Introduction
The gut microbiome is the name given to the bacteria that live in your mouth, gut and other parts of your body. There are many factors that contribute to health and wellness. An imbalance can also lead to inflammation which can affect the brain and mood. There are a few different ways probiotics have been shown to help with bipolar disorder. One study showed that Lactobacillus casei had an anti-inflammatory effect on the brain in people with bipolar disorder who were suffering from depression. Another study of patients with schizophrenia showed that probiotics taken regularly could help manage their symptoms better than placebos did
Bipolar disorder
Bipolar disorder is a brain disorder characterized by episodes of mania and depression. Manic episodes are periods of extreme elation, over-activity, and irritability. During these times you may feel like you can do anything and everything. You might also have trouble sleeping or concentrating on things that used to be easy for you in the past. Depression is the opposite of mania; it’s when people feel hopelessness or sadness for weeks at a time without being able to snap out of it.
The microbiome
The microbiome is made up of trillions of microorganisms that help digest food, produce nutrients and keep you healthy.
The microbiome can be changed by diet, stress or environment–and people with bipolar disorder may have a different mix of microbes than those without it. Some studies suggest that probiotics (good bacteria) may help restore balance to the gut microbiome if it has been disrupted by an illness like depression or anxiety; others show no effect on mood at all.
Factors
There are many factors that contribute to health and wellness. Diet, exercise, sleep, stress and medication are all important to consider when trying to manage bipolar disorder. Probiotics may be helpful as well as other treatments such as:
Imbalance, Inflammation – effects the brain and mood
Inflammation is a normal response to injury or infection. It’s the body’s way of protecting itself, and it involves the immune system releasing chemicals that cause blood vessels to widen and white blood cells to gather at the site of injury or infection.
Inflammation can also be caused by stress or emotional trauma–for example, experiencing an accident or traumatic event can lead to inflammation in your brain (in this case called “neuroinflammation”). This type of inflammation has been linked with depression, bipolar disorder and other mental health issues like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
It’s believed that an imbalance between pro-inflammatory cytokines (chemicals released by white blood cells) and anti-inflammatory cytokines may be responsible for causing bipolar disorder symptoms such as mood swings and anxiety. Probiotics help reduce inflammation by boosting levels of good bacteria in your gut; this helps balance out any potential negative effects from eating inflammatory foods like gluten or sugar!
Probiotics Helping with Bipolar Disorder
Probiotics have been shown to help with bipolar disorder in several ways.
First, they can have an anti-inflammatory effect on the brain in people with bipolar disorder who are suffering from depression. Lactobacillus casei has been shown to reduce inflammation in the brain, which may be helpful for those experiencing symptoms of depression or mania.
Second, probiotics may improve sleep quality and decrease anxiety levels in those with bipolar disorder. In one study, researchers found that taking a probiotic supplement improved sleep quality among patients who had been diagnosed with both major depressive disorder (MDD) and comorbid anxiety disorders compared to those taking placebo pills (1).
Finally there’s also some evidence suggesting that certain strains of bacteria could help improve overall mood as well as reduce stress levels by increasing serotonin production in your gut!
Study
Lactobacillus casei was used in the study. Lactobacillus casei had an anti-inflammatory effect on the brain in people with bipolar disorder who were suffering from depression.
Another study of patients with schizophrenia showed that probiotics taken regularly could help manage their symptoms better than placebos did.
Probiotics can also help with other mental illnesses, such as bipolar disorder and anxiety disorders. In one of the studies, researchers gave participants either a probiotic or placebo for six weeks; at the end of that time period, they found that those who took probiotics had lower scores on measures of depression and anxiety than those who received placebos.
Evidence
There is some evidence that probiotics might be helpful for people with bipolar disorder. Probiotics have anti-inflammatory effects, which can help with mood. They also have the ability to reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety, which are common in people with bipolar disorder. Finally, probiotics may improve the gut microbiome (the bacteria in your digestive system), which can help manage symptoms like constipation or diarrhea that often accompany mood swings.
Probiotics are generally safe when taken–and they’ve been shown to cause no harm in most cases–but there are some exceptions: if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding; if you’re taking certain medications (including birth control pills); if you’re allergic to any of the ingredients in a particular supplement; or if you have certain conditions such as Crohn’s disease or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Your doctor will be able to advise on whether taking probiotics is appropriate for any known allergies or medical conditions before making recommendations about dosages based on age groups
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More information on ProTren Probiotics
Conclusion
Probiotics have the potential to be a helpful tool for people with bipolar disorder. The evidence is not conclusive yet, but it does show some promise. It’s important to remember that probiotics are not a substitute for medication or other treatment for mental health issues like this one. As we’ve shared before, the gut is our second brain…take care of it!
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