COPENHAGEN—Daily consumption of probiotic cheese can help preserve and enhance the immune system of the elderly by acting as a carrier for probiotic bacteria, according to a study published in the FEMS Immunology & Medical Microbiology.
The study comprised of 31 healthy elderly subjects involved in three consecutive phases of monitored cheese consumption. In the first phase, the subjects ate 15g of a control cheese at breakfast for two weeks. In phase two, the intervention, they consumed 15g of a similar cheese containing Danisco probiotics (109 CFU/dose) for the next four weeks. In phase three, the subjects switched back to consuming the control cheese for the last four weeks.
The cheese enhanced with HOWARU® Rhamnosus (Lactobacillus rhamnosus HN001) and HOWARU® Dophilus (Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM), which was consumed during phase two, was shown to significantly improve immunity defense indicators in the subjects’ blood when compared with tests conducted during phases one and three. The intervention resulted in enhanced phagocytic and Natural Killer cell activity. This is particularly interesting as enhanced phagocytic activity and Natural Killer cells are believed to be linked to immunity.
The findings are especially promising for the elderly, as age-related compromises in the immune system have been correlated to increased frequency and severity of infectious disease and chronic inflammatory disorders.
“This study is a great example of collaboration between industry and academia. Together we were able to produce probiotic cheese of excellent quality commercially, and just one slice of probiotic cheese can modulate the immune system of healthy elderly—the first time something like this has been documented,” said Dr. Arthur Ouwehand, Group Manager Digestive Health, Danisco.
