Probiotics are generally associated with gut health and immunity, and for good reason.
But today, you’ll discover that probiotics are also essential to bone health, something that is seldom if ever mentioned in the mainstream.
In fact, I share with you two studies that clearly show the specific probiotic strains that protect bones from damage caused by oxidation and inflammation.
So let’s start with an in-depth look at probiotics and why your bones will benefit from them.
Probiotics Defined
A good way to think of a probiotic is as the opposite of an antibiotic. Antibiotic literally means “against life,” but probiotic is “for life,” and you’ll soon understand why this is so.
Probiotics are living, microscopic organisms (specifically, bacteria) that promote the life and health of other living organisms, making them truly “pro”-biotic. To thrive, probiotics need prebiotics, nondigestible carbohydrates that stimulate their growth.
Digestive Benefits Of Probiotics
Let’s take a quick look at the digestive and general benefits of probiotics:
- Probiotics produce substances that stave off infection.
- Healthy gut microbes actually communicate with cells in your intestine, increasing the production of an infection-preventing coating of mucus.
- Gas and bloating decrease in the presence of probiotics.
- Probiotics are responsible for the production of B vitamins in the gut, which are vital Foundation Supplements your bones and body need.
- Healthy bacteria prevent the attachment of “bad” bacteria to the intestinal wall.
- Probiotics boost the immune system.
Specific Strains Of Probiotics Promote Bone Health
Certain strains of these healthy microbes are specifically beneficial to bones, because they prevent bone damage and have antioxidant effects. According to a 2012 study,
“Lactobacillus casei and Lactobacillus acidophilus alone or in combination, decreased the bone damage and effectively restored antioxidant status of liver and kidney.”1
This is due to an increase in key antioxidant enzymes, including catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione, and glutathione peroxidase. Further, the probiotics reduced the formation of malonaldehyde, a biomarker for oxidative stress.1
Why Antioxidants And Oxidation Matter To Your Bones
The process of oxidation is complex and fascinating. It begins with a very ironic concept: oxygen helps and harms. Oxygen is essential for life, and if you’ve ever used hydrogen peroxide to clean or disinfect something, then you know how powerful the positive effects of oxidation can be. On the other hand, when you have to get rid of your car because its key framework has rusted, then you know that oxidation can also be destructive.
It is the same way in our bodies. Oxygen brings life to blood cells and is delivered to every cell in the body via the arteries and capillaries. The lungs infuse blood with more oxygen every time you breathe, a cycle that continues day and night for your entire life.
But oxidation occurs when atoms or molecules lose electrons, and that happens all the time as well. That is why antioxidants are crucial to bone health and overall health.
Let’s use a common metal, iron, as an example of the process. What makes black iron turn orange-brown? The iron molecule has 3 electrons that happen to be easily removed, which is what makes iron so prone to rust. When iron is exposed to moisture, the oxygen in the water removes these 3 electrons, changing the chemical makeup of the iron. Its non-oxidized chemical symbol, Fe, becomes Fe3+. You could say that Fe3+ is the chemical symbol for iron oxide, or rust.
Oxidation And Reduction (Redox)
When oxidation occurs, so does reduction. Take the iron example once again. Now you have oxidized (rusted) iron and reduced oxygen, because the oxygen “stole” electrons from the iron molecule. It’s another ironic term, because the molecule that gains the electron(s) is said to be reduced. The molecule that had its electrons “stolen” is oxidized.
Oxidation Weakens Substances!
Oxidation is the breaking down of a substance. An iron nail is very strong and stable. A rusty nail, however, is crumbly and weak. Another example is a cut avocado or an apple. It becomes brown (oxidized) quickly when exposed to the air, and the brown areas are a mushy texture. This is not unlike the process of oxidation in your bones – simply put, it weakens them.
Probiotics Enhance Antioxidant Action, Reduce Inflammation, And Improve Collagen
As the above study shows, Lactobacillus casei and Lactobacillus acidophilus stave off the process of oxidation in bones by boosting the body’s own antioxidant mechanisms.
Yet another study, this time on Lactobacillus salivarius, reveals another aspect in which this specific strain of probiotic directly improves bone integrity: Lactobacillus salivarius is strongly anti-inflammatory, and protects collagen from damage.
