9 Health Benefits of Probiotics from Supplements and Foods – Greatist

You can consume probiotics naturally through certain foods, but theyre also available as a supplement. That said, science is still iffy on whether taking probiotic supplements is helpful for already-healthy adults.

Lets dive into the deets on why your body might love these friendly bacteria.

A healthy microbiome the world of live microorganisms in your body requires a delicate balance of different types of bacteria. When you get an overgrowth of bad bacteria, things can go a little sideways. Probiotics to the rescue!

Balancing your gut microbiome is probiotics main claim to fame. And thats a big deal because research shows that your gut health may influence the health of other areas from your brain and heart to your skin and teeth.

It makes sense that a healthy gut = healthy poop. But scientists have found that probiotics specifically reduce your risk of getting the runs.

A 2017 research review suggests that probiotics may prevent antibiotic-associated diarrhea. Since antibiotics kill off bad *and* good bacteria while fighting infections, probiotics top up the good guys. This could potentially help you avoid those extra-urgent trips to the toilet.

Some research has also found that probiotic supplements could put the kibosh on travelers diarrhea.

The jurys still out on this one, but some studies have linked probiotics to improvements in mood disorders.

One small 2015 study of 20 people found that the group given probiotic-rich foods and probiotic supplements for 4 weeks reported less sadness than the group given a placebo.

Other research from 2016 also suggests that taking supplements containing several strains of probiotics could dial down symptoms of depression, anxiety, and other mental health disorders.

But we still need more studies to find out more about this possible link.

Got high cholesterol? How about stratospheric blood pressure? These two health probs are major clues that its time to take better care of your ticker.

Research has linked a probiotic-rich diet with lower levels of LDL (bad) cholesterol, lower blood pressure, and even less body fat.

Bottom line: That probiotic yogurt and kombucha in your fridge may help improve your heart health.

Maybe youve even heard that rubbing yogurt on your hands will help with your eczema?

Heres the scoop: Some research suggests that topical probiotics (meaning you apply them to your skin, not ingest them) seem to improve some skin conditions, including eczema. But scientists are still studying how and why this could happen, so stay tuned before you open up the Chobani.

A 2012 study also found that when women with eczema took specific probiotic supplements while pregnant, their babies were significantly less likely to get eczema.

The research is still slim, and more studies are needed to explore the link between probiotics and skin disorders.

While theres no cure for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), probiotics may be a treatment option for IBD symptoms.

Some probiotic strains have helped soothe symptoms in folks with mild ulcerative colitis, irritable bowel syndrome, and even necrotizing enterocolitis, a deadly bowel condition in some premature newborns.

It might seem obvious that good gut bacteria could help with gastrointestinal issues. But we need more research to fully understand the *exact* strains of probiotics that could help, how often to take them, and which IBD or IBS symptoms they could prevent.

We know boosting your immune system isnt really a thing, but that doesnt mean you cant give your body the best conditions to thrive. Probiotics can help keep your gut healthy, contributing to overall wellness.

These bad boys have also been linked to lower rates of respiratory infections and urinary tract infections. But that research is more than 10 years old, and we need more current studies to find out more about these effects.

Want the expert take from the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services? Probiotics might influence your bodys immune response. But also, Possible harmful effects of probiotics include infections.

(But the HHS also notes that those harmful effects are more likely to happen in people who have serious illnesses or weakened immune systems.)

Bottom line: Talk with your doc before trying probiotic supplements to ward off illness. If you have an underlying medical condition, they *might* tell you to opt for probiotics from food instead.

If your goal is to lose weight, stocking up on probiotics but not just any probiotics might help. Research suggests some strains may contribute to fat loss, while others may be linked to weight gain.

One 2013 study linked 12-week supplementation of the probiotic Lactobacillus gasseri with an 8.5 percent belly fat reduction.

A 2014 study also found that women with obesity who took Lactobacillus rhamnosus supplements for 12 weeks lost significantly more weight than those who didnt take a probiotic. But the supplement didnt have a notable effect on the weight of the men in the study.

In a 2015 study, participants who drank fermented milk supplemented with the probiotic strain Lactobacillus gasseri SBT2055 for 1 week seemed to absorb less fat and excrete more fat in their poop than those who drank plain fermented milk.

But some 2012 research also found that Lactobacillus acidophilus led to weight gain.

The TL;DR: We need more research to explore the role of probiotics in weight loss, but there seems to be a link.

If probiotics keep bad gut bacteria in check, can they do the same thing for the bacteria in your mouth? Maybe!

Research is limited, but some older studies suggest that you could prevent cavities by noshing on probiotic-rich foods regularly. Whether science eventually confirms this or not, noshing on unsweetened kefir and yogurt wont hurt.

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9 Health Benefits of Probiotics from Supplements and Foods - Greatist