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Effects of Probiotics on Immunity

WebMD describes probiotics as being bacteria that are beneficial to intestinal health and wellness. Probiotics exist naturally in the digestive tract and can also be consumed in supplement form. Probiotics, particularly types of Lactobaccilus Bifidobacteria, may also be beneficial in improving immunity in individuals who supplement their diets with probiotic supplements or foods such as yogurt that contain probiotics. Probiotics effect the human body in a number if ways that promote stronger immunity.

  1. Increased Lymphocytes

    • Lymphocytes are white blood cells in the body that attack harmful matter in order to prevent or fight off illness. According to the Chiropractic Resource Organization probiotics increase the number of lymphocytes in an individual's system helping to ward off germs and disease.

    Stimulates Phagocytic Activity

    • Phagocytic activity is sometimes referred to as cell eating. Phagocytic activity in white blood cells means the cell is eating harmful material it comes in contact with that have the potential to cause disease. Probiotics help to increase this phagocytic activity in white blood cells.

    Increase in Viral Killing Cells

    • According to Medicinal Food News probiotics can help increase immunity by assisting the body in producing more viral killing cells. Viral killing cells attack viruses as they enter the body and can prevent an individual from becoming ill.

    Added Immunity When Taking Antibiotics

    • When an individual suffers from a bacterial infection antibiotics are often prescribed as a treatment. While antibiotics to help treat illness they are not selective in targeting bacteria. Good bacteria will be killed as well as bad. Probiotics help restore the population of good bacteria in the body of an individual taking antibiotics while still allowing bad bacteria to be destroyed.

    Protection of Weakened Immune Systems

    • Probiotics can serve as an added protection for individuals with compromised immune systems. This population includes the very young, very old, patients who have just had surgery, AIDS patients and patients receiving cancer treatment.

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