Chronic inflammation: take action with probiotics

Chronic inflammation: what are the health risks?

Inflammation is a natural response of body : when it detects a infection or an assault, the immune system triggers a answer intended to protect the fabrics and eliminate the threat. This reaction is classically manifested by a rednessA swellingor even pain — signals that we have all felt before.

But when this reaction persists over time without identified aggression, we speak of low-grade chronic inflammation or low-noise inflammation. It is characterized by the constant circulation of pro-inflammatory and inflammatory molecules in the body, at levels not necessarily high, but sufficient to gradually disrupt the functioning of the system. This inflammation is associated with an increased risk of chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes, obesity, metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular diseases.

Aggravating factors of inflammation

A poor diet, physical inactivity or even smoking and alcohol promote inflammation. Changing these lifestyle factors can reduce it.

In a study published in theEuropean Journal of Nutritionresearchers sought to find out if probiotic supplementation, by modulating the intestinal microbiota, could reduce inflammation.

Probiotics and inflammatory markers: the results of a meta-analysis

The researchers brought together 42 clinical trials in which 1,138 participants – healthy or suffering from a medical condition – received probiotic supplementation for periods ranging from 1 to 52 weeks. 1120 participants constituted the control group.

Inflammatory factors that improve

The results show that probiotic supplementation – compared to a placebo – significantly reduces the concentrations of various markers of inflammation: C-reactive protein, interleukins 6, 12 and 4 as well as TNF-α. On the other hand, probiotics significantly increase the blood concentration of interleukin-10 (IL-10), a cytokine with anti-inflammatory properties produced in particular by certain cells of the immune system.

Probiotics, by modulating the intestinal microbiota, would help to correct the permeability of the intestine – and therefore to reduce inflammatory reactions at the tissue level – and could also promote the production of short-chain fatty acids known for their anti-inflammatory effects.

What dose of probiotics against inflammation?

In studies on inflammation, the doses of probiotics used are generally in the order of 10⁹ at 10¹⁰ CFU per daythat is to say 1 to 10 billion CFU per day. Bifidobacteria would be more effective than lactobacilli in obtaining a significant reduction in inflammatory markers.

In the case of the gluten sensitivityapart from just avoiding gluten, it may be interesting, if you want to keep a little gluten in your diet, to try probiotics to enrich the microbiota and improve symptoms, particularly with bifidobacteria which we know reduce inflammation. In Super microbiotaDr Daniel Sincholle recommends several strains:

• Bifidobacterium bifidum,
• Bifidobacterium longum,
• Bifidobacterium adolescentis,
• Bifidobacterium animalis.

To be used alone or combined with Lactobacillus salivarius and/or Lactobacillus acidophilus. 5 to 10 billion CFU per day for all strains, for 4 to 8 weeks.

Against the stresshe advises for adults 3 to 6 billion CFU per day of Lactobacillus helveticus Or Lactobacillus casei with or without Lactobacillus rhamnosus for 4 to 8 weeks.

Towards new probiotics against Crohn’s disease

French researchers have recently elucidated the anti-inflammatory mechanism of Faecalibacterium prausnitziione of the most abundant bacteria in the intestinal microbiota. This bacteria is frequently reduced in patients with Crohn’s disease, a chronic inflammatory bowel disease. Their work shows that it directly induces the production of IL-10 by cells – the same anti-inflammatory cytokine highlighted in the meta-analysis above – which opens concrete perspectives for the development of new targeted probiotics. A clinical trial aimed at testing its effect on maintaining remission in Crohn’s disease has just ended, with first results expected in 2026.

How to Reduce Inflammation: Diet and Supplements

Adopt an anti-inflammatory diet

To reduce chronic inflammation, start by adopting an anti-inflammatory diet:

• avoid processed and fried foods with a high glycemic index;
• eat fiber and whole grains;
• choose your fats wisely.

This type of diet is also favorable to the balance of your intestinal microbiota.

Read also: Foods that fight inflammation (subscribers)

Dietary supplements and other anti-inflammatory habits

Apart from probiotics, certain food supplements – such as zinc, vitamin C, magnesium, etc. – can also help reduce inflammation: to find out how and at what dose to take them, read Food supplements that fight inflammation.

Finally, know that certain practices are good for reducing inflammation: sport, living in the countryside, positive emotions, etc.

To find out more about probiotics and their health effects, read Super microbiota