There has been a lot of hype around the use of probiotics and many people will take a broad-spectrum probiotic for general health. But did you know that specific strains help with different health conditions? This will be explored further in later newsletter editions.

Here, we shall focus on the immune system. Take for instance the common cold, which can knock you around, so you miss work or that all important social occasion. Taking antibiotics is not always the answer, with the burden of potential harm often outweighing the benefits. The interest in a therapeutic alternative is rising.

Approximately 70% of our immune system resides in the gut. Having a healthy gut microbiome assists the regulation of the immune system. Consuming probiotics has been found to enhance the function of the immune system by interacting with the intestinal immune cells. Their ability to improve the immune system function is through:

• Preventing the growth and proliferation of pathogenic microorganisms by competing for nutrients
• Inhibiting the ‘bad’ bacteria from adhering to the luminal walls and preventing the damage they cause through this first step of infection.
• Destroying ‘bad’ bacteria through the production of antimicrobial substances.
• Reducing inflammation by creating a shift in the gut flora to the more beneficial microorganisms that produce anti-inflammatory substances.
• Protecting and improving intestinal barriers and reducing permeability through the production of beneficial metabolites such as short chain fatty acids. This increases the mucous membrane and allows the beneficial bacteria to adhere more effectively.

Clinical trials on specific probiotics beneficial to the immune system, such as Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus Rhamnosus GG and Bififidobacterium animalis have been shown to reduce fever, respiratory infection, and gastrointestinal infections.

How long would you expect some sort of improvement? It would generally take several weeks for the probiotics to affect the gut microbiome and impact on the immune function.

There is an exception though - due to the lack of clinical evidence, taking probiotics in those who are immunocompromised is not advised.

While there may be a benefit to taking probiotics, it is always best to come in and speak with our friendly pharmacist or naturopath to make sure that the probiotic selected is best for your needs.