Sunday Nov 10, 2013 (foodconsumer.org) -- Japanese researchers reported in Letters in Applied Microbiology that they have isolated a strain of Lactobacillus brevis, a probiotic, from Suguki- a popular pickled turnip in Japan, that is able to protect against influenza in mice.

Mice were fed a diet supplemented with this probiotic and then exposed to flu virus and the researchers found this particular strain of Lactobacillus brevis protective against influenza infection.

Ms Naoko Waki of KAGOME CO., LTD was cited as saying "Our results show that when a particular strain of Lactobacillus brevis is eaten by mice, it has protective effects against influenza virus infection."

Suguki lovers have claimed its protective effect against flu infection.   But it remains unknown how this probiotic may protect against flu.  

Other studies previously suggest that a Korean fermented cabbage called Kimchi  can help poultry to survive from bird flu infection.

The Japanese researchers are now testing a probiotic drink with Lactobacillus brevis KB290 bacteria now to confirm its antiflu effect of this probiotic in humans.

This bacteria is known to have a protective layer of sugars called exopolysaccharides that actually help them survive when they pass through the highly acidic stomach.  Exopolysaccharides in other similar bacteria are known to be able to boost immunity against infection.  It is possible that the exopolysaccharides may be responsible for this flu-fighting effect in this newly isolated probiotic.

At least the researchers have known that this probiotic can increase the production of IFN-α and flu-specific antibodies which can help the body to get rid of virus infected cells.

And this probiotic is known to be potent enough to prevent H1N1 flu infection and the Japanese researchers now believe that it may protect against other more deadly viral infections such as H7N9 flu, which has recently been reported in China.

Vitamin D and vitamin C are two supplements humans can take to protect against influenza.  At a high dose, vitamin D is highly effective in preventing flu and vitamin C can help shorten the duration of suffering when a person contracts flu or colds. (David Liu, PHD)