By now, you have likely heard of the many benefits of probiotics, especially about how great they are for digestive health, immune health, and even mental health. As probiotics continue to be studied, they are being linked to other body systems as well. Here is a look at some exciting new research observing some lesser-known benefits of probiotics on heart and sexual health.

What Exactly Are Probiotics?

Before we dive into the unexpected benefits of probiotics, let’s start with a quick definition. Probiotics are living bacteria and yeast that, when consumed in adequate amounts, provide health benefits and support the balance of the microbiome, the community of microorganisms found throughout your body. Keep in mind your microbiome spans your entire body, with microorganisms living both inside you and on your skin. They can come from many sources like food, environment, or supplements.

While a probiotic supplement presents a way to control the number of specific bacteria and yeast you are bringing into your body, microbes are nevertheless everywhere, and probiotics can come from many natural sources. They can be found in fermented foods like kimchi, pickles, yogurt, cheeses, fruit vinegar, or sauerkraut. Even in the garden, when you have your hands in the dirt or while sitting on a beach, they are all around you and on you.

Probiotics and the Heart Connection

Recent research points to probiotics being helpful in the treatment of heart failure.[1] This refers to a chronic or ongoing condition affecting 750,000 Canadians where their heart is not functioning optimally. There are different stages of heart failure as it often progresses depending on the cause. As one of the top reasons for hospital admissions in Canada and having a lower survival rate than some common cancers, having another potential approach to managing heart failure and supporting the heart is very exciting.[2]

How Do Probiotics Support the Heart?

A meta-analysis showed that patients with heart failure who took probiotics were less likely to be readmitted to the hospital. They also showed lower inflammation markers in their blood, specifically the hs‑CRP, IL‑6, and TNF‑α. They also had better measures of heart function.[3]

The good news is there is no need to wait for a diagnosis to benefit from the heart-protective effect of probiotics. You can start incorporating probiotic-rich foods and spending time in nature to support your heart and overall health anytime! In fact, a study found that probiotic intake was linked to lower risk factors for heart disease such as elevated cholesterol, body mass index, and inflammatory markers.[4]

Probiotics and Sexual Function

Now that we have uncovered some of the positive effects of probiotics on heart health, let’s take a closer look at some of the valuable effects of probiotics for sexual health, especially in women in various life stages. One of the most common reasons women in their 40s and over reach out to me is concern around premenopause, menopause, and associated symptoms. Many women start noticing weight and mood changes, vaginal dryness, and a lower libido. While it is completely normal (and healthy!) to go through changes as we age, as our bodies prepare for the next stage of life, there are lots of supportive options to help with this transition. One of these appear to be probiotics.

A study looked at the impact of probiotics, specifically the bacteria Lactobacillus acidophilus, on quality of life and sexual function in women aged 40–60 and noticed an improvement in both.[5] This study is the first randomized, placebo-controlled study to look at the impact of probiotics on female sexual function using a standardized reporting tool, and the results look promising!

The Lactobacillus acidophilus they used in the study is commonly found in yogurt and kefir as well as in fermented soy products like miso or tempeh, which may also be helpful with the menopause transition due to their high phytoestrogen content.[6] It can be found in probiotic supplements as well.

While this study focused on women, there is good news for men as well when it comes to sexual health and probiotics. It appears probiotic use has been linked to improved sperm quality,[7] and, while there is still limited research, exploring the role of the microbiome in male sexual function and prostate health seems to be a promising avenue.[8]

Does This Mean Everyone Should Take Probiotics?

As a naturopathic doctor, I recognize that all body systems work together. Since a diverse microbiome seems to coincide with positive health outcomes, I was not all that surprised to see research connecting probiotics with heart health and sexual health. It is also encouraging to have new evidence supporting specific probiotic benefits. This being said, the body is an integrated system, everyone is unique, and probiotics may be just one piece of your overall health story. They are definitely something worth exploring with your own naturopathic doctor.

Dr. Felicia Assenza, HBSc, ND

A Hamilton-based naturopathic doctor whose goal in every patient visit is to share the knowledge and experiences that she gained on her own journey.

drfeliciaassenzand.com