3 Benefits of Probiotics for Your Immune System During Winter Time
It’s that time of year. The time when sniffles, colds, sore throats, and flu symptoms appear and are shared from co-worker to co-worker, and from family member to family member.
This surge in illness occurs for a variety of reasons. For example, during the cold weather, people gather into confined spaces with heating systems that recirculate the air from those who have a virus. Germs are easily spread and since our immune system becomes weaker in the winter months, we are all more vulnerable to illness.
Staggering Statistics
The flu is no joke. Last year, there were over 30,000 influenza-related hospitalizations. The elderly (58% of hospital cases) and children (187 deaths) were especially vulnerable.
We must all take every available precaution.
It may be easier than you think to take steps to protect yourself and your loved ones. There is compelling evidence that Probiotics can help support and enhance the immune system.
Probiotics for Immunity Protection
Probiotics are known for their use in improving digestion, but you may not be aware that Probiotics are also beneficial for the immune health.
Scientists have found that 80% of the immune system lives in the gastrointestinal tract. As a result, good gut health helps nourish the body to strengthen resistance. Taking Probiotics also benefits in the reduction and duration of respiratory infections.
When your gut is healthy, the beneficial bacteria, or probiotics, provide a protective barrier against unwelcome outside invaders. They can be especially helpful in enhancing immunity for the elderly.
Optimizing and supporting the wellness of your gut is one of the most powerful things you can do to strengthen your immune health.
The Benefits of Probiotics
The benefits of Probiotics on our natural defenses cannot be overstated. Three of the major benefits Probiotics can deliver include:
Reduce the Occurrence of Colds
An essential function of the gut is to prevent harmful foreign substances from entering the body. Probiotics work to improve the immune system and inhibit the assault and growth of damaging gut bacteria.
Studies reveal that Probiotics can reduce the frequency and length of colds by activating the body’s own natural defense mechanisms. That’s because when you have an abundance of healthy probiotic bacteria in your digestive system, it’s harder for the pathogenic bacteria that comes with a cold or flu, to take hold.
2. Promote Resistance to Infection
Infections are caused by microscopic organisms known as pathogens (bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites) that enter the body, multiply, and interfere with normal functions. To help resist susceptibility to infection, the proper balance of beneficial bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract is needed. These microorganisms play an important role in defending the body against infections by restoring the balance of “good bacteria” in the gut.
3. Support for Respiratory Health
When winter arrives, some people suffer from shortness of breath, cough, laryngitis, and other respiratory issues.
A published study demonstrated Probiotic supplementation plays a valuable role in healthy respiratory function. As an added bonus, Probiotics have been shown to decrease the risk of developing an upper respiratory illness.
There is scientific support that taking Probiotics helps maintain respiratory health. In fact, athletes who took a daily Probiotic “never experienced a single upper respiratory tract illness” during the study period.
A Happy and Healthy Gut
Colds and influenza are especially prevalent from December through February, but the flu season can even stretch into May.
So, while our immunity can always use a little extra attention during winter time, it makes the most sense to provide a boost to the immune system all year round.
Given the many things that can throw off the proper balance of beneficial bacteria, it's nearly impossible to maintain it without a little extra help. Probiotics will help support and strengthen the body’s immune system and own natural defenses.
Start now and include Probiotics on a daily basis to stay healthy and avoid being stuck in bed with a box of tissues and a bowl of soup.
