Do you want to have a clear and happy mind? Probiotics can help

According to a scientific briefing released by the World Health Organization (WHO) in March 2022, the COVID-19 pandemic has led to a global increase in anxiety and depression rates, reaching 25%. This has directly resulted in 2023 being a year of accelerated evolution towards consumer self-care, with an increasing demand for "healing the body and mind." Data from the National Bureau of Statistics indicates that the average working hours for employees in China have been gradually rising, reaching 48.7 hours per week by March 2023. The stress associated with long working hours has permeated every aspect of daily life.  

The "2023 National Health Insight Report - Family Health Edition," recently released by the Dingxiang Doctor Data Research Institute, also shows that "emotional issues" ranked second among health concerns in the past year, further triggering a cascade of related problems, including poor skin condition, sleep disturbances, and hair loss, with rising worries about these health issues becoming increasingly common. Currently, a majority of young people are caught in a vicious cycle of high work pressure, poor emotional well-being, insomnia, and poor sleep quality.  

Mechanisms by which probiotics influence brain behavior  

As interest in the gut microbiome continues to grow, numerous studies have indicated that the gut microbiome is a key component in regulating brain function and behavior. An article published in 2022 in The Lancet Gastroenterology & Hepatology explored the mechanisms by which probiotics affect brain health and mental disorders (the microbiome-gut-brain axis), with a particular focus on the current state of clinical research regarding the use of probiotics in the treatment of mental disorders such as depression and anxiety.

So far, the microbiome communicates bidirectionally with the brain through the microbiome-gut-brain axis (MGB). According to published literature, this interaction primarily occurs through three pathways:

1. Neural Pathways in the Nervous System
The gut houses the enteric nervous system (ENS), a neural network that allows the gut to function independently of brain directives. The primary participant in this bidirectional communication appears to be the vagus nerve—one of the longest nerves in the human body, which directly connects the brain and the gut.

2. Neuroendocrine Pathways
The neuroendocrine pathways involve messengers such as hormones and neurotransmitters. The most common stress hormones are adrenaline and cortisol, both of which are considered indicators of stress. Neurotransmitters, including gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and serotonin, can mitigate stress responses, promoting mental relaxation.

3. Immune Pathways
The gut is the largest immune organ in the human body, with over 70% of immune factors concentrated there, contributing to approximately 80% of the body's resistance. When the immune system detects potential threats or struggles to maintain a healthy state, the immune pathways signal the brain, particularly when they sense signals from the gut. Supporting the immune system through the gut appears to be a fundamental strategy for maintaining emotional health.

Serotonin, the endogenous "happiness hormone" born from the gut

Serotonin (5-HT), also known as 5-hydroxytryptamine, is a monoamine neurotransmitter and a hormone. As a neurotransmitter, serotonin transmits information between nerve cells in the brain (central nervous system) and throughout the body (peripheral nervous system). Remarkably, approximately 90% of serotonin is found in the cells of the gut, with only 10% produced in the brain.

Current research suggests that serotonin plays a crucial role in regulating mood, anxiety, sleep, body temperature, appetite, sexual behavior, movement, cardiovascular function, and pain perception, making it an important neurotransmitter involved in the pathological changes associated with mental disorders. Its influence is particularly pronounced in the regulation of mood and sleep:

Mood: Serotonin in the brain is often referred to as the "feel-good" natural chemical, enhancing focus, emotional stability, and overall happiness. Individuals with lower levels of serotonin are more susceptible to depression, impulsive behavior, substance abuse, suicidal tendencies, aggression, and violence. Many medications used to treat anxiety, depression, and other mood disorders typically aim to elevate serotonin levels in the brain, such as the antidepressant fluoxetine hydrochloride.

Sleep: Serotonin, in conjunction with another neurotransmitter, dopamine, plays a crucial role in both sleep quality and duration. The brain also requires serotonin to produce melatonin, a hormone that regulates the sleep-wake cycle.

It is important to note that with advancing age, the efficiency of the serotonin pathways declines due to a reduction in the number of activated serotonin receptors. Research indicates that the number of serotonin-specific receptors in the brains of individuals aged 60 compared to those aged 30 has decreased by 60%. This decline in serotonin efficacy correlates with an increased likelihood of developing depression as one ages. 

Additionally, serotonin enhances memory and protects neurons from damage caused by "excitotoxic" substances. Therefore, maintaining adequate levels of serotonin is vital in preventing brain damage during the aging process.

It is essential to preserve the body's capacity to produce serotonin!

Professional strains of 5-hydroxytryptamine-producing bacteria enhance their own "happiness capacity."

Bioyitech's Bifidobacterium animalis subsp.lactis F1-7 and Lacticaseibacillus paracasei X11 upregulate intestinal secretion of 5-hydroxytryptamine through catecholamine signaling pathways and the secretion of short-chain fatty acids.

The tryptophan levels in the model group were significantly higher than those in the normal group (p < 0.05). Following intervention with the KGM+F1-7 composition, levels were comparable to those of the normal group (see Figure 1).

5-HT4GPCR is a receptor protein that can sense serotonin. After administering the KGM+F1-7 composition via enema, there was a significant increase in the expression of the 5-HT4GPCR gene.

Observations indicate that X11 can significantly enhance the expression of serotonin, with the increase in SERT confirming the rise in serotonin levels within the body, thereby exerting physiological effects.

Experimental data demonstrate that both subspecies F1-7 of Bifidobacterium animalis and X11 of Lactococcus lactis can upregulate the expression of 5-hydroxytryptamine and its receptors to or near normal levels.

Overall, probiotics that can enhance endogenous "happiness factors" are safer, more cost-effective, and less psychologically traumatic compared to some traditional treatments for mood disorders; however, the concept remains relatively novel. We anticipate that large-scale controlled studies in the future will yield new insights, particularly regarding the supplementation of "happiness" probiotics in populations with suboptimal responses to standard treatments or those exhibiting drug resistance.