A recent study suggests that daily probiotics may benefit not only digestive health, but also mental health, especially in older adults with moderate depression.

The trial, published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, involved 58 participants over the age of 60, who continued their antidepressant treatment while adding a probiotic supplement or a placebo to their routine. The results showed more significant improvements in those who received probiotics.

The researchers not only collected data on the participants' subjective well-being, but also used rating scales and analyzed biological markers related to mental health and gut microbiota composition.

Although both groups showed improvements, those taking probiotics had a greater reduction in symptoms of depression and anxiety, suggesting a possible complementary effect to standard antidepressant treatment.

Probiotics as a complement

Professionals such as Brian Lutz, clinical director of Blume Behavioral Health, consulted by Newsweek, warn about the importance of not replacing standard treatment with probiotics, but considering them as a complement. Lutz emphasizes that it is essential that this new information be approached cautiously.

"Patients with anxiety and depression seek low-cost, low-stigma treatments; therefore, probiotics represent a potential option for them. This is an important issue; however, it is essential that the clinician approach this research with caution. There is a risk that patients, hoping for positive results, may decide to delay or downplay their current evidence-based treatment in order to try probiotics," he said.

The researchers plan to conduct a larger clinical trial to confirm these findings. According to the authors, these initial results justify further research in this area, with the goal of integrating probiotics into accessible healthcare solutions.

“The results of our study are novel and due to the encouraging findings, we are now planning a larger-scale follow-up clinical trial,” said Dr. Saibal Das, co-corresponding author at the Indian Council of Medical Research – National Institute of Research in Bacterial Infections, Kolkata.

Most effective probiotics for mental health

The most studied probiotic strains with the greatest evidence for mental health benefits mainly belong to the Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium genera, especially multi-strain formulations that include species such as Bifidobacterium longum, B. infantis, B. breve, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, L. helveticus and L. plantarum.

What are they and why do they matter?

Strains with the most support and their reported effects

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