5 Probiotic Benefits That Have Nothing To Do With Digestion

Ultimately, the health of your gut can affect almost every other aspect of your health and wellness. And thanks to the probiotic bacteria we get from eating fermented foods or taking a high-quality supplement, we can help support our gut health every day. Here are five interesting ways you might feel the impact aside from improved digestion:

This is big. Since immune cells are located in the gut (it's believed that your gut represents as much as 70 percent of your entire immune system), a sluggish, imbalanced gut may also mean weakened immune function. Case in point, there's evidence indicating that probiotics may help inhibit the growth of harmful, disease-causing bacteria, giving your immune system a boost when it comes to preventing viral infections like the common cold1. Some studies suggest that probiotics can even help suppress allergies2 and allergic reactions. Keep in mind, though, that not all probiotics are the same, and that some strains are more useful for immune system defense than others.

The Mycrobiome® Probiotic line from Solaray® includes a Weight Formula that contains 18 different strains to support normal appetite, sustained energy, blood sugar balance, and stress relief, hitting on all the areas that contribute to healthy weight management. The enteric-coated Mycrobiome® capsules help protect these live strains from disintegrating early in your stomach, so they reach their destination in your gut to then colonize.

Speaking of high blood pressure, heart disease is the leading cause of death worldwide5, according to the World Health Organization. Keeping your blood pressure and cholesterol levels in check supports good overall heart health, and some studies have suggested that certain probiotics, taken consistently over long periods of time, can help with that. A review of studies6 suggests that probiotics can modestly lower blood pressure, and a number of studies have suggested that probiotics may increase HDL ("good") cholesterol7 and reduce LDL ("bad") cholesterol8 by preventing it from being absorbed into the bloodstream.

Even skin—your body's largest organ—can show improvement with a bit of assistance from beneficial bacteria. It all goes back to the idea of fighting inflammation: Studies suggest that some probiotic strains may help improve certain skin conditions9 like acne, rosacea, and eczema that stem from inflammatory flare-ups. Bonus: Some probiotics may even boost your skin's hydration levels by helping your body produce hyaluronic acid, which supports your skin's elasticity and tightness, preventing visible signs of aging.

Getting a dose of beneficial bacteria in your gut may positively benefit your mood and mental well-being10. Research points to interesting developments in how boosting your gut health could help combat anxiety and other mental health conditions11 and mood disorders, often by helping reduce cortisol (the body's primary stress hormone). A recent meta-analysis that analyzed nearly 1,500 adults from 10 clinical trials showed that probiotics may even alleviate depressive symptoms12 and have a positive effect on brain function.