New data demonstrates potential role of probiotic supplementation in adults with major depressive disorder

Medical Xpress / King's College London / JAMA Psychiatry ^ | June 14, 2023 | Dr. Viktoriya Nikolova et al

[ConservativeMind]

A new study published 14 June in JAMA Psychiatry has found evidence that supplementing the diet with a probiotic blend containing 14 strains of bacteria can help individuals who are being treated for major depressive disorder with antidepressants. The research, led by the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience (IoPPN) at King's College London and in partnership with ADM Protexin, part of ADM, demonstrated the potential of probiotic supplementation to support improvements in multiple depression and anxiety scores over an eight-week period.

The pilot study is one of the first trials in a Western population to show both good tolerability of probiotics and positive effects on mental health in adults with depression currently taking antidepressants. According to the researchers leading the study, the results provide a strong basis to further investigate the benefits of this probiotic food supplement for supporting mood and mental health in a larger trial.

There is increasing evidence that the gut microbiota (the vast and dynamic community of microorganisms inhabiting the gut) has a role to play in the regulation of mood. The study was a double-blind, randomized placebo-controlled study, designed as an initial exploration of whether improving gut health through the use of probiotics—supplements containing beneficial bacteria—could act as a new pathway for supporting mood and mental health.

In this pilot trial, 49 adults with diagnosed major depressive disorder and with an incomplete response to prescription antidepressants were provided with a widely available, proprietary 14 strain blend probiotic supplement or an identical placebo (24 receiving the probiotic). Over the course of eight weeks, both groups demonstrated improvement in their symptoms, but greater improvements were seen in the probiotic group from week four onwards. Meaningful reported improvements were seen, measured against gold standard rating scales for depression and anxiety.

[ConservativeMind]

The study appears to show reductions of over 30% in depression and anxiety scores, using the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale [HAMD-17] and Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale [HAMA].

The 14-strain probiotic supplement was very similar to others one can dig up. Here’s the information from the study:

“This study will use the probiotic formulation ‘BioKult Advanced’ by Protexin, which contains the main bacteria strains demonstrated to have a beneficial effect on depressive symptoms in human studies. BioKult contains: Bacillus subtilis, Bifidobacterium bifidum, Bifidobacterium breve, Bifidobacterium infantis, Bifidobacterium longum, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus delbrueckii ssp. bulgaricus, Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus helveticus, Lactobacillus salivarius, Lactococcus lactis ssp. lactis, Streptococcus thermophilus. Each capsule contains minimum 2 billion live microorganisms per capsule (2x10 9 CFU/capsule), equivalent to 10 billion live microorganisms per gram (1x10 10 CFU/gram). BioKult has a two-year shelf life and guaranteed stability and count for the full two years.”

[ConservativeMind]

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[bray]

Would Big Pharma lie to you?

[HartleyMBaldwin]

bfl

[ryderann]

The “feel-good” brain chemical serotonin is made in the gut. Things down there have to be working to make serotonin. Here’s an interesting article:

https://www.amymyersmd.com/article/serotonin-gut-health

[ProtectOurFreedom]

“BioKult”

What marketing department dreamed THAT name up?

[Sacajaweau]

Must be that sales are down. People realizing they’re been poo**** just fine for years and years.

[Blurb2350]

Yep. A healthy intestinal biome is also necessary for a healthy, responsive immune system. The brain, too, is affected by intestinal bacteria. Too many of the bad ones leads to psychological problems. In fact, diet has been used to treat everything from ADHD/autism to epilepsy and MS.

[BipolarBob]

certain statins that can penetrate the brain blood barrier can break down the cholesterol in the brain and cause dementia and other cognitive problems. So be careful with them. If anyone is on statins be on guard for brain problems.

[Fungi]

that’s what’s in my yogurt.

[Nifster]

That’s why I eat fudgecicles