The Link Between Probiotics and Mood Celeste C. Tanchoco, RND, DrPH Board Member, PASOO Consultant, Food and Nutrition Research Institute The gut, in many ways can be thought of as a minibrain center. It is filled with nerves and sends signals to the brain that make you feel hungry, full or even sick. The gut has about 100 trillion microbial organisms often referred to as gut flora or intestinal flora. These microorganisms provide a number of useful functions such as helping to extract energy from undigested carbohydrates, synthesizing some vitamins, and metabolizing a number of fluids. In the gut there can be harmful or helpful bacteria. Taking probiotics, which are strains of bacteria, either through food or supplement adds to the number of helpful bacteria and strengthens their ability to keep harmful bacteria at bay.New discoveries regarding the gut flora identified that the food itself has a direct influence on what messages are sent from the gut to the brain. The ability of probiotics to influence brain chemistry and behavior was first demonstrated using mice(1). When mice were given a probiotic diet for two weeks, they exhibited fewer signs of measurable anxiety and lower levels of stress hormones.The effects on behavior of the mice given probiotic were very similar to mice who were given an injection of valium,according to John Cryan(2).While the research was promising, it was difficult to predict if a similar effect could be experienced by humans. In a study of Tellish et al, a group of women from ages 18 to 55 who ate probiotic-rich yogurt twice a day showed decreased engorgement in the parts of the brain that integrate internal body sensations and emotional response - both while in a resting state and in response to an emotion-recognition task(3).Meaning, they remained calmer and more focused. The implications of these findings give a whole new meaning to the idea of "stress eating". Think about it: a simple change on your diet may help improve your mood and better help you cope with stress and anxiety which are triggers to OVEREATING. References 1.Bercik Premysl, Denou Emmanuel,Collins John et,al., "The intestinal microbiota affect central Levels of brain- derived neurotropic factor and behavior in mice," Gastroenterology.vol 141, no.2, August 2011,599-609. 2.Bravo Javier,Forsythe Paul .Chew Marianne et al.,"Ingestion of lactobacillus strain regulates emotional behavior and central GABA receptor expression in a mouse via the vagus nerve,"Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America" August 29, 2011. 3.Tillish Kirsten, Labus Jennifer ,Kilpatrick Lisa et al.,"Consumption of fermented milk product with probiotic modulates brain activity."Gastroenterology, vol 144,no. 7,June 2013,1394-1401.9