BBi™ Enhances Immune Function in the Elderly

Harsharnjit S Gill, Kay J Rutherfurd, Martin L Cross and Pramod K Gopal

American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Vol. 74, No. 6, 833-839, December 2001.

Research shows that the aging process can lead to a decline in cellular immunity. This can lead to a greater predisposition to both infectious and non-infectious diseases, as well as longer periods of illness and convalescence.

This study tested whether immunostimulating probiotic Bifidobacterium lactis HN019 (known commercially as BBi™) could enhance aspects of cellular immunity in elderly people. 30 volunteers aged 64-84 participated in a three-part supplementation trial.

• Stage 1 – Run-in: The volunteers drank 200ml of low fat milk twice daily for three weeks
• Stage 2 – Intervention: The volunteers drank milk supplemented with HN019 for three weeks.
• Stage 3 – Washout: volunteers drank unsupplemented milk for three weeks.

Blood was taken at baseline and at the end of each of the three stages. The blood was analysed for changes in the relative proportions of leucocyte subsets and ex vivo leukocyte and phagocytic and tumour-killing activity.

The study found that after consumption of HN019, the study participants had elevated levels of helper (CD4) and activated (CD25+) lymphocytes and natural killer cells. This shows that Bifidobacterium lactis HN019 could be an effective probiotic dietary supplement for enhancing some aspects of cellular immunity in the elderly.

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