For many years, we have understood that there is a connection between the gut, brain, and overall health. Hippocrates is famously quoted as saying “all disease begins in the gut.” This should not come as a surprise to anyone who has ever experienced gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms like diarrhea, indigestion, or abdominal discomfort in response to changes in their emotional state. The gut and brain communicate through neural, endocrine and immune pathways. It has become increasingly clear that interactions with intestinal microbiota play an important part in this communication.

How do probiotics affect mood?

• Reduction in inflammatory cytokines (signaling molecules) have been detected in animals supplemented with Bifidobacterium species. Conversely, these cytokines are elevated in people with depression.  Reductions in inflammatory cytokines are indirect evidence of a depression-fighting effect.
• Probiotics help in balancing hormones and other signaling molecules in the brain, assisting in maintaining the body’s physiological response to stress. This is suggested by the reductions of corticosterone and adrenocorticotropic hormone, as well as changes in intestinal permeability (ability to hold intestinal contents in place and not have them leak into the bloodstream) with the addition of a probiotic supplement.
• Probiotics can out-compete toxin-producing microorganisms, alleviating symptoms of depression by lowering levels of intestinal toxins. This is known as 'competitive exclusion' of intestinal infections that produce toxic products such as lactic and propionic acid. Increased levels of these toxic products have been linked to increased levels of anxiety and aggression. 

Studies Performed: 

Even high-quality animal models are limited in what they can tell us about any drug or supplement’s impact on human mood and behaviors. That’s why human randomized, placebo-controlled trials are so important. Such studies have now been carried out using the probiotic Lactobacillus helveticus R0052 and Bifidobacterium longum R0175 combination.

A human study of 55 participants with mild depression or anxiety, ages 30 to 60, was conducted to determine the effects of the probiotic combination on anxiety, depression, stress, and coping strategies. Subjects were given 3 billion colony-forming-units (CFUs) of the probiotic, or a placebo, for 30 days.

The probiotic-supplemented subjects had a significantly larger drop in measures of anxiety and depression than did placebo recipients as follows:

• 49% drop in the global severity index, a measure of overall psychological distress
• 50% decrease in depression scores
• 60% decrease in anger-hostility scores
• 36% decrease in the hospital anxiety and depression score (HADS)
• 13% decrease in urinary free cortisol, a hormonal measure of chronic stress, which was not seen in placebo patients

Link to the study discussed above:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20974015
 

Probiotics that we offer:

    

Tips for Taking Probiotics:

• Most probiotic supplements are best taken with a meal, ideally with breakfast.
• Probiotics should not be taken directly with a hot drink.
• For those who are unable to swallow capsules, try a powder probiotic such as the Max Probiotic ES. You can add this to your Rejuvenaide protein shake. 
• Probiotics should not interfere with other medicines or herbal/natural remedies.
• It is advised to drink plenty of water while taking probiotics.
• You can also find these bacteria strains in kimchi, sauerkraut, and pickles.