Advantages Of Probiotics As Antidepressive Treatment
Probiotics are generally safe for consumption, except for immune-compromised and critically sick individuals wherein probiotics may cause sepsis, pneumonia, endocarditis and allergies . Still, it has been viewed by some that more human trials are required to establish the dosage efficacy and long-term safety profile of probiotics . For antidepressant drugs such as SSRIs, side effects occur in 40-60% of users which include sexual dysfunction, suicidality, emotional numbness and addiction . A meta-analysis data showed that users of antidepressant drugs were associated with a 33% increased risk of mortality . On the other hand, probiotics possess fewer side effects than antidepressant drugs. For instance, rats fed with L. brevis-fermented milk exhibited comparable antidepressive efficacy to fluoxetine-treated rats, but without side effects of fluoxetine .
Antidepressant usage is also associated with stigma, such as being perceived as emotionally weak and dependent on drugs, which contributes to the disease severity and poor adherence to treatment . In a survey study, 77% of depressed patients prefer to hide their use of antidepressant medication from others . However, the prevalence of perceived stigma against antidepressants differs based on the population studied . To this end, probiotics may help as an alternative treatment for depression, given that probiotics have not been associated with any perceived social stigma .
How Probiotics Might Be Bad For You
Because these good bacteria already exist in the body, theyâre considered safe for most people. But there are some things to consider.
They can trigger an allergic reaction. They might cause mild stomach problems, especially the first few days you start taking them. You might have stomach upset, gas, diarrhea, or bloating. Those symptoms usually go away after your body gets used to them.
If you have an immune system problem or another serious health condition, you may have a greater chance of issues. Some reports have linked probiotics to serious infections and other side effects. The people most likely to have trouble are those with immune system problems, people who’ve had surgery, and others who are critically ill. Don’t take probiotics if you have any of those issues.
Always talk to your pediatrician before giving probiotic supplements to your child. If you’re pregnant or nursing, you should also talk to your doctor before you try one.
Most probiotics in the U.S. are sold as dietary supplements. That means the companies that make them don’t have to test their products and show that they work or that they are safe. More research is needed to confirm that probiotics are safe and effective.
Ask your doctor which probiotics are the right ones for you. Be sure to stop taking them if you have any problems.
Meal Composition May Help
The microorganisms used in probiotics are tested to ensure that they can survive various conditions in your stomach and intestines .
Nevertheless, taking probiotics with specific foods may optimize their effects.
In one study, survival rates of the microorganisms in probiotics improved when the supplement was taken alongside oatmeal or low-fat milk, compared with when it was taken with only water or apple juice .
This research suggests that a small amount of fat may improve bacterial survival in your digestive tract .
Lactobacillus probiotics might also survive better alongside sugar or carbs, as they rely upon glucose when in an acidic environment .
Summary
Though research indicates that more bacteria survive if you take probiotics before a meal, consistency is probably more important than specific timing when it comes to reaping the greatest benefits for your gut.
4 ).
While they may also support a healthy immune system and oral, skin, and mental health, research on these benefits is currently limited .
Some of the live microorganisms in probiotic supplements also occur in foods that are naturally cultured or fermented, including yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, and kimchi. These foods are linked to lower blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol, and weight .
If you dont regularly eat fermented foods, you may want to consider taking a probiotic supplement .
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Review Of The Evidence
To conduct their review, the authors searched for English-language studies published between 2003 and 2019.
The studies needed to include human participants who were 18 years of age or older, had clinically recognized anxiety or depression, and had received a dietary prebiotic or probiotic intervention. These criteria left seven studies for the review.
Ways To Support Gut Health While Taking Anti
Here are 6 ways to support gut health while taking anti-anxiety medication. These go deeper than simply drinking bone broth, taking probiotics, or eating fermented food. Because if youre on prescription medications for your mental health, you need the big guns!
If youre looking up ways to support gut health while taking anti-anxiety medication, chances are that you already know a thing or two about gut health.
You likely already have an understanding of how the gut works and how important it is to maintain a healthy gut.
- For instance, over 80% of our immune system is found in our gut .
- Most of our bodys serotonin production happens in the gut .
