Study Results Finding Probiotic And Antidepressant Consumption Can Reduce Depression Symptoms

Illustration (Alicia Harper/Pexels)

JAKARTA - Unhealthy cases can affect a person's mental and physical health such as reduced immunity and the possibility of developing digestive problems, cardiovascular disease, anxiety, stress, and depression.

A recent study shows that patients who consume antidepressants experience a decrease in symptoms of mental health problems. Due to improving gut health with routine probiotic consumption.

Reporting from Medical Daily, Wednesday, July 26, the researchers analyzed 49 adults who were diagnosed with major depression disorders, and had no response to prescribed antidepressant drugs. The participants were given antidepressants for eight weeks. Along with the treatment, 24 of them were given probiotic supplements containing 14 bacterial strains, and the rest were given identical placebos.

All participants showed improved symptoms after eight weeks. However, those who were given probiotic supplements showed a marked increase from the fourth week onwards.

The researchers observed that probiotics have a strong effect in reducing depression and anxiety.

"This research is an important first step in exploring the therapeutic potential of probiotics as a treatment for depression. We found that probiotics are acceptable and tolerated supplements in people who already use antidepressant drugs," said James Stone, senior research researcher.

An estimated 280 million people suffer from depression worldwide. Research has shown that three out of five people with depression do not fully experience an improvement in conditions when consuming antidepressants and continue to show symptoms. And the use of probiotics as an additional treatment along with antidepressants is beneficial to improve mood and mental health.

"Usus is a fast-growing microbiome. Usus can also be said to be the brain. And the findings in this study provide us with an understanding of the role of probiotics in mood and mental health," explained Dr. Viktoriya Nikolova, the study's first author.