In Greek “probiotic” literally means “for life,” but should we take it for every ailment in
our life? According to a new report by Acumen Research and Consulting, global probiotic sales are set to reach $78 billion by 2026, stimulated by the increasing aging population and interest among consumers in preventative health care. Marketers may lead you to believe that probiotics are useful for everything from depression to weight loss, but is science revealing a different story? “Unlike vitamins or other supplements, probiotics are live microorganisms that help support healthy bacteria in your digestive tract. They can be beneficial to take whether you are in good health, bad health or if you are older or younger
However, you do need to pay attention to which bacteria strains you are ingesting and why you are taking them,” said James B. LaValle,
R.Ph., CCN, a clinical pharmacist, board-certified clinical nutritionist, author and metabolic expert who works with the NFL, NBA, MLB, and the Pro Football Hall of Fame Village to offer personalized health, wellness, diet and performance strategies. “Don’t just take probiotics because they are popular. Be intentional about why you are using them.”
LaValle will show your audience how to become proficient in their probiotic use by sharing three things probiotics can do for your health now that science supports and two things they can’t do, just yet: Science Supported: Shorten The Common Cold A cold can last up to 10 days but research shows if you take a probiotic you can minimize the amount of time you will feel sick by at least 2 days, reducing symptoms by 34%.
This is what a published study in the British Journal of Nutrition found when researchers observed otherwise healthy college students living in close quarters under stress and lacking sleep. But this isn’t the only study proving this. A recent analysis examining 20 published trials concluded that Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium probiotics can cut the duration and severity of cold symptoms and lead to fewer missed days at work or school. The science supports the use of probiotics during cold and flu season since 70% of the body’s immune cells reside in the gut.
Probiotics
Probiotics – Part 2
