3 Benefits of Probiotics to Boost Your Health Naturally

Probiotics are live microorganisms found in your gut and fermented treats, such as yogurts or kimchi, as well as supplements, that can deliver a wider array of benefits to your health when taken in adequate amounts. You may be thinking about the irony of ingesting bacteria to promote health when most bacteria you have been acquainted with are known to cause disease. However, it is important to know that not all bacteria are pathogenic. This means that good bacteria exist, and these wonderful microorganisms help strengthen your body’s natural abilities to protect itself. 

What are Probiotics?

Probiotics are microorganisms, such as yeast or bacteria, that are harmless and able to survive in the body to help prevent and manage diseases caused by pathogenic foreign invaders and immune dysfunction. These microorganisms help nurture the growth of your body’s natural flora and inhibits the growth of bad microbes in the body, thereby promoting optimal balance within.1 Additionally, probiotics strengthen your body’s abilities to synthesize antimicrobial factors that prevent pathogens from binding to cells and causing disease! 

Did you know? 
Probiotics are actually found in many areas of the body! These essential microorganisms do not only inhabit your stomach and intestines. 

​Supporting Gut Health

The secret to optimal gut health is maintaining the innate balance of your gut’s natural microbiota. However, with antibiotic use and misuse, unhealthy lifestyle, and frequent bacterial infections, this balance may be difficult to maintain. Antibiotics, although helpful in fighting off infections caused by pathogenic bacteria, can be toxic to your gut’s natural microbiota. A very concerning phenomenon today is antibiotic resistance due to the improper use of these medications, making certain types of antibiotics useless for people with resistant strains. Similarly, unhealthy lifestyle choices can affect the stability of your gut’s microbiota. Eating foods rich in saturated and trans-fat can trigger inflammation that can disrupt the integrity of your intestinal lining.2
 
Dysbiosis happens when balance in your gut’s microbiota is disrupted, contributing to gastrointestinal conditions and immune dysfunction such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or celiac disease.1 Probiotics fight off this imbalance by acting competitively – fighting for space and resources, preventing pathogenic microorganisms from proliferating and infiltrating the bloodstream and surrounding tissues.1 Interestingly, probiotics have been widely used to reestablish the body’s healthy amount of good microbiota, preventing further infections in people who recently used antibiotics.1
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Strengthening Oral Health

Probiotics can help strengthen your oral health by preventing the development of dental carries (cavities) which can harbor microorganisms that cause decay and disease! Dental carries occur when the outer layer of your teeth has been decalcified because of too much acid produced by pathogenic bacteria that adheres to your dentin and enamel (a.k.a. the outer layers of your teeth). This can cause pain, discomfort, and even increases your risks of developing infections and complications when not adequately addressed. Probiotics can help prevent these risks from happening by attaching to the outer coatings of your teeth and fighting off the bacteria that cause dental carries!1 Additionally, probiotics can help nurture your gum health by fighting off pathogenic bacteria that trigger inflammation and strengthen your gum’s protective barrier.1
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Nurturing Immunity

Your intestines are filled with lymphoid tissues, which are areas in the body where immune cells (white blood cells) that trigger and promote inflammation are found. To maintain immune balance, your immune cells and natural microbiota work together in a stable environment. Supplementing your diet with probiotics allows good bacteria to maintain this balance. Probiotics are effective in boosting your body’s protective abilities against infections and nurtures its innate potential to maintain balance within. Simply put, probiotics help stimulate the secretion of antibodies and anti-inflammatory mediators that help regulate your immune response.3  

The Naturopathic Approach

The benefits of probiotics for your health cannot be understated. Its abundance in your body helps protect it from infections and unwanted inflammation that may cause more harm than good. Nurturing the number of these microorganisms through nutrition and supplementation is an effective and natural way to achieve and nurture optimal health. At Natural Path to Wellness, our team of naturopathic medicine advisors are committed to helping you discover the best natural and holistic strategies for your health needs and preferences.

To learn more about the benefits of probiotics for your health and wellness journey, talk to us today!

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This article is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Please consult your licensed naturopathic physician or other licensed healthcare provider before making changes to your medications or supplements. 

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​REFERENCES:

1. Bodke H, Jogdand S. Role of Probiotics in Human Health. Cureus. 2022;14(11):e31313. Published 2022 Nov 9. doi:10.7759/cureus.31313
2. Martinez JE, Kahana DD, Ghuman S, et al. Unhealthy Lifestyle and Gut Dysbiosis: A Better Understanding of the Effects of Poor Diet and Nicotine on the Intestinal Microbiome. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2021;12:667066. Published 2021 Jun 8. doi:10.3389/fendo.2021.667066
3. Mazziotta C, Tognon M, Martini F, Torreggiani E, Rotondo JC. Probiotics Mechanism of Action on Immune Cells and Beneficial Effects on Human Health. Cells. 2023;12(1):184. Published 2023 Jan 2. doi:10.3390/cells12010184