- Certain things, like antibiotics and GMOs, destroy gut health .
- Certain foods, like bone broth and ferments, help build a healthy microbiome .
- Probiotics are key to maintaining a healthy gut .
- Avoiding foods youre sensitive to or that cause inflammation is key to maintaining gut health .
Yet, here you are searching for ways to support gut health while taking anti-anxiety medication.
And, its not because youre dummy about gut health. Its because youre smart.
Pharmaceuticals whether theyre SSRIs, antacids, PPIs, painkillers, or anti-anxiety meds have consequences. Since everything we put in our mouths including pills must be processed by our gut, it makes sense that these medications have gut consequences as well.
And, youre digging deeper.
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Use Probiotics To Your Benefit
By now you should be more aware of the potential side effects of overdosing on probiotics and how to eliminate or minimize those side effects. If you continue to have discomfort while taking probiotics, I recommend you stop taking that particular brand.
Because of the differences in dose, diversity, and delivery mechanisms, not all probiotics are created equal. One probiotic will not have the same benefits or side effects as another.
For example, a probiotic using one strain of Lactobacillus acidophilus may help your digestive health, but another using a different Lactobacillus rhamnosus strain may not have the same effect. It may take some experimenting to determine the right brand for you.
Most Commonly Asked Question: Is Grapefruit Essential Oil Safe To Use When Taking Medication
Because grapefruit essential oil and medication concerns are the most frequently asked questions I receive, I thought Id give it its own little section here.
It is well known across the medical community, that the fruit/juice of grapefruit blocks an enzyme found in your intestines wall that prevents many different medications from being absorbed. Because of this many people avoid grapefruit essential oil. Keep in mind that grapefruit essential oil is made from the grapefruits rind, not from the fruit. The rind is not known for blocking the enzyme in question.
A video by my favorite pharmacist, Lindsey Elmore, that discusses Grapefruit and Medication:
Personally, I still recommend talking with a pharmacist and following your gut instinct.
If youre not comfortable using grapefruit essential oil, please dont ever feel that you *have* to use it. There are other oils that can help in the same way as grapefruit that arent made with any part of a grapefruit. Please watch the above video that explains it in detail by a pharmacist with extensive research in essential oils.
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Heterogeneity Of Gut Microbiota Composition
Several factors are known to influence the gut microbiota composition, such as diet, medications, genetics, age, geographical location and smoking . Recently, approximately 1000 gut-derived putative bacterial species that do not belong to any existing genus were discovered in humans . Such tremendous diversity complicates the understanding of how introduced probiotics affect the overall gut microbiota. One study showed that tolerability of individuals gut microbiota toward the colonization of probiotics ranges from permissive to resistant . This appears to depend on the baseline abundance of probiotic species in the host gut microbiota. For instance, those who were permissive toward the colonization of Lactobacillus had prior low levels of Lactobacillus populations before treatment . Similarly, B. longum colonized the gut for a longer period in 30% of users who initially had low levels of B. longum . Another study showed that the antidepressive effect of multi-species probiotics only manifests when the administered MSP successfully colonized the gut of rats . This is consistent with the observation that lower levels of two main probiotic genera, Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, are commonly found in individuals with MDD .
Antibiotic Associated Diarrhea And Other Drugs That Affect The Gut
Probiotics help in the prevention and treatment following a course of antibiotics or other medications. You probably have noticed after taking antibiotics that you sometimes developed diarrhea. Research shows that taking probiotics helps treat antibiotic associated diarrhea.
The most often used probiotics for diarrhea from medications include several strains of Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria. Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG, for example, has been found to effectively treat diarrhea in antibiotic patients along with the discomfort caused by other gastrointestinal disorders.
Remember, probiotics are simply living organisms, and when they are ingested, they can help normalize the otherwise unbalanced gastrointestinal flora found in your gut.
Recommended Reading: How To Heal Your Microbiome
Interactions With Food And Drink
Alcohol isn’t usually recommended if you’re taking an SSRI, because it can increase any drowsiness you may experience and can make feelings of depression worse.
The SSRI, fluvoxamine, is also known to enhance the effects of caffeine, so people who drink large amounts of caffeine may experience unpleasant symptoms such as palpitations, feeling sick, restlessness and insomnia.
