Probiotics: The Secret to a Strong Immune System

The human body is home to millions of microorganisms. While some of them can be harmful, like germs, many are beneficial.

The ‘good’ microorganisms, known as probiotics, are key to maintaining a strong immune system. Found in foods like yogurt, fermented vegetables, and dietary supplements, these beneficial microbes help maintain a balanced gut microbiome, which in turn supports overall immunity.

This article will serve as a comprehensive guide to the many benefits of probiotics.

What are Probiotics? 

Probiotics are living microorganisms that have a beneficial effect on an individual’s body. These microorganisms live on or inside a person’s body.

Probiotic products are products which add certain beneficial types of microorganisms to the body’s existing microorganism population. These products can be taken as oral supplements, applied to the skin, or absorbed directly via the nose or genitals.

Probiotic foods and health products help to prevent a deficiency or imbalance of beneficial microorganisms in the body, also known as dysbiosis.

Which Probiotics are the Best? 

There are many microorganisms which come under the probiotics umbrella. The most effective probiotics are those:

1. Which have some proven health benefits
2. Are safe to consume or apply,
3. contain microbes which can survive the commercial process, and
4. (If oral) can survive the journey through the digestive tract.

What are the Sources of Probiotics? 

Probiotics such as Acidophilus (L. acidophilus) can be bought over the counter in places such as grocery stores and health and wellness stores.

They are often available in the form of probiotic tablets or probiotic capsules. Probiotics for skin application also come in the form of lotions or creams.

Besides dietary supplements, probiotics can be consumed through food products as well. These food products serve as natural probiotics.

Natural probiotics can include:

1. Yogurt
2. Kimchi
3. Pickles and pickle juice
4. Kombucha
5. Cottage cheese
6. Kefir

What is the Role of Probiotics in Gut Health?

The importance of probiotics for gut health cannot be overlooked. Probiotics prevent and treat dysbiosis, thus contributing to a healthy gut flora and ensuring that the gut can function as needed.

The gut flora, or the gut microbiome, is the complex ecosystem of microorganisms that live in the gut. This ecosystem includes bacteria, viruses, fungi, helminths, and archaea.

The gut flora mainly resides in the colon, at the very end of the digestive tract.

The gut flora performs many important functions, including

1. Manufacturing vitamins such as Vitamin K
2. Turning fibres into short chain fats which feed the gut wall and perform various metabolic functions

An individual’s gut flora is highly sensitive to their diet. Imbalance in the gut flora is linked to various diseases such as Type 2 Diabetes, colorectal cancer, and depression.

Probiotics can help correct any imbalance in the gut flora and prevent these diseases.

Read also more about Best Food for Gut Health

How do Probiotics Make the Immune System Strong? 

The importance of probiotics for immune system lies in the relationship between the immune system and the gut.

Probiotics help to build an effective immune system due to their significant role in maintaining gut health, which in turn contributes to strengthening the body’s immune response.

According to Professor David Heber of UCLA Health, “Seventy percent of the immune system is located in the gut.”

The gut microbiome and the immune system are deeply intertwined. The diversity and health of the gut flora directly affects the immune cells in the gut.

The digestive tract functions as a barrier against antigens which may enter the body through microorganisms and food. Antigens trigger the immune system of the body. The immune regulation function of the gut is heavily dependant on the gut flora.

Probiotics help prevent dysbiosis, which is the deficiency or imbalance of beneficial microorganisms in the gut. They further help balance and strengthen the gut microbiome and thus help in building an improved immune response and a stronger immune system.

Additionally, the short-chain fats produced by the gut also stimulate the immune system, which can help prevent unwanted substances from entering the body.

In the End

Probiotics are a key part of improving gut health and maintaining a strong immune system. Incorporating probiotics into your diet through food or supplements can be an effective strategy for a stronger immunity.

To know more about the benefits of probiotics for the immunity, consult a healthcare professional and book a tests at Dr. Lal PathLabs.

FAQs 

1. What are the signs that probiotics are working?

The effects of probiotics are easy to tell if they’re being taken for a specific purpose. For example, a bacterial infection may get better after taking probiotics. If probiotics are taken for preventative measures, such as preventing a cold, the signs can be harder to identify.

2. Are there any side effects of taking probiotics?

In the early days of taking probiotics, some side effects such as gas and abdominal discomfort may be present. These issues resolve themselves soon. Individuals with medical conditions such as HIV may experience dangerous side effects and should consult a healthcare professional.