Yogurt Relieve Anxiety and Depression

Probiotic bacteria contained in yogurt was able to change the chemicals in the brain and can be used to treat the anxiety and depression, according to new research.

Based on experiments conducted at University College Cork, found that rats fed with Lactobacillus rhamnosus JB-1 have a significantly less stress, anxiety, and depression-related behavior when compared with mice that were only fed with the broth.

These findings highlight the crucial role of bacteria in the intestines and brain, said lead investigator John F. Cryan. "This study identifies potential targets and pathways in the brain through certain intestines organisms," said Dr. Cryan.

The brain and intestines are connected by the vagus nerve. This research determines whether the 'good bacteria' could be used to influence the brain through the nerves. It is not clear how probiotics, in this case, interact directly with the vagus nerve or any other substances that activate the vagus nerve.

These findings may lead to the development of microbial-based approach to treating stress-related disorders such as the anxiety and depression, said Dr. Cryan as quoted from Yahoo, this study has been published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.