Do Probiotics Help Your Immune System?

Probiotics are live microorganisms—”good” bacteria—that help your body function optimally and have several health benefits. Not only do they benefit your gut health and your health in general, they can help your immune system! Supporting your immune function and gut bacteria through probiotics, immune health supplements, and your lifestyle is crucial for maintaining wellness throughout the year. Let’s dive into all things probiotics!

Do Probiotics Really Help Your Immune System? 

In short, yes. Probiotics can help your immune system because 70-80% of immune cells lie in your gut. So when your gut is healthy, your immune system operates better! But if you do take probiotics, it’s important to find one that’s high-quality. The Previnex® Probiotic has 30 billion healthy bacteria per serving, boasting 2-5x more good bacteria than leading probiotic brands. It also has six clinically proven bacterial strains, targeting six key areas of digestive health. Our probiotic includes NutraFlora®, which is a clinically proven prebiotic, designed to boost the growth and colonization of healthy bacteria and beneficial microbes in your gut. The Previnex® Probiotic is a powerhouse supplement designed to improve your gut health and, in turn, your overall health!

How Do Probiotics Help Gut Health?

Probiotics do more than just help with irritable bowel syndrome or inflammatory bowel disease. Your microbiome is the community of microorganisms that live in your intestine; probiotics are responsible for introducing these good probiotic bacteria into your gut to combat any harmful bacteria—this is their primary function! When your gut is healthy and functioning optimally, the rest of your body can function well, too. 

Beneficial Bacteria: Probiotics and Immune Health

Since most of your immune cells live in your digestive tract, maintaining a healthy gut is an important step to having a strong immune system. Probiotics play an important role in immune health because they can stimulate the production of your immune cells. Studies show that when it comes to illnesses like respiratory infections, some strains of probiotics are effective in preventing infection. Other studies show that probiotics can improve the host immune system and have beneficial effects that allow the prevention and management of immune/inflammatory-related diseases.

Do Probiotics Keep You From Getting Sick?

Taking or consuming probiotics regularly can, in fact, lower your chances of getting a cold, and when you do get sick, probiotics may reduce the severity and length of symptoms. One meta-analysis of the effectiveness of probiotics showed significantly fewer days of illness per person. This also led to fewer absences from school and work. 

When you take a probiotic, you want to be sure it’s working! Here are some signs that probiotics are working: 

1. Improved GI symptoms. If you’re taking probiotics for digestion or conditions like IBS, you’ll know your probiotics are working if you have less stomach pain, more frequent and regular bowel movements, and less bloating. 

2. Improved sleep and increased energy levels. Much of your overall health is dependent on gut health. So when your gut starts to heal, your sleep health should, too. If your probiotics are working, you may experience fewer sleep disturbances, less anxiety around sleep, and a more optimal wake-sleep window. Additionally, a healthy gut helps your body produce and retain Vitamin B, which impacts your energy levels.

3. Increased cognitive function. Toxins and pathogens can enter your bloodstream through your gut. When you heal your gut with good bacteria, that good bacteria helps reduce inflammation, which improves your memory, attention, and focus over a period of time. 

4. Better mood. There is something called the gut-brain axis, which basically means that the neurotransmitters in your gut impact the neurotransmitters in your brain. So your gut health has a direct link to your mental health! In fact, studies show that the digestive tract produces around 90% of serotonin in your body. So you can assume your probiotics are working if your mood and mental health have improved! 

How Do I Strengthen My Immune System? 

As we’ve talked about, approximately 70% of immune cells live in your gut—so lifestyle changes and dietary supplements are going to be your best friend when it comes to strengthening your immune system. When it comes to lifestyle, you want to make sure you’re eating a balanced, nutrient-dense, vitamin-rich diet. Citrus fruits, red bell peppers, salmon, kiwi, broccoli, and kale—these are all rich in vitamins and minerals necessary for your immune system to function well.

You also want to make sure you stay hydrated and get enough sleep. Staying hydrated helps your body flush out any toxins and moves white blood cells through your body. Sleep is imperative to a healthy immune system. When you don’t sleep enough, your body has to work harder to keep you awake, and therefore your ability to fight infection decreases. 

Another way to boost your immune system is with a high-quality immunity supplement like Immune Health PLUS®. It’s full of nutrients like Vitamins C and D, Calcium, Zinc, and Elderberry. It also boasts an organic mushroom blend—maitake, shiitake, and reishi mushrooms—that primes your immune cells for an optimal immune response. The star of the show is the beta-glucans! These small fibers exist to strengthen your immunity, activate immune cells, and bolster your body’s immune response. Beta-glucans are what make Immune Health PLUS® a robust, high-quality, and dynamic addition to your immune health.

Is There a Downside to Taking Probiotic Supplements? 

Live and active probiotics tend to be safe for healthy individuals to take. The most common side effect is temporary digestive discomfort such as gas, bloating, or mild stomach upset—all of which can be present when first starting a new probiotic (particularly if it’s low quality). Those who should not take probiotics are those who are immunocompromised or have otherwise weaker immune systems—namely, those who are taking immunosuppressant drugs or people who have critical conditions. Whether you’re healthy or immunocompromised, it’s important to discuss starting a probiotic with your healthcare provider! 

Boost Your Gut Microbiome With Probiotics

Immune health starts in your gut, so it’s important to have a healthy gut microbiome! Probiotics are one way to boost your gut health and clear out the bad bacteria. Having high-quality supplements is key to ensuring you get all the benefits they offer. The Previnex® Probiotic is high-quality and boasts 30 billion good bacteria designed to promote and optimize your healthy gut flora. To benefit even more, Immune Health PLUS® is another high-quality supplement designed to activate your immune cells and bolster your body’s natural defense system. Grab these supplements and add them to your health regimen today!