The Impact of Dietary Supplementation With Lactobacillus Helveticus and Bifidobacterium Longum on the Functioning of the Brain-gut Axis, in the Context of Mental Health, Eating Patterns and Nutritional Status of Young Adults

Detailed Summary

Research on probiotic supplementation in the prevention and treatment of depressive and anxiety disorders and stress coping skills has been conducted for many years. This research project was designed to investigate the effects of both, probiotic supplementation and diet quality on a wide range of psychological, microbiological, biochemical, and clinical outcomes. The aim of the study was to assess the effects of targeted supplementation with Lactobacillus helveticus and Bifidobacterium longum on gut microbiota composition and quality, mental health, perceived stress intensity, psychosomatic response, and coping as well as body composition and bone density in young women who differed in diet quality. The study enrolled 120 healthy women in early adulthood (20-30 years of age) who were equally and randomly assigned to the intervention (Lh+Bl) or placebo (PLA) group. The intervention consisted of the administration of combined freeze-dried strains of Bifidobacterium longum Rosell®-175 and Lactobacillus helveticus Rosell®-52 (Lh+Bl) at dose of one capsule per day for 12 weeks. The total bacterial content per capsule was 3x109 CFU. At baseline, dietary habits were assessed using the KomPAN FFQ questionnaire and faecal samples were collected for gut microbiota analysis using Illumina next-generation sequencing technology. Anthropometric measurements were taken, and body composition and bone density were assessed using DEXA and displacement plethysmography using Bod Pod. Perceived stress and mental health were assessed using the psychological scales: PSS 10, Mini Cope, GHQ 28, and SOC-13. Salivary cortisol, DHEA and cortisol:DHEA ratio were measured as physiological markers of stress. After 12 weeks of supplementation, measurements were repeated and compared with baseline values.

Study Details

Timeline

Interventions