Probiotics, Immunity, Stress, and QofL

The probiotic to be used in the study is in capsule form and consists of 12 bacterial strains and 10-billion colony forming unit (CFU). The product consists of the following bacterial strains and species: Bifidobacterium infantis ATCC SD 6720, Bifidobacterium bifidum ATCC SD 6576, Bifidobacterium breve ATCC SD 5206, Bifidobacterium lactis ATCC SD 5220, Bifidobacterium longum ATCC SD 5588, Lactobacillus acidophilus DSM 32754, Lactobacillus casei ATCC SD5213, Lactobacillus paracasei ATCC SD 5275, Lactobacillus plantarum ATCC SD 5209, Lactobacillus reuteri ATCC SD 6689, Lactobacillus rhamnosus ATCC 53103, Lactobacillus salivarius ATCC SD 5208) in combination with the prebiotic, xylooligosacharide (XOS).

A placebo, that will be indistinguishable in appearance to the probiotic, will be provided to half of all study participants for the length of the trial. It will contain the following ingredients: Microcrystalline cellulose, magnesium stearate, a vegetarian capsule, and silicon dioxide. The probiotic will be manufactured by MeriCal.