Probiotics are powerful allies during flu season. They play a key role in strengthening the immune system, blocking virus replication, and stimulating antibody production to protect against respiratory infections. By maintaining a healthy gut microbiome, probiotics support overall immune health and help keep the body resilient against illnesses like colds and the flu.
How to Protect Yourself During Flu Season
When temperatures drop, especially during winter, it becomes more common to catch a cold or, in some cases, the flu. While the flu is uncomfortable for most people, it can lead to serious complications for older individuals or those with weakened immune systems, sometimes even being fatal.
A healthy immune system starts in the gut. In fact, about 70% of your immune cells reside there, making good gut health a critical foundation for your body’s natural defenses—especially during cold and flu season. When your gut microbiome is balanced and diverse, it helps regulate immune responses and supports your ability to fend off pathogens. This is where probiotics come in. These beneficial bacteria help maintain the integrity of the gut barrier and support immune signaling, making them a valuable part of a wellness routine focused on resilience and prevention.
Before we dive into the details of how probiotics work, let’s first review the differences between the common cold, flu, and stomach flu.
What is Influenza?
The primary difference between the common cold and the flu (influenza) is the severity of symptoms. While a cold can be caused by either a viralor bacterial infection, the flu is caused solely by a viral infection. This means that antibiotics, which target bacteria, are ineffective against the flu.
Cold symptoms usually start with a sore throat, runny nose, fatigue, and are followed by coughing and sometimes a fever. Flu symptoms, on the other hand, include severe cold-like symptoms along with a fever, headache, and muscle soreness.
The stomach flu, which affects the digestive system, is caused by a virus. Its symptoms include diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, fever, fatigue, and headaches.
Why are people more susceptible to illness during cold and flu season? Cold temperatures reduce blood flow and weaken the immune system, making it easier for viruses to spread. Additionally, poor room ventilation dries out mucous membranes, making it easier for germs to multiply.
How Can Probiotics Help?
Blocking Virus Replication
When harmful bacteria and viruses enter the body through the mouth or nose, they travel through the intestines and into the bloodstream. Your intestinal wall acts as a barrier, preventing harmful pathogens from entering your system. However, this barrier can only be effective if the gut is healthy and strong
Probiotic bacteria can strengthen the intestinal wall to defend against harmful pathogens, and certain probiotic strains can also lower the pH levels in the intestines, creating an inhospitable environment for viruses and harmful bacteria to replicate.
Omni-Biotic AB® 10, for example, contains ten specifically selected bacterial strains that have been scientifically researched to help protect your body against harmful bacteria and viruses, reducing your risk of illness.
A Healthy Gut Supports Your Body’s Immune System
70-80% of your immune cells reside in your gut. This makes the gut a critical gatekeeper for your immune defenses. The balance of good bacteria in the gut heavily influences immune function, and maintaining that balance is essential for strong immunity.
By replenishing beneficial bacteria in the gut with probiotics, you can ensure that your gut remains a strong barrier, ready to defend against harmful bacteria and viruses. Probiotics support immune health by maintaining a healthy microbiome, which in turn strengthens your body’s natural defense systems.
Studies Show Probiotics Support Immune Health
Several studies have shown that certain probiotics can support the body’s immune system. Omni-Biotic® Balance contains specially selected probiotic strains that not only strengthen the gut barrier but also balance the immune system in two key ways:
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Increasing IL-10 production to help manage inflammation and protect against exaggerated immune responses
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Strengthening mucosal membranes to help prevent respiratory infections
Staying Strong Against Respiratory Infections
Probiotics also stimulate the secretion of Secretory Immunoglobulin A (sIgA), a crucial antibody in mucosal membranes that helps prevent infections such as colds, flu, yeast infections, and urinary tract infections. Without enough sIgA, the body’s ability to fight infections is compromised, making it easier for pathogens to take hold.
By reducing inflammation and strengthening the immune system through a healthy gut microbiome, probiotics play a powerful role in protecting you during cold and flu season.
Other Helpful Measures to Take Against the Common Cold
While probiotics are a powerful tool, they should be part of a broader approach to immune health. Here are other steps you can take to strengthen your body against illness:
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Vitamin C: Vitamin C supports the formation of antibodies that help fight off bacteria and viruses. Foods rich in vitamin C include citrus fruits, cantaloupe, papaya, broccoli, and kale
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Vitamin D: Vitamin D is essential for immune function and the maintenance of bones, muscles, and teeth. In the colder months, it’s crucial to take a Vitamin D supplement and include Vitamin D-rich foods like salmon, eggs, mushrooms, and liver in your diet
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Zinc: Zinc helps balance the immune response to infections and is vital for fighting off illness. Zinc-rich foods include shellfish, meat, legumes, and seeds
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Exercise: Regular outdoor exercise helps your body adapt to changes in temperature and boosts circulation, which in turn strengthens your immune system. Spending 20 minutes a day outdoors can invigorate your body and help you produce antibodies to fight off infections
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Hand Hygiene: Regular handwashing helps prevent bacteria and viruses from entering your body, reducing the chances of becoming sick
Conclusion
Probiotics are an essential tool in maintaining a healthy gut microbiome, which in turn supports a strong immune system. By introducing probiotics like Omni-Biotic® Balance into your wellness routine, along with other immune-boosting practices like a balanced diet, exercise, and proper hygiene, you can better prepare your body for cold and flu season.
