Probiotics More Effective Than Antibiotics in Treatment of Mastitis
In this important mastitis research, probiotics were investigated as a possible treatment for this painful condition.
Many new mothers are affected by mastitis (a common condition in which breast tissue becomes inflamed) that can threaten their capacity to continue breastfeeding, and certainly threatens their enjoyment of their new baby.
A recent study in Spain (2010) compared two probiotic strains to antibiotic therapy of lactational mastitis. 352 women with infectious mastitis were randomly assigned to one of three treatment groups for 3 weeks.
1. L. fermentum group
2. L. salivarius group
3. Antibiotic therapy prescribed by a GP
Women assigned to both the probiotic groups had more improvement and had lower recurrence of mastitis than those in the antibiotic group. These findings support earlier research in 2008 by the same researchers.
The authors concluded, “The use of L. fermentum or L. salivarius appears to be an efficient alternative to the use of commonly prescribed antibiotics for the treatment of infectious mastitis during lactation.”
SOURCE: ‘Treatment of infectious mastitis during lactation: antibiotics administration of Lactobacilli isolated from breast milk.’ Arroyo, R. et al (2010) Clin Infect Dis. Jun 15;50(12):1551-8.
Please be aware if you are a new mum, if you are getting sore or cracked nipples or have had mastitis with a previous bub, you are at a higher risk of getting mastitis. It’s a good idea for you to take some probiotics to try and prevent mastitis.
Click here to read how our naturopath & acupuncturists work with mastitis.
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