If you are wondering which probiotics are best for immune system, you are in the right place, as we will break down everything for you. As immune health has become more understood in recent years, numerous strategies for supporting it have also multiplied.
It is still valuable to get ample vitamin D, eat nutritious foods and prioritise the quality of sleep if you want to have a good immune system. But more people are turning to probiotics to boost their immunity. They use carefully chosen probiotic strains to support their immune health.
If you want to understand better the connection between immunity and probiotics and more effective probiotic strains, we will give you some of the basics you need to keep in mind.
Probiotics and the immune system
Whilst we may not think of our immune system as living in the gut, most of our immune system is indeed in the gut. When you have a lot of bad bacteria in your body, it will negatively affect your immune system. That is where probiotics are very important. They are live microorganisms that have a lot of positive health benefits on the microbiome in the gut. But not all probiotics are the same. Some strains of probiotics support the immune system while others do not. It is therefore important to check the label before buying probiotics for health.
Choosing the right probiotics for the immune system
There are different probiotics designed for different uses so you should ensure you discuss your unique needs with your doctor. There are two strains of probiotics that come up a lot – bifidobacterium and lactobacillus. Here are some probiotics to consider if you want to boost your immune system.
Lactobacillus acidophilus
This is a strain of the lactobacillus bacteria and it produces lactic acid. It lives in the small intestine. Studies indicate that it may be effective in triggering the expression of our viral defence genes. This means that it stimulates the immune system. They are also very protective against harmful bacteria such as E.coli.
Bifidobacterium lactis
This is commonly found in the large intestine or the colon. These probiotics produce butyrate which is the short-chain fatty acid, which keeps the cells of the colon functioning efficiently. Some studies show that these bacteria are also helpful to the immune system and boost the health of the gut.
Probiotics for the immune health of the whole family
Different probiotic strains suit different conditions and different people. This could depend on their needs, age and more. Whatever you need, you should always choose probiotics that have quality research backing them.
The elderly naturally have low levels of friendly bacteria. A decline in immune function is a natural characteristic of getting old. The two can lead to significant changes in the microbiome of the gut. This means that the elderly will especially benefit from Bifidobacterium lactis. If you are looking for which probiotics are best for immune system then consider this strain as it improves the immune function, especially in the elderly.