Unlocking the Gut-Brain Connection: The Power of Probiotics

Are you aware that around 39 trillion microbes share your body as their residential address? Well, it could be a moment of revolt, but most of these microbes are a profit to our health. Even more fascinating is the fact that these physically present microbes set their imprints on our mental health as well. 

Gut, The Second Brain

The gut microbiota is the digestive system’s wardrobe consisting of various collections of microorganisms that showcase its impact on health. A large community of organisms structuring the gut microbiome aids in keeping the body safe and healthy. Maintaining a balance of microbes in the gut is crucial to promoting immune function, digesting food, creating vitamins and their coenzymes, utilizing medications, and many more. Probiotics are the guiding stars to build a balance in the gut microbiome. The role of probiotics in human health has been researched and investigated in different verticals of human health in recent years. The importance of including probiotics in geriatric nutrition has increased manifolds.

Changes erupt in the digestive mechanism and brain functioning with aging. The nutritional needs of the elderly shift gears calling for high-quality proteins, low calories, and micronutrient-rich foods. Changes in gut microbiota may also be seen in the elderly. Probiotics play a mainstream in promoting gut health as well as the mental health of senior citizens. 

Gut-Brain Axis

The gut and brain hold strong bonds influencing each other by several means. The gut plays roles in different brain functions through the neurotransmitters, hormones, cytokines, and short-chain fatty acids that act via endocrine (cortisol and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis), neural (vagus nerves and enteric nervous system), and immune pathways. Alterations in the pathways are observed in psychiatric disorders, which reemphasizes the importance of a healthy gut microbiota. The microbes in the intestine also produce compounds that cross the blood-brain barrier. Constant transmission and interpretation of information occurs from gut to brain and vice-versa. Probiotics have turned out to be potential therapeutic targets in cognitive health. 

Probiotics: The Gut Saviors

Probiotics are live microorganisms (a mixture of bacteria and yeasts) that furnish health benefits when administered in adequate quantity. The body comprises both good and bad bacteria. Probiotics are solely good bacteria that help in fine-tuning the right ratio of good and bad bacteria. For a microbe to be considered a probiotic it should,

-          Be safe to consume

-          Survive in the intestine post ingestion

-          Display benefits to the human body

Fermented food products like yogurt, curd, sauerkraut, tempeh, kefir, kimchi, and a few types of cheeses are food sources of probiotics. The gut microbiota is modifiable and therefore is a common interventional target for treating and ameliorating symptoms of cognitive and mood disorders. Prebiotics (non-digestible fiber), probiotics (live microbes), synbiotics (combination of pre-and postbiotics), and postbiotics (bacterial fermented products like short-chain fatty acids) are the various tools that modify the gut microbiota and hence the gut-brain axis as well.

 

The Psychobiotic Collab

The probiotics that inspire the relationship between the gut and brain are referred to as psychobiotics. Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium species are the bacteria commonly administered as probiotics, with yeast (Saccharomyces boulardii) being used less frequently. An array of clinical research sheds us on possible mechanisms working behind the effect of probiotics on mental and cognitive health.

❖     Depression is a rising concern among the elderly. A study that evaluated the effect of probiotics among individuals with depression found that the intervention group had significantly reduced depression inventory scores. Another study found that Bifidobacterium longum administration showed reductions in depression scores. Symptoms of depression were seen to be reduced by administering a mixture of three Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus strains.

❖   90% of the serotonin is made in the gut. Serotonin guides mood, sleep, digestion, and many other functions of the body. Probiotics help bring the right diversity in the microbiota thereby promoting good mood to its consumers.

❖     In the absence of clinical impairment, probiotics were observed to step up cognition and step down risks of cognitive deficits.

❖     Probiotics help in improving mood. A study evaluated the effect of a mix of eight strains of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium for eight weeks. It was found that the participants in the intervention group revealed reduced negative thoughts that were associated with sadness.

❖     Probiotics are beneficial in managing mental health and clinical symptoms among individuals with multiple sclerosis. Improvements in parameters of mental health (EDSS and Beck depression inventory, anxiety, and stress scale), inflammatory markers (C-reactive protein), HDL-cholesterol levels, and insulin resistance were observed with probiotic supplementation.

❖     Abnormalities in the immune system have been observed in Schizophrenia. Probiotics aid in modulating the immune response and pose a potential treatment strategy for schizophrenia.

❖     Associations between schizophrenia and gastrointestinal disorders have been studied recently. Administering probiotics in patients with schizophrenia helps improve gastrointestinal functioning by balancing the gut microbiota.

❖     Tempeh-derived probiotics were known to increase the cognitive domains of language, memory, and visuospatial functions.

❖     Probiotics promote the growth of good bacteria and help in the production of neurotransmitters that influence one’s mood and sleep quality. It also helps reduce stress and anxiety, thereby supporting sound mental health. 

Wrapping Up

As we get older modifications in the functioning of the central nervous system occur paving the way to cognitive decline and mood disorders. Probiotics stand to be a promising part of therapy in improving cognitive and mental wellness. Including probiotic-rich foods in the diet of elderly persons can impart several benefits to them. Promoting a nutritious, well-balanced eating pattern among the elderly is crucial. At Athulya Assisted Living facilities, a team of dietitians plan diets based on the elder's needs and strive to maintain optimal nutritional status. To learn more, visit our website Athulya Senior Care.