The joy of probiotics is largely exhibited — and, let’s be honest with ourselves, felt — in the bathroom. A healthy gut allows for smoother moves, so to speak, and enables you to spend less time exerting yourself in ways that have been linked to hemorrhoids, anal fissures and, in extreme cases, rectal prolapse.
Now, a study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society suggests that a daily probiotic taken in step with standard antidepressant treatments might see improvement in symptom management. That’s compared with a group who took a placebo pill.
The pilot study analyzed data from 58 adults of at least 60 years of age who had been diagnosed with moderate depression. Each of the participants received either a daily probiotic or a placebo for 12 weeks alongside their typical depression treatment.
Though both groups saw an improvement, those who were given the probiotic demonstrated a larger improvement in their symptoms of depression and anxiety over the course of the study. They reported better scores on rating scales measuring mental health. Researchers believe this could be due to the established gut-brain connection, or the relationship between your gut microbiome and mood, linked by different biological corridors.
Like many small studies, this one bears replicating in a larger group. Scientists say they want to better understand what kind of patient is most responsive to a probiotic, and whether the pilot study’s results hold true across different demographics.
But there’s no harm in remembering to bring a yogurt for lunch.