Each of us has a community of microorganisms in our large intestines, which is commonly called the gut microbiome. Within this microbial community, there are trillions of bacteria or probiotics that benefit the body in a variety of ways. You can take a probiotic supplement to increase the number of beneficial microbes you consume in addition to those added to your gut microbiome through the consumption of plant-based foods. As a result, you’ll experience the following health benefits.
Say Goodbye to Diarrhea
Taking a prebiotic probiotic combo will have many benefits on your health, but none may be as important as helping you resolve common gastrointestinal issues. In particular, diarrhea is a symptom of many different conditions and medications, including taking antibiotics. In a recent study of people suffering from antibiotic-related diarrhea, subjects who regularly took probiotic supplements experienced a 42% decrease in incidences of diarrhea. It has also been discovered that diarrhea from all causes was reduced by adding more probiotics to the diet. In one study, the risk of diarrhea was reduced in children by 57% and 26% in adults by taking regular probiotic supplements.
Boost Your Mental Health
If you suffer from a mental health issue, adding more probiotics to your diet may help you alleviate the symptoms of your condition. Specifically, research has found that probiotics help to alleviate depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, autism, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Probiotics have also been found to help improve memory and concentration, suggesting a link to cognitive health. In a six-week study on 70 chemical factory workers, participants were given a regular diet of probiotic yogurt and probiotic supplements. By the end of the trial period, the workers reported that they experienced fewer episodes of depression and anxiety. They also confirmed that they felt less stress and tension throughout the period.
Improve Your Cardiovascular Health
One of the things that probiotics do is that they break down the bile that’s left in the gut by acidic foods. As a result, LDL or bad cholesterol is reduced. Among the various benefits of lower LDL cholesterol is that people experience lower blood pressure. Reviewing five studies, researchers determined that eating probiotic yogurt daily for a period of eight weeks resulted in a 5% drop of LDL cholesterol. In some studies, no significant drop of LDL cholesterol was noted, but there was an increase of HDL or good cholesterol in those studies.
Alleviate Skin Allergies and Eczema
If you have children who suffer from skin conditions, including eczema, increasing their intake of probiotics may be the answer. In one study, infants with eczema were divided into two groups. One group was given ordinary milk, while the second group was fed with probiotic milk formula. The infants taking the probiotics experienced a significant decrease in eczema symptoms, while no changes were exhibited in the infants in the other group. In a different study, pregnant mothers were given a probiotic supplement. It was found that the children born to those women had an 83% lower risk of developing eczema within the first two years of their lives.
Give Your Immune System a Boost
While many of the bacteria in your gut are beneficial, some of them are harmful and trigger responses from the immune system. Probiotics help with this response by contributing to the production of the antibodies that the immune system uses to fight off harmful bacteria. Researchers believe that probiotics also play a part in producing more immune cells, such as T lymphocytes, natural killer cells, and IgA-producing cells. One specific benefit of these processes has been found to be a reduction in the risks of developing respiratory infections in children and adults. Lactobacillus crispatus is a specific strand of probiotics that helps reduce the chances of urinary tract infections in women by up to 50% overall. These are just a few of the ways increased probiotics in the gut help the immune system fight off diseases and infections in the body.
There are many more benefits to maintaining good gut health. By eating more prebiotic foods, you’ll be giving the probiotics in your gut the nourishment they need to thrive. In response, the probiotics in your gut will do more to help you maintain good health and a stronger immune system. As research continues into the effects of a diverse gut microbiome, we will learn more about the strong influence that our diet has on our overall health.
