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Probiotics and mastitis: evidence-based marketing?
Lisa H Amir1, Laura Griffin2, Meabh Cullinane1
1Judith Lumley Centre, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC Australia.
International Breastfeeding Journal
|July 23, 2016
Summary
Probiotics, live microorganisms conferring health benefits, show mixed results for mastitis treatment in cows. More research is needed to determine their effectiveness in preventing or treating mastitis in women.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Immunology
- Public Health
Background:
- Probiotics are live microorganisms that offer health benefits to the host when administered in adequate amounts.
- Lactobacilli strains, found in human milk, are believed to protect against mastitis.
- Existing research on probiotics for mastitis in dairy cows shows inconsistent outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the current evidence on probiotics for mastitis prevention and treatment in women.
- To highlight the need for high-quality randomized controlled trials in this area.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of published trials on probiotics for mastitis.
- Analysis of existing studies in both animal models and human subjects.
Main Results:
- Trials in dairy cows have yielded mixed results regarding the efficacy of probiotics in treating mastitis.
- Limited human trials exist, with one for treatment and one for prevention of mastitis.
- Ongoing trials are investigating probiotics for mastitis prevention in breastfeeding women.
Conclusions:
- The effectiveness of probiotics for mastitis prevention and treatment in women remains uncertain.
- High-quality randomized controlled trials are essential to establish definitive conclusions.
- Marketing of probiotics for mastitis is occurring despite the lack of conclusive evidence.
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