Probiotics and Prevention

Preventative medicine is empowering. It involves engagement- understanding how

the body presents in a healthful state, and the curiosity to understand the underlying
causes of imbalances when they arise. This perspective acknowledges that there are many
aspects to our wellbeing and health, and that our body is connected through bidirectional
relationships; improving the health in one area of our body/lives, necessarily helps to
improve our overall wellbeing.
How do probiotics fit into the framework of preventative medicine? Probiotics are
live microorganisms that help our bodies to function properly- we have evolved with these
beneficial bacteria! Large numbers of microorganisms live on and in our bodies. In fact,
microorganisms in the human body outnumber human cells by 10 to 1. Many of the
microorganisms in probiotic products are the same as, or similar to, microorganisms that
naturally live in our bodies (NIH). Probiotics can be used preventatively to help support
the balance of our microbiome- thus, having numerous other beneficial impacts on our
overall wellbeing. Research shows that probiotics keep our immune system combat
ready. At every stage of lifefrom before birth to old ageprobiotics help us remain
healthy (Huffnagle 90).
Holistic psychologist, Kelly Brogran states, What continues to shock me is that
minimal but repeated exposure to probiotic bacteria is yielding positive clinical outcomes
(Brogan). She refers to probiotics as psychobiotics due to the effects that probiotics
display on mental health. Dr. Brogan is passionate about preventative care, and sees
probiotics as one of the ways in which people can reclaim their health. Another holistically
minded health care professional, Jay Sandweiss, D.O., teaches continuing medical education
courses nationally and internationally on the subject of probiotics for everyday health. He
says, I often recommend probiotics to my patients to keep their health bank account full
in the event that they need to draw from it when problems occur. Probiotics serve a
preventative and protective role, and they act as a repair force for keeping my patients
healthy (Huffnagle 91).
Probiotics can help wipe up unwanted pathogens directly, and boost immune
system functioning by decreasing inflammation. Lowering inflammation is especially
beneficial, as many symptoms of illness are a result of inflammation rather than the disease
causing microbes themselves. There are a myriad of studies displaying how people who
take probiotics are less likely to take sick days off from work; when these people do get
sick, they tend to experience shorter recovery times and significantly less severe
symptoms.
Probiotics are also helpful for daily wellbeing because they help to buffer the effects
of stress. Research suggests that probiotics can help counter stress(E)vidence is
growing that probiotics can protect us from at least some of the damaging physical effects
of stress, including effects on our gut and our immune system (Huffnagle 93).
Studies are being conducted on all age groups when it comes to probiotic use, and
the results overwhelmingly point in the same direction- although our needs change
throughout our life cycle, it seems that we can benefit from probiotics throughout our lives.
And just as we encounter certain predictable problems, probiotics may provide solutions
(Huffnagle 95). Probiotics are indeed an exciting tool when it comes to preventative
medicine.

WORKS CITED
Brogan, Kelly. "Probiotics for Prevention: The New Psychiatry." Kelly Brogan MD. 23 Apr.
2015. Web. 21 May 2016. <http://kellybroganmd.com/probiotics-prevention-newpsychiatry/>.
Huffnagle, Gary B., and Sarah Wernick. The Probiotics Revolution: The Definitive Guide to
Safe, Natural Health Solutions Using Probiotic and Prebiotic Foods and Supplements.
New York: Bantam, 2007. Print.
"NCCIH." NCCIH. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, July 2015. Web. 21 May
2016. <https://nccih.nih.gov/health/probiotics/introduction.htm#refs>.