4 Major Ways Probiotics Improve Your Health (...that you might not have known about)

Probiotics seem to be a topic that we just can’t seem to escape these days. From yogurt commercials

with trustworthy celebrities, to hyped up morning news reports, to loud headlines on the covers of

some of our favorite health magazines – the hype on probiotics is hard to ignore.

Probiotics are considered helpful bacteria, utilized by the body in several different ways to maintain

daily and optimal functions. Primarily associated with maintaining healthy digestive equilibrium,

studies are showing us every day that probiotics seem to harness powers far beyond the gut. Here are

four ways probiotics can better your health, beyond the belly.

1. Probiotics Prevent Heart Disease and Failure

Heart disease is the number one killer of Americans, accounting for nearly 25% of all deaths annually. While we’re often told to lower our sodium, exercise more, or eat more vegetables, rarely do we hear the medical community suggest we up our probiotics. However, it would appear that is exactly what we should be doing. Studies have consistently shown that probiotics may reduce LDL (the ‘bad’ cholesterol), reduce cholesterol, and reduce blood pressure.

2. Reduce the Impact of Eczema and Allergies

The research is still in the early stages, but it is encouraging: Infants and children who were given a regular dosage of probiotics have been showing improvement of eczema and allergy symptoms, and for children whose mothers consumed probiotics during pregnancy, their risk of developing eczema at all in the first two years of life was reduced by 83%. There is still more studying to be done, but for those who suffer from these uncomfortable conditions, another treatment option is welcomed.

3. Reduce Your Waistline

The data on probiotics and weight loss are far more established, and the research is clear: Consuming probiotics can be a powerful tool in any weight loss effort. Studies have shown that probiotics can prevent the absorption of some fats in the intestines, resulting in the extra fat being excreted in waste as opposed to added onto the belly. Probiotics also aid in appetite suppression, helping the individual feel fuller for longer and less likely to over consume.

4. Improvement for Mental Health Conditions

Ranging from OCD to depression, probiotics have been directly linked to significant improvements in mental health conditions. Several studies have shown that a regular regimen of probiotics can deliver significant improvement to mental health symptoms in just one to two months. In a survey of fifteen different studies, a probiotic supplement provided relief for nearly all sufferers of anxiety, depression, autism, memory loss, and OCD.

How to Benefit From Probiotics

You can get your daily probiotics from a variety of foods and supplements. If you’re leaning towards buying a probiotic supplement, then there are tons of choices on Amazon with thousands of reviews for you to determine which is best for you.

Live probiotic cultures are often found in fermented dairy products such as yogurts and milk. Fermented foods like pickled vegetables and soy products may also contain some lactic acid bacteria. Kombucha is also a great way to up your probiotic intake!

It’s true, probiotics are good for your health, but science is quickly showing us that it is beneficial for nearly every aspect of our health, from our heart to our head.