You’ve heard the term more times than you can count but are probiotics really all they’re cracked up to be?

 Found in fermented foods and supplements, probiotics are “good bacteria” that may be able to play a very beneficial role in your overall health. Let’s review the top 4 ways that probiotics can change your life for the better.

4. Mood Disorders

Millions of people suffer from a variety of mood disorders including depression, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), and anxiety. Many people are placed on prescription medications that have a long list of potential side effects. What’s more, if someone wants to get off of the medication, there is usually a troublesome weening off period with nasty withdraw symptoms. Put simply: There has to be a better way.

Studies suggest that probiotic supplements may be able to alleviate the symptoms of some mood disorders. In fact, one such study demonstrated that after only eight weeks, subjects saw a significant improvement in their perceived levels of depression.

3. Male Pattern Baldness / Female Pattern Hair Loss

Due to a number of environmental factors and lifestyle choices, there is a significant portion of the population that is experiencing hair loss. Both men and women are succumbing to the stress of daily life and as a result, it’s showing on top of their heads.

Probiotics have been suggested to be an effective way to alleviate hair loss, especially when used in combination with a topical medication such as minoxidil.

2. Health of Our Skin

Continuing with the idea above, the consequences of poor lifestyle choices express themselves on the outside. Case in point: Hair loss and the health of our skin.

Everything from severe acne to eczema has been the subject of study in relation to probiotic use and, thankfully, there has been a very positive response. Skin conditions such as eczema are direct reflections of our immune system. Since our immune system is located primarily in our gut, probiotics can get to work to improve our immunity and thereby, skin health. Studies suggest that probiotics may be able to alleviate the worst symptoms of a variety of skin conditions.

1. Losing Weight

Easily the most popular benefit of probiotics, studies have suggested that consistent use of probiotics may help to support a healthy weight loss. This, of course, is in conjunction with a healthy diet and exercise program.

The mechanisms behind this revolve around digestion and an increased caloric expenditure. It’s important to use probiotic supplements that feature Lactobacillus fermentum and Lactobacillus amylovorus, as these were the most studied of the strains. Subjects in these studies saw a boost in their metabolic rate, or the amount of calories they were able to burn. What’s more, probiotics seem to encourage the use of fat, not stored glycogen, as a fuel source.

Tell Us What You Think!

Do you use probiotic supplements or foods?

What benefits or changes have you noticed?
Let us know in the comments below!

References

1. Ruixue Huang, Ke Wang, and Jianan Hu. Effect of Probiotics on Depression: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Nutrients. 2016 Aug; 8(8): 483. Published online 2016 Aug 6. doi: 10.3390/nu8080483

2. Tatiana Levkovich, Theofilos Poutahidis, Christopher Smillie, Bernard J. Varian, Yassin M. Ibrahim, Jessica R. Lakritz, Eric J. Alm, and Susan E. Erdman. Probiotic Bacteria Induce a ‘Glow of Health’ PLoS One. 2013; 8(1): e53867. Published online 2013 Jan 16.

3. Kuitunen M. Probiotics and prebiotics in preventing food allergy and eczema. Curr Opin Allergy Clin Immunol. 2013 Jun;13(3):280-6.

4. Jaclyn M. Omara, Yen-Ming Chana, Mitchell L. Jonesb, c, Satya Prakashb, c, Peter J.H. Jonesa. Lactobacillus fermentum and Lactobacillus amylovorus as probiotics alter body adiposity and gut microflora in healthy persons. Journal of Functional Foods. Volume 5, Issue 1, January 2013, Pages 116–123.