Expectant mothers go through a lot of changes in their life, and one of the most significant changes comes in the form of hormones.

Hormonal changes affect their mental and physical health, which can lead to anxiety, depression, and other health complications. One of the treatments that doctors prescribe to expectant mothers is probiotics. Probiotics can play an incredibly important role in mental health during pregnancy.

In this article, we will discuss how probiotics can help alleviate mental health problems in expectant mothers.

What are Probiotics?

Probiotics are live microorganisms, that when consumed, provide numerous health benefits. They are often referred to as ‘good bacteria’ because they are known to promote a healthy balance of gut bacteria.

Probiotics are naturally present in fermented foods such as yogurt, kefir, and kimchi.

There are many studies that suggest the benefits of taking probiotics during pregnancy. Probiotics can help with digestive problems such as constipation, bloating, and diarrhea.

They can also help the immune system, reduce inflammation, and improve skin health. But one of the most promising benefits of probiotics is their ability to impact mental health.

Probiotics and Mental Health

The gut-brain connection is the link between the gastrointestinal tract and neurological signaling. It is well known that this connection has a significant impact on mental health.

The gut is often referred to as the ‘second brain’ because it produces neurotransmitters such as serotonin, which is known to regulate mood. When your gut is healthy, it can positively impact your mental health.

Research suggests that probiotics can help improve mental health by reducing anxiety and depression. In a 2020 study, researchers found that consuming probiotics during pregnancy reduced anxiety and depression symptoms in expectant mothers.

Another study conducted in 2017 found that probiotics improved symptoms of depression in patients with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).

Probiotics can also help with stress management. Studies have found that taking probiotics can improve cognitive function and reduce stress levels.

Researchers have found that taking probiotics can reduce cortisol levels, a hormone that is released when under stress.

Probiotics and Postpartum Depression

Postpartum depression is a mental health disorder that affects approximately 15% of women after giving birth. It is a severe condition that can cause fatigue, irritability, and a lack of interest in the baby.

There have been several studies conducted on the role of probiotics in preventing postpartum depression.

A meta-analysis conducted in 2019 found that taking probiotics during pregnancy and postpartum reduced the risk of postpartum depression.

Researchers found that probiotics moderated the gut-brain axis and significantly impacted mood and emotional regulation, thus reducing the risk of postpartum depression.

Choosing the Right Probiotic

While probiotics can provide numerous health benefits, choosing the right one can be challenging. There are several factors that you need to consider when selecting a probiotic:.

Strain: Different strains of probiotics provide different benefits. For example, Lactobacillus acidophilus can improve gut health, while Bifidobacterium lactis can improve immunity.
CFUs: CFUs are colony-forming units, and they are an indication of the number of live bacteria in each dose. Most probiotic supplements have at least 1 billion CFUs.
Potency: The potency of a probiotic supplement is the number of live and active cultures that it contains. It is important to choose a supplement with high potency to ensure that you get enough good bacteria.
Quality: Look for a reputable brand that provides third-party lab analysis results on their products.

Conclusion

Probiotics have numerous health benefits, including improving gut health and the immune system. But one of the most promising benefits of probiotics is their ability to impact mental health.

Research suggests that probiotics can help reduce anxiety, depression, and postpartum depression symptoms, as well as improve stress management. When choosing a probiotic supplement, be sure to consider the strain, CFUs, potency, and quality of the product.