Probiotics for little kids cuts sniffles. Should your medical plan cover Yoghurt?

In a controlled study with hundreds of preschoolers, half were given gut bacteria supplements (probiotics) for three months while half got placebos.  Colds were cut in half and incidences of diarrhea fell by a third.  A follow-up three months later showed the advantage persisted.  This isn't crop circles any more. It is science. Poo RX sounds gross but is the real deal.  

Reported at the NYT  "Probiotic Eases Ills in Children"
Lactobacillus reuteri was given daily to half the kids aged 6 months to 3 years while at day care.

A yoghurt bacterium
lactobacillus bulgaricus

Link to the source study at Pediatrics:  Diarrhea in Preschool Children andLactobacillus reuteri: A Randomized Controlled Trial

A teaser about gut bacteria's role.
Probiotics have always been around, just tucked into the corners of  normal diet and in our yoghurts and yeasty things.  Look around the internet for studies about gut bacteria affecting cholesterol, multiple sclerosis, mood, and much more.

False colour electron microscope photo of gut bacteria.

Those power signs mean there are a lot.
10¹² means one trillion.