New research shows probiotics, often thought of as “good bacteria”, may help in treating bipolar disorder by reducing gut inflammation.
December 13, 2018, Brentwood, TN—About 3 million people in the US are diagnosed every year with bipolar disorder, a psychiatric condition characterized by dramatic shifts in mood from depression to mania. Currently, the standard treatment includes a combination of psychotherapy and prescription medications such as mood stabilizers and antipsychotics.
However, an emerging field of research is exploring the use of probiotics—often thought of as “good bacteria”—as a potential new avenue for treatment of bipolar and other psychiatric mood disorders. And a new study from Baltimore’s Sheppard Pratt Health System, conducted by a research team led by Faith Dickerson, finds that a probiotic supplement may reduce inflammation of the gut, which may exacerbate bipolar disorder. Probiotic organisms are non-pathogenic bacteria that, when present in the gut flora, are known to improve the overall health of the host.
In recent years, research has demonstrated a strong link between the gastrointestinal tract and the central nervous system. This connection, named the “gut-brain axis” (GBA), allows for crosstalk between the endocrine, immune, and autonomic nervous systems.
The GI tract is also home to the intestinal microbiome, a complex population of roughly 100 trillion microorganisms (more than ten times the number of cells that make up the human body) that interacts with the mucosal lining of the GI tract. Studies have shown that the intimate association between the gut microbiome and GI tissue has a significant effect on the GBA.
There is also mounting evidence linking imbalances in the microbial species that make up the gut microbiome to a number of health problems including allergies, autoimmune disorders, and psychiatric mood disorders.
In the case of bipolar disorder and the GBA, previous studies have shown that inflammation, or overstimulation of the body’s immune system, is a contributing factor in the disease. With this in mind, researchers developed a probiotic supplement aimed at reducing inflammation caused by microbial imbalances in the gut.
A group of patients recently hospitalized for mania participated in a 6-month study to track the effects of probiotic treatment on both their mood and the status of their immune system.
The patients were randomly selected to receive either the probiotic supplement or a placebo in addition to their usual medications. The results showed that the group receiving the probiotic supplement, on average, didn’t return to the hospital as quickly and required less in-patient treatment time compared to the placebo group. The beneficial effects were most pronounced in those patients who exhibited abnormally high levels of inflammation at the beginning of the study.
Overall, these results indicate that changes in intestinal inflammation can alter the trajectory of psychiatric mood disorders and that modulating the intestinal microbiota may be a new avenue of treatment for patients suffering from these diseases.
Sugar does not improve mood and it can make people less alert and more tired after its consumption.
April 4, 2019, Coventry, England—Unlike the common myth, sugar does not improve mood—and it can make people less alert and more tired after its consumption, according to a new study by the University of Warwick, Humboldt University of Berlin, and Lancaster University.
The research team set out to examine the myth of the ‘sugar rush’: can sugar really put you in a better mood? Using data collected from 31 published studies involving almost 1300 adults, Dr Konstantinos Mantantzis at Humboldt University of Berlin, Dr Sandra Sünram-Lea at Lancaster University, and Dr Friederike Schlaghecken and Professor Elizabeth Maylor in the University of Warwick’s Department of Psychology investigated the effect of sugar on various aspects of mood, including anger, alertness, depression, and fatigue.
They also considered how factors such as the quantity and type of
sugar consumed might affect mood, and whether engaging in demanding
mental and physical activities made any difference.
The researchers found that :
sugar consumption has
virtually no effect on mood, regardless of how much sugar is consumed or
whether people engage in demanding activities after taking it.
people who consumed sugar felt more tired and less alert than those who had not.
the idea of a ‘sugar rush’ is a myth without any truth behind it.
Professor Elizabeth Maylor, from the University of Warwick, commented:
“We hope that our findings will go a long way to dispel the myth of
the ‘sugar rush’ and inform public health policies to decrease sugar
consumption.”
Dr Konstantinos Mantantzis, from Humboldt University of Berlin, who led the study, said:
“The idea that sugar can improve mood has been widely influential in
popular culture, so much so that people all over the world consume
sugary drinks to become more alert or combat fatigue.
“Our findings very clearly indicate that such claims are not
substantiated — if anything, sugar will probably make you feel worse.”
Dr Sandra Sünram-Lea added:
“The rise in obesity, diabetes and metabolic syndrome in recent years highlights the need for evidence-based dietary strategies to promote healthy lifestyle across the lifespan. Our findings indicate that sugary drinks or snacks do not provide a quick ‘fuel refill’ to make us feel more alert.”
Yes, jumping on the anti-inflammatory diet bandwagon by steering clear of highly acidic foods can help reduce inflammation and its many painful side effects like stiff joints, muscle aches, headaches, indigestion, and low energy - but, it isn't a foolproof response to completely preventing inflammation.
The main reason being, inflammation isn't just a reaction to one's diet.
Dr. Arielle Levitan, MD, a board-certified internal medicine physician and the co-founder of Vous Vitamin, describes inflammation as the body's overreaction to the stimulus it doesn't like by producing a variety of chemicals to help "fight off" something - this response is what causes those uncomfortable symptoms.
She adds that certain individuals can be more prone to inflammation, "especially people who are known to suffer from allergies, or who have a family history of autoimmune diseases."
There are also different types of inflammation - and understanding the types and causes is key to treating your ailments and preventing future bouts, Dr. Niket Sonpal, MD, a professor at Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine, explains.
When you eliminate food from the equation, there are essentially two types of inflammation - Dr. Sonpal walked us through each one to help you take charge of your pain.
Acute Inflammation
Acute inflammation usually occurs for a short duration, resolving itself in two weeks or less, but it can be severe and symptoms appear relatively quickly, Dr. Sonpal says.
Instances such as stroke, muscle injuries, and broken bones are just a few examples of what can trigger acute inflammation, he continues. "When these happen, the actual body's defense system sounds the alarms and sends in massive waves of repair cells, immune cells, and restorative functions to fix what happened."
Infection is another form of acute inflammation to watch out for. Dr. Sonpal notes that bacteria, viruses, and fungi can set off your immune system, causing inflammation - this usually presents itself as a fever.
To prevent acute inflammation, Dr. Sonpal suggests practicing good preventive medicine with the help of a physician to reduce your risk of illness and injury.
Chronic Inflammation
Considered a slower and generally less severe form of inflammation, Dr. Sonpal explains that chronic inflammation typically lasts longer than six weeks.
He adds, that chronic inflammation has been linked to autoimmune disorders, like lupus or rheumatoid arthritis - especially when a combination of genetic and environmental factors cause our own immune system to damage vital organs and tissues.
Prolonged stress can also act as a trigger.
"Early detection and treatment with medications are the way to handle these," Dr. Sonpal admits.
