Taking probiotics can reduce symptoms of depression

( Natural News ) Depression is becoming all too common, and so, too, are antidepressants. In today’s instant-gratification-obsessed world, doctors and patients alike are tempted by the lure of a “quick fix” like a drug that can tackle this serious problem. Unfortunately, antidepressants aren’t terribly effective, and the side effects can be even worse than depression itself. That doesn’t mean, however, that there’s nothing people can take to combat their symptoms. In fact, two recent studies have found that consuming friendly bacteria in the form of probiotics can reduce people’s symptoms of depression. One study out of McMaster University in Canada revealed the antidepressant effect of probiotics in patients with irritable bowel syndrome. Many IBS suffers also have chronic depression or anxiety as well. The researchers studied 44 adults who have IBS and mild to moderate depression or anxiety. Some were given the probiotic Bifidobacterium longum daily over the course of ten weeks in the study, while others were given a placebo. Just six weeks into the study, the researchers discovered that 64 percent of the patients who took the probiotic had already seen their depression scores go down; this was twice the figure of those in the placebo group. Functional MRIs showed the score improvement was linked to changes in several areas of the brain related to mood control. It’s a promising finding, and the authors would like to see a larger-scale trial confirm their discovery. While this news is great for IBS sufferers, it’s also something that can be applied to the general population, as senior author Dr. Premysi Bercik said: “This opens new avenues not only for the treatment of patients with functional bowel disorders but also for patients with primary psychiatric diseases.” Get CLEAN FOOD and help support our mission to keep you informed : […]

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