Four Ways Probiotics Help Keep Your Horse (and you) healthy

More and more studies show that the balance or imbalance of bacteria in your digestive system is linked to overall health and disease. Probiotics promote a healthy balance of gut bacteria and have been linked to a wide range of health benefits. These include benefits for weight loss, digestive health, immune function and more.

1.PROBIOTICS HELPS BALANCE THE FRIENDLY BACTERIA IN YOUR DIGESTIVE SYSTEM.

Probiotics include “good” bacteria. These are live microorganisms that can provide health benefits when consumed. These benefits are thought to result from the ability of probiotics to restore the natural balance of gut bacteria. An imbalance means there are too many bad bacteria and not enough good bacteria. It can happen due to illness, medication such as antibiotics, poor diet and more.

Consequences can include digestive issues, allergies, mental health problems, obesity and more. Probiotics are usually found in fermented foods or taken as supplements. What’s more, they appear to be safe for most people.

Bottom Line: Probiotics are live microorganisms. when taken in sufficient amounts, they can help restore the natural balance of gut bacteria. As a result, health benefits may follow.

2. PROBIOTICS CAN HELP PREVENT AND TREAT DIARRHEA.

Probiotics are widely known for their ability to prevent diarrhea or reduce its severity.

Diarrhea is a common side effect of taking antibiotics. It occurs because antibiotics can negatively affect the balance of good and bad bacteria in the gut. Several studies suggest probiotics use is associated with a reduced risk of antibiotic-associated diarrhea. In one study, researchers found that taking probiotics reduce antibiotic-associated diarrhea by 4296. Probiotics can also help with other forms of diarrhea not associated with antibiotics. A large review of 35 studies found certain strains of probiotics can reduce the duration of infectious diarrhea by an average of 25 hours. Probiotics reduced the risk of travelers’ diarrhea by 896. They also lowered the risk of diarrhea from other causes by 5796 in children and 2696 in adults. Effectiveness varies, depending on the type and dose of the probiotic taken. Strains such as Lactobacillus rhamnaceous, Lactobacillus casei and the yeast Saccharomyces boulardii are most commonly associated with a reduced risk of diarrhea.

Bottom Line: Probiotics can reduce the risk and severity of diarrhea from a number of different causes.

3. PROBIOTIC SUPPLEMENTS IMPROVE SOME MENTAL HEALTH CONDITIONS.

An increasing number of studies link gut health to mood and mental health. Both animal and human studies find that probiotic supplements can improve some mental health disorders. A review of 15 human studies found supplementing with Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus strains for 102 months can improve anxiety, depression, autism, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and memory.

One study followed 70 chemical workers for 6 weeks. Those who consumed 100 grams of probiotic yogurt per day or took a daily probiotic capsule experienced benefits for general health, depression, anxiety, and stress. Benefits were also seen in a study of 40 patients with depression. Taking probiotic supplements for 8 weeks decreased depression levels and reduced levels of C-reactive protein (a marker of inflammation) and hormones such as insulin, compared to people who did not take of probiotic.

Bottom Line: Research shows taking Probiotics may help improve symptoms of mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety, stress, and memory, among others.

4. CERTAIN PROBIOTIC STRAINS CAN HELP KEEP YOUR HEART HEALTHY.

Probiotics may help keep your heart healthy by lowering LDL (“bad”) cholesterol and blood pressure. Certain lactic acid-producing bacteria may reduce cholesterol by breaking down bile in the gut.

Bile, a naturally occurring fluid mostly made of cholesterol, helps digestion. By breaking down bile, probiotics can prevent it from being reabsorbed in the gut, where it can enter the blood as cholesterol. A review of 5 studies found that eating a probiotic yogurt for 2-8 weeks reduced total cholesterol by 4% and LDL cholesterol by 5%. Another study conducted over 6 months found no changes in total or LDL cholesterol. However, the researchers did find a small increase in HDL (“Good”) cholesterol. Consuming Probiotics may also lower blood pressure. A review of 9 studies found that probiotic supplements reduce blood pressure, but only modestly. In order to experience any benefits related to blood pressure, supplementation had to exceed 8 weeks and 10 million colony-forming units  (CFUs) daily.

Bottom Line: Probiotics may help protect the heart by reducing  “bad” LDL cholesterol levels and modestly lowering blood pressure.