The study explored the effects of L. salivarius supplementation on mice with collagen-induced arthritis. The anti-inflammatory effects of this probiotic strain were clearly demonstrated:
“Probiotic-fed mice exhibited significantly lower GI inflammatory scores and a reduced incidence of pancolitis when compared with placebo-fed mice.”2
This anti-inflammatory effect is also responsible for improved collagen integrity in the mice, reducing clinical symptoms of arthritis “through systemic modulation of cytokine profiles towards an anti-inflammatory state.”2
Collagen is a key component of bone, and is largely responsible for tensile strength and fracture resistance.
Why Is Inflammation A Problem?
Not all inflammation is bad, of course. The inflammatory response to an injury brings much-needed components, such as white blood cells to the area via the rush of blood and subsequent swelling immediately after injury.
However, inflammation can be damaging if it is chronic. The nature of inflammation is that it is a response to an injury or abnormal state. So while inflammation gets the blame for doing damage, the real culprit is the imbalanced state of the body that sets the stage for inflammation to become chronic. Correcting that imbalance is the key to getting inflammation to subside.
Bringing Gut Flora Into Balance
Bringing balance to gut flora is an essential part of supporting both bone health and overall well-being. The research on specific probiotic strains shows how they can positively impact bone integrity by enhancing antioxidant activity, reducing inflammation, and protecting collagen.
As you continue your journey toward stronger bones, consider the ways probiotics, along with balanced nutrition and a healthy lifestyle, can support your efforts. Your body—and your bones—will thank you!
Till next time,
References
1 Amdekar, S, et al. “Lactobacillus protected bone damage and maintained the antioxidant status of liver and kidney homogenates in femal wistar rats.” Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry. September 2012. 368(1-2):155-65. Doi: 10.1007/s11010-012-1354-3. Web. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22661381
2 Neville, B.A and O’Toole, P.W. “Probiotic Properties of Lactobacillus salivarius and Closely Related Lactobacillus Species.” Future Microbiology. 2010. 5(5): 759-774. Web. https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/722838_3
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Probiotics And Bone Loss: Study Uncovers Amazing Link Between The TwoComments on this article are closed.
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Hi James,
Nature City’s probiotic contains 30 billion “colony forming units” per capsule, so taking one per day should be sufficient.
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I was told that you shouldn’t take a probiotic every day. Is that correct? Thanks.
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Hi Barbara,
It’s not a bad idea to take regular “breaks” from any supplement, in my opinion. If you prefer to take the probiotics for a few days each week, for example, they will still be adding healthy numbers to your gut flora.
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Hi Joy,
Please check your inbox for an e-mail from Customer Support. 🙂 -
Hi Vivian, you are always tops in my book. I have been making my own Kefir with skim milk that has no hormones in it, but is pasteurised ( it is difficult to get raw milk where I live), I also make water kefir, – I just took a couple of tablespoons of milk kefir grains, & added organic sugar, dried fruit, cinnamin, & water, & leave the water kefir for 48 hours on the counter. I reuse the same grains, but add more organic sugar for the next 48 hrs.
Vivian I would like to know if the way I am doing this is correct.
Thanks -
Interested in the FREE Natural Bone Building Kit.
Thank you
Deborah -
I was overjoyed to read about TrueLife PB. I have had reflux for some time and was told I have osteoporosis after a Dexa Scan. Medicine for reflux has damaged my bones. I left my gastroenterologist and my internist now have a new internist. This doctor introduced me to a surgeon who I have seen for several months. I have undergone several test and now he would like to provide surgery to correct the reflux. I know it is very important to correct this because controlling this with medication weakens my bones. I would like to correct these problems naturally. I am going to purchase the TrueLife PB but I need to know if it will affect me taking my B Vitamins, D3 and Omega 3/salmon tablets which was prescribed by my new internist. Also I am a kidney donor and now only have one kidney. So my question is, is this safe to take with everything else I am taking? I also read your article about the 7 teas and am going to buy some of the teas. Which ones do you suggest or should I be drinking the teas and taking TrueLife PB. I await your reply with excitement. Thank you again for your great research articles and valued information.
