Various probiotics brands were shown to help 39 patients in a new study. The 39 patients with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) showed a significant reduction in a prime symptom – anxiety.
In the study, the patients were given either a strain of the probiotic Lactobacillus or a placebo daily for two months. After the two months the cohort taking the probiotic. had a significant increase of healthy bacteria in their stools; they also reported significantly less anxiety – a common symptom associated with CFS.
This is interesting because probiotics are more often associated with bowel health – such as inflammatory bowel disease symptoms – rather than mental/emotional health. But this study seemed quite clear: so the benefits of probiotics – natural bacteria such as those found in low concentrations in yoghurt – appear to be more widespread than previously thought.
It is thought, then, that those with anxiety may find benefit for this symptom if they take a probiotic supplement.
Probiotics have no negative effects at all – so it will be good for us all if we take such a supplement daily, as probiotics side effects are almost unknown.
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Of all the probiotics brands, we like this one. You only need one capsule a day and it’s a great combination of 6 patented ‘friendly bacteria’ strains.
Various probiotics brands were also found helpful for people with inflammatory bowel disease symptoms.
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My wife’s healthcare practitioner has also recommend probiatics for her yeast problem. She has taken them for the last month and said it has definitly reduced her anxiety. Thanks for the articles.
.-= CW@Alternative Energy Guides´s last blog ..Alternative Energy =-.
Thanks for the comment. Glad it’s helped.
Omega 3 fatty acids are also well known to be excellent for all nerve problems – including anxiety. After all, the brain is one third oega 3 – called DHA. BUT – she should take a good quality one, and take enough – say 1-2 (1000-2000mg) grammes of DHA + EPA a day. (Add up the amount per capsule.
Cheers
Great post Rob. It’s quite incredible how far-reaching the consequences of our intestinal well-being can be! I work in the fitness industry, and probiotics are at the forefront of so much incredible research these days. Few people, even twenty years ago, would have posited that the health of your gut had any influence whatsoever on the health of your mind, but thankfully times are changing and people are cluing in!
Personally, I’m curious to know what the exact mechanism would be that would cause a reduction in anxiety. I have worked with many IBS sufferers, for example, who have to put up with the chronic fear of flatulence, constipation and diarrhea. Needless to say, any one of these conditions produces significant amounts of anxiety in anyone. Are the probiotics, therefore, reducing anxiety through some biochemical mechanism (as emerging research speculates) or is it merely a case of cause and effect, whereby, in removing the cause of anxiety (namely, the embarrassing symptoms) anxiety is corresponding alleviated? Interesting stuff to ponder nonetheless, and yet another reason to look into probiotics!
David – if the bowel flora improve bowel function then this will help reduce anxiety. We did not mean to imply that bowel flora directly affect the nerves or emotions. Probiotics have such gererally beneficial effects, they are good for everyone. I take some daily. Rob
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