Diet can be a great source of probiotics if you are eating a lot of cultured and fermented foods. A challenge with diet is that it is difficult to obtain the same dose used in the research studies. Consider adding probiotic supplementation to your diet for optimal results.  

Researchers have found that probiotics are safe and have health benefits for pregnant moms, infants and kids. 

Probiotics can be taken with or without food. Do what’s easiest for you.

Clinical trials have documented improvements in depression and anxiety after probiotic supplementation.

Several studies show that probiotics can help with sleep quality. In one study, medical students found that probiotics helped them sleep during times of exam stress. In other studies, probiotics have helped patients with IBS and depression to sleep better.

Preliminary evidence shows that when bacterial diversity in the gut increases, health conditions associated with female hormone imbalance improve. Probiotics have been shown to improve inflammatory and hormonal markers in women with PCOS.

In my clinic, patients with female hormone conditions have very good results when prescribed probiotics and an herbal blend to balance female hormones.

While the research connection between probiotics and weight loss is not strong, evidence suggests a connection between certain types of bacteria overgrowth in SIBO and obesity. 

Brain fog isn’t usually studied in isolation but we can make some inferences from other studies where probiotics have improved cognition.  This includes probiotics improving cognitive function for patients with Alzheimer’s, bi-polar disorder and fibromyalgia.

A systematic review of 15 clinical trials found that probiotics can improve dairy tolerance. Another meta-analysis of 22 randomized control trials concluded that probiotics can improve seasonal allergy.  

There is also data, albeit mixed, suggesting that probiotics given to children may prevent or reduce formation of allergy. 

One study found participants who took a probiotic required less thyroid hormone replacement medication.  

Recent research shows that gut infections like SIBO and H. Pylori are strongly associated with hypothyroidism.  Probiotics can combat both SIBO and H. Pylori.