You should therefore avoid drinking large amounts of caffeinated drinks, such as tea, coffee, energy drinks and cola, while taking fluvoxamine.
The Pros & Cons Of Probiotics
Antibiotics are the drugs of choice when it comes to fighting bacterial infections. Without antibiotics, infections such as strep throat or tuberculosis can cause organ damage, even death. But while theyre destroying the bad bacteria thats making us sick, theyre also doing a number on the beneficial bacteria that normally live in our gastrointestinal tract leading to side effects. That disruption of our gut flora causes gastrointestinal complications ranging from mild to moderate antibiotic-associated diarrhea to the more serious AAD caused by the toxin-producing bacterium Clostridium difficile .
Theres nothing good about those side effects. But are antibiotics alter ego probiotics the miracle cure many make them made out to be?
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What Medications Should You Not Take With Magnesium
3.9/5nifedipineverapamildiltiazemisradipinefelodipineamlodipineof the answer
Magnesium supplements can interact with several drugs. Taking magnesium too close to a dose of some antibiotics, including ciprofloxacin and moxifloxacin, may interfere with how the body absorbs the medicine. Similarly, magnesium can interfere with some osteoporosis drugs if the doses are taken too close together.
One may also ask, when should you not take magnesium? People with diabetes, intestinal disease, heart disease or kidney disease should not take magnesium before speaking with their health care provider. Overdose. Signs of a magnesium overdose can include nausea, diarrhea, low blood pressure, muscle weakness, and fatigue. At very high doses, magnesium can be fatal.
Moreover, can you take magnesium with antidepressants?
There may also be differential effects for SSRIs compared to other antidepressants. Magnesium supplementation may allow for lower antidepressant dosage or avoid the need for use of a second medication, both of which could reduce overall side effect burden.
What interferes with magnesium absorption?
Zinc. High doses of zinc in supplemental form apparently interfere with the absorption of magnesium.
Taking Molly While On Antidepressants
MDMA and antidepressants are a particularly dangerous cocktail for people who are prescribed to SSRIs. As Zoloft, Lexapro or Prozac and their byproducts accumulate in the users system over time, they work to regulate the amount of serotonin that can reach the brain. These medications work for depression because they prevent any influx of serotonin from rushing in. When using MDMA, then, an individual on antidepressants might find that they dont get high. They might take too much Molly in the attempt to feel its effects. This is where things can get dangerous, as the user can flood their brain with serotonin. In the effort to feel the effects of Molly, some people end up taking too much. This can potentially lead to an overdose.
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Can You Take Probiotics While On Antidepressants
Probiotics may be helpful, but they don’t replace therapy, medication, or other depression treatments. You might notice an improvement in your symptoms after you start taking probiotics, but it’s important to still keep up with any other treatments. This is especially true if you take antidepressants.
Can I Take A Probiotic With Antidepressant
- Asked
- 7 Jul 2016 by morgane0108
HI morgane-The drug interaction checker on this site did not indicate that there would be a problem.Good question. Maybe take the probiotic at a different time of day then the Effexor. How do you like Effexor? How long have you been on it? How was the start up? Was thinking of switching to it since my Wellbutrin is not working anymore.
+0morgane0108
Thank you so much! I’ll try at different times.I absolutely love Effexor, very little side effects, the only one that didn’t make me feel too weird at the start up. It honesty saved my life, it’s been five months and I’m on the lowest dose. It’s allowed me to feel happy and normal again, I take for anxiety and depression. I would really recommend switching to it!
WildcatVet
Great to hear such positive feedback! I agree that Effexor was the best antidepressant I ever took.
morgane0108
are you still on Effexor? I’m hoping I can stay on it for life and that it’ll keep working
WildcatVet
Although I’m doing great on my new meds I wish I could still take Effexor. I was an undiagnosed Bipolar II ~ meaning I had depression but no mania until antidepressants put me over the edge into full blown manic episodes.That’s good though because now I have a correct diagnosis and proper medications.
morgane0108
I’m so glad you have the correct diagnosis now! So the new meds are helping a lot? Also, how long were you on Effexor before that?
