Probiotics have a manyfold favourable effect on human health, and scientific researches show that they are very useful in protection of heart health and in the fight against viral infections.
Did you know that friendly bacteria reside in our intestines, whose protective role in maintaining health is enormous?! We also call them probiotic bacteria, from the Greek words pro - for and bios - life, therefore necessary for life.
Good bacteria, disease fighting team
Active living world of microorganisms which acts as a protective barrier in our intestines and represents the first line of defence is called gut microbiota. Good probiotic bacteria which are even 10 times more numerous than all the cells that make up our body, are a strong team that strongly opposes when various disease-causing agents, viruses, bad bacteria, fungi get into our body. Hence, as much as 70 percent of the defence power of our immune system is located actually in our intestines.
Gut microbiota is very important also for good digestion, synthesis of numerous vitamins, absorption of useful matters and high-quality nutrition of the overall body.
Keep the balance
A healthy gut microbiota implies a balance of 85% good bacteria compared to 15% bad ones. But problems arise when the number of bad bacteria increases.
What can disturb the balance of ‘good’ and ‘bad’ bacteria? First of all, these are acute diarrhoeas caused by viruses, bacteria and parasites, in children and adults. Then the so-called ‘traveller’s’ diarrhoea and certainly diarrhoea associated with taking antibiotics. Antibiotics seriously disrupt the natural balance in the gut by destroying both bad and good probiotic bacteria.
French studies warn that almost 1/3 of patients develop diarrhoea associated with the use of antibiotics. The risk increases with the use of antibiotics of a broad antibacterial spectrum, as well as in the case of often repeated and combined antibiotic therapies. The most severe forms of this type of diarrhoea are caused by the bacterium Clostridium difficile. The most susceptible are children younger than 7 and older than 65.
Probiotics as significant support
A way to help restore the balance of disturbed gut microbiota is to take additional quantities of probiotic bacteria, i.e. probiotics! Probiotics are live bacteria lining the gut and support digestive health. They reduce inflammation, strengthen the immune system, contribute to the destruction of pathogens, strengthen the intestinal barrier, balance good bacteria and help the recovery of the gut microbiota and the body in general.
But probiotics are today much more than restoration of damaged gut microbiota. Researches show that probiotics can help in numerous situations. Thus they help in protection of your heart because they lower the cholesterol and blood pressure. They also protect the health of your urinary tract. If you have skin problems or frequently experience eczema, include probiotics in your therapy.
Eat a variety of food
Diet has a great influence on the gut microbiota. Extreme diets based exclusively on meat and products of animal origin or exclusively on plant foods lead to major changes and disorders in the gut microbiota, which then affects overall health.
Numerous medical studies indicate a clear connection between changes in the gut microbiota and the occurrence of many inflammatory bowel diseases and infections, as well as the appearance of obesity, diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and some malignant diseases such as colon cancer.
Prevention of viral infections and Covid 19
Medical data from China, Italy and France indicated that patients with Covid-19 have a significantly impaired gut microbiota, especially to the detriment of lactobacilli and bifidobacteria. Hence the official recommendation for the use of appropriate strains of probiotics for Covid-19, both to stabilize and maintain the gut microbiota, and to prevent secondary bacterial infections. Studies have shown that probiotics are also very useful in preventing viral infections.
Help in case of depression
A growing number of studies indicate that the composition of the gut microbiota plays a significant role in regulating our behaviour. There is an important two-way communication, an interaction between the brain and the digestive system, in which good bacteria participate. It has also been proven that supplementation with certain strains of probiotics alleviates depressive behaviour.
Against obesity
An increasing number of researches suggest that probiotics can help in reduction of body weight. It is therefore recommended to use them along with the dietary nutrition to help make your weight loss efforts more effective.
