Could improving gut health also help improve mental health? A small clinical trial suggests that probiotics, often called "good bacteria," may provide an extra boost for older adults being treated for depression.
Researchers found that seniors with depression who took a daily probiotic alongside their regular antidepressant treatment experienced modest but meaningful improvements in depression and anxiety symptoms compared with those who received a placebo. A placebo is an inactive treatment designed to look identical to the real one.
The study was published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.
Exploring the Gut-Brain Connection
Scientists have become increasingly interested in the relationship between the digestive system and the brain, often referred to as the gut-brain connection. The trillions of microbes that live in the human digestive tract, collectively known as the gut microbiome, may influence mood, behavior, and mental health through a variety of biological pathways.
