Benefits of Probiotics: How to Boost Your Immunity, Brain & Gut Health
Medically Reviewed by Dr. Parris Kidd
Did you know the human body is a complex biological ecosystem?
It provides shelter and food for “friendly” bacteria, which return these favors by supporting our healthy functioning in different ways. The intestinal bacterial population, or gut microbiome, contains trillions of bacterial cells.
In the healthy gut, friendly bacteria dominate others that are unfriendly or potentially harmful. When friendly bacteria are in short supply, your gut health is at risk.
The balance between friendly and unfriendly bacteria in the gut is delicately maintained, and poor dietary or lifestyle choices can allow the balance to tilt in favor of the unfriendly bacteria, resulting in negative health effects. It’s possible to add to the friendly bacterial populations in the gut by taking dietary supplements with friendly bacteria – probiotics.
What Are the Benefits of Probiotics?
The friendly gut bacteria are most densely located in the lower large intestine and colon. They obtain energy from the food we consume. Activities of the friendly bacteria that are beneficial for our health include:
- Assisting with the digestion of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins
- Producing short-chain fatty acids that the intestinal lining cells use for energy
- Producing vitamins and other nutrients that the human cells need
- Constantly stimulating gut immune cells to be alert and primed for action
- Supporting the “barrier” continuity of the gut lining to prevent leakage
- Physically “crowding out” the unfriendly bacteria, denying them living space
- Producing bacteriocins and other substances that repel unfriendly bacteria
- Producing messenger substances that enter the circulation and influence other organs
- Generating neurotransmitters that positively affect and regulate brain function
- Helping the gut, brain, and entire body maintain an overall anti-inflammatory state
These are just a few of the many benefits of probiotics.
The Gut – Brain Connection
The gut and the brain are in constant communication and impact each other’s state of health. In recent years, clinical research has identified that the gut microbiome can strongly influence the brain, and vice versa.
The research findings are clear: positive bacterial balance in the gut promotes positive mood and other healthy brain functions. Negative gut bacterial balance, sometimes called “dysbiosis,” can have many adverse effects on the brain. It’s essential for those who want a better brain to make sure they have a healthy gut.
Gut microbiome balance is also essential for a healthy, alert, and efficient immune defense system.
If you’re looking to support your gut, brain, and immunity, you need BrainMD’s new, ultra-pure, probiotic supplement…
Introducing ProBrainBiotics MAX
ProBrainBiotics MAX is unique for offering clinically defined probiotic strains with brain, immune, and intestinal benefits all in one daily capsule. It offers seven probiotic strains, all with health benefits documented from clinical trials.
This breakthrough formula provides each of its seven strains at live cell counts that equal or exceed the counts that produced benefits in clinical trials: 1 CFU (Colony-Forming Unit) is one live bacterium able to make new bacteria.
Each strain is tested for identity, safety, and ease of use.
ProBrainBiotics MAX Ingredients
The seven probiotic strains in ProBrainBiotics MAX offer a wide range of health benefits:
Bifidobacterium lactis Strain HN19 (“HN19”), 17 billion CFU per serving. Bifidobacteria are the most well studied human probiotics. Named for their branched, bifurcated shape, they are abundant in the gut microbiome of healthy people. HN19 has enhanced human immunity, improved gut function and gum health, and may “prime” the gut for other friendly probiotics.
Lactobacillus helveticus Strain Rosell-52 (“R52”), 4.5 billion CFU. This strain promotes intestinal function and is an established psychobiotic – it clinically improves mood. In combination with Strain R175, R52 has enhanced mood and the ability to cope with stress.
Bifidobacterium longum Strain Rosell-175 (“R175”), 0.5 billion CFU. This species is the most widespread “bifido” in the human gut and this specific strain is a proven psychobiotic. In two pioneering clinical trials, R175 paired with R52 successfully enhanced mood and the ability to cope with stress.
Bifidobacterium bifidum Strain Rosell-71 (“R71”), 3 billion CFU. R71 has improved sleep quality, immunity, and gut function in students under pre-examination stress.
Bifidobacterium longum Strain BB536 (“BB536”), 2 billion CFU. After intensive clinical research, the BB536 strain is proven to promote gut health. It’s also an excellent supplier of the vitamin folate.
Lactobacillus plantarum Strain KABP-31 (“K31”), 1.5 billion CFU. Originally obtained from human infants, this hardy strain has been used together with Strain K32 in clinical trials, to enhance immunity and promote intestinal function.
Lactobacillus plantarum Strain KABP-32 (“K32”), 1.5 billion CFU. This strain was isolated along with Strain K31. These two strains have separate and distinct DNA and other biologic characteristics but reinforce each other’s benefits.
Brain Strains
In the U.S., at least 1 in 5 people experience mood problems. These individuals often are lacking in friendly gut bacteria. Strains R52 and R175 are the first clinically confirmed psychobiotics to improve mood in well-designed clinical trials.
After an earlier double-blind, placebo-controlled trial suggested that R52 + R175 could improve mood and gut function, a more sophisticated follow-up trial confirmed that this combination could improve psychological distress, mood, anger, anxiousness, stress perception, and physical manifestations of stress. This strain combination is still the best documented psychobiotic, and this formula includes the identical strains in the ratio found effective in these trials.
