Probiotics Immune System Benefits
A strong immune system is your key defense against all diseases, inclusive of flu and cold. Since probiotics boost your immune system, it is needless to say that a healthy balance of probiotic bacteria may ward off the respiratory viruses from attacking us. [2]
Probiotics work for colds and flu via live, healthy bacteria that can activate some specialized cells of the immune system like the natural killer cells. [3] These cells are destined to kill the attacking viruses. Also studied, is the role of probiotics in triggering the production of antibodies to help protect against cold and flu. These are proteins that our body produces in response to the offending agent to help us protect against it. Nevertheless, the production of antibodies in response to probiotics for cold and flu protection has been detected in only animals. [4]
Probiotics Can Reduce Stress Levels
Diseases like cold and flu are likely to hit you during periods of extreme psychological stress. Weakening of the immune system probably accounts for our increased vulnerability to sickness while we’re stressed. According to a study published in the British Journal of Nutrition, experts revealed that the probiotic strain, Bifidobacterium bifidum may be an effective measure against cold and flu. The participants selected in this study were the academically stressed undergraduate students, suggesting a correlation between stress and viral illnesses. [5]
Because probiotics can reduce stress and anxiety through several mechanisms, they can also help stave off the cold and flu viruses.
Probiotics Can Also Make The Flu Shot More Effective
Surprisingly, probiotics may also boost the response of your flu shot. A pilot study showed that participants who underwent a 28-day treatment with a lactobacillus strain after receiving the flu vaccine demonstrated enhanced protection against the virus without any side-effects. [6]
The experts attribute this beneficial response of probiotics to their cold and flu immune response-provoking properties. Perhaps, the gut microbiota intensifies the protective effect of the flu vaccine via specialized gene called TLR5, which is one of the ways in which probiotics can help fight viruses. [7] This TLR5 gene recognizes a protein called flagellin, which is a component of several mobile microbes, including bacteria. The antibodies produced in response to the flu vaccine depend on the levels of the TLR5 gene as well as on the gut microbiota. As a result, the antibody response to the flu vaccine would not be adequate if a person’s gut lacks healthy bacteria.