Malaysian and Indian researchers recently published a paper in the peer-reviewed journal Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition. In it, they discuss the mental health benefits of gut bacteria.
There are a few notable points the researchers raise in their paper.
1. Gut bacteria may affect anxiety and depression
“Certain strains of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium secrete gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). This is the main inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain regulating many physiological and psychological processes, with dysfunction in the system implicated in anxiety and depression.”
“Some of the intestinal microbes . . . can produce neurotransmitters including serotonin, norepinephrine and [GABA]. They also can modulate expression of neurochemical receptors like endocannabinoid receptors and act on the postulated brain-gut axis resulting in psychotropic effects (antidepressant and anxiolytic)”
“It has also been reported that an oral administration of a combination of probiotics . . . improves depression, anger, anxiety, and lowers the level of the stress hormone cortisol”
2. Gut bacteria can affect more than the nervous system
“Gut microbiota affects the brain too. It affects the brain not only through the nervous system . . . but also through the endocrine system, immune system and metabolic system.”
3. Gut bacteria can affect mood-regulating minerals
“Psychobiotics and the overall profile of the intestinal microbiota can influence tissue levels of mood-regulating minerals, such as magnesium and zinc”
4. Gut bacteria may affect brain development
“The emerging field of human microbiome research, though in its early stage, has indicated that gut microbiota may also play an important role in influencing brain development, behavior, and mood in humans”
The researchers go on to list several common gut bacteria that seem to have a direct impact on systems and processes that contribute to our mental health.
| Lactobacillus | Bifidobacterium | Other |
|---|---|---|
| L. acidophilus | B. infantis | Bacillus |
| L. casei | B. longum | Candid |
| L. rhamnosus | B. bifidum | Enterococcus |
| L. helveticus | B. lactis | Escherichia |
| L. plantarum | B. breve | Streptococcus thermophilus |
| L pentosus | Saccharomyces spp | |
| L casei Shirota | ||
| L. hilgardii |
| Neurological condition | Gut microbes | Psychobiotic strains |
|---|---|---|
| Anxiety | Lactobacillus | L. fermentum |
| L. casei | ||
| L. rhamnosus | ||
| L. helveticus | ||
| Bifidobacterium | B. breve | |
| B. infantis | ||
| B. longum | ||
| Depression | Lactobacillus | L. acidophilus |
| L. brevis | ||
| L. casei | ||
| L. gasseri | ||
| L. helveticus | ||
| Lactococcus | L. lactis | |
| Bifidobacterium | B. infantis | |
| B. bifidum | ||
| B. lactis | ||
| B. longum | ||
| Stress | Lactobacillus | L. casei |
| L. helveticus | ||
| L. plantarum | ||
| L. rhamnosus | ||
| Bifidobacterium | B. infantis | |
| B. longum |
- Bifidobacterium breve
- Bifidobacterium longum
- Lactobacillus acidophilus
- Lactobacillus bulgaricus
- Lactobacillus casei
- Lactobacillus rhamnosus
- Streptococcus thermophilus
Each capsule of Truehope GreenBAC contains billions of these bacteria, but what sets our probiotic formula apart from others is our comprehensive collection of prebiotic ingredients to help the bacteria thrive.
Our prebiotic ingredients include alfalfa leaves, apple fiber, lecithin, apple pectin, barley grass, spirulina, wheat grass, chlorella, acerola berries, carrot, bee pollen, fennel seed, green tea extract, lacto-bifidus, licorice extract, peppermint leaves, royal jelly, spinach, amylase, bromelian, papain, milk thistle seed extract, eleuthero root extract, bilberry fruit extract, broccoli, ginkgo leaf extract, ginger root, and grape seed extract.
Proper bacteria levels in the digestive system is key to good mental health, and Truehope GreenBAC is key to attaining proper bacteria levels.