All articles tagged with #probiotics
A 12-week trial in 48 overweight Japanese men found that daily plain yogurt, plus dietary guidance and regular walking, slowed biological aging by about 2.2% (measured by DunedinPACE), suggesting a combined benefit from probiotics, diet, and exercise—though the study is small and short, and results can’t yet be generalized.
A small 12-week trial in 48 overweight men (Japan) found that daily yogurt (with probiotics) plus diet changes and walking slowed the pace of biological aging by about 2.2% as measured by DunedinPACE, independent of weight loss; results suggest a combined effect of probiotics, diet, and exercise, with a simultaneous improvement in a kidney-function DNA marker, but the study's small size and short duration limit conclusions about long-term health benefits.
A nutritionist argues that gut health starts with regulating the nervous system rather than relying on probiotics, explaining that chronic stress and a dysregulated nervous system disrupt digestion via the gut–brain axis and the vagus nerve. She suggests switching to a parasympathetic “rest and digest” state and using techniques like diaphragmatic breathing, eating in a relaxed environment, getting 7–9 hours of sleep, and regular exercise to improve digestion and reduce inflammation. Probiotics and supplements can help, but may not suffice if stress remains high; persistent issues should be evaluated by a healthcare professional.
Nutritionists highlight seven traditional Indian foods—homemade curd, kanji, idli/dosa batter, moong dal khichdi, bananas, lentils and beans, and desi ghee—that support gut health through probiotics, prebiotic fiber, and gentle digestion, while stressing that overall habits such as hydration, sleep, stress management, and avoiding ultra-processed foods also play a key role.
A UT Health San Antonio team found that supplementing the gut bacterium Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, depleted in lupus, reduced lupus biomarkers and protected organs in mouse lupus models. The bacterium improved fiber digestion, boosted anti-inflammatory cells, and normalized gut barriers, suggesting a potential probiotic approach for lupus. However, F. prausnitzii is oxygen-sensitive and not a lasting probiotic, so researchers will investigate how its metabolites interact with the immune system and how diet influences its levels before considering human applications. The study, published in Nature Communications, marks the first demonstration that restoring this bacterium can mitigate lupus-related dysfunction in animals.
A Vogue wellness piece highlights eight probiotic-rich foods—yogurt, kefir, kombucha, natto, miso, sauerkraut, kimchi, and cottage cheese—and explains how probiotics differ from prebiotics, stressing that a diet combining both supports a diverse gut microbiome and strengthens immunity.
Fermented foods—yogurt, kimchi, sauerkraut, kefir and more—support gut health by delivering probiotics and fermentation-derived nutrients, potentially lowering inflammation and improving blood sugar while boosting gut microbiome diversity; aim for 1–2 servings daily with a variety of types, watch sodium in some choices, and consult a doctor if you’re immunocompromised.
The article explains how probiotic and prebiotic drinks can support gut health and digestion, highlighting the importance of high CFU counts (at least 10 billion) and low sugar, while noting that individual microbiomes vary and results depend on ingredients; it also covers traditional probiotic foods (yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, kimchi) and prebiotic fibers (onions, garlic, bananas, whole grains), and mentions supplements as an option when everyday probiotic foods aren’t feasible.
A nutritionist highlights eight probiotic and prebiotic foods (yogurt, kefir, sugar-free kombucha, miso/natto/kimchi/tempeh, sauerkraut, fermented pickles, sourdough, and certain cheeses) as simple ways to diversify the gut microbiota, stressing that daily probiotic and prebiotic intake within a Mediterranean-style diet supports immune health and overall well-being.
A Duke-NUS/National Neuroscience Institute study links gut microbes to anxiety relief via indole metabolites that modulate SK2 calcium-dependent channels in the basolateral amygdala. In germ-free mice, anxiety-like behavior and brain activity were heightened, but restoring microbes or administering indoles reduced these signals, suggesting a gut-brain pathway for anxiety regulation. While promising for future probiotic or indole-based therapies, human clinical trials are still needed to assess safety and effectiveness.
A birth-time epigenetic setting appears to steer gut microbiome development in infancy, and specific epigenetic–microbiome combinations by age three are associated with autism and ADHD signs; certain bacteria, notably Lachnospira pectinoschiza and Parabacteroides distasonis, may be protective, suggesting future probiotic strategies while factors like delivery mode, antibiotics, siblings, and breastfeeding shape early microbial communities.
The Vogue wellness piece outlines four simple rules to support a healthy gut: 1) Focus on the right foods—diverse, plant-based options rich in resistant starches, beta-glucans, fructans, fiber, and polyphenols, with Mediterranean-style variety to boost gut diversity; 2) Eat raw or barely cooked foods when possible (less than 42°C) to preserve gut-friendly nutrients; 3) Incorporate probiotics through fermented foods or personalized guidance from microbiota analysis; 4) Tweak lifestyle with adequate sleep, regular exercise, and stress management. It also highlights signs of gut imbalance (bloating, fatigue, skin issues, sugar cravings) and suggests consulting a dietitian or doctor if symptoms persist.
Probiotics are widely sold with capsules often containing billions of live bacteria, but brands tend to use the same safe strains (mainly Lactobacillus and Bifidobacteria) and rely on vague efficacy claims. The piece explains that most ingested bacteria are killed by stomach acid and those that survive usually don’t persist long in the gut; very high doses can pose infection risks for people with weak immune systems. Claims are frequently tied to the Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) designation, and qualified health claims often don’t require proof of benefit. With prices around £17.99 for 30 capsules and unclear evidence of benefit, the author suggests probiotics probably don’t harm but offer limited proven advantage for most people.
New research links aging-related health declines to a waning gut microbiome and suggests that feeding beneficial bacteria with fiber and polyphenols, reducing stress, and limiting antibiotic overuse can support metabolism, sleep, immunity and brain function. Key strains such as Akkermansia muciniphila may boost GLP-1 and metabolic control, and companies like Pendulum Therapeutics are developing probiotics to help glucose management in diabetes or prediabetes, including in menopausal women.
A 2023 review found that people with faster versus slower gut transit harbor distinct microbiomes; longer stool retention can influence gut acidity and metabolites and is linked to inflammatory/metabolic disorders, while faster transit corresponds to a different microbial profile associated with a low-fat, high-carb diet. Using swallowable sensor capsules and the Bristol Stool Scale across thousands of participants, researchers show transit time strongly shapes the gut microbiome and could help tailor dietary and probiotic treatments for conditions like IBS, liver disease, and even Parkinson's, with the study published in Gut.