United States: The gut microbiota refers to the microorganisms that live in the gut. A Nutrients journal narrative review explored gut microbiota changes between people with anxiety disorders, along with evaluating the possible effects of probiotic supplementation on symptoms.
The link between gut and anxiety found
The study data indicates that anxiety patients exhibit lower microbial diversity and other modifications within their bodies.
Various studies indicate that probiotics can modify the gut microbial population and lead to better treatment of anxiety symptoms.
Research unveiled that individuals diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder exhibited a reduced abundance of distinct microorganisms in their bodies.
The participating individuals also had lower richness of microorganisms, higher levels of certain bacteria, and lower levels of “bacteria that produce short-chain fatty acids,” which are associated with several different aspects of health, as medicalnewstoday.com reported.
What have the studies found?
The study tracked changes in gut composition among patients who recovered from their anxiety symptoms and observed continuing alterations that could have consequences for generalized anxiety pathogenesis.
The gut microbiome of people with generalized anxiety disorder experienced particular bacterial reductions combined with specific bacterial elevations.
The bacteria levels which showed quantitative changes corresponded to participants’ anxiety degree while bacteria linked to decrease in anxiety were also identified.
Mendelian randomization techniques identified five bacterial characteristics that add to anxiety disorder risks alongside four bacterial characteristics that act as protective factors.
The review showcased a study that reflected on the changes in gut bacteria, noting a “complex relationship between gut microbiota, inflammatory and genetic factors, and the development of anxiety disorders.”
Research findings demonstrated that depression and generalized anxiety disorder patients possess different gut microbiota profiles, hence raising possibilities about gut microbiota assessments for diagnosing depressive or anxiety disorders, as medicalnewstoday.com reported.
What more are the experts suggesting?
Research gastroenteropathy as well as those with probable functional gastroenteropathy and generalized anxiety disorder.
Research conducted studies of individuals with functional gastroenteropathy related to diabetes as well as individuals who suffered from both functional gastroenteropathy and generalized anxiety disorder.
Furthermore, the authors reviewed that “[s]everal biological mechanisms underpin the connection between bacterial presence/absence in the gut and anxiety symptoms.”
Discussions revealed that the gut-brain axis allows the central nervous system to connect with gut microbiota.
The helpful gut bacteria Lactobacillus produces GABA while performing neurotransmitter production.
The neurotransmitter controls both stress responses and anxiety in human beings. The production of GABA by bacteria seems to have a connection with anxiety symptoms severity.
According to psychotherapist Noah Kass, DSW, LCSW, “reinforces the connection between gut flora and psychological distress” and “suggests that certain probiotic treatments, especially Lactobacillus strains, may help individuals with anxiety-related disorders.”