Why you need to take probiotics – 8 facts about their benefits for the body

Probiotics are living cultures of microorganisms or products that contain them.

Probiotics (eubiotics) are useful not only because they improve the intestinal microflora, they also have a positive effect on almost all human body systems.

You can get probiotics with the help of specialized biologically active food additives, medicines, as well as through food products (yoghurts, kefir, kombucha, sauerkraut, pickled cucumbers).

Below we will tell you why probiotics are taken, why a person needs them and describe 8 proven facts about their effect on the body.

1. Restoration of intestinal microflora

Probiotics are among the beneficial bacteria. Proven that they are able to restore the ratio between pathogenic, opportunistic and favorable flora in favor of the latter.

The development of an imbalance between various microorganisms is fraught with the appearance of a wide range of pathologies: dyspeptic disorders, decreased resistance to intestinal infections, allergies, as well as diseases of the nervous, endocrine and cardiovascular systems.

According to American scientists , an adequate amount of "harmful" and "beneficial" bacteria in the intestine improves the digestion and absorption of proteins and carbohydrates by activating enzymes in the lumen of the digestive tube, and also increases the rate of maturation of cells of the immune system, which has a positive effect on the body's resistance as a whole.

Recall, 8 specific foods that are good for the intestines , we have reviewed in a separate article.

Probiotics are extremely valuable cultures of microorganisms that allow you to restore the balance of bacteria in the intestine, Improve digestion and prevent a lot of diseases.

2. Treatment and prevention of diarrhea

Proven that diarrhea is the most frequent companion of long–term use of antibiotics, which destroy beneficial bacteria, leading to activation of pathogenic flora and impaired digestion of food. Diarrhea also occurs during the course of infectious and inflammatory diseases.

In the course of conducting a major study (almost 12,000 people participated) in the USA, it was found that when taking antibiotics together with probiotics, the incidence of diarrhea in adults decreases by 42%, and the severity of its course also decreases.

According to experts from Swansea University (UK), probiotics are also effective as an adjunctive treatment for intestinal infections accompanied by diarrhea. They help to reduce the duration of stool disorders by an average of 25 hours.

Proven that the systematic use of beneficial bacteria reduces the incidence of diarrhea in travelers (a syndrome caused by the ingestion of stamps of microorganisms that had not previously been found in the human diet) by 8%. And the risk of developing acute diarrhea due to various causes is reduced by 34%.

At the same time, the protective effect is typical for all stamps of lactobacilli. The most effective representatives of bacteria are: Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus casei and yeast Saccharomyces boulardii.

Probiotics help reduce the severity of diarrhea, as well as prevent its development. It is recommended to consume more foods enriched with beneficial microorganisms during the course of infectious and inflammatory bowel diseases, as well as during long-distance travel.

3. Normalization of the digestive tract

Various chronic diseases (Crohn's disease, gastritis, ulcerative colitis, chronic enteritis, etc.) significantly worsen the quality of life and cause serious complications (perforation of the intestinal wall, intestinal bleeding).

Probiotics reduce the severity of inflammation, accelerate the regeneration of affected tissues, and also prevent harmful microorganisms from entering the bloodstream through erosion or ulcerative defects.

For example, one of the major studies found that probiotics improve the course of irritable bowel syndrome by not only inhibiting inflammatory reactions, but also normalizing peristalsis.

Proven that the addition of the E. Coli Nissle stamp to the diet helps to maintain remissions in individuals with nonspecific ulcerative colitis.

Probiotics should also be given to newborn babies. They, according to doctors from Saudi Arabia , prevent the development of necrotic colitis, which is highly lethal, as well as sepsis.

Probiotics can improve the course of severe chronic and allergic diseases, reduce the risk of generalization of intestinal infections.

4. Weight loss

Living bacteria produce a massive volume of lipase, a special enzyme that slows down the absorption of fats consumed with food.

As a result, fats are excreted from the body, and not deposited in fat depots. This property, according to Japanese scientists , especially useful for people prone to obesity.

One of the studies found that taking lactobacilli (Lactobacillus gasseri), even in low doses, leads to a decrease in abdominal circumference by 8.5%.

It is noteworthy that probiotics are highly effective against abdominal obesity (visceral fat), which has a positive effect on the functioning of internal organs.

Probiotics can be used to reduce body weight, as well as to prevent the development of obesity with improper nutrition.

5. Improving mental health

Increasing the content of beneficial microorganisms in the intestine contributes to normalization of mood and the prevention of mental disorders. Features of the impact on the central nervous system are not fully understood.

Experiments conducted by German and Italian scientists found that the inclusion of lactobacilli in the diet for several days improves the overall emotional background , helps prevent depression, anxiety. An increase in the ability to perceive and Memorize information.

