The Importance of Probiotics

by | Nov 7, 2016 | Digestive Health, Probiotics

Written by Joyce Smith, BS. Learn about the many beneficial ways that probiotics influence our health and well-being.

shutterstock_295871813The human intestine is home to nearly 100 trillion microbes.1 These microbes have a relationship with our bodies that begins when we are born and continues as a mutually beneficial relationship throughout our lifetime. These ever-present microbes are referred to as commensal intestinal microbiota. More than 1000 bacterial species have been identified in our microbiota.1

This vast bacterial community lives primarily in the lower gut and maintains a symbiotic relationship with us. A bidirectional communication system, known as the gut–brain axis, links the gut to the brain. This communication system allows our gut bacteria to communicate with our brains via the vagus nerve and a series of complex signaling pathways. Thus, the intestinal bacteria can communicate with the brain to influence brain development and behavior. 1,2

Aside from all of its other functions, the gastrointestinal tract is a lymphoid organ. The lymphoid tissue within it contains 80% of the immune system. The existing mutually beneficial relationship we have with our gut bacteria helps to maintain a normal immune function, gut mobility and nutrient absorption. When this relationship is disrupted, gastrointestinal function is altered and we are more susceptible to a broad spectrum of diseases 3 including irritable bowel syndrome, depression, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s and even Alzheimer’s disease. 1 

How Do Probiotics Support Our Health?

The vagus nerve, which links the brain with the heart and the digestive tract, stimulates parasympathetic activities that result in a steady heart beat and intestinal peristalsis (the rhythmic movement of the intestines) that helps with the digestive process. The vagus nerve affects many other physiological events but these two provide a clear pathway for probiotics, with their many signaling biochemicals, to communicate with the brain, immune system, and digestive tract. 4

Much of our current research focuses on identifying the bacteria responsible for altering the microbial composition of the gut and attempts to determine the appropriate probiotics required to restore normal gut function. Some of the benefits of probiotic supplementation for various health conditions are discussed below.

Probiotics and Preterm Infant Health:

A 2016 study demonstrated that of the 10,890 infants, those who were given a combination of Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium infantis had a significant 52 % reduced risk of developing necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC); a 49% reduced risk of death after contacting NEC and an 11% reduced risk of blood stream infections compared to preterm infants who did not receive probiotics. 5

Probiotics for Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and Constipation:

Supplementation with Lactobacillis acidophilus, L. reuteri, L. plantarum and L. rhamnosus significantly reduced symptoms of IBS such as abdominal pain, bloating, constipation, abdominal cramps and gas. Quality of life and constipation were also improved. 6 

Effect of Probiotic Lactobacillus Casei Strain Shirota on Stress:

Students, who drank milk containing the probiotic Lactobacillus casei [called Shirota (LcS)] 8 weeks prior to taking an important exam, experienced significantly lower salivary cortisol levels while taking the exam. When compared to the control group, their rate of cold and flu symptoms were also significantly lower during the 8 weeks prior to the exams.7

Probiotics May Reduce Risk of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD):

The 40 children in this study who took probiotics had no symptoms of ADHD or ASD. However, a significant 17.1% of the 35 children, who did not take probiotics, were diagnosed with ADHD or ASD. Also, the amount of Bifidobacterium species of bacteria during the first 6 months of infant life was lower in the children with ADHD and ASD compared to the healthy children.8 

Probiotics for Constipation in Parkinson Patients:

Researchers concluded that fermented milk with added probiotics and prebiotic fiber was significantly superior to placebo in improving constipation in PD patients and could be recommended as an effective additional treatment option for constipation.9 

Probiotics for Diabetes:

Diabetic patients who supplemented 8 weeks with a multispecies probiotic containing (Lactobacillus acidophilus, L. casei, L. rhamnosus, L. bulgaricus, Bifidobacterium breve, B. longum, and Streptococcus thermophilus) had significant improvements in fasting blood glucose, insulin resistance, C-reactive protein, and total glutathione compared to control.10 

Probiotics May Benefit Women During Pregnancy:

Pregnant women with gestational diabetes who took probiotics for 6 weeks significantly improved their fasting blood sugar  by 5% and experienced a 14.2 % lower weight gain compared to the control group. 11 

