Boosting 'good' gut bacteria could treat symptoms of anxiety: Study
| May 21, 2019, 12:17 IST
Eating the right foods to help boost "good" gut bacteria can help tackle anxiety issues, according to a new study. The latest research backs previous studies that state gut bacteria has a big impact on our mental health.
Scientists explain this association is due to the gut-brain axis. A well-balanced gut floral can help boost our metabolism, as well as ensure the proper functioning of our immune and nervous systems. Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) and Social Anxiety Disorder are some of the anxiety disorders that millions of people across the globe suffer from. In the United States (US), the Anxiety and Depression Association of America reveals close to 6.8 million people have GAD.
While the symptoms of anxiety vary from person to person, there are a few common factors that are exhibited in patients with the condition. The symptoms of anxiety you need to be aware of are:
- Feeling extremely nervous
- Have sleeping issues
-Sweating
- Increased heart rate
Cognitive behavioural therapy and antidepressants are some of the treatment options currently available to patients. However, the new study's findings could help scientists develop more effective treatments to reduce the number of people who suffer from this mental health disorder.
For the study, the team wanted to know if regulating the trillions of organisms that live in our intestines can help treat anxiety. Researchers examined almost 21 studies that included 1,503 people. 14 out of the 21 studies helped the team study the effects of probiotics on anxiety. The rest showed how a person's diet could improve their condition.
In a study where participants took probiotics, the results showed a 36 per cent improvement in their anxiety symptoms. Meanwhile, other studies that did not include probiotics showed an 86 per cent improvement. "So we can easily find that although we can regulate the intestinal flora in two ways, the non-probiotic intervention is significantly better than the probiotic intervention," the authors are quoted as saying by a news portal.
Researchers are hopeful their findings show that diet can be part of the treatment plan to help patients with the condition. "In the clinical treatment of anxiety symptoms, in addition to the use of psychiatric drugs for treatment, we can also consider regulating intestinal flora to alleviate anxiety symptoms,” the authors are quoted as saying by a news portal. However, more research is needed to better understand how diet can be used to treat symptoms of anxiety. The study's findings were originally published in the Journal of General Psychiatry.
Previous research has also found that the Mediterranean diet can help treat prevent depression. This diet includes fish, nuts, olive oil, fresh fruit and vegetables.
Scientists explain this association is due to the gut-brain axis. A well-balanced gut floral can help boost our metabolism, as well as ensure the proper functioning of our immune and nervous systems. Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) and Social Anxiety Disorder are some of the anxiety disorders that millions of people across the globe suffer from. In the United States (US), the Anxiety and Depression Association of America reveals close to 6.8 million people have GAD.
While the symptoms of anxiety vary from person to person, there are a few common factors that are exhibited in patients with the condition. The symptoms of anxiety you need to be aware of are:
- Feeling extremely nervous
- Have sleeping issues
-Sweating
- Increased heart rate
Cognitive behavioural therapy and antidepressants are some of the treatment options currently available to patients. However, the new study's findings could help scientists develop more effective treatments to reduce the number of people who suffer from this mental health disorder.
For the study, the team wanted to know if regulating the trillions of organisms that live in our intestines can help treat anxiety. Researchers examined almost 21 studies that included 1,503 people. 14 out of the 21 studies helped the team study the effects of probiotics on anxiety. The rest showed how a person's diet could improve their condition.
In a study where participants took probiotics, the results showed a 36 per cent improvement in their anxiety symptoms. Meanwhile, other studies that did not include probiotics showed an 86 per cent improvement. "So we can easily find that although we can regulate the intestinal flora in two ways, the non-probiotic intervention is significantly better than the probiotic intervention," the authors are quoted as saying by a news portal.
Researchers are hopeful their findings show that diet can be part of the treatment plan to help patients with the condition. "In the clinical treatment of anxiety symptoms, in addition to the use of psychiatric drugs for treatment, we can also consider regulating intestinal flora to alleviate anxiety symptoms,” the authors are quoted as saying by a news portal. However, more research is needed to better understand how diet can be used to treat symptoms of anxiety. The study's findings were originally published in the Journal of General Psychiatry.
Previous research has also found that the Mediterranean diet can help treat prevent depression. This diet includes fish, nuts, olive oil, fresh fruit and vegetables.