Change your perception of probiotics
Change Your Perception of Probiotics
When you think of probiotics, do your thoughts go straight to your gut? That makes sense: your intestines offer bacteria about 250 square meters of living space. But your capacity to host bacteria extends far beyond your digestive tract. The effect bacteria can have on the whole body is also significant, no matter where they reside. Read on to learn about some potentially surprising new discoveries about the human microbiome and the benefits of probiotics.
A Gut Reaction
Your intestines are connected to your central nervous system—including your brain and spinal cord—via the enteric nervous system (ENS). Your ENS is a system of nerves integrated throughout the wall of your digestive tract. Gut bacteria directly stimulate the ENS via the vagus nerve and, through this, influence mood and behaviour.1 Changes in the gut microbiome influence the stress response, mood, sleep, and long-term memory of emotional stimuli. Bacterial overgrowth can result in increased gut permeability, which can disrupt normal neuroendocrine regulation and lead to systemic low-grade inflammation. Recently, low-grade inflammation has been associated with the genesis and severity of major depressive disorder symptoms.2
Fortunately, a meta-review of randomized controlled trials found that, either alone or in multi-strain preparations, Bifidobacterium longum, Bifidobacterium breve, Bifidobacterium infantis, Lactobacillus helveticus, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus plantarum and Lactobacillus casei bacteria were able to reduce anxiety, depression, and memory-related behaviours in animal studies.3 Other research shows that probiotics reduce inflammation and improve depressive symptoms in patients with inflammatory conditions (i.e., IBD, IBS, and rheumatoid arthritis).4 Further research indicates that Bifidobacterium longum has an anxiolytic or anti-anxiety effect.5
Urogenital Health
Lactobacillus bacteria are the most common species present in the vaginal mucosa of healthy women. Although researchers have yet to determine the precise reason, the composition of the microbiota can change rapidly and lead to bacterial vaginosis—characterized by a decrease in lactobacilli and an increase in the number of pathogenic bacteria. Urinary tract infections (UTIs) also result from pathogenic bacteria that travel from the vagina and replicate on the epithelium lining the urinary tract. Menopausal women are most at risk for urogenital infections.
Oral probiotics can help prevent and relieve urogenital infections. Research shows that supplemental lactobacilli play a role in preventing infections in women with recurrent UTIs. Importantly, Lactobacillus reuteri and Lactobacillus rhamnosus have been shown to promote an increase in indigenous vaginal lactobacilli in women with vaginosis.6
Body Composition, Metabolism, and Healthy Lipids
The microbiota of obese individuals is significantly different from that of lean people, and researchers are exploring the possible reasons why. There may also be a link between gut bacteria, leaky guts, and diet-induced chronic low-grade inflammation from a high-fat diet that results in insulin resistance and oxidative stress. Insulin resistance is part of metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes.
In a six-month study, researchers found improved insulin resistance and decreased glucose and insulin levels in participants using a combination of Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus bacteria. Significantly, researchers suggested that results take time to appear, which may explain why some research on the benefits of probiotics don’t yield expected results!7
Probiotics can also impact cholesterol. Researchers have found that a mixture containing Bifidobacterium longum, Bifidobacterium lactis, and Bifidobacterium breve, as well as Lactobacillus reuteri and Lactobacillus plantarum, had the potential to reduce serum total cholesterol, triglycerides, and LDL cholesterol (which is the unhealthy cholesterol). A preclinical study also found that Bifidobacterial bifidum and Bifidobacterium breve could exert a hypocholesterolemic effect.8
Clearly, various probiotic species confer different benefits. Therefore, you need to ensure that the probiotic supplements you choose are able to target your concerns. But what if the species listed on the label don’t match those in the capsules?
How to Choose the Perfect Probiotic?
Progressive Perfect Probiotic™ is the world's first TRU-ID® certified probiotic family. TRU-ID® is a revolutionary independent DNA accreditation program based on the research and development of the University of Guelph. In the same way that DNA is used to understand the unique origins and traits of humans, the DNA of our probiotics undergoes rigorous analysis to verify the identity of the species listed on the label. Once the results have been independently verified, our probiotics are eligible for display of the authentic TRU-ID® certified logo.
It has never been easier to enjoy the benefits of a high-potency, multi-strain daily probiotic formula adapted to your individual needs—whether you are concerned about digestive issues, or your urogenital, general health, and well-being. What's more, with Perfect Probiotic™, you can be sure you're getting your money's worth.
References:
[1] Galland, L. (2014). The gut microbiome and the brain. Journal of Medicinal Food, (12), 1261.
2 Rao, M., & Gershon, M. D. (2016). The bowel and beyond: the enteric nervous system in neurological disorders. Nature Reviews Gastroenterology & Hepatology, (9), 517. https://doi.org/10.1038/nrgastro.2016.107
3 Wang, H., In-Seon Lee, I-S., Braun, C., & Enck, P. (2016). Effect of Probiotics on Central Nervous System Functions in Animals and Humans: A Systematic Review. Journal of Neurogastroenterology & Motility, 22(4), 589–605.
4 Park, C., Brietzke, E., Rosenblat, J. D., Musial, N., Zuckerman, H., Ragguett, R.-M., … McIntyre, R. S. (2018). Review Article: Probiotics for the treatment of depressive symptoms: An anti-inflammatory mechanism? Brain Behavior and Immunity, 73, 115–124.
5 Arboleya,S., Watkins,C., Stanton, C., & Ross, P. (2016). Gut bifidobacteria populations in human health and aging. Frontiers in Microbiology, Vol 7, 1-9.
6 Jean M. Macklaim, Jose C. Clemente, Rob Knight, Gregory B. Gloor, & Gregor Reid. (2015). Changes in vaginal microbiota following antimicrobial and probiotic therapy. Microbial Ecology in Health and Disease, Vol 26, 1-8
7 Sabico, S., Al-Mashharawi, A., Al-Daghri, N. M., Wani, K., Amer, O. E., Hussain, D. S., … McTernan, P. G. (2018). Randomized Control Trials: Effects of a 6-month multi-strain probiotics supplementation in endotoxemic, inflammatory and cardiometabolic status of T2DM patients: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Clinical Nutrition. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clnu.2018.08.009
8 Bordoni A, Amaretti A, Leonardi A, et al. Cholesterol-lowering probiotics: in vitro selection and in vivo testing of bifidobacteria. Applied Microbiology & Biotechnology. 2013;97(18):8273-8281. doi:10.1007/s00253-013-5088-2.