Probiotics

Probiotics

Probiotics or also known as “good bacteria” are actually live bacteria and yeasts that are beneficial for your digestive system. Normally, the human gut is populated with billions of beneficial bacteria that aid in digestion and promote overall health. When this delicate balance is compromised (e.g. invasion of bad bacteria, or prolonged use of antibiotics), this results to unpleasant symptoms such as diarrhea, constipation, stomach pain, bloating, and too little or excessive intestinal gas. Adding probiotics to your diet can help restore this balance by adding good bacteria in the gut.

Benefits of Probiotics

Probiotics hold the key not just for better health, but also for treating digestive problems and neurological disorders and improving mental health.

Boosts your Immune Function

Your digestive tract is critical to health because 80% of your immune system is located in your gut! In one study, the consumption of two new probiotic strains, Lactobacillus gasseri CECT 5714 and Lactobacillus coryniformis CECT 5711 improved the immune function of healthy volunteers as evidenced by an increase in the proportion of natural killer (NK) cells and in IgA concentrations, which are vital in fighting bacteria, viruses, and toxins.^[1]

Aids in Weight Loss

In one study, Lactobacillus rhamnosus CGMCC1.3724 (LPR) supplementation in obese men and women over 24 weeks resulted in significant reductions in body weight and fat mass.^[2]

Prevents Urinary Tract Infections

Specific strains of lactobacilli such as Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1, Lactobacillus reuteri RC-14, Lactobacillus casei shirota and Lactobacillus crispatus CTV-05 have shown beneficial effects in preventing recurrent urinary tract infections in women.^[3]

Necessary for Healthy Skin

Studies examining the therapeutic benefit of oral and topical probiotic administration in patients with mild acne resulted in decreased release of inflammatory mediators as well as increased production of ceramide (hold skin cells together) and skin barrier restoration.^[4-5] In addition, probiotics have been shown to prevent eczema and skin allergy reactions.^[6]

Heals Inflammatory Bowel Conditions and Various Infections

Randomized studies have provided evidence of probiotic effectiveness for the treatment and prevention of cow milk-induced food allergy, acute diarrhea, antibiotic-induced diarrhea, traveler’s diarrhea, Clostridium difficile-induced colitis, dental caries, irritable bowel syndrome, and inflammatory bowel disease.^[7]

Prevents Cancer

Several studies have postulated that probiotics prevent colon cancer by altering the growth and reproduction of tumor cells. In one study assessing the effects of milks fermented with individual strains of Lactobacillus helveticus, Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus acidophilus or a mix of Streptococcus thermophilus and Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus on human colon cancer cell line (HT-29), analyses revealed that the growth of HT-29 significantly decreased.^[8]

Improves Mood and Well-being

In a recent clinical study, researchers reported that two probiotic strains, Lactobacillus helveticus R0052 and Bifidobacterium longum R0175 (PF) taken in combination for 30 days decreased the global scores of hospital anxiety and depression scale in healthy human volunteers.^[9]

Lowers Cholesterol Levels

Certain lactic acid-producing bacteria help lower cholesterol levels by breaking down bile (aids in digestion) in the gut.^[10]

References:

1. Olivares M, Díaz-ropero MP, Gómez N, et al. The consumption of two new probiotic strains, Lactobacillus gasseri CECT 5714 and Lactobacillus coryniformis CECT 5711, boosts the immune system of healthy humans. Int Microbiol. 2006;9(1):47-52.
2. Sanchez M, Darimont C, Drapeau V, et al. Effect of Lactobacillus rhamnosus CGMCC1.3724 supplementation on weight loss and maintenance in obese men and women. Br J Nutr. 2014;111(8):1507-19.
3. Falagas ME, Betsi GI, Tokas T, Athanasiou S. Probiotics for prevention of recurrent urinary tract infections in women: a review of the evidence from microbiological and clinical studies. Drugs. 2006;66(9):1253-61.
4. Muizzuddin N, Maher W, Sullivan M, Schnittger S, Mammone T. Physiological effect of a probiotic on skin. J Cosmet Sci. 2012;63(6):385-95.
5. Di marzio L, Cinque B, De simone C, Cifone MG. Effect of the lactic acid bacterium Streptococcus thermophilus on ceramide levels in human keratinocytes in vitro and stratum corneum in vivo. J Invest Dermatol. 1999;113(1):98-106.
6. Ozdemir O., Göksu Erol AY. Preventative and Therapeutic Probiotic Use in Allergic Skin Conditions: Experimental and Clinical Findings. BioMed Research International. 2013;2013:932391. doi:10.1155/2013/932391.
7. Goldin BR, Gorbach SL. Clinical indications for probiotics: an overview. Clin Infect Dis. 2008;46 Suppl 2:S96-100.
8. Baricault, L; Denariaz, G; Houri, JJ; Bouley, C; Sapin, C; Trugnan, G. Use of HT-29, a cultured human colon cancer cell line, to study the effect of fermented milks on colon cancer cell growth and differentiation. Carcinogenesis 1995, 16, 245–252.
9. Messaoudi M, Violle N, Bisson JF, Desor D, Javelot H, Rougeot C. Beneficial psychological effects of a probiotic formulation (Lactobacillus helveticus R0052 and Bifidobacterium longum R0175) in healthy human volunteers. Gut Microbes. 2011;2(4):256-61.
10. Begley M, Hill C, Gahan CG. Bile salt hydrolase activity in probiotics. Appl Environ Microbiol. 2006;72(3):1729-38.