At this point, most people have at least heard that probiotics are good for their health — but many still don’t realize just how powerful they can be.
Probiotics are well known for helping with gas, bloating, and constipation. That part of the story has finally gone mainstream.
More recently, people are also learning that probiotics play a vital role in immune health. In fact, 70–80% of your immune system lives in your gut microbiome, which means supporting healthy gut bacteria is one of the most important things you can do for immune function.
But even that is just the beginning.
Below are several lesser-known health benefits of probiotics that might surprise you.
1. Better Dental Health
Research shows that probiotics can help improve periodontitis, a gum infection that damages the tissues and bone supporting your teeth.
Studies also suggest certain probiotic strains may help reduce cavity-causing bacteria, supporting better oral health overall.
2. Easing Arthritis Symptoms
In a 60-day double-blind study of adults with rheumatoid arthritis, participants who supplemented with probiotics (alongside their usual pain relievers) reported:
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Less joint pain
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Improved mobility
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Better ability to perform daily activities
This makes sense, as rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune condition — and probiotics help support balanced immune responses.
3. Supporting Recovery After Antibiotics
The word antibiotic literally means “against life,” and unfortunately, antibiotics don’t discriminate between harmful bacteria and beneficial gut microbes.
Even one course of antibiotics can significantly disrupt your microbiome — sometimes for up to a year — weakening immune function and increasing vulnerability to infections.
Probiotics help repopulate beneficial bacteria, restoring balance and supporting recovery after antibiotic use.
4. Helping Reduce Diabetes Risk
Several studies associate probiotic use with a lower risk of developing diabetes.
Diabetes is a complex condition influenced by digestion, pancreatic function, inflammation, and immune response. Probiotics help support:
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Healthy digestion and nutrient absorption
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Improved insulin sensitivity
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Reduced autoimmune activity linked to diabetes
5. Healthier, Clearer Skin
Skin conditions such as psoriasis and eczema are linked to inflammatory immune responses — and probiotics help calm inflammation at its source.
Many common skin issues (acne, rashes, dryness, hives) are also tied to poor digestion, toxin buildup, and an imbalanced gut microbiome. Supporting gut health often leads to healthier skin from the inside out.
6. Preventing Vaginal Yeast Infections and UTIs
Probiotics help maintain a healthy vaginal pH and discourage yeast overgrowth — a common contributor to vaginal yeast infections and urinary tract infections.
7. Improved Nutrient Absorption
Many people struggle to absorb nutrients effectively, especially those who:
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Experience chronic constipation
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Use acid-reducing medications
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Are over age 50
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Have had gastric or bariatric surgery
Nutrient deficiencies contribute to nearly every chronic disease. Probiotics support better digestion and nutrient absorption, helping the body use the nutrients it consumes.
8. Supporting Healthy Cholesterol and Blood Pressure
Your body naturally eliminates old cholesterol through the digestive tract — but constipation can interfere with that process, allowing cholesterol to be reabsorbed.
By supporting regular bowel movements, probiotics help maintain healthy cholesterol levels. A healthier lipid profile also supports healthy blood pressure.
9. Healthy Weight Management
A 2021 study found probiotics had positive effects on:
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Body weight
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BMI
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Waist circumference
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Body fat percentage
Specific strains such as Lactobacillus rhamnosus and Lactobacillus gasseri have shown anti-obesity effects, potentially by reducing fat absorption and storage.
Why a Healthy Gut Matters More Than Ever
The list of probiotic benefits continues to grow, making it essential to nurture your gut environment and maintain a healthy population of beneficial bacteria.
Here are three key ways to keep your gut in top shape:
1. Protect Your Microbiome
Avoid things that harm beneficial gut bacteria, including:
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Cigarette smoke
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Unfiltered tap water
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Soda
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Excessive alcohol (especially beer)
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Refined carbs and sugars
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Vegetable and seed oils
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Processed and fast foods
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Antibiotics, acid reducers, and birth control pills
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Chronic sleep deprivation
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Ongoing stress
2. Support the “Good Guys”
Replacing and supporting beneficial bacteria is best done with a full-spectrum probiotic supplement, such as Super Shield™ Multi-Strain Probiotic Formula.
Super Shield delivers:
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15 clinically effective probiotic strains
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15 billion CFUs per dose
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Both Bifidobacterium (large intestine) and Lactobacillus (small intestine) strains to closely mimic natural human gut flora
It also includes FOS (Fructo-oligosaccharides) — a prebiotic fiber that feeds probiotics as they move through the digestive tract, helping beneficial bacteria thrive.
3. Nourish Your Gut With Food
Support your microbiome with gut-loving foods such as:
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Fresh vegetables
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Fermented foods like sauerkraut, yogurt, kefir, kimchi, and kombucha
Soy-based fermented foods (like miso and tempeh) are traditionally included, but caution is advised since most soy in the U.S. is genetically modified.
On the flip side:
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Avoid sugars and refined carbs
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Skip vegetable and seed oils
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Limit alcohol
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Avoid fast food and processed foods entirely
As the late, great fitness legend Jack LaLanne famously said:
“If man made it, don’t eat it.”
Supporting your hardworking gut microbes can enhance your health in countless, surprising ways.
To your health,
Sherry Brescia
