Role of Vitamin C in immunity

Different types of Probiotics²:

Probiotics are a subset of certain types of bacteria. Although they all have unique advantages, the majority come from two groups:

Lactobacillus: Considered to be most commonly available form of probiotic, it is the one that is present in yoghurt and other fermented foods. Different strains can help treat diarrhoea and people who have trouble digesting the sugar lactose.

Bifidobacterium: It can be found in a few dairy products. It may help to lessen the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and some other conditions.

A certain type of yeast called Saccharomyces boulardii is also considered as probiotic. It helps prevent diarrhoea and other digestive problems. When selecting the top probiotic for both men and women, consider the following.

Association of probiotics with immunity :

Immune system function is one of the probiotics' health advantages that is more frequently studied. Upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs), the duration and severity of cold symptoms among study participants, as well as the frequency of the common cold, are frequently counted in studies that look at immunity³.

Probiotics significantly outperformed placebo in reducing the frequency and duration of upper respiratory tract infections, according to a 2015 Cochrane Review with 13 randomized controlled trials titled Probiotics for Preventing Acute Upper Respiratory Tract Infections. Probiotics are therefore probably working with the immune system to have a protective effect against the pathogens that cause URTIs⁴. The authors of the review speculate that probiotics may have the effects on immunity they claim.

Probiotics have been shown to help prevent infections by enhancing the intestinal barrier that separates the inside of the intestine from our body. This reduces the possibility that infectious microbes will enter our bodies through the gastrointestinal tract.Certain probiotics can make acids or proteins that prevent pathogens in the GI tract from proliferating.

Some probiotics or the products they produce may interact with the immune cells of the body to alter their efficacy. For instance, it has been demonstrated that some probiotics increase the production of intestinal cytokines. The cytokines mentioned above serve as chemical messengers that regulate immune responses^5,6.

Foods rich in Probiotics⁷:

Probiotics are a type of bacteria that can help your gut health when taken as supplements, but they are also found in many foods naturally, such as yoghurt, buttermilk, sourdough bread, cottage cheese, miso, sauerkraut, kefir, kimchee, soy products.

They function in a similar manner to probiotic supplements. Your system is typically kept functioning by the diverse bacteria species present in supplements. Finding the right probiotic to satisfy your gut's requirements can be difficult, but with the help of the following guidance, you can eliminate any potential candidates.

Check the enlisted types of bacteria and the number of strains on the supplement bottle. Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus are the two most prevalent. Verify the statement on the label that the bacteria are alive and check for the presence of billions of colony-forming units (CFUs).

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