Can Probiotics Help Fight Off Illness?
Probiotics are an increasingly popular way to boost many different aspects of your health. Maybe that's why more than four million people use probiotics or prebiotics in the United States, according to the 2012 National Health Interview Survey.
Never heard of probiotics? These supplements contain live strains of bacteria and yeasts that can offer a whole host of health benefits. One of the main benefits is that they can improve gut health, which can impact the immune system.
But how long do probiotics take to work, and can they really improve your body's ability to fight off illnesses? The answers to these questions are not as straightforward as they may seem.
So, if you want to learn more about probiotics and their potential effects on your immune health, you need to read this article. We'll tell you the most important information to know.
Benefits of Probiotics
Probiotics have so many benefits, many of which are backed by research. Taking a probiotic supplement can be particularly beneficial for seniors who are looking for tips to improve their lives.
We need more research to verify probiotics' health benefits, but anecdotal evidence and emerging science suggests that their benefits may include:
- Promoting gut health
- Supporting mental health
- Improving heart health
- Maintaining immune health
Probiotics can also help promote a healthy weight. This benefit is due, in part, to the gut health-promoting qualities of probiotics.
Gut Health
The gut, also known as the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, is the system of interconnected organs that help us digest food. It consists of the stomach, the colon, and the small and large intestines.
What you may not know is that different species of bacteria live in these organs -- 100 trillion different bacteria, to be exact. They are responsible for breaking down the foods we eat into the energy and nutrients we need to survive and thrive.
The more diverse the species of bacteria living in the GI tract, the better our bodies can digest food. That's where probiotics come in. Adding a probiotic can improve the diversity of gut bacteria, leading to improvements in:
- Indigestion
- Digestive disorders
- Gut dysbiosis
Because the gut is intimately connected to the brain, improving gut health can also indirectly impact your mental health.
Mental Health
Recent research has uncovered a connection between the brain and the digestive system, also known as the gut-brain axis (GBA). One of the many functions of the GBA is to regulate serotonin.
Serotonin is a chemical involved in physiological responses, including some actions of the immune system. But it is also linked to various types of mental health disorders, such as:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Stress
Studies show that taking a probiotic can sometimes improve symptoms of these disorders.
Heart Health
Yet another function of the gut is to produce bile, a cholesterol-rich substance that aids in food digestion. A little bile is a good thing. However, too much bile can lead to excess cholesterol getting into the bloodstream when it is broken down.
Probiotics can help break down bile in the gut. Then, these bacteria can keep bad cholesterol from escaping into the bloodstream. That's good news for your heart health.
High cholesterol in the bloodstream is a risk factor for heart disease, which is the leading cause of death in the United States. In 2022, one in five deaths occurred due to heart disease, meaning probiotics may literally save lives.
Immune Health
According to UCLA Health, 70% to 80% of the immune system's cells live in the gastrointestinal tract. Did you know that gut bacteria help regulate immune system cells?
Boosting the gut's health by improving the diversity of bacteria living inside it can, therefore, help with immunity. That may be why people who use probiotics report improvements in:
- Allergies
- Eczema
- Illnesses
Want to know more about how probiotics can boost the immune system, reducing the risk of contracting illnesses? We're talking about that next.
Probiotics for the Immune System: How Probiotics Combat Illness
The immune system is the key to fighting off illnesses and diseases. Keeping it as healthy as possible, then, may improve your body's resistance when a bug is going around your senior living community.
Probiotics can be an easy way to improve your immune system function because they can:
- Improve the intestinal barrier, which can improve the body's resistance to disease-causing organisms
- Balance gut bacteria, which can help stimulate T and B lymphocytes
- Directly fight disease-causing organisms by producing substances that kill bad bacteria
Keep in mind that illness prevention with probiotics is not foolproof, and it won't work immediately. So, never use probiotics in place of any over-the-counter or prescription medications your doctor recommends.
But how long do probiotics take to work? Find out below.
How Long Do Probiotics Take to Work?
Probiotics are not an easy button to improve your health, and how long they take to work depends on many factors. One of those factors is the current state of your gut health.
For example, people with healthy GI tracts may see benefits faster than people with many gut issues. The time it takes for probiotics can also depend on the quality of the probiotic you use. It may be important to store your probiotics in a cold area to prevent the live bacteria cultures from breaking down.
Experts suggest taking probiotics for at least three months before expecting any results. If you are concerned about any symptoms involving your immune system now, don't wait for your probiotics to kick in. Talk to your doctor as soon as possible.
Senior Health Support at Ramsey Woods Near Me
Probiotics are supplements containing live strains of bacteria. They have many health benefits, one of the most exciting ones being their impact on the immune system's function. If you're wondering, 'How long do probiotics take to work?' we recommend talking to your doctor about your symptoms and expectations.
If you are a senior searching for support with your health, Ramsey Woods may be the right community for you. We offer a customized wellness plan to all our residents, so you can get your questions about probiotics and more answered.
Ready to move in? We can't wait to have you. Contact us today to schedule a tour of your new home in Cudahy, WI!