS
• Top anti-viral remedies
• Where to get them now
• Four things to avoid
• Become self-reliant
• Boost your family safety
Click here to read the FREE report now.
|
W.H.O. Declares Global Pandemic Turn FEAR into Confidence!
Listen to the complete 3.5 hour recording on 4 audio CDs of the Health Ranger's Swine Flu Advanced Preparedness Course, covering natural anti-virals, family safety, infrastructure disruptions, quarantine, preparedness gear and much more.
Testimonials:
"Mike Adams' preparedness course turned our fears into confidence. This is POWERFUL information, coming from a trusted source. If you want to save yourself countless hours researching and getting prepared and if you want to do everything in your power to protect your family, I highly recommend the Health Ranger’s Advanced Preparedness Course."
- N. Nelson (Arizona)
"This is packed information no one should miss."
- T. Valenzuela
"Thanks Mike... during this class you covered prevention and preparedness from A to Z with integrity, brave honesty and outstanding knowledge! Thank you for your steadfast, thorough and cool-headed approach to well being. With deep gratitude for your service." - Bev
Available NOW for immediate shipping.
100% satisfaction guarantee
NEW Product: Valley of Longevity Shampoo from the Health Ranger
• 98% Organic
• 100% Natural
• 100% Fragrance Free!
• No SLS
• No Parabens
• No synthetic chemicals
• FREE shipping in U.S. on orders over $75
Click here to read more...
|
|
|