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Hi Sandra,
We all have intestinal flora; the question is how many. Taking a probiotic supplement simply increases the population – they don’t conflict with supplements or the teas you mentioned. Just choose whichever tea(s) you like from the list; they are all bone-healthy! 🙂
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Where is the probiotic supplement made/manufactured? Are there any products in this blend that are derived or originate from any foreign country? Must know before I’d order. Thank you
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Jo, TrueLife PB is manufactured/cultured by Danisco, a company based in Copenhagen, Denmark. If you click on the informational links in the post, you’ll read that “Danisco® was one of the pioneers in probiotics and has over 20 years of experience manufacturing probiotics at facilities all over the world.”
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vivian will this probioticshelp my stomach it seems like everything i eat my stomichhurts then i have to run to the bathroom i cant go anywhere because i dont know when it will hit me do you think these probiotics will help i am looking forward to your reply thank you bea
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You should consider taking soil probiotics. You can buy them online or make your own if you can find an uncontaminated source of peat. Otherwise try fermented foods, kombucha, kefir water, sauerkraut, etc. But if you have leaky gut/ auto-immune disease then the above probiotics should be helpful.
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I’ve been making water kefir and drinking it just for the probiotics so I don’t have to bother making DIY organic yogurt. Here’s all I know about it:
“You will receive 2 teaspoons of live active grains with very simple instructions. Here is a brief description of water kefir: Tibicos, also known as tibi, water kefir grains, sugar kefir grains, Japanese water crystals and California Bees, are a culture of bacteria and yeast held in a polysaccharide matrix created by the bacteria. As with kefir grains, the microbes present in tibicos act in symbiosis to maintain a stable culture. Tibicos can do this in many different sugary liquids, feeding off the sugar to produce lactic acid, alcohol (ethanol), and carbon dioxide gas which carbonates the drink. Tibicos are found around the world, with no two cultures being exactly the same. Typical tibicos have a mix of Lactobacillus, Streptococcus, Pediococcus and Leuconostoc bacteria with yeasts from Saccharomyces, Candida, Kloeckera and possibly others. Lactobacillus brevis has been identified as the species responsible for the production of the polysaccharide (dextran) that forms the grains. People who do not wish to consume dairy products may find that water kefir provides Probiotics without the need for dairy or tea cultured products, like kombucha. Since the finished product, if bottled, will produce a carbonated beverage, it provides an alternative to sweet soda drinks for children and adults. From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia”
So, Vivian, do you think I’m covered here with my water kefir???
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There are certainly some healthful probiotics in those cultures, Marge. Some are different than the ones contained in TrueLife PB, so they would add even more variety to your probiotic intake! 🙂
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Does everyone need probiotics? What if we don’t have bloating or other gut issues?
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That’s a great question, Sak. Everyone’s body contains beneficial microbes, and your body needs them to function properly. It’s up to you as to whether or not you feel the need to supplement. 🙂
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How synchronistic that I went to the pharmacy yesterday and bought some Probiotics! I’ve had a bout of Candida overload for some time now and I know this is what I need to balance the fungus with the good bacteria. But I didn’t know that Lactobacillus, etc is good for our bones. That is a major PLUS!
Thank you for this timely and informative article.
Raymonde -
i have tried many probiotics and digestive enzymes and have not had positive reactions w/ my digestion. I would love to try your product, but if it’s not successful can I get a refund? Thank you.
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Hi Cindy,
Yes, NatureCity does offer a one-year, money-back refund if you’re not satisfied.
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Hi Vivian I have been following your advice about diet to help my Osteoporosis and after a scan have been told it has slowed down a bit but I have a 61% chance of breaking my right hip and have two weak vertebrae as well .The doctors want me to take the dreaded Fosamax for 10 years !Please advise with Best wishes Brigid
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Brigid, you can see what Vivian has to say regarding bisphosphonate (Fosomax and others) by using the search bar at the top of the page by the little magnifying glass. It’s amazing how much information I’ve been able to find just by entering my query into the handy little empty field just below the heading on her website pages! Hope that helps.
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Hi Mary,
You don’t have to worry about refrigerating TrueLife PB because the packaging is specifically designed to keep out moisture and light. But it won’t harm them if you want to put them in the refrigerator. 🙂 -
Curently I take vitaminD3 but after reading the article,
plan to addTrue LifePB. Someone commented about storing theirs in the refrigerator. Is that necessary or is it
okay to leave in the cabinet? We don’t have A/C and the
house gets very hot in summer.
Thanks for replying.
What is the recommended daily dosage of your probiotic formula?