What are probiotics used for in capsules and foods?

The probiotics are used to form the intestinal flora, protect against bacterial and fungal infections, and improve the immune system response.

Probiotics, what are they used for

They are a group of beneficial bacteria for health that form the human microbiota. It is very common to wonder What are probiotics used for? and to have doubts about whether they really work, if they have properties for weight loss, or if they are just a series of pills with placebo effects.

In the form of dietary supplements or as live bacteria, probiotics have benefits for human health. They compose the intestinal flora, a set of microorganisms that stimulate digestion and help process food better and, along with prebiotics, can make you feel better.

The microbiota consists of many types of bacteria and among them, we find the best probiotics. So, below, we indicate what probiotics are used for to help you draw your own conclusions:

• Weight loss and against obesity.
• Form the intestinal flora of newborns.
• Improve digestion.
• Increase the absorption of essential minerals such as magnesium, iron, and calcium.
• Eliminate intestinal gas.
• Against bad breath.
• Ferment carbohydrates from food.
• Reduce intestinal inflammation.
• Promote colon function.
• Regulate intestinal transit.
• Synthesize vitamins.
• Improve the immune system and protect the intestinal tract from harmful bacteria.
• Regulate skin pH.
• Encourage blood vessel formation (angiogenesis).
• Reduce the likelihood of type I diabetes.
• Produce short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs).

Weight loss

Another great advantage of probiotics is their effect against weight gain and obesity. Unbelievably, these small organisms facilitate nutrient assimilation, making them better utilized and forming fewer fat cells.

By improving calcium absorption and regulating LDL cholesterol, they benefit the cardiovascular and skeletal systems. Furthermore, a study by the University of Navarra has shown that bifidobacteria reduce the formation of localized fat.

Yogurt is very rich in bifidobacteria, which regulate calcium function in the body and are also related to fat metabolism.

With calcium more available in the body, there is less accumulation of excess nutrients, reducing the risk of obesity and helping you have a better body. Leaner and with fewer love handles.

But to lose weight, it is also important to eat well, maintain a healthy lifestyle, do some exercise, and eat yogurts with bifidus.

If you are interested in these effects of probiotics, we recommend you read about the benefits of Lactobacillus rhamnosus. You can find it in prebiotic foods like yogurt, pickles, umeboshi plums, and sauerkraut.

Oh, and don't forget to take prebiotics or better yet, include symbiotic foods in your diet.

Intestinal Flora

The flora or intestinal microbiota is the set of bacteria that inhabit the intestine. It is essential for digesting, assimilating, and utilizing nutrients from food, and it is composed of millions of species of bacteria, all considered probiotics.

Indeed, all people and animals have small microorganisms inside them that live in symbiosis with us. These bacteria benefit from the body's protection and obtain nutrients. We humans benefit from probiotics in food digestion.

Thanks to the intestinal flora, we can synthesize vitamin B, vitamin K, and improve mineral absorption.

Digestion

Probiotics are really good for digestion. Some probiotics considered lactic acid bacteria reduce stomach acidity, regulate pH, and make gastric juices cause less discomfort.

By establishing a suitable pH for the digestive tract, the growth of pathogenic bacteria is inhibited.

Nutrient Absorption

By regulating, increasing, and improving the intestinal flora's function, food is processed better, making the trace elements they contain bioavailable.

Probiotics help us with mineral absorption, making them available in greater quantities.

Additionally, the digestive tract can obtain more calcium, which is important for having strong, dense bones and preventing decalcification, which is very common in women after menopause when osteoporosis often appears.

Intestinal Gas

Probiotics for intestinal gas are excellent. They reduce CO2 production in the digestive tract by speeding up food digestion. As they are fermentative bacteria, they decrease the time food stays in the stomach and intestines, thus preventing, in most cases, the formation of intestinal gas that causes discomfort.

In many cases, they are recommended, especially if you frequently suffer from bloating, flatulence, or the need to burp often.

Besides reducing gas, probiotics eliminate heavy digestion. Practically, this will make you feel better, with less stomach heaviness and fewer heartburns.

Bad Breath

Some people suffer from chronic halitosis due to poor intestinal flora or digestive problems. In this case, probiotics are a remedy for bad breath as they help restore the intestinal microbiota, which helps us digest food properly, preventing it from rotting in the intestines.

This, as mentioned, has a significant range of health benefits.

On one hand, probiotics can prevent bad breath, but they also help you feel less bloated, reduce stomach heaviness, and, as a bonus, regulate intestinal transit, making your bowel movements more regular.

Focusing on bad breath, a group of lactobacilli has been isolated that benefits against halitosis.

Specifically, it is Lactobacillus Salivarius WB21, a probiotic strain that works as a treatment for bad breath.

To be effective, it should be taken for 14 days, preferably for 28 days, to regulate oral flora. This way, it is possible to inhibit the growth of bacterial plaque and germs that cause mouth odor.

We recommend reading all the information about Lactobacillus Salivarius WB21 and bad breath.

Intestinal Inflammation

Ulcerative colitis, irritable bowel syndrome, Crohn's disease… all these conditions are related to intestinal inflammation, causing a series of symptoms and discomforts that prevent the affected person from leading a complete and happy life.