The R71 strain also has brain benefits. It was used in a large randomized, placebo-controlled trial conducted on American university undergrads experiencing the stress of preparing for exams.
A total of 289 students received either R71 or a placebo for 6 weeks. R71 improved sleep quality, versus the placebo. The dose used was 3 billion CFU per day, the same dose provided in this formula.
Intestinal Strains
All seven probiotic strains in ProBrainBiotics MAX offer additional intestinal benefits:
R52 plus R175 – In a double-blind, randomized, controlled trial (RCT) conducted with people aged 18 to 60 years and suffering from the effects of stress, this psychobiotic combination lowered abdominal pain and nausea/vomiting.
R71 – In a 6-week trial with university students under stress, this strain helped to lower the incidence of diarrhea.
BB536 – This workhorse bifidobacterium has consistently improved regularity, stool softness, and overall gut health in clinical trials.
K31 plus K32 – In a 3-month double-blind RCT, individuals aged 65-85 years received either a 1:1 combination of these two strains or a placebo. By the beginning of the second month, the percentage of individuals with fewer than 3 bowel movements per week had declined, compared to those receiving the placebo.
HN19 – A meta-analysis of 15 clinical trials concluded HN19 can hasten intestinal transit and improve bowel movement frequency. HN19 has the rare quality of making the gut environment more hospitable to different classes of friendly bacteria, including the key populations of bifidobacteria and lactobacilli.
Immunity Strains
A healthy gut microbiome promotes immune readiness. The gut contents are continually being monitored by “sentinel” immune cells located within the gut lining or even projecting out into the contents.
These cells are advance guards of the immune system. Some probiotics have been found to release large structural molecules (“antigens”) that stimulate the immune guard cells to maintain a higher level of alertness to potentially dangerous agents present in the intestine.
In two clinical trials, the 1 to 1 combination of strains K31 and K32 enhanced the body’s immune response. They increased the numbers and the functional activation of guard cells, B cells, and T cells, as compared to placebo. In another trial with recently vaccinated individuals, they increased the levels of antibodies.
Strain R71 also can enhance immunity. In the previously described large RCT conducted with university students experiencing exam stress, this strain improved the students’ upper respiratory immune system readiness.
Strain HN19 also can enhance immunity. In two trials it elevated immune cell numbers in elderly individuals and improved the capacities of their natural killer cells to dispose of foreign agents. HN19 seems to be useful for individuals who have a weakened immunity.
ProBrainBiotics MAX FAQ
Who can benefit from ProBrainBiotics MAX?
Nearly everyone is likely to benefit from this broad-spectrum probiotic supplement. This includes anyone with a less than perfect gut; older people, people who drink or smoke or have been exposed to other kinds of pollutants. Individuals with mood challenges, dealing with stress, or simply wanting to have a stronger immune system, all have a good chance to benefit from this powerful combination of proven probiotic strains.
How can I take this supplement?
We recommend adults take 1 capsule (supplying a minimum 30 billion live probiotic units) daily, with food. Children ages 4 and up also can take this daily dose. This product is not intended for use during pregnancy.
Can other BrainMD supplements complement or enhance ProBrainBiotics MAX?
Yes! NeuroVite Plus, Omega-3 Power, and Vitamin D3 5000 IU complement this product. The intestinal lining must have all these nutrients in order to work properly, and probiotics function in harmony with the human cells that make up the lining. Vitamin D deficiency damages the gastrointestinal lining, can impair immunity, and is associated with microbiome imbalance.
What makes ProBrainBiotics MAX different from other probiotic products?
This probiotic supplement is unique because all seven of its strains have shown consistent benefits in clinical trials, and are provided at the live cell concentrations that actually worked in the trials. The strains are internationally registered and are well defined for identity and safety. The capsules are blister packed to ensure freshness and long-term stability.
Are there any side effects to taking ProBrainBiotics MAX?
Not if taken according to the directions. As with other BrainMD products, this is a dietary supplement, not a drug, and isn’t habit-forming. It’s free from glutens, sugar, corn, soy, nuts, eggs, yeast, and artificial colorings or flavorings. It’s compatible with keto or paleo dietary patterns.
Boost Your Brain & Body to the MAX
The three lactobacllus strains and four bifidobacterium strains in ProBrainBiotics MAX are all provided at dose levels that showed success in double-blind clinical trials.
The benefits of probiotics for the brain (mood, stress, occasional anxious feelings), immunity (increases in cell numbers and functional activation), and gut health (regularity and comfort, other improvements) make ProBrainBiotics MAX a breakthrough for human health.
ProBrainBiotics MAX offers a broad spectrum of probiotic strains proven to benefit brain, gut, and immune health. Try it today!
At BrainMD, we’re dedicated to providing the highest purity nutrients and standardized herbal ingredients to support your overall well-being. For more information about ProBrainBiotics MAX and our full list of supplements, please visit us at BrainMD.
Will ProBrainBiotics Max help bowel movement regularity?
Are Prebiotics necessary for Probiotics to work properly?