Iranian Studies proved similar results: probiotics reduce the symptoms of depression . They also inhibit the processes of lipid peroxidation, inhibit the production of C-reactive protein, thereby helping to reduce inflammatory changes both in the intestinal wall and throughout the body.

It is recommended to use probiotics during periods of intense emotional stress to prevent various failures of the central nervous system.

6. Prevention of cardiovascular diseases

The effect on the cardiovascular system is multifaceted. For example , individual probiotics are able to produce lactic acid, which destroys bile in the intestine. As a result, bile is not absorbed back and is excreted from the body. This feature allows you to reduce the concentration of atherogenic cholesterol in blood plasma.

Detected that the consumption of yogurt enriched with living microorganisms for 2 months helps to reduce total cholesterol by 4%, and lipids with low specific gravity, which cause the development of atherosclerosis, by 5%.

Probiotics are also effective against hypertension and symptomatic arterial hypertension. During the regular addition of probiotics to food revealed lowering blood pressure. At the same time, the higher the initial increase in blood pressure, the more pronounced their effect.

Probiotics are able to slightly lower blood pressure and prevent atherosclerosis of large vessels, which leads to an increase in life expectancy by reducing the incidence of pathologies such as coronary heart disease and stroke.

7. Antiallergic effect

Restoration and maintenance of an optimal ratio between beneficial and harmful representatives of flora in the intestinal lumen allows to reduce the reactivity of local immune factors. As a result, the likelihood of any failures and manifestations of allergic diseases decreases.

Finnish scientists have proved that in children who received milk enriched with probiotics, the severity of eczema decreases. The effect is associated with inhibition of the release of inflammatory mediators against the background of allergies.

Positive properties can manifest themselves through the placenta. For example, proven that in newborns whose mothers consumed probiotic products during pregnancy, the frequency of eczema and other allergic diseases was almost 5 times less common.

Probiotics can be used to prevent and alleviate allergies.

8. Strengthening the immune system

Probiotics enhance the work of local and general immune factors. The positive properties include:

Increased production of wall mucus. As a result, a protective layer is created against pathogenic bacteria that can increase the reactivity of immune cells.
Activation of regeneration of epithelial cells of the mucous membrane, which is an important incentive for the adequate functioning of local lymphoid formations (Peyer's plaques).
Stimulation of the production of antibodies (Ig A), T-link lymphocytes and natural killers. These properties have been proven in one of the studies , held in the UK.

In addition, the inclusion of live cultures of microorganisms in the diet Increases antiviral immunity .

The incidence of acute respiratory infections is falling, according to scientific data , by 17% when using kefir and yoghurts enriched with lactobacilli.

9 More Immune-boosting Foods , see in a separate article.

Probiotics improve immunity, enhance antiviral and antibacterial protective properties of the body.

How to use them correctly

Foods enriched with beneficial microorganisms must be present in the diet.

It is recommended to drink at least 1 yogurt (100-150 ml) and (or) 200 ml of kefir every day. As an alternative, kombucha-based drinks and sauerkraut can be used.

Such a "treatment" option is suitable only for healthy people for the purpose of prevention, as well as for people with minor health disorders.

With severe dysbiosis due to various causes, food products will not be able to play a significant role in restoring normal microflora. It is recommended to take various medicinal probiotics (Lactobacterin, Linex, Hilac Forte, etc.) according to the doctor's instructions.

In no case should you start using medicines yourself, as they may be unsafe.

Contraindications and side effects

The most common contraindications include:

Hypersensitivity of the body to food products with probiotics or to individual components of drugs. Allergic reactions can be anything from urticaria to anaphylactic shock.
Lactose intolerance , as well as isomaltase deficiency, malabsorption syndrome. With such deviations, the assimilation of medicines and dairy products is disrupted.

Side effects, in most cases, do not develop. The following symptoms are extremely rare:

Headaches;
Increased frequency of exacerbations of allergic diseases;
Dyspeptic disorders (increased gas formation, constipation).

With extreme caution, it is necessary to use probiotics for people with significant immunosuppressive conditions (radiation therapy, HIV infection, tuberculosis). In this case, even beneficial bacteria can easily penetrate the barrier tissues and cause sepsis. In this case, the risk and degree of harm are disproportionately higher than the possible benefits of their use. It is necessary to consult a doctor beforehand!

Conclusion

Thus, probiotics are able to normalize food digestion, alleviate symptoms in severe infectious and autoimmune pathologies, and support the work of the immune system and the central nervous system. To replenish the beneficial microflora, it is not necessary to use medicines, it is enough to consume separate food groups.