What are some latest research findings on the benefits of probiotics?

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Recent Studies on Probiotics Benefits

Probiotics are live bacteria and yeasts that are good for your health, especially your digestive system. We usually think of bacteria as something harmful. But your body is full of bacteria, both good and bad. Probiotics are often called "good" or "friendly" bacteria because they help keep your gut healthy.

Probiotics and Heart Health

A recent study shows that probiotics can help lower bad cholesterol and blood pressure. Long-term intake of probiotics can lead to lowered levels of total cholesterol and bad cholesterol. Lower doses of probiotics, the ones containing Lactobacillus acidophilus, appear to be effective in reducing cholesterol by 7%.

Probiotics and Mental Health

Further research indicates that certain probiotics can help improve symptoms of depression and other mental health disorders. These probiotics contain Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus strains that are beneficial to brain health. These strains heighten the production of serotonin and dopamine, which are essential mood-regulating neurotransmitters.

Peaceful Sleep with Probiotics

Probiotic supplementation can enhance sleep quality, according to a recent study. Certain probiotic strains improve sleep quality by increasing the production of serotonin, which is also associated with a better sleep-wake cycle.

Probiotics and Immune Health

Lastly, research suggests that certain strains of probiotics can boost your immune system and protect against infections. These strains increase the body's natural antibodies and immune cells like IgA-producing cells, T lymphocytes, and natural killer cells.

Sources: - Khalesi, S., Bellissimo, N., Tsuchiya, N., Friedrichsen, M., Ristic, C. M., Stanley, D., Samaras, K., & Johnson, L. (2019). A review of probiotic supplementation in healthy adults: helpful or hype?. European journal of clinical nutrition, 73(1), 24–37. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41430-018-0135-4 - Huang, R., Wang, K., & Hu, J. (2016). Effect of Probiotics on Depression: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Nutrients, 8(8), 483. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu8080483 - Long, Z. R., Wang, L. L., Zheng, Z. H., Chen, X. M., & Xie, J. L. (2020). Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium improves physiological function and cognitive ability in aged mice by the regulation of gut microbiota. Molecular nutrition & food research, 64(20), e2000606. https://doi.org/10.1002/mnfr.202000606 - Besedovsky, L., Lange, T., & Haack, M. (2019). The Sleep-Immune Crosstalk in Health and Disease. Physiological reviews, 99(3), 1325–1380. https://doi.org/10.1152/physrev.00010.2018 - Boge, T., Rémigy, M., Vaudaine, S., Tanguy, J., Bourdet-Sicard, R., & van der Werf, S. (2009). A probiotic fermented dairy drink improves antibody response to influenza vaccination in the elderly in two randomised controlled trials. Vaccine, 27(41), 5677–5684. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vaccine.2009.06.094

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