Previous Studies

This is our team's 7th study with this BB-12 probiotic yogurt. Over 1,640 children and adults have participated in previous studies.

Some of our previous studies include:

DRINK

Decreasing the Rates of Illnesses in Kids

The purpose of DRINK was to determine if a strain of the probiotic Lactobacillus casei could prevent common illnesses in children enrolled in either school or daycare. Each child participating in the study (ages 3 to 6) was given a 90-day supply of 6-ounce strawberry-flavored drinks. Some children received a fermented dairy drink containing L. casei, while others received the same drink with with no active cultures. While parent-reported changes in behavior were similar between the group receiving the probiotic and the group receiving no active cultures, the incidence of common illnesses was 19% lower amongst children who consumed drinks containing L. casei.

SIPPY I and II

Study to Investigate the Potential of Probiotics in Yogurt

The active cultures in yogurt have been found to help prevent certain illnesses in children such as diarrhea, allergies and the common cold. The purpose of SIPPY I and II was to see if eating a yogurt drink with the probiotic BB-12 would decrease illnesses and absences from daycare or school. Each child -- ages 1 to 3 for SIPPY I and ages 2 to 4 for SIPPY II -- was given a 90-day supply of 4-ounce strawberry-flavored yogurt drinks. Half the children received yogurt with BB-12, while other half received yogurt without BB-12. A total of 354 children participated in the studies.

MILK

Measuring the Influence of Kefir

While antibiotics play an important role in keeping children healthy, they also cause diarrhea (specifically, antibiotic associated diarrhea, or AAD) in many of those who take them. The purpose of MILK was to determine if kefir, a dairy drink containing multiple probiotics, can help prevent and reduce the percentage of AAD in children. Each participating child (ages 1 to 5) was given a 10-day supply of 5-ounce lime-flavored kefir milk drinks to consume while taking prescribed antibiotics. 125 children participated.

Probiotics on Regulation and Improving Digestive Health

PRIDE sought to assess the effects of Bf-6, a strain of the probiotic Bifidobacterium lactis, on colonic transit time (CTT) in women who had reported straining during bowel movements or passing hard or lumpy stools within the past two years. Each of the 68 women who participated consumed yogurt both with and without Bf-6 – one yogurt for 14 days, and after waiting six weeks, the other yogurt for 14 days. The 68 women who participated experienced few adverse events throughout the trial.

PHASE

Probiotics in Healthy Adults to determine Safety and Efficacy

The purpose of PHASE was to assess the safety of BB-12 supplemented yogurt when consumed by generally healthy adults taking antibiotics. Otherwise healthy adults prescribed a 10-day course of antibiotics for respiratory infections received a 10-day supply of yogurt, which either contained or lacked BB-12. There were no differences in adverse events between the groups that did and did not consume BB-12. Furthermore, no participants withdrew from the study due to adverse events related to consuming BB-12.

PLAY

Probiotics: Live and Active Yogurt cultures

PLAY sought to determine the safety of BB-12 supplemented yogurt when consumed by healthy children (ages 1 to 5.) Participating children received drinks containing active cultures, which were either supplemented with BB-12 or lacked the probiotic. BB-12 was determined to be safe for children, as the probiotic was well-tolerated. This conclusion has laid the foundation for future studies assessing the capacity of BB-12 to confer health benefits on children and affect various disease states. PLAY ON is one such study.

PLAY ON

Probiotics: Live and Active Yogurt Cultures for Healthy Children ON Antibiotics

The PLAY ON Study is a study that is currently in progress. We want to see if a strawberry yogurt smoothie with the probiotic BB-12 helps prevent antibiotic associated diarrhea, or AAD, in children age 3-12. We get this great tasting yogurt from the Berkey Creamery at Penn State. Our team is partnering with the University of Maryland to take a closer look at how antibiotics and probiotics affect your child's gut microbiome.

Website: https://sites.google.com/a/georgetown.edu/theplayonstudy/home

YOBIOTIC

The YOBIOTIC Study examines if a strawberry yogurt smoothie with probiotic BB-12 helps prevent antibiotic associated diarrhea, or AAD. Healthy participants were given antibiotics. One group was given a yogurt drink containing BB-12 and the other group had a placebo. We are still in the process of analyzing data for this study. Yobiotics has laid the groundwork for OurBiotic.