This Is What Happens To Probiotics In The Body

 Have you ever wondered what happens to probiotics in the body after you take them? Or how they actually support your health? Probiotics are beneficial live bacteria (and other microorganisms) that provide health benefits. They are most well known for their positive effects on the gastrointestinal system, particularly the gut. However, probiotics have been studied extensively and have many researched benefits beyond digestive health. Studies have shown that probiotics can influence the body’s inflammatory response, support the gut-brain connection—which impacts mood and immune function—and much more.

How Do Probiotics Work in the Body?

After ingestion, probiotic supplements pass through the stomach and make their way to the intestines. The environment in the stomach is quite acidic, which can be a challenge for the survival of these beneficial bacteria. However, high-quality probiotics are designed to withstand stomach acid and reach the intestines alive. The specific benefits they provide depend on various factors, such as the strain and species of bacteria and the area of the gastrointestinal tract they colonize. Here's a closer look at some of their functions:

1. Inhibiting pathogenic bacteria: Probiotics can inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria and other microorganisms. By competing for nutrients and attachment sites in the gut, they help maintain a healthy balance of microbiota.²
2. Producing short chain fatty acids: Certain probiotics produce short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) like butyrate, which play a critical role in gut health. SCFAs help nourish the cells lining the colon, help maintain the gut barrier, and have anti-inflammatory properties.³
3. Supporting vitamin synthesis: Probiotics can assist in the synthesis of essential vitamins, including some B vitamins and vitamin K, which are crucial for various bodily functions.⁴

Beyond Gut Health: Additional Benefits

Probiotics aren't just for gut health. They have been shown to influence:

• The body's inflammatory response: Probiotics can modulate the immune system, potentially reducing inflammation and supporting immune function.⁵
• The Gut-Brain connection: There is a growing body of evidence suggesting that the gut and brain are closely connected. Probiotics may play a role in influencing mood and mental health by affecting this gut-brain axis.⁶

The Synergy of Probiotics and Diet

Probiotics don't work alone; they work in synergy with the foods we eat and the vitamins and minerals we consume. They thrive on prebiotics—non-digestible fibers found in foods like bananas, onions, garlic, and whole grains. Prebiotics serve as food for probiotics, helping them grow and multiply. Additionally, certain vitamins and minerals taken in supplement form can enhance the benefits of probiotics. Let's explore some key nutrients and their roles in the body:

Vitamin B12 - Vitamin B12 is essential for red blood cell formation, DNA synthesis, and the development and function of brain and nerve cells.  B12 is present in animal products and nutritional yeast. When we consume it, stomach acid helps separate it from the protein it’s attached to in It then combines with intrinsic factor, a protein made in the stomach and is absorbed in the small intestine.

Vitamin C - Vitamin C is a potent antioxidant and a co-factor in collagen formation, catecholamine metabolism, and dietary iron absorption. Humans cannot make Vitamin C and must obtain it through diet, with excellent sources including citrus fruits, berries, tomatoes, potatoes, and green leafy vegetables. Vitamin C is absorbed in the lower portion of the small intestine.

Vitamin D - Vitamin D facilitates calcium absorption in the gut, maintaining adequate serum calcium and phosphate levels for normal bone mineralization and preventing muscle cramps and spasms. It is essential for bone growth, remodeling, and overall skeletal health. It is also well-known for its support of immune function. Vitamin D is absorbed through the small intestines.

Zinc - Zinc plays critical roles in growth and development, immune function, neurotransmission, vision, reproduction, and intestinal ion transport. Found abundantly in meat, eggs, and seafood, zinc from whole grains and legumes is less bioavailable due to plant components like phytates. Zinc is absorbed throughout the entire small intestines.

Probiotics are a fascinating and vital component of our overall health, working in tandem with the foods we eat and the nutrients we consume. From promoting gut health and immune function to supporting vitamin synthesis and nutrient absorption, the interaction between probiotics and nutrients highlights the importance of a balanced diet and a healthy microbiome. Jamieson offers a vast portfolio of Probiotic options in different formats.

Check out Jamieson’s newest launch: an Advanced Probiotic that combines the benefits of targeted probiotic strains with keys micronutrients Vitamin C, D, B12 and zinc to support immune health. Link to product.

References:

1.National Institutes of Health. Probiotics. Accessed Aug 1, 2024 at: https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Probiotics-HealthProfessional/

2. Kerry, G., et al. (2018). “Benefaction of Probiotics for Human Health: A Review.” Journal of Food and Drug Analysis 26.3 (2018): 927–939
3. Ríos-Covián, D., et al. (2016). Intestinal Short Chain Fatty Acids and their Link with Diet and Human Health. Frontiers in Microbiology, 7, 185  DOI=10.3389/fmicb.2016.0018
4. Rowland I, et al. Gut microbiota functions: metabolism of nutrients and other food components. Eur J Nutr. 2018 Feb;57(1):1-24. doi: 10.1007/s00394-017-1445-8. Epub 2017 Apr 9. PMID: 28393285; PMCID: PMC5847071.
5. Cristofori F, Dargenio VN, Dargenio C, Miniello VL, Barone M, Francavilla R. Anti-Inflammatory and Immunomodulatory Effects of Probiotics in Gut Inflammation: A Door to the Body. Front Immunol. 2021 Feb 26;12:578386. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.578386. PMID: 33717063; PMCID: PMC7953067.
6. Montiel-Castro, A., González-Cervantes, R., Bravo-Ruiseco, G., & Pacheco-López, G. (2013). The microbiota-gut-brain axis: neurobehavioral correlates, health and sociality. Frontiers in Integrative Neuroscience, 7, 70–86.
7. den Besten, G., et al. (2013). The role of short-chain fatty acids in the interplay between diet, gut microbiota, and host energy metabolism. Journal of lipid research, 54(9), 2325–2340. doi:10.1194/jlr.R036012
8. National Institutes of Health. Vitamin B12. Accessed Aug 1, 2024 at: https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminB12-Consumer/#:~:text=The%20body%20absorbs%20vitamin%20B12,the%20body%20absorbs%20them%20together
9. Abdullah M, Jamil RT, Attia FN. Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) [Updated 2023 May 1]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK499877/
10. National Institutes of Health. Vitamin D. Accessed Aug 1, 2024 at: https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminD-HealthProfessional/
11. Maares M, Haase H. A Guide to Human Zinc Absorption: General Overview and Recent Advances of In Vitro Intestinal Models. Nutrients. 2020 Mar 13;12(3):762. doi: 10.3390/nu12030762. PMID: 32183116; PMCID: PMC7146416.