Study shows positive effect of probiotics against Stress
Probiotics are associated with a variety of positive health effects in the context of a promotion of digestion, to the relief of high blood pressure. In a recent study, it has now been demonstrated a positive effect of a particular probiotic Bifidobacterium longum (B. longum 1714TM) on the stress processing.
A research team at the University hospital in Tübingen has studied the effect of a particular probiotic type Bifidobacterium longum (B. longum 1714TM) on the stress processing, and the results of earlier animal experimental studies have confirmed. Their results were published in the journal “The American Journal of Gastroenterology”.
Notes from previous studies
Previous studies had already identified notes that “probiotics enhance both the stress-processing as well as healthy people dealing with stress” can facilitate, according to the research team of the tübingen professors Paul Enck (psychosomatics) and Christopher brown (MEG-center), in a press release of the University hospital of Tübingen.
What probiotics are?
Probiotics are live bacteria, which can be attributed to taking health-promoting effects. This can be achieved by the beneficial bacteria “produce, together with the other in the human body, especially in the intestine, resident bacteria among other digestive support measures, and vitamins,” explain the researchers. There are many different probiotics, which can be attributed to a variety of effects exist, but these are not used often sufficiently scientific.
Stress test under observation
In the current study, the researchers, the probiotic B. longum 1714TM, which was developed by the company, Alimentary Health Ltd, Cork, Ireland, and made available to the examined now. A total of 40 healthy subjects was blind for a period of four weeks in a Double-attempt, administered daily either the probiotic or a Placebo. The stress processing of the Participants before and after the four weeks of the intake examined. For this purpose, the subjects were exposed to a social Stressor, “the use of a virtual ball game on the Computer was generated, in which the subject gave with two players in exchange for a Ball,” explain the researchers.
Brain activity measured
The stress was increased in the course of the game by the Participants were increasingly excluded from the group, a feeling of Isolation trigger, which had a in this case, as the stress of everyday life. During the test, the brain activity in a magnetic has been investigated and related graphs (MEG). Thus, the activation of the brain could be likened to that received before and after four weeks of ingestion, as well as between the subjects, the probiotic or Placebo.
Increased vitality and reduced mental fatigue
The evaluation of the results of the study showed that the probiotic can produce Changes in the with regulating Stress-related regions of the brain, report researchers. Compared to the brain activity after placebo intake, the activity before the game, as well as under the strain of the Stressor, increased vitality, and reduced mental fatigue” has”. This is a reference to an “improved adaptation (Coping) of stress situations and against regulation of negative emotions.”
Objective Evaluation Basis
For the first time, the now published study results show that “a probiotic exerts a positive influence on social stress situations in the sense of a better coping with stress, by changing the stimuli, the Central processing of Stress,” reports the research team. This statement applies, however, only for the investigated probiotic and can not be on all the probiotics transfer. In contrast to previous studies which were based mostly on subjective assessments or psychological Tests, deliver the current study, an objective basis of evaluation on the basis of the activity of the brain. (fp)