There are many probiotic products, ranging from lactic acid drinks that children love to drink, yogurt that people who lose weight often eat, powdered probiotics added to drinks, and even probiotic health food made into capsules. People are dizzying, and the choices are quite diverse. What are the effects of probiotics? How to choose?
6 Reasons You Need Probiotics
Early research on probiotics found that it is beneficial to intestinal function, digestive function, intestinal pH, intestinal mucosal barrier and other functions, but in fact, the benefits of probiotics are not only these, but even help brain development and improve depression.
Humans are covered with bacteria all over the body. These bacteria are as high as 70% to 80%. They are microorganisms that are beneficial to the human body. Among them, the intestinal flora that survives in the digestive tract plays a pivotal role in the human body. Some of them can decompose toxins, some of them can produce essential nutrients, and some of them play an immune role against foreign germs. Its metabolic response is like an organ, Some even call it a “forgotten organ”.
In terms of gut bacteria, in addition to being a digestive organ, the most important function of the gut is “immunity”, which is the largest immune organ in the body. More than 80% of immune cells are located in the gut. Therefore, as long as gut bacteria In order to maintain a balance of species, good bacteria are the dominant bacteria, and the intestinal tract can naturally play a normal immune function, making it difficult for people to get sick.
Recent studies have found that probiotics are related to the activation of immune function, including innate immune macrophages and acquired immune B lymphocytes. In addition, studies on obesity, metabolic syndrome, depression and cardiovascular disease have all been confirmed to be positively correlated with the presence of probiotics. Probiotics also have the functions of preventing diarrhea, inhibiting gastric Helicobacter pylori, preventing food allergies, treating irritable bowel syndrome and inflammatory bowel disease.
- Enhance immunity
The largest immune organ in the human body is in the intestine, where there is a very developed immune system, and the presence of probiotics can stimulate and activate the immune capacity of the intestine, activate the immune function that is too low, and inhibit the immune activity that is too excited.
To put it simply, the role of probiotics as an “immune regulator” is not only to help improve allergic symptoms and enhance immunity, but is also believed to be positively related to anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory diseases.
- Promote gastrointestinal digestive function
Probiotics help to inhibit the reproduction of harmful bacteria in the intestine. Good bacteria and bad bacteria grow in the intestine in a competitive state. As long as there are more good bacteria in the intestine, there are relatively few bad bacteria, thereby reducing the amount of intestinal toxins. At the same time, it can promote intestinal peristalsis, and can also improve constipation and gastrointestinal malabsorption.
Long-term poor eating habits or the use of antibiotics will destroy the intestinal flora and cause diarrhea. Supplementing with probiotics can restore the pH of the intestinal tract, maintain a weakly acidic environment, and help the absorption of nutrients, especially calcium. qualitative absorption.
- Inhibit gastric Helicobacter pylori
Probiotics such as Bacteroides Rettia and Lactobacillus can inhibit gastric Helicobacter pylori. The possible mechanism is that probiotics release immunomodulatory substances in the intestines, and pass through the blood to the stomach, thereby inhibiting the growth of gastric Helicobacter pylori.
In addition, some studies suggest that a small amount of probiotics still survive in the stomach, which may also play a role in helping to inhibit the growth of Helicobacter pylori in the stomach.
- Helps lose weight
A large number of research data show that the physique of thin and fat people is very different, and the biggest difference may be the proportion of intestinal bacteria. If there are more good bacteria in the intestinal tract, by reducing the synthesis and decomposition of excess oil and toxins, and at the same time producing good nutrients, the body’s fat will not accumulate excessively, and the effect of weight loss can be achieved.
- Helps brain development and improves depression
Are our emotions determined solely by our brains? wrong! The gut can also control human emotions. Scientists have found that the gastrointestinal system has 200 million nerve cells. The microorganisms in the gut stimulate different nerves in the gut and communicate to the brain to help maintain the balance of the body. Therefore, in addition to the gut In addition to being responsible for digestive function, it is also closely related to emotions. More studies have even found that intestinal probiotics are related to improving depression, anxiety and other emotions.
- Lower blood pressure
Probiotics are beneficial for blood pressure regulation. Studies have shown that systolic and diastolic blood pressure can be reduced by 3.5mmHg and 2.4mmHg. Researchers also found that long-term use of probiotics can reduce blood pressure.
How many types of probiotics do you know?
There are many types of probiotics with different functions. Common probiotics can be roughly divided into Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, Bacillus and Clostridium. For example, some probiotics are acid-resistant and can pass the test of gastric acid. Some are acid intolerant and have difficulty reaching the gut to colonize. The functions of each probiotic are very different. It is best to first understand the growth conditions and functions of various probiotics, which is of great help in purchasing probiotic products.
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How many types of probiotics do you know?
