Probiotics that aid benign gut bacteria ‘may help ease depression’

Probiotics are often called healthy or “good” bacteria, while prebiotics are a type of fibre digested by this bacteria rather than by the human body. Foods high in probiotics include yoghurt and pickles, while those high in prebiotics include oats, bran and onions.

Among 71 papers, 12 probiotic strains featured in selected studies, primarily the bacterial species Lactobacillus acidophilus; Lactobacillus casei, and Bifidobacterium bifidium. Probiotic supplements either alone or in combination with prebiotics may be linked to “measurable reductions in depression”. All 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 prebiotic and probiotic use.

The researchers stressed the studies were over a short period with a low number of participants. “This makes it difficult to draw any firm conclusions about the overall effects, whether they are long lasting, and whether there might be any unwanted side effects associated with prolonged use.”

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