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Vitamin Interactions With Antidepressants
The combination of SSRI and antidepressant medications with supplements can be especially dangerous. If you have an anxiety disorder or depression, your doctor may prescribe a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor . Common SSRIs are Lexapro, Prozac, Paxil, and Zoloft. These are safe for most people, but when taken with supplements or vitamins, the results can be risky. Brandi Cole, Pharm.D., a medical advisory board member for Persona Nutrition, explains why.
Most SSRIs are extensively metabolized by liver enzymes, and supplements that affect these enzymes could potentially change the way your body eliminates SSRIs, Cole says. For example; St Johns Wort induces liver enzymesmeaning it makes the liver eliminate prescription drugs more quickly than normal. Translation: Your system clears SSRIs sooner than intended, and without the correct amount of medication in your system, your medication cant work.
Additionally, some supplements can cause medication to interact negatively with your bodys systems and processes. Supplements that affect the hearts rhythm could cause a dangerously irregular heartbeat when taken with SSRIs. Supplements that contain serotonin or alter serotonin metabolismsuch as 5HTP , SAMe, or St Johns Wort can cause serotonin syndrome when taken with SSRIs.
Can Probiotics Help Ease Depression
HealthDay Reporter
WEDNESDAY, July 8, 2020 — Probiotic supplements might help ease depression symptoms in some people, a new research review suggests.
Researchers found that across seven small clinical trials, various probiotics seemed to improve symptoms in patients with clinical depression — at least in the short term.
The studies build on a growing research interest in the role of gut health — specifically, the balance of bacteria dwelling there — and brain health.
But experts stressed that the probiotic trials had a number of limitations, and it’s too soon to draw any conclusions.
For one, a “placebo effect” cannot be ruled out, according to Sanjay Noonan, the lead author on the research review.
And, he said, besides being small, the trials did not look at the longer term: All lasted about two to three months.
According to Noonan, “no definitive statements can be made” on whether people with depression stand to benefit from probiotics.
“It would be conjecture to try and suggest anything about the long-term efficacy of probiotic therapy,” he said.
Noonan and his colleagues at Brighton and Sussex Medical School in England reported the findings July 6 in the journal BMJ Nutrition, Prevention & Health.
Probiotics are live bacteria and yeast that naturally dwell in the body. Probiotic supplements are marketed as a way to restore a healthier balance of good bacteria.
“It’s important to stress that this area of research is in an extremely early phase,” Noonan said.
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Some Cough Medications Dont Mix With Depression Meds
One of the reasons why MAOIs are prescribed much less these days is that they have adverse reactions to a number of other common drugs. If an MAO inhibitor is mixed with drugs like Alka-Seltzer and Dayquil, for example, the user will find that they get extremely drowsy very quickly. This can be particularly dangerous if the user is driving or needs to operate heavy machinery. SSRIs, as well, can have negative interactions with over-the-counter cough and cold medications. Sertraline and citalopram, for example, dont mix with anti-inflammatory medications. While the combination may not kill you, mixing Lexapro,
Prozac or Zoloft with aspirin can take a pretty serious toll on your liver. Because the liver is the place where SSRIs are processed, throwing anti-inflammatory drugs into the mix can cause it to work far harder than it should be. Over time, this can lead to liver damage, disease, and internal bleeding.
Yeast Infections & Candida
Probiotics work quite well in treating and preventing yeast infections and overgrowth of Candida yeast. These medical issues can occur inside or outside your body, including the vagina, skin flaps, and the mouth.
Yeast infection symptoms include white spots or white tongue or vaginal odor, pus, and discharge. You may experience diarrhea, as well. If you are experiencing these symptoms, contact your physician about using probiotics to kill the bad bacteria.
The strains of probiotics that work best for Candida and yeast infections include Lactobacillus acidophilus, Saccharomyces boulardii, Lactobacillus Plantarum, and Bifidobacterium bifidum.
