Foods supplemented with probiotics enhance athletes’ immune system functions, improve body health and consequently decreases athlete’s health maintenance costs. Probiotics improve immune system function against pathogens via affecting on innate immune system, humeral immunity and cytokines. The effects of consumption of Iranian probiotic Bifidobactrium bifidum (BIB2) on athletes’ immune system functions were evaluated. The results showed studied immune system factors were significantly different between test and control groups, so that IgA, IgM, lymphocyte and monocytes percentage and CD4 measurements of test group were higher than control. The Bifidobacterim bifidum (BIB2) probiotic consumption can affect some immune system factors; therefore its ability to improved general health should be studied more.
Part of the book: Nutraceuticals
Probiotics exert beneficial effects on their host health by creating microbial balance in the digestive system. The role of some probiotic strains in strengthening the immune system and reducing the risk of diseases, especially respiratory infections, has been proven in previous studies. Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of probiotic supplementation containing Bacillus coagulans on the Runner athletes immune system. In this study, the effect of Bacillus coagulans probiotic on immunoglobulins A, M and monocytes count 60 male athlete sprints Evaluates that which were randomly divided into two groups of 30.For 3 months, the experimental group received a daily glass of probiotic juice containing 109 cfu / ml containing probiotic supplement and the control group received plain and no supplemental juice. During the study period, once every 2 weeks, One day after exercise (running 200 meters), blood samples were taken from all participants Then In the collected samples, IgA, IgM and lymphocytes were evaluated. Consumption of probiotic juice containing 2 × 109 f cfu/ml Bacillus coagulans probiotic supplement showed a significant difference in the amount of IgA, IgM and Lymphocyte between the experimental group and the control group. The results of this study showed that the consumption of juice containing probiotic supplement Bacillus coagulans can increase the level of immune factors IgM, IgA, lymphocytes and prevent the occurrence of diseases, especially respiratory infections, by improving the function of the immune system.
Part of the book: Functional Foods