5 Reasons Women Should Take a Probiotic

As women, we’re constantly seeking balance. Balancing our family and career, balancing our time and energy, and balancing work and fun can all be a struggle. But balancing that delicate microbiome in our guts doesn’t have to be a challenge, thanks to probiotics.

Probiotics, when taken in the right dose, offer incredible health benefits. Probiotics contain friendly bacteria “strains” that set up home in our gut and vagina. Each strain plays a vital role in boosting your health.¹

If you’re curious about why you should take a daily probiotic and how it can help you, consider the following five reasons.

1. Probiotics can maintain optimal vaginal and urinary tract health.

Did you know there are clinically researched probiotic strains that have been shown to keep the vaginal and urinary tract healthy? Two such strains are Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1® and Lactobacillus reuteri RC-14®, which travel through the digestive tract to the vagina.² Once there, the two probiotic strains help maintain a balanced environment by increasing the number of good bacteria that reside in the vaginal and urinary tract.^3,4,5

2. Probiotics support immune health.

It’s a well-known stereotype that women tend to put others first. The downside of this is that we don’t always take the time to take care of ourselves. The gut plays an active role in immune health.⁶ By simply taking a daily probiotic, you can help boost your immune system, so you feel better and don’t get run down.⁷

3. Probiotic strains support weight maintenance.

Most people know that a healthy weight correlates to a healthy life.⁸ But did you know that probiotics can help you maintain that healthy weight? One probiotic strain in particular, Bifidobacterium lactis B-420™, has been shown to help control weight by regulating body fat.⁹

4. Probiotics support gut health.

Women aren’t the only ones whose gut benefits from daily probiotics; this one’s for everyone, even kids! When choosing a probiotic for your family, look for strains like Bifidobacterium lactis Bi-07® and Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM®, both of which have been well-researched for their relationship to good gut health.^10,11

5. Probiotics can help get mild diarrhea under control.

Sometimes we just need a little help getting back to regular. Probiotics can help! There have been many studies done on the relationship between probiotics and gastrointestinal comfort.¹² Look for strains like Saccharomyces boulardii and Bifidobacterium lactis HN019 to get you back on track.^13,14

Visit Metagenics.com for more product education.

For more information on nutrition and gut health, please visit the Metagenics blog.

References:

1. Hill C et al. Natur Revs Gastro Hepatol. 2014;11(8):506—514.
2. Reid G et al. FEMS Immunol Med Microbiol. 2006;30(1):49-52.
3. Reid G et al. FEMS Immunol Med Microbiol. 2001;32(1):37-41.
4. Reid G et al. J Med Food. 2004;7(2):223-228.
5. Reid G et al. FEMS Immunol Med Microbiol. 2003;35(2):131-134.
6. Bermudez-Brito M et al. Ann Nutr Metab. 2012;61(2):160-174.
7. Kang E-J et al. Korean J Fam Med. 2013;34(1):2-10.
8. Loman T et al. BMC Public Health. 2013;13:259.
9. Stenman LK et al. EBioMedicine. 2016;13:190-200.
10. Ringel-Kulka T et al. J Clin Gastroenter. 2011;45:518-525.
11. Leyer GJ et al. Pediatrics. 2009;124:e172-179.
12. Vitetta L et al. Inflammopharmacol. 2014;22(3):135-154.
13. Kelesidis T. Therap Adv Gastroenterol. 2012;5(2):111–125.
14. Waller PA et al. Scand J Gastroenterol. 2011;46(9):1057–1064.