Besides the need to establish an adequate diet, it may be advisable to include probiotic foods or, alternatively, take one of the many supplements with millions of live bacteria.

For example, it has been discovered that Lactobacillus acidophilus Rosell-52 is beneficial for treating the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. It reduces the pain and general discomfort that IBS produces.

While it is not a treatment that eliminates the causes, it can act as a complement, meaning that while following medical treatment, it will help the person experience less discomfort associated with irritable bowel syndrome.

It is recommended to take L. acidophilus with L. rhamnosus, both probiotic bacteria of the lactobacilli species.

Immune System

Probiotics increase intestinal immunity, helping the intestines adapt to the environment and become more resistant against attacks from germs and microbes.

The microorganisms create a pH unsuitable for many bacteria and yeasts that cause infections, slowing their proliferation.

Moreover, probiotics for the immune system act as modulators, also offering the advantage of secreting more cytokines.

Another property of probiotics in the human diet is that they promote the differentiation of B lymphocytes, cells that make up the immune system and have the function of producing antibodies against antigens. This way, germs can be detected and fought before the infection grows.

Skin Diseases

A large number of bacteria can be found on the skin, around 19 phyla that have protective effects and regulate skin pH.

The skin microbiota is very important. Without it, we would be unprotected against fungi and bacteria that would roam freely.

Dermal health is based on proper hygiene and also on the microbial ecosystem.

Having dermal flora creates a barrier against bacterial invasion, better maintaining the immune system's function and giving the body time to respond when there is an attack by microorganisms.

Furthermore, many skin pathologies such as atopic dermatitis, rosacea, psoriasis, and acne are affected by infections that, with proper skin flora, could be reduced.

For the skin, the probiotic that works best is Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG.

Increased Vitamin Synthesis

Another benefit or purpose of probiotics is to synthesize vitamins B and K.

B-group vitamins are related to cellular metabolism, protecting us against solar radiation and DNA damage. Additionally, vitamin B2 deficiency is associated with an increased risk of colon cancer.

Probiotics help us have more vitamin B in the body (thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid, pyridoxine, biotin, folic acid, and cobalamin).

On the other hand, with vitamin K, we find benefits for body development. This vitamin is essential for forming new tissues, increasing muscle mass, and producing bone material. It is also related to blood clotting, causing hemorrhages when there is a vitamin K deficiency.

So, in addition to offering protection, probiotics serve to regulate metabolism and synthesize necessary vitamins for proper health.

Allergies

Another major issue in the Western world and developed countries is allergies. They are increasingly common due to pollution, the use of chemicals, and various allergens.

As allergies are a very current topic, some researchers have developed a special probiotic strain that benefits the immune system and helps it function better.

Lactobacillus acidophilus L-92 is a type of lactobacillus that works well to regulate allergies. It has been tested in people with pollen allergies and allergic rhinitis, producing beneficial effects, such as less discomfort, reduced nasal secretion, and clearer airways.

1. acidophilus has antiallergic effects, which is a great advantage when spring arrives.

Preventing Infections

By promoting the growth of health-beneficial bacteria, we prevent pathogenic ones from colonizing the intestine, genitourinary tract, and respiratory tract.

Probiotics help prevent infections caused by bacteria, fungi, and yeasts. Many infections and diseases like colitis can be more manageable when taking probiotics.

By reinforcing their growth and adding them orally, the number of beneficial bacteria increases, reducing the space for harmful ones.

Inflammatory Diseases

Probiotics play an important role in reducing the symptoms of diseases like Crohn's, irritable bowel syndrome, and many other types of human ailments.

Probiotics regulate intestinal function, reducing discomfort and alleviating constipation and diarrhea.

Candida Infection (Candidiasis)

In many cases, they help slow down the proliferation of pathogens like Candida albicans, the cause of candidiasis.

While not a pharmacological treatment, probiotics for candida make this type of fungus grow more slowly, having fewer nutrients and less space to replicate.

Constipation and Diarrhea

Blockage of stools and their hardness is a common problem in the adult population, but also in the elderly and children.

Probiotics for constipation help balance the intestinal flora, producing a beneficial effect on food digestion and the expulsion of metabolic waste. They facilitate water absorption and prevent stools from becoming too hard.

Are Probiotic Capsules Better Than Foods?

Although both contain millions of health-beneficial bacteria, probiotic capsules are more effective. The reason is that they contain a much larger amount of lactobacilli and bifidobacteria, gathering different strains to provide greater benefits.

However, eating probiotic foods is very healthy, although it works better for prevention than cure.

In contrast, capsules, pills, or powdered probiotics are more effective as complementary treatments (adjuvant). For example, in the case of a Candida infection or to relieve constipation. Eating yogurt or fermented foods will facilitate healing, but since the number of bacteria can vary, the effects will also be variable.

On the other hand, with a prepared product, probiotic doses will be much higher, allowing you to choose the right one for each case. There are probiotics for diarrhea, constipation, and also those focused on intestinal flora, allergies, and other conditions.

In any case, we recommend you save this article and regularly consume probiotics in foods. If necessary, you can review it to find the appropriate probiotic for your need or consult us to help you find the best one.