Probiotic pill could reduce stress and promote a sense of happiness AND boost brain power

A daily capsule of a simple probiotic could reduce stress and promote a sense of happiness and boost brain power, doctors said. The newly available over-the-counter natural food supplement Zenflore dubbed one of the first ‘psychobiotics’ was developed following breakthrough research by Irish scientists three years ago. Researchers at APC Microbiome Ireland based at the University College Cork found the bacterial culture bifidobacterium longum 1714 can increase activity in the areas of the brain associated with emotions, learning and memory. The human clinical trial involving 22 men aged 18 to 40 found those taking the bacterial culture for four weeks reported they were less stressed and anxious. A cold pressor test – used to test the response of cortisol to a pain stimulus – found probiotic reduce levels of the stress hormone. Brain scans also showed the strain, through its action in the gut, was able to signal to the brain and alter certain mental processes which included boosting memory, mood and reducing stress. Professor Ted Dinan concluded: “Our results indicate that consumption of B. longum 1714 is associated with reduced stress and improved memory.” Based on the findings PrecisionBiotics based in Cork created Zenflore which contains the same bacterial strain used in the clinical trial. The firm claims it works by becoming part of the gut microbiota which plays a vital role in the two-way dialogue between the brain and the gut which is known as the ‘gut-brain axis’. Dr Eileen Murphy, Director and Nutritionist for PrecisionBiotics said the study was significant because it was a human trial and does raise the possibility probiotics could one day be prescribed to lift our mood. She said: “Not all probiotics are the same and not all of them work. “This one does work and is one of the few backed […]

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