The current invention is based upon administration of a probiotic, B. Lactis NCC2818 to healthy young mammals during the critical weaning period (in infants this period is usually from about 3 months to about 12, 18 or 24 months old), so as to accelerate the young mammal's adaptation to new food. The effectiveness of the invention is evidenced herein by morphological and immunological changes observed in a piglet animal model of weaning. Thus, administration of the probiotic according to the invention had a prophylactic effect, preventing the severe discomfort and pathological states associated with the introduction to novel foods during the weaning period.
