4 KO cold viruses with “good” bacteria!

Notice you get more colds when you’re stressed? That’s because stress hormones weaken your immune system, allowing viruses to gain a toehold in your body! ✤ The easy fix: Supplement daily with 50 mg. of heat-killed Lactobacillus plantarum L-137, “good” bacteria from fermented foods that prompt your immune system to churn out more virus-zapping compounds. This form of the bacteria is so effective that in one study, stressed-out adults who took a daily dose for 12 weeks were significantly less likely to get sick than those who took a placebo! One option: Swanson Probiotics Immunobiotic Immuno-lp20, $14.99 for two bottles of 30 capsules, Swansonvitamins.com.

You’ll stay regular, too!

If you tend to get diarrhea when stress strikes, taking the live active culture Bifidobacterium bifidum (such as American Health Acidophilus and Bifidum, $5.99 per 100 chewable wafers, Vitacost.com) can help keep you regular, no matter what ups and downs you face, reports the journal Beneficial Microbes. This probiotic keeps electrolytes and fluids in the intestine in balance when stress hormones spike.