Health Benefits of Probiotics
There has been an increase of studies showing the importance of healthy gut bacteria, and with the many available probiotic products, it’s much easier to start enjoying all the possible benefits. A major impact on overall health is possible, and this includes improvements to the immune system, brain function, mood, and many other important functions. The possible benefits show just how outstanding and useful it is to get a healthy dose of probiotics, and we’ll showcase what they have to offer in this full guide.
Improved Digestion
Probiotics are able to help ease inflammatory bowel diseases, reduce the complications caused by excess antibiotics, and treat other digestive related problems. It’s no wonder this is true since naturally found bacteria is useful for breaking down food, making it easier to digest.When taken in the form of yogurt or a supplement, it can be helpful for improving the absorption of later meals. This is the reason why strains of bacteria like Lactobacillus are often added to foods with dairy, in order so lactose intolerant people can enjoy it without becoming sick.
Saccharomyces boulardii is probiotic yeast which is sometimes given as a natural remedy for diarrhea. Bifidobacterium is yet another strain of bacteria which can reduce the complications caused by irritable bowel syndrome or IBS. Some brands will even market themselves as being effective at aiding digestion, which ongoing science is beginning to show just how powerful this can be.
Probiotics for Mood Support
There are a lot of studies to choose from, but a particular study published in Gut Microbes Volume 8, Issue 6 saw that gut bacteria affected brain development in newborn piglets. They also showed that dysbiosis, or a malfunction and or limited amount of gut bacteria could have a negative impact on brain development.Yet another study by UCLA showed that women who ate probiotic rich yogurt noticed an improvement of their brain function. The study tested women through an fMRI brain scan to see what kinds of effects it could have. Those who ate the probiotic yogurt saw a greater increase of the region of the brain which deals with overall cognition. To put it simply, probiotics can play a major part in developing children, as well as in adults. This has a major impact on how the brain functions and how it will develop, making it a good candidate for people looking to support their mood and overall cognition.
The pig study we mentioned saw that it could affect the communication pathways which being in the gut and travel to the brain.
In the overuse of antibiotics there’s the possibility for side effects such as depression, mood swings, and even lack of motivation.
Immune System Boosting Probiotics
There's been a direct link showing that overuse of antibiotics can strain the immune system, and the reason is because it often targets all kinds of bacteria, including healthy bacteria found in the gut. Now with more studies performed on probiotics, it’s been shown to have a major impact on the immune system. The way it can work is by reducing the impact that inflammation has in the intestines. Probiotics can also reduce overall inflammation which if the body is over inflamed, may lead to long-term health issues.There was a study on rugby athletes by the Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport which gave players probiotics to positive results. They had a much better ability to fight and prevent the common cold than when compared to a placebo. Most studies do admit more research should be concluded, but it’s a good sign that many reviews have formed the same conclusion that probiotics do have a potential value. With more studies showing how beneficial gut bacteria can be on the immune system, it adds another great reason to start supplementing.