Incorporate Probiotics for Flu and Cold Prevention This Season

When you think of flu and cold prevention, do you think about probiotics? Probably not, right? But should you?

Cough.

Sore throat.

Runny nose.

You know what that means!

With the drop in temperature, you need flu and cold prevention to keep the nasties at bay.

Do you wish to arm your body with a powerful weapon that can help with flu and cold prevention? Or are you wondering how to naturally boost your immune system and stay protected during the colder months when you're most susceptible to catching something?

Well, here's the solution you may not have considered: Probiotics!

These tiny bacteria not only support your gut health but can also act as a shield and help with flu and cold prevention. Moreover, research shows that probiotics are beneficial for your overall health.

In this article, we are going to take a deeper dive into what probiotics are, look at how probiotics can help with flu and cold prevention, and how you can get more probiotics in your diet.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not meant to treat or diagnose any condition. It is recommended that you speak with your doctor or medical professional if you feel you are sick.

What are Probiotics?

Probiotics, also known as good bacteria, are living microorganisms in your body that provide various health-related benefits, such as boosting the immune system. These helpful bacteria promote gut health along with other benefits like weight loss, enhancing digestion, and more. An imbalance of probiotics in the body can often lead to problems that can typically be avoided if you stay on top of your gut health and help feed the good bacteria that can optimize your health.

Taking in adequate amounts of probiotics each day isn't difficult, you merely need to know what foods or beverages to consume or what nutritional supplements you should add to your regimen. For instance, probiotics can be easily consumed via food items, such as sauerkraut, yogurt, kimchi, kefir, and more. If eating or drinking your probiotics doesn't sound appealing to your tastes, simply take a probiotic supplement to gain all the health benefits along with getting some flu and cold prevention.

Related Article: Is Fermented Food and Supplements the Future?

That all being said, probiotics are often confused with prebiotics. Prebiotics are the carbs or dietary fibers that help to feed the friendly bacteria in the gut. Items that contain both probiotics and prebiotics are known as synbiotics. In short, synbiotics are basically a combination of good bacteria and the food they eat.

How Can Probiotics Improve Flu and Cold Prevention?

Flu and cold prevention are top of mind for many when the temperature plummets, and for a good reason — no one wants to get sick. But for many, they load up on vitamin C and other supplements, completely neglecting the power and potency of probiotics when it comes to the immune system and overall immunity.

To somewhat simplify a complex topic, your gut acts as a barrier to toxins and pathogens. Now, when you have a lot of good bacteria in your gut, it is less likely that the toxins and pathogens will be able to survive without the healthy bacteria, ensuring they get destroyed.

The good bacteria in your gut can surround these toxins and pathogens and neutralize them. The barrier that good bacteria create also helps prevent the virus from entering the bloodstream through the intestinal lining. If, by chance, it does get through and enters the bloodstream, the good bacteria will then send a signal and communicate with the body to help produce substances that can seek out and destroy the bacteria or virus before it causes any harm.

Additionally, some studies have suggested that probiotics can stimulate the immune system and increase the production of antibodies, which can help the body fight off infections.

Looking at a study of college students, it was found that due to these students not getting enough sleep, living in close quarters, and constantly being stressed it can increase their risk of getting sick. Those students who used probiotics in supplement form increased their flu and cold prevention, and those who did find themselves sick had reduced the severity of their illness and a shorter duration.

Overall, probiotics help strengthen the immune system, which in turn helps with flu and cold prevention and keeps your defense system activated.

However, it's important to note that not all probiotics are created equal, and the specific strains and doses of probiotics that may be effective for flu and cold prevention have not yet been entirely determined.

Furthermore, while probiotics may offer some benefits, they are not a substitute for other necessary measures for flu and cold prevention, such as washing your hands regularly and avoiding close contact with people who are sick.

Probiotic Blends for the Ultimate Flu and Cold Prevention

As per the CDC (Central for Disease Control and Prevention), in 2022 and early statistics from 2023 found that there were around 21-55 million flu illnesses and 18,000-55,000 flu deaths. Around 12-25 million people went to their doctor for flu medical visits, and upwards of 630,000 people needed to be hospitalized due to the flu.

Moreover, studies show that people over the age of 65 are at a higher risk of developing flu complications as compared to young and healthy adults. This is primarily due to the changes in the immune defenses with age.

The common cold is not as serious but can become serious if you have a weakened immune system. How so? Well, studies show that the common cold can develop into pneumonia when you have a weak immune system. So, how can you prevent that?

A few things you need to know regarding flu and cold prevention:

• The common cold is one of the leading causes of visiting a doctor.
• It is dangerous for adults as they can develop serious complications.
• Probiotics can help to fight and prevent the flu and common cold by boosting the immune system.

Things to Consider with Probiotics That Can Play a Role in Flu and Cold Prevention

There are a few things you need to pay attention to with probiotic supplements, not only as it relates to flu and cold prevention but overall health. Below are three considerations you need to be aware of.

1.     The culture count

The term "culture count" refers to the number of live bacteria in a single serving of your probiotic supplement. The amount required may vary for individuals based on factors such as age and health status. However, a daily intake of around 30 billion CFU is considered ideal for boosting immunity and promoting overall wellness.

2.     The number of strains

You will want to opt for naturally occurring bacteria, such as lactobacilli and bifidobacteria when searching for a probiotic supplement to help with flu and cold prevention. A helpful mnemonic to remember is that the "L" strains are beneficial in the small intestine, while the "B" strains are beneficial in the large intestine or colon. Including a variety of strains in your probiotic supplement is crucial, as every person's body has a unique bacterial composition and may respond better to certain strains. To ensure maximum benefits, consider a supplement containing eight to ten strains.

3.     The type of capsule

For probiotics to be effective, they must navigate the harsh conditions of the stomach and make their way down into the intestines. If they cannot withstand the stomach acid when moving through the digestive tract, they could die and will not provide any benefits at all. To ensure this, a strong capsule is needed to protect them in the stomach and only dissolves in the intestine where the pH is more alkaline and where they can be most useful.

Leverage the Power of Probiotics to Get Through the Colder Months

The exploration of probiotics as a powerful tool for flu and cold prevention reveals a promising avenue for bolstering our immune defenses during the colder months. Probiotics have demonstrated their ability to act as a shield against pathogens responsible for respiratory infections.

Understanding the connection between a robust immune system and flu and cold prevention highlights the importance of cultivating a healthy balance of these microorganisms in the gut. The gut, functioning as a barrier to toxins and pathogens, relies on a thriving community of good bacteria to neutralize threats and prevent infections from taking hold. Probiotics not only contribute to this defense mechanism but also stimulate the immune system, promoting the production of antibodies that aid in fighting off infections.

While research underscores the potential of probiotics in flu and cold prevention, it is essential to note that not all probiotics are equal, and the specific strains and doses for optimal effectiveness remain areas of ongoing study

Despite the promising benefits of probiotics, it's crucial to recognize that they should complement, not replace, other preventive measures like regular handwashing and avoiding close contact with sick individuals. The complex interplay of factors influencing immune health requires a multifaceted approach to ensure comprehensive protection against flu and colds.

As we navigate the challenges posed by seasonal illnesses, understanding the potential of probiotics offers individuals an additional strategy to fortify their defenses. By incorporating probiotic-rich foods or supplements into their routine, individuals can take proactive steps toward enhancing their immune resilience and promoting overall well-being.