veNTIlATIoN - Green Cross Publishing

Danone Actimel,
an ally for the elderly
in winter *
NEW NEWS
Age-related immunoscenescence
As we get older, the immune systems ability to react & adapt
declines due to an age-related phenomenon in the body’s
defences called immunoscenescence. This involves both the
host’s capacity to respond to infections and the development
of long-term immune memory, especially by vaccination.
How can Actimel help?
Actimel is a food product scientifi cally proven in 24 published
clinical trials to help strengthen your natural defences. New
research suggests that probiotics can also exert a benefi cial
effect not only within the gastrointestinal tract but more
widely within the immune system.
Effect after seasonal fl u vaccination
Emerging evidence suggests that Actimel (2x100ml) improves the immune response to seasonal fl u
vaccination in the elderly. Placebo controlled studies showed 1 ;
Higher antibody titres to seasonal fl u strains
H1N1**, H3N2 and B in the Actimel group
compared to the control and remained higher
at 9 weeks after vaccination.
GTM
A. B.
H1N1
120
100
80
60
40
20
0
Baseline 3w 6w 9w
Time post vaccination
GTM
120
100
80
60
40
20
0
Baseline 3w 6w 9w
Time post vaccination
Effect maintained on seroconversion for
B strain over time under Actimel consumption
at 3, 6 and 9 weeks post vaccination.
Antibody titre at 3, 6 and 9 weeks after vaccination. Boge T. et al 2009.
H3N2 B
120
100
80
60
40
20
0
Baseline 3w 6w 9w
Time post vaccination
“Vaxigrip, Sanofi-Pasteur MSD, season 2006-2007” A/New Caledonia/20/99 (H1N1) / A/Wisconsin/67/2005 (H3N2) B/Malaysia/2506/2004.
For more information on probiotics and Actimel, please visit www.probioticsinpractice.co.uk
* Actimel is scientifically proven to help strengthen the natural defences when consumed daily as part of a healthy diet & lifestyle. Studies on Actimel collectively
demonstrate that L. casei Imunitass survives in the gastrointestinal tract and exerts a beneficial effect on each of the 3 lines of “natural defence” (1)The intestinal flora,
(2)The intestinal mucosa and (3)The intestinal immune system or gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT) when consumed daily as part of a healthy diet & lifestyle.
** This is a seasonal H1N1 strain not the swine flu strain.
GTM C.
Actimel
Control
These results are further evidence that Actimel has a measurable impact on the immune system. Further research is needed to
understand the benefi ts of probiotic for different applications, in particular for how probiotics could help improve the immune response
to vaccination.
1 Boge T, et al. A probiotic fermented dairy drink improves antibody response to influenza vaccination in the elderly in two randomised controlled trials. Vaccine (2009),doi:10.1016/j.vaccine.2009.06.094