Lactic acid bacteria, which are bacteria that produce lactic acid by decomposing sugars, live in the intestine, help regulate the ideal ratio of beneficial bacteria and harmful bacteria in the intestine, and are effective as a bowel preparation to improve the intestinal environment. These lactic acid bacteria are divided into various types depending on the temperature at which they are cultured and the specific conditions under which they are grown.
Menopause lactobacillus is one of these lactic acid bacteria, and it refers to the lactic acid bacteria developed for the first time in the world by the Korea Food Research Institute. Although the official name is Lactobacillus acidophilus YT1, it is commonly called as a menopause lactic acid bacterium because of its excellent efficacy in relieving menopausal symptoms. Now, let’s take a look at various information about the main effects of the menopausal lactobacillus YT1 and the side effects to be aware of when ingested.
Main Efficacy of Menopausal Lactobacillus YT1
1. Improvement of menopausal symptoms
If it is the most representative effect of menopause lactic acid bacteria, as the name suggests, it can be said to be the effect of improving menopausal symptoms. Menopause, which refers to the transition from maturity to old age, refers to a period in which ovarian function declines and undergoes various physical changes such as menstrual irregularity and anovulation. Although there are individual differences, it usually occurs in the age group of 45 to 55 years old and causes various physical and psychological symptoms such as red eyes, headache, paroxysmal excitement, dizziness, tinnitus, insomnia, and depression. YT1 lactic acid bacteria are known to help the expression of ER2 (Estrogen Recepter Beta), which is known as an estrogen receptor. This expression of ER2 affects the secretion and activation of the female hormone estrogen, and is known to have a beneficial effect in alleviating major symptoms such as gastrointestinal disorders, vascular dysfunction, and mental problems caused by decreased secretion of estrogen.
The Kupperman Index (KI) is an evaluation index for diagnosing menopausal symptoms. It is said that the Kupperman index of middle-aged women who took YT1 lactobacillus was significantly improved compared to the Kupperman index of the group not taking YT1 lactobacillus. In addition, as a result of applying YT1 lactobacillus to the human body, it was also found that the Menkoll Index (MENQOL), which is a menopause quality of life evaluation index and a more detailed index than the aforementioned Kupperman index, improved in four areas.
2. Improving long-term function
When the balance of intestinal bacteria such as beneficial bacteria in the intestine decreases and the number of harmful bacteria increases, the intestinal function deteriorates and the risk of intestinal-related diseases increases. YT1 Lactobacillus is known to be effective in improving intestinal function and improving intestinal environment by helping to maintain the ideal ratio of beneficial and harmful bacteria by correcting the balance of broken intestinal bacteria.
3. Boost immunity
Intestinal bacteria are also closely related to the immune system of our body. This is because more than 70% of immune cells, which can be said to influence immunity, exist in the intestine. In particular, the proliferation of harmful bacteria causes a decrease in immune function due to an increase in inflammation levels and an increase in free radicals, increasing the risk of various diseases. YT1 Lactobacillus is known to help strengthen the body’s overall immune system by promoting the proliferation of beneficial bacteria and the activation of immune cells.
4. Prevention of osteoporosis
Osteoporosis, which is easily fractured due to a significant decrease in the amount of matrix and minerals that form bones, is known to occur a lot during menopause because it is also closely related to the secretion of estrogen. YT1 Lactobacillus inhibits the osteoclast gene that destroys bone tissue by estrogen activated by YT1 lactic acid bacteria, and helps to express the osteoblast gene that forms bone. When mice induced menopausal symptoms were fed YT1 lactic acid bacteria for 12 weeks, it was confirmed that bone density improved.
Other benefits and side effects
The decrease in female hormones also acts as a major cause of increasing the risk of various cancers such as ovarian and uterine cancer, and intake of YT1 lactobacillus also has a beneficial effect in preventing these cancers. In addition, menopausal lactobacillus YT1 is said to help reduce the level of LDL cholesterol, which is a major risk factor for various vascular diseases by blocking blood vessels.
YT1 Lactobacillus has such a variety of effects, but it is known to cause various side effects such as diarrhea and abdominal pain when consumed in excess. Therefore, it is said that the most effective intake method is to consume within the range of 100-450 mg, which is known as the recommended daily intake. In addition, if you are taking immunosuppressant drugs or have chronic diseases, it is a good way to decide whether to take them after consulting a specialist. In addition, it is recommended to be careful as it can cause problems even if you have an allergy related to lactic acid bacteria.
