Probiotic results: Shift workers in Sweden who were given a daily probiotic drink over 80 days were found to be 2.5 times less likely to take time off work for sickness than a placebo group.
Dr Py Tubelius, the lead author of the study, which was published in the journal Environmental Health, said: "Although the exact mechanism of action cannot be defined, it is likely that an immune stimulation is behind the reduced illness."
Meanwhile, a survey in Belgium found that just 20 per cent of 55 probiotic products contained all the organisms that were listed on the labels. Nine of the products had no bacteria in them at all.
DONATION APPEAL: A group of Irish doctors is seeking donations to build a primary health centre in the Bondo district of Kenya. Their charity, ICROSS (International Community for Relief of Starvation and Suffering), works on disease prevention and control with a particular focus on HIV/Aids.
The proposed centre would provide a base for an ICROSS worker and supply drugs, nutritional supplements, blankets and mattresses to Aids patients.
More details from Dr Catherine Conlon, lecturer in epidemiology and public health at University College Cork. Tel: 021-4901597 or see c.conlon@ucc.ie
CHILDCARE LEGISLATION: A new booklet from Barnardos aims to guide childcare providers through all the relevant legislation necessary for high quality childcare. Entitled Legislation Handbook for Childcare Providers, it covers areas such as health and safety, employment, management and governance as well as child protection guidelines.
See www.barnardos.ie for contact details of Barnardos offices in Dublin, Cork, Galway, Limerick and Athlone, Co Westmeath.
(Lifelines is compiled by Sylvia Thompson)