Surprising benefits of probiotics

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They’re being mixed in with your favorite flavored water, they’re becoming a part of your daily vitamin’s formula, and they’re being sold in little suspicious, milky bottles on the shelf near the checkout of your favorite health food store. We’re talking about probiotics. They seem to be all the rage right now. Truly, they shouldn’t just be seen as a rage or a trend but something we’ll permanently incorporate into our health routines moving forward. Don’t just look at probiotics as something you could add to your diet, like a shot of wheatgrass or some salmon oil capsules, but rather look at them as something you must add to your diet. Some people believe only those with digestive issues need them, but everybody can benefit from probiotics in many ways—digestion disturbances or not. Here are the surprising benefits of probiotics.

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Eczema treatment

Bacteria live all over and in your body, including on your skin. Eczema is an allergic reaction one might have to some bacteria, but certain strains of probiotics can fight this nasty, itchy condition.

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Diabetes hindrance

Some studies have found that certain probiotics can delay glucose intolerance and improve insulin sensitivity.

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As a depression fighter

There is a strong relationship between your gut and your brain. You may have noticed that when you’re under stress, for example, your digestion acts up. So it should come as no surprise that taking certain strains of probiotics can reduce depression and anxiety.

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Supporting vaginal health

A woman’s vagina depends on a very fragile balance of good and bad bacteria. The moment that balance is thrown off, a woman is susceptible to yeast infections and bacterial vaginosis. Probiotics— L. acidophilus in particular—can fight off these uncomfortable infections.

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Getting that pre-baby body back

Shedding belly fat is one of the biggest fitness struggles for post-partum mothers. Certain probiotics have been shown to help these women lose that particularly stubborn fat.

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Prevent urinary tract infections

Urinary tract infections may be common, but that doesn’t make them any less of a pain. Taking probiotics can promote a healthy balance of bacteria in the urinary tract that can prevent such infections. Not to mention, if you’re taking an antibiotic for an existing UTI, taking a probiotic with it can prevent the issue from coming back.

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Shorten the duration of diarrhea

Diarrhea can derail your entire day and sometimes several days. This becomes even more of a problem when you’re on vacation, hoping to be out and about, site seeing. Probiotics can, however, shorten the duration of traveler’s diarrhea substantially.

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As a pathogen killer

Probiotics are essentially good bacteria. Sometimes, bad bacteria—i.e. pathogens—enter your body. What happens when good fights evil? Good prevails! (We hope). Having probiotics running through your stomach can fight off certain pathogens that can cause serious GI problems.

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Combat respiratory infections

If your child suffers from respiratory infections, consider giving him an antibiotic. Some strains have been found to significantly reduce the incidence of respiratory infections in children.

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Fight obesity

Obesity can be a result of an imbalance of bacteria in the gut (too much bad bacteria and not enough good bacteria). Taking probiotics regularly can be a sustainable solution to fighting obesity, along with diet and exercise.

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As a cholesterol improvement

Some studies have found that taking certain strains of probiotics for several months on end can reduce bad and raise good cholesterol by around four to five percent.

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As a lactose and dairy allergy fighter

In some cases, probiotic users have found that taking some strains of the good bacteria has reduced their reactions in dairy and lactose outbreaks.

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As a colitis fighter

Some studies have found that a certain strain of probiotics called E. coli Nissle is just as effective as medication in reducing ulcerative colitis flare-ups.

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Boost immunity

Probiotics cannot only boost the production of antibodies in your system, but they can also promote the production of several immune cells like the IgA-producing cells and T lymphocytes.