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Potential Modulation of Inflammation by Probiotic and Omega-3 Supplementation in Elderly with Chronic Low-Grade Inflammation—A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial

L. Tingö, Ashley N. Hutchinson, Cecilia Bergh, Lena Stiefvatter, A. Schweinlin, M. G. Jensen, Kirsten Krüger, S. Bischoff et al.

Nutrients, 2022

39 participants · 27 citations

Abstract

Probiotic and omega-3 supplements have been shown to reduce inflammation, and dual supplementation may have synergistic health effects. We investigated if the novel combination of a multi-strain probiotic (containing B. lactis Bi-07, L. paracasei Lpc-37, L. acidophilus NCFM, and B. lactis Bl-04) alongside omega-3 supplements reduces low-grade inflammation as measured by high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) in elderly participants in a proof-of-concept, randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel study (NCT04126330). In this case, 76 community-dwelling elderly participants (median: 71.0 years; IQR: 68.0–73.8) underwent an intervention with the dual supplement (n = 37) or placebo (n = 39) for eight weeks. In addition to hs-CRP, cytokine levels and intestinal permeability were also assessed at baseline and after the eight-week intervention. No significant difference was seen for hs-CRP between the dual supplement group and placebo. However, interestingly, supplementation did result in significant increases in the level of the anti-inflammatory marker IL-10. In addition, dual supplementation increased levels of valeric acid, further suggesting the potential of the supplements in reducing inflammation and conferring health benefits. Together, the results suggest that probiotic and omega-3 dual supplementation exerts modest effects on inflammation and may have potential use as a non-pharmacological treatment for low-grade inflammation in the elderly.

How strong is the evidence?

Evidence Hub reads this as a randomized trial, done in people. Its evidence level is 2 of 5 (High · randomized trial). Randomized trials of a reasonable size are the strongest single-study design. Reported size: 39 participants or records.

How the five levels of evidence work. The level is assigned automatically from the abstract and can be wrong, so check the paper.

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