Depression is a major mental health issue that affects millions of individuals throughout the world. According to recent research, stress may have a substantial influence on the development and worsening of mood disorders, which may also have a severe influence on our gut health, resulting in an imbalance of helpful and dangerous bacteria, inflammation, and vitamin shortages.
As a result, symptoms of depression may develop. Fortunately, there is emerging evidence that probiotics may be a natural and effective strategy to treat depression. Probiotics are live cultures of helpful bacteria that can help restore equilibrium to the gut microbiome, which can reduce inflammation, increase nutrient absorption, and improve general health.
In accordance with Hippocrates, the Father of Medicine, noted "Let food be thy medicine, and medicine be thy food", new research published in JAMA Psychiatry, probiotics, which are frequently praised for their digestive advantages, may be a useful aid in bringing down the symptoms of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). A recent study headed by King's College London's Viktoriya L. Nikolova investigated the efficacy of probiotics as a therapy for those who had incomplete responses to antidepressant medication. In other words, despite being treated with antidepressants, the research participants continued to suffer depressive symptoms. The study's findings were positive, with probiotics administered with antidepressants resulting in a substantial decrease in both depression and anxiety symptoms. A previous study has found that probiotics have a good effect on stress symptoms in animals and may help with manic symptoms in people with bipolar illness. Probiotics have also been linked to lower levels of anxiety and sadness in previous research.
Until recently, probiotics were hotly discussed regarding their mode of action in fighting infections, treating various metabolic disorders, improving digestion, enhancing nutrient absorption, and modulating immunity, but research has proven that probiotics as conventional and functional foods confer both physical and mental health benefits to hosts. This suggests that probiotics may be a helpful adjunct therapy for individuals who are struggling with depression and anxiety, particularly those who are not seeing complete relief from traditional antidepressant medications.
https://www.madinamerica.com/2023/06/probiotics-show-promise-as-depression-treatment/