Probiotics for Early Childhood Caries:

The results of this study suggested that early childhood caries development could be reduced if preschool children took probiotic chewing tablets along with their daily use of fluoride toothpaste.12

Probiotics Reduce Diarrhea during Cancer Treatment:

This study demonstrated that supplementing with a probiotic containing live Lactobacillus acidophilus plus Bifidobacterium bifidum significantly reduced the incidence of radiation-induced diarrhea and the need for anti-diarrheal medication in cervical cancer patients. 13 

Probiotics Help Functional Constipation:

Infants receiving L. reuteri (DSM17938) had a significantly higher frequency of bowel movements than infants receiving a placebo at weeks 2, 4, and 8 of supplementation. There was no change in bowel consistency and episodes of inconsolable crying in both the infants receiving the probiotic and the control group. 14

Probiotics for Hypertension:

Probiotics can improve hypertension, by having a positive effect on cholesterol, diabetes, renin, and phytoestrogens. It also provides studies to back up claims. 15

Probiotics for Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome (MetS):

When participating subjects with metabolic syndrome drank 80 mL of fermented milk with Bifidobacterium lactis HN019 for  45 days, they had a significant reduction in body mass index, total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein compared to baseline and control groups. There was also a significant decrease in proinflammatory cytokines. Researchers concluded that the potential of B. lactis HN019 to reduce obesity, blood lipids, and some inflammatory markers may also reduce cardiovascular risk in patients with MetS.16

Probiotics for Gingivitis:

Study participants with gingivitis, when supplementing for 8 weeks with L. reuteri, significantly reduced the number of selected periodontal pathogens present in their subgingival microbiota. 17

References:

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  2. Collins SM, Kassam Z, Bercik P. The adoptive transfer of behavioral phenotype via the intestinal microbiota: experimental evidence and clinical implications. Current opinion in microbiology. 2013;16(3):240-245.
  3. Collins SM, Bercik P. The relationship between intestinal microbiota and the central nervous system in normal gastrointestinal function and disease. Gastroenterology. 2009;136(6):2003-2014.
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  5. Denkel LA, Schwab F, Garten L, Geffers C, Gastmeier P, Piening B. Protective Effect of Dual-Strain Probiotics in Preterm Infants: A Multi-Center Time Series Analysis. PloS one. 2016;11(6):e0158136.
  6. Mezzasalma V, Manfrini E, Ferri E, et al. A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial: The Efficacy of Multispecies Probiotic Supplementation in Alleviating Symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome Associated with Constipation. BioMed Research International. 2016;2016.
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  11. Dolatkhah N, Hajifaraji M, Abbasalizadeh F, Aghamohammadzadeh N, Mehrabi Y, Abbasi MM. Is there a value for probiotic supplements in gestational diabetes mellitus? A randomized clinical trial. Journal of Health, Population and Nutrition. 2015;33(1):1.
  12. Hedayati-Hajikand T, Lundberg U, Eldh C, Twetman S. Effect of probiotic chewing tablets on early childhood caries–a randomized controlled trial. BMC oral health. 2015;15(1):112.
  13. Chitapanarux I, Chitapanarux T, Traisathit P, Kudumpee S, Tharavichitkul E, Lorvidhaya V. Research Randomized controlled trial of live lactobacillus acidophilus plus bifidobacterium bifidum in prophylaxis of diarrhea during radiotherapy in cervical cancer patients. 2010.
  14. Coccorullo P, Strisciuglio C, Martinelli M, Miele E, Greco L, Staiano A. Lactobacillus reuteri (DSM 17938) in infants with functional chronic constipation: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study. The Journal of pediatrics. 2010;157(4):598-602.
  15. Lye H-S, Kuan C-Y, Ewe J-A, Fung W-Y, Liong M-T. The improvement of hypertension by probiotics: effects on cholesterol, diabetes, renin, and phytoestrogens. International journal of molecular sciences. 2009;10(9):3755-3775.
  16. Bernini LJ, Simão ANC, Alfieri DF, et al. Beneficial effects of Bifidobacterium lactis on lipid profile and cytokines in patients with metabolic syndrome: a randomized trial. Nutrition. 2015.
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