Acidophilus, or Lactobacillus acidophilus, is perhaps the most common probiotic available. This probiotic is a "good" bacteria that is naturally found in your body, most often in the small intestine and vaginal tract. L. acidophilus supports gut health by promoting the optimal balance of good bacteria and minimizing the impact of "bad" bacteria. L. acidophilus may assist you in mitigating the side effects of antidepressant medications, while research shows it may also improve your symptoms of depression. Talk to your doctor prior to taking probiotics for relief of depression or relief of side effects related to antidepressants.
Depression
Depression is a serious mental health concern affecting men, women and children alike. There are several different forms of depression, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. These include major depressive disorder, dysthymia, seasonal affective disorder and depression with psychosis. Major depressive disorder is marked by depressive symptoms, such as decreased mood and motivation that impact your ability to carry on with day-to-day tasks such as work. This may occur for a discrete period of time, or several times throughout your life. Dysthymic disorder, on the other hand, is characterized by less severe symptoms than major depression that occur over a period of longer than 2 years.
Probiotic Treatment of Depression
A study conducted in 2009 by A. Venket Ra et al. shows promising results in using L. acidophilus to treat the symptoms of depression. The focus of the study was to determine the impact of probiotics on chronic fatigue syndrome, of which depression is a factor. The researchers report that over a period of 2-month supplementation, those taking the Lactobacillus casei strain Shirota saw a marked improvement in presence of positive bacteria Lactobacillus and Bifidobacteria when compared with the control group. Those given the probiotic also saw a significant decrease in their symptoms of anxiety and emotional distress.
Enteric Neuroscience
Enteric Neuroscience is an emerging area of study, born from the marriage of two previously distinct fields: neuropsychiatry and gastroenterology. Researchers display a growing interest in the connection between intestinal microflora and overall health, including mental health, according to A. Venket Rao, et al. in the journal "Gut Pathogens." Research finds that even small doses of probiotics can influence neurotransmitters in the areas of the brain responsible for regulating and processing emotions related to mood and anxiety.
Antidepressants
Antidepressant medications are sometimes required to elevate mood and to mitigate the sometimes-disabling effects of depression. Although an essential tool for some, they are not without side effects. Many of the known side effects of antidepressants affect the gut. Diarrhea, constipation and nausea are frequently noted side effects listed by HelpGuide. L. acidophilus and other probiotic strains have shown promising results in treating diarrhea and irritable bowel syndrome, according to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine.
References
- Mayo Clinic: Lactobacillus Acidophilus
- Help Guide: Antidepressants
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Lactobacillus Acidophilus
- National Institute of Mental Health: Women and Depression: Discovering Hope
- "Gut Pathogens"; A Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Pilot Study of a Probiotic in Emotional Symptoms of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome; A. Venket Rao, et al.; 2009
- National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine: An Introduction to Probiotics
