Probiotics Helps the Systemic Immune Response
A study from the journal Gut Microbes, shows how a single probiotic strain, called Bifidobacterium infantis 35624, can influence your immune system by promoting health in your gut and by promoting the development and maintenance of the systemic immune response. Three separate randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled trials were included in the study, which assessed the effects of the probiotic on one gastrointestinal and two non-gastrointestinal inflammatory disorders. Twenty-two of the patients enrolled in the study were diagnosed with ulcerative colitis, 26 were diagnosed with psoriasis, an inflammatory skin condition, and 48 patients had chronic fatigue syndrome. The levels of inflammation markers in 35 healthy volunteers were used as baseline references. The three biomarkers assessed were C-reactive protein (CRP) and pro-inflammatory cytokines, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-a), and interleukin-6 (IL-6). At the outset of the trials, all patients, whether their disorder was related to gastrointestinal inflammation or not, had significantly elevated levels of all three of these biomarkers. During the trial period, which lasted between six and eight weeks, each patient received either the probiotic or a placebo. All three patient groups who received Bifidobacterium infantis 35624 had significantly lower levels of CRP compared to those who received a placebo. Patients with ulcerative colitis psoriasis patients had lower TNF-a. Those with ulcerative colitis and chronic fatigue syndrome had reductions in IL-6
Periodontal Disease Is Helped Through Probiotics
Another double-blind, placebo-controlled study found that the probiotic Lactobacillus reuteri Prodentis improved the efficacy of standard treatment for chronic periodontitis (scaling and root planing) by 53 percent. After a 12 week long study, 53 per cent fewer sites (surfaces on a teeth) in patients with deep dental pockets and supplemented by Lactobacillus reuteri Prodentis was in need for surgery, compared to the placebo group. After the intervention period it was also concluded that 67 percent of the patients in the placebo group fell into the high-risk category for disease progression, while the corresponding figure for patients supplemented by Lactobacillus reuteri Prodentis was only 27 percent.
Probiotics Also Help These Health Problems...
Probiotics influence the activity of hundreds of genes, helping them to express in a positive, disease-fighting manner. Researchers have documented beneficial probiotic effects in a wide variety of disorders, including...
- Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
- Constipation and diarrhea
- Colon cancer
- Eradication of H. pylori infection, which is associated with ulcers
- Vaginal infections
- Strengthened immune response
- Eczema
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Cirrhosis of the liver
- Hepatic encephalopathy
- Depression, anxiety, and other mental health problems
Next we'll show how fermented vegetables are an excellent source of Probiotics
Related Articles For This Probiotics Series
- #1 - Probiotics Help Keep Your Body In Better Balance
- #2 - Your Allergies or Inflammatory Bowel Diseases Are Probably Related to Your Poor Gut Health
Do you suffer from eczema, allergies, arthritis, IBS or other bowel issues? A probiotic may be exactly what you need to help with these, and many other disorders.
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