Recommended Reading: Do You Take A Probiotic With An Antibiotic
Summary Of Reviewed Studies
The purpose of this part of the study was to gather and evaluate published systematic reviews assessing the effect of probiotics on depressive symptoms. There are both positive and negative findings. Although the most recently published study, by Ng et al. found the overall effect of probiotics to be statistically insignificant for a combined dataset of both depressed and healthy individuals, further subgroup analysis conducted suggests that probiotics can produce significant improvements in the moods of individuals with pre-existing depressive symptoms. These results differ significantly from the findings of a previous meta-analysis conducted by Huang et al., which collected data from five randomized clinical trials and found the effects of probiotics on mood to be statistically significant in both depressed and healthy individuals. A possible explanation for this conclusion can be attributed to Huang et al. only including one clinical trial conducted on depressed patients. Ng et al. used the same five trials reviewed by Huang et al. in addition to five other trials added to the meta-analysis â including two new studies in individuals with mild to moderate depressive symptoms â and two more studies for the narrative review. Additionally, the study by Ng et al. was evaluated to be of high quality of evidence; therefore, we can be confident of its results.
Proposed Mechanisms Of Action
Throughout the literature, there appear to be two dominant hypotheses addressing possible mechanisms of action through which probiotics exert their effects on mood and cognition. These theories involve the regulation of inflammatory markers and the neurotransmission of the previously mentioned serotonin. However, as the immune system, central nervous system, and enteric nervous system are so intricately connected, it is possible that these two proposed mechanisms work in tandem to produce the effects induced by probiotics.
Inflammatory markers
Serotonin
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Who Shouldnt Take Probiotics
In December 2014, the Food and Drug Administration issued a safety alert to health care providers urging caution in the use of dietary supplements containing live bacteria or yeast in patients who are immunocompromised, citing the death of a premature infant who developed gastrointestinal mucormycosis after receiving an in-hospital treatment of ABC Dophilus Powder that was tainted with the mold Rhizopus oryzae. In the safety alert, the FDA also urges health care providers who use dietary supplements containing live bacteria or yeast as drugs to file an Investigational New Drug Application for FDA review. Submitting an IND would require an FDA review of the content and purity of the product. If you have a compromised immune system, take immunosuppressant drugs, or have a venous catheter, you may be at a greater risk of becoming seriously ill from the live bacteria or yeast found in probiotic supplements, says Surawicz.
Probiotics may also pose a risk for those with certain sensitivities or intolerances, such as to gluten. Researchers at the Celiac Disease Center at Columbia University Medical Center found that 12 of the 22 top-selling probiotics had detectable traces of gluten, even though more than half of the 22 were labeled as gluten-free. Saccharomyces boulardii , the second-most widely studied probiotic for use in AAD and C. diff, is a live yeast-based probiotic. Patients sensitive to yeast should talk to their doctor before taking this probiotic.
Are There Any Risks Involved
Probiotics are pretty safe, largely because they already exist naturally in your body. Theyre also found in many foods you likely already eat.
However, if you have a weakened immune system or cancer, its best to avoid probiotics so you dont overload your system. They can also interact with some medications, including antibiotics and some antifungal treatments.
Its always best to check with your healthcare provider before starting any new supplement, especially if youre:
- pregnant
- breastfeeding
- living with a chronic health condition
When talking to your provider, make sure to tell them about any medications you take, including over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, or other supplements.
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Probiotics And Antidepressants: 7 Things You Need To
2 mins readA A Probiotics may relieve side effects of some antidepressants, HI morgane-The drug interaction checker on this site did not indicate that there would be a problem.Good question, Risskov, Johns Wort has actually been shown to improve the symptoms of depression just as well as antidepressants can, pragmatical and non-stigmatizing prevention and adjuvant therapy in depression, prompting further interest in the link between these organisms and mood function., Lund S , pragmatical and non-stigmatizing prevention and adjuvant therapy in depression, Effectiveness
Lactobacillus Casei Strain Shirota
Individuals with low mood reported feeling happier after consuming milk containing L. casei, but not the placebo . Intake of mixed-species probiotics that included L. casei also reduced clinical depression and depressive-like symptoms in MDD patients and healthy individuals , respectively. Similar to L. rhamnosus, evidence suggests that L. casei may also regulate the HPA axis via the neural route .
Microbial GABA and HPA Axis
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