Friendly bacteria in probiotic foods and probiotic supplements not only offer a large number of positive health benefits (particularly for our gut), they also help to prevent and treat a wide variety of problems.
Probiotics help to strengthen immunity
One of the key functions of friendly bacteria is to stimulate our immune response, which means that by consuming probiotic foods, drinks and supplements, we can in turn strengthen our immunity to illness and disease. Probiotics increased production of lymphocytes - sub-types of white blood cell (Natural killer cells, T cells and B cells) that are found in our immune system and a marker of immune response.
As a result, probiotics can help to prevent and treat the following:
Researchers have found that those who are obese tend to have different gut bacteria than those with a healthy weight – a strong indication that gut flora plays a role in weight management. Research also indicates that probiotics can help those who have received weight loss surgery to maintain their weight loss. Also, a study of post-partum women demonstrated that a probiotic supplement containing lactobacillus and bifidobacterium helped to reduce waist circumference.
Probiotics also pump up the good bacteria in your gut and help the digestive process along in a healthy way. Not only will you look slimmer because you will be less bloated, but you will also get rid of a little bit of backed up waste to leave you literally feeling pounds lighter!
Probiotics help to promote mental wellbeing
Probiotics may also be beneficial for healthy brain function and mental wellbeing. In fact researchers at UCLA discovered that brain function in healthy women who regularly consumed a probiotic yoghurt actually improved. As a result, it’s thought that probiotics might have the potential to change brain neurochemistry and, according to a study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences journal, could additionally be used to treat anxiety and depression.
Probiotics help tooth and gum health
Taking a probiotic everyday can not only reduce the effects of gingivitis but also can help kill the bacteria that causes tooth decay.