Probiotics confirmed for positive health impacts

What we know for sure

About 12 months ago I reviewed the state of probiotic research in this article (published on our sister site uni-vite.com/microbiotic): Best probiotic strains for a healthy gut - Microbiotic Plus Probiotics (uni-vite.com).

I do recommend you read it – because there is no doubt that the health of your microbiome is a major factor in your physical and mental health.

We know that there is a correlation between the level and diversity of ‘good’ bacteria in your gut and longevity.

We also know that probiotics can improve the absorption of nutrients from the gut – especially important as you get older. And probiotics can improve immune function by improving the ratio of good to ‘bad’ intestinal microbes.

The report that top US university MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) is using Crispr gene editing technology to create ‘designer microbes’ that could reduce the methane that cows release, prompted me to check if there was any reason to modify that August 2022 report.

Probiotics reduce long covid severity

A University of Cambridge study has shown that 4 specific strains of probiotics – including Lactobacillus plantarum and Lactobacillus rhamnosus, both of which are in Microbiotic Plus – were found to reduce the impact of both acute and long-term COVID. That’s almost certainly because they help reduce inflammation.

Link to reference

Probiotics effective for IBS and gut inflammatory issues

The US National Institutes for Health (NIH) surveyed the current state of probiotic research. Here are the top findings:

A review of 53 studies (5,545 total participants) of probiotics for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) concluded that probiotics definitely have beneficial effects on global IBS symptoms and abdominal pain.

A review of 21 studies in patients with ulcerative colitis (1,700 participants) indicated that adding probiotics, prebiotics, or ‘synbiotics’ (combination of pro- and pre-biotics) to conventional treatment can be helpful in inducing or maintaining remission of the disease.

Reference: Probiotics: What You Need To Know | NCCIH (nih.gov)

Probiotics effective in preventing diarrhoea

11 studies (5,143 participants) of probiotics or prebiotics for prevention of traveller’s diarrhoea found evidence that they may be helpful. Other studies show effectiveness for infectious diarrhoea.

Reference: Probiotics: What You Need To Know | NCCIH (nih.gov)

Probiotics reduce allergy reactions

A review of 23 studies (1,919 participants) in which probiotics were tested for treating allergic rhinitis (hay fever) found some evidence that they may be helpful for improving symptoms and quality of life.

Reference: Probiotics: What You Need To Know | NCCIH (nih.gov)

Probiotics reduce number and severity of upper respiratory tract infections like colds and flu

Probiotics have been tested for their effects against upper respiratory tract infections (a group that includes the common cold, middle ear infections, sinusitis, and various throat infections). 12 studies with 3,720 total participants indicated that people taking probiotics have fewer and shorter upper respiratory tract infections.

Reference: Probiotics: What You Need To Know | NCCIH (nih.gov)

Delay Ageing book explains the ageing process and how you can postpone it

Medical researchers agree that if you slow ageing, you also delay the onset of age-related disease. And we know that it’s not just nutrition. Sleep, reducing stress and cardio and strength exercise are also essential to longevity and ageing well.

My book Delay Ageing: Healthy to 100, published in 2020, explains the latest ageing science in an accessible way.

It’s been rated 5-star and I am sure you will get a lot of benefit from it, as so many have already.

Click here to go to the publisher's website where you can buy the printed book or Kindle version.