Immunobiotics for Immune Health

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The case for killed probiotics

From yogurt to miso, kombucha to kefir, the friendly bacteria found in fermented foods play an important role in our health: there is no shortage of studies demonstrating the efficacy of probiotics (or “good bacteria”) in helping a myriad of conditions.[1]

Most probiotic foods and supplements work by delivering good bacteria into the human digestive tract, where they propagate and yield health-boosting benefits. Probiotics are technically defined as live bacteria that convey health benefits. Higher-end stores therefore keep probiotic supplements and fermented foods in the refrigerator section, as cooler temperatures preserve the viability of the tiny salubrious microbes.

After all, nobody wants to take a pill full of dead bacteria, right? Well…

As it turns out, there is an entire sub-class of bacteria very similar to probiotics that work by way of, well, being dead. These heat-killed bacteria, more specifically known as immunobiotics, have their own unique way of enhancing immune system function. Without populating the gut, immunobiotics support health by activating gut immunity and thus are able to boost the infection-fighting branch of the immune system.

Without populating the gut, immunobiotics support health by activating gut immunity and thus are able to boost the infection-fighting branch of the immune system.

How heat-killed probiotics work

Although they do not populate in the gut, the “dead” bacteria fragments found in immunobiotics nevertheless trigger an immune system response. The mere presence of bacterial cell fragments – regardless of whether they’re dead or alive – is able to shift the immune system into higher gear. Yet the process of heat-killing a probiotic also confers additional benefit: heat denatures the cell membrane, thus protecting the cell wall of the immunobiotic from the digestive enzymes of the human gut. By better surviving the digestive tract, heat-killed immunobiotics exert different (and perhaps greater) immune-enhancing properties than live probiotics.[2]

By better surviving the digestive tract, heat-killed immunobiotics exert different (and perhaps greater) immune-enhancing properties than live probiotics.

Immunobiotics further work by modulating T-cell response.[3],[4] A T-cell (or T-lymphocyte) is a type of white blood cell made by the body that serves an important function in immunity. Depending on the types of signals received, a T-cell can turn into different cell types to mount the type of immune response called for. Two noteworthy T-cell classes include: (1) Th1 cells, which attack intracellular microbes such as bacteria and viruses, and (2) Th2 cells, which fight worms, parasites, and other extracellular pathogens. A Th2 response is also seen in allergic responses, and individuals with conditions like eczema, asthma, and allergic rhinitis are understood to be immunologically Th2 dominant – meaning their immune systems are a little too good at creating Th2 cells and weak in the Th1 department.[5] Supporting Th1 function can thus not only help the immune system more effectively clear bacterial and viral infections, but may also potentially combat allergies. Probiotics are able to enhance Th1 function (some more than others), but immunobiotics in particular are powerhouses at boosting Th1 because of their ability to survive degradation by the digestive enzymes in the human gut.[2]

An additional benefit of immunobiotics is that unlike their “classic” probiotic peers, they do not require refrigeration, are stable at room temperature, and have a longer shelf life than regular probiotics. Furthermore, because there is no risk of their colonization within the human digestive tract, immunobiotics may offer a safer alternative to live probiotics for immune-compromised patients, such as those undergoing chemotherapy.

Unlike their “classic” probiotic peers, immunobiotics do not require refrigeration, are stable at room temperature, and have a longer shelf life than regular probiotics.

Three strains of immunobiotics in particular have been recently studied for their effects on immune function:

Heat-killed Lactobacillus plantarum L-137

Lactobacillus plantarum is a type of lactic acid bacteria found in a variety of fermented foods like sauerkraut, pickles, and yogurt, but it’s also a popular ingredient in energy drinks in Japan. The heat-killed version of the specific strain L-137 of this bacteria (HK L-137), has been shown to enhance immune activity, exerting anti-allergic and anti-viral effects, primarily by means of increasing Th1 production.[6],[7]

Due to the immunosuppressive effects of both physical and emotional stress, we’re more likely to fall ill during hard times in life. Interestingly, in a recent study 50 mg daily of HK L-137 for 12 weeks was shown to decrease the incidence, duration, and symptoms of upper respiratory tract infections (URTI) in adults with psychological and emotional stress, and to improve T-cell growth.[8] It likely does this by increasing the immune signaling molecules (cytokines) interleukin 12 (IL-12) and interferon beta (IFNβ).[9],[10]

In another study on HK L-137, 50 mg daily for 12 weeks in adults above the age of 40 was shown to enhance T cell growth, Th1/Th2 ratio, and health-related quality of life measures.[11]

HK L-137 also has demonstrated effects in periodontal disease (diseases affecting the gums and other tissue surrounding the teeth), in particular with respect to reducing the size of periodontal pockets.[12] In rats it has even been shown to decrease cardiovascular inflammation, a risk factor for heart attack and stroke.[13]

Heat-killed Lactobacillus acidophilus L-92

Lactobacillus acidophilus L-92 has been commonly used in fermented milk and other products in Japan since the 1990’s, and has been studied in particular for its role in alleviating allergies.[14], [15],[16],[17],[18]

Lactobacillus rhamnosus lysate

Noting the folklore regarding the immune-stimulating properties of cultured milk products, Russian microbiologists sought to increase the immune activity of lactobacilli. They found that breaking apart the cell walls of the lactobacilli allowed the immune-active proteins usually trapped behind the walls to better support the human immune system response.[19] These lactobacilli cell-wall fragments were then used in clinical trials in 1992 at the State Cancer Hospital in St. Petersburg, Russia, and have been used as immune stimulators in Europe since then.

Lactobacillus rhamnosus lysate (LRL), with its broken apart cell wall, has also yielded compelling results. Children ranging in age from 8 to 64 months with treatment-resistant eczema were supplemented with LRL. Those less than three years of age were given 300 mg twice daily, while those older received 500 mg twice daily. After seven days, 9 of the 14 children in the study showed marked improvements in their eczema symptoms, with reduced daytime irritation and nighttime sleep disturbance. All of the eczema symptoms assessed – redness, scaling, thickening, and itching – gradually improved in the subjects in the one month, three month, and six month follow up assessments.[20] Cell studies also have shown that LRL promotes the proliferation of skin cells and behavior that mimics wound healing.[21]

Killed microbes for the win

Immunobiotics offer a truly unique approach to supporting the immune system, enhancing the response to infectious illnesses and dampening allergic reactions such as those seen with eczema. Turns out not all probiotics need to be refrigerated after all – in fact, some of these “dead” ones have plenty to offer.

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