The Importance of Probiotics

Background: More than ۹۰% of the body's serotonin—which plays an important role in sexual pleasure and the experience of orgasm—is produced in the gut by beneficial microbes, not in the brain. Dopamine and GABA, essential for relaxation and sexual enjoyment, are also influenced by the microbiome. Oral probiotics have shown positive effects on sexual function in women with depression, improving both sexual performance and satisfaction.In men, alterations in microbiome composition are associated with hypogonadism, reduced testosterone levels, decreased libido, and erectile dysfunction. In women, such imbalances can lead to reduced sexual desire. A healthy microbiome may help prevent and manage vaginal infections such as bacterial vaginosis and fungal infections, while also improving fertility and pregnancy outcomes. During pregnancy, probiotic consumption may reduce the risks of gestational diabetes, pregnancy-related anemia, and postpartum mastitis.Probiotics may improve iron absorption in women and increase ferritin levels. The health of the male genitourinary system is closely linked to its microbial communities. Probiotics have demonstrated antagonistic activity against opportunistic bacteria associated with prostatitis and may support male fertility. They can also enhance bone health and help prevent postmenopausal osteoporosis. Probiotics may be used as non-pharmacological alternatives for children at risk of urinary tract infections, acting as a natural preventive strategy. Due to their effects on gut homeostasis, probiotics provide benefits for skin conditions. Oral probiotics—through fermented foods, dairy products, dietary supplements, and topical formulations—can positively influence skin health and help reduce various dermatological disorders, including hyperpigmentation, aging, dryness, wrinkles, and body odor.The gut microbiome is considered a potential therapeutic target for managing allergic diseases due to its regulatory effects on immune and inflammatory responses. Probiotics may help improve autoimmune conditions such as thyroid disorders (e.g., Graves’ disease). Their consumption can improve depression, antioxidant status, and appetite. Studies show significant reductions in depressive and anxiety symptoms with probiotic use, along with better mood regulation. Probiotic supplements may improve cardiometabolic parameters and can serve as non-pharmacological adjuncts alongside exercise for the management of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, liver enzyme levels, lipid profiles, and insulin sensitivity. Dysbiosis is directly linked to many risk factors including diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Probiotics may also reduce the frequency and severity of migraine headaches. Methods: Google Scholar was searched to identify studies addressing the importance of probiotics. A total of ۲۰ review and meta-analysis articles published within the past two years were selected using the keywords probiotic, skin, sexual diseases, gastrointestinal diseases, cardiovascular diseases, and immune disorders. Objective: To examine the importance of probiotics and their consumption in foods, and their positive effects on various aspects of human health, including gastrointestinal function, skin health, mood and psychological disorders, immune function, and other bodily systems. Conclusion: A complete understanding of the precise mechanisms of probiotics is still lacking, but they appear to exert beneficial effects through the gut–skin axis and gut–brain–skin axis. More comprehensive research, including large and long-term clinical trials, is needed to confirm these effects. After identifying safe probiotic strains, further studies are necessary to determine optimal dosing, possible side effects, regulatory guidelines, and standardized assessment methods.

کلیدواژه ها:

probiotic ، skin ، sexual diseases ، gastrointestinal diseases ، cardiovascular diseases ، immune disorders