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New research suggest that Probiotics either taken by
themselves or when combined with prebiotics, may help to
ease depression. But as to whether they might help to lessen
anxiety isn't yet clear, say the researchers. Foods that
broaden the profile of helpful bacteria in the gut are
collectively known as probiotics, while prebiotics are
compounds that help these bacteria to flourish. A two-way
relationship exists between the brain and digestive tract,
known as the gut-brain axis. And the possibility that the
microbiome -- the range and number of bacteria resident in
the gut -- might help treat mental ill health has become a
focus of interest in recent years. Out of an initial haul of
71 studies, just 7 met all the criteria for inclusion. All 7
investigated at least 1 probiotic strain; 4 looked at the
effect of combinations of multiple strains. In all, 12
probiotic strains featured in the selected studies,
primarily Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus casei,
and Bifidobacterium bifidium. One study looked at combined
pre-probiotic treatment, while one looked at prebiotic
therapy by itself. The studies varied considerably in their
design, methods used, and clinical considerations, but all
of them concluded that probiotic supplements either alone or
in combination with prebiotics may be linked to measurable
reductions in depression. And every study showed a
significant fall or improvement in anxiety symptoms and/or
clinically relevant changes in biochemical measures of
anxiety and/or depression with probiotic or combined
pre-probiotic use. Nevertheless on the basis of the
preliminary evidence to date, pre- and probiotic therapy
warrant further investigation & Probiotics may help reduce
the production of inflammatory chemicals, such as cytokines,
as is the case in inflammatory bowel disease, suggest the
researchers. Or they may help direct the action of
tryptophan, a chemical thought to be important in the
gut-brain axis in psychiatric disorders. As anxiety
disorders and depression affect people very differently,
they require treatment approaches that take account of these
complexities.People with depression and/or anxiety disorders
also often have other underlying conditions, such as
impaired insulin production and irritable bowel syndrome,
they point out. However, there are inadequate data to
suggest anything meaningful to support or refute the use of
either pre/probiotic agents (or a combination of both) in
patients with clinically recognised anxiety disorders; this
would be a useful area to investigate further. |