Fermented foods and yogurt contain a bacteria called Lactobacillus, which not only helps manage stress but also appears to prevent anxiety and depression.
In a new study involving experts from the University of Virginia, mice were used to investigate the consequences of eliminating two types of Lactobacillus bacteria found in the body. The results can be read in the English-language journal “Brain Behavior and Immunity”.
Microorganisms influence well-being
The intestine is the natural home of many bacteria, fungi and viruses. The team reports that more of these microorganisms live in and on people than there are cells in their bodies.
Previous research has made it clear that these microorganisms play a crucial role in immune system health, mental health and well-being, and it is known that disrupted intestinal flora, for example due to illness or an unhealthy diet, contributes to many diseases, the researchers emphasize.
However, according to the experts, attempts to influence the intestinal flora with healthy bacteria (probiotics) produced mixed results. It is particularly problematic that the microbiome is so extremely complex. Experts estimate that each person carries around 39 trillion microorganisms.
Effects of individual bacteria and fungi
This makes it clear how difficult it is to understand what effect certain bacteria or fungi have and how they interact with other microorganisms and their host.
However, the research group was previously able to demonstrate that lactobacilli can reverse depression in laboratory mice. In the current study, the team tried to find out what this effect is based on and how lactobacilli help improve mood disorders.
To do this, the experts used a bacterial collection called Altered Schaedler Flora, which includes two Lactobacillus strains and six other bacterial strains.
Lack of lactobacilli promotes depression
The experts bred both mice with and without Lactobacillus. This allowed researchers to understand how lactobacilli influence behavior and how a deficiency of these bacteria promotes depression and anxiety.
It turned out that lactobacilli of the Lactobaccillacea family maintain the level of a special immune mediator (interferon gamma). This not only regulates the body’s reaction to stress, but also helps protect against depression.
New treatment options in prospect?
“Our discovery sheds light on how the gut-dwelling Lactobacillus influences mood disorders by controlling the immune system. “Our research could pave the way to discovering urgently needed therapeutics for anxiety and depression,” summarizes study author Dr. Alban Gaultier in a press release.
For example, people with depression might one day take specially formulated probiotic supplements that optimize their levels of Lactobacillus.
“With these results, we have new tools to optimize the development of probiotics, which should accelerate the discovery of novel therapies,” adds study author Dr. Andrea R. Merchak added. (as)