MedibiotiX | MedibiotiX | Mental Health

What is the microbiome?

The microbiome is a complex environment of bacteria and other microorganisms. They live in many different sites of the body, including the gut, skin, mouth, and urogenital system.

However, the gut is the primary location of the human microbiome and has a major contribution towards our health and wellness by protecting our bodies from disease-causing microorganisms, developing our immune systems, and enabling us to digest our food to produce energy.

The gut microbiome is very diverse, but not all the bacteria in the gut are beneficial for our health. "Bad" bacteria are associated with infection or illness (such as some strains of Escherichia coli [E.coli]), whilst the "good" bacteria (such as Bifidobacteria) help keep the "bad" bacteria in check.

A healthy, balanced microbiome means there are more "good" bacteria than "bad" bacteria and this balance is essential for good overall health.

What is the gut microbiome?

We know the most about the gut microbiome. It has several essential roles in the body, such as aiding digestion and protecting against infections.

There are two main types of bacteria found in healthy guts, Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes. However, the microbiome’s healthy composition can be disrupted by antibiotics, infection, dietary changes, or stress.

The link between the gut microbiome and stress

What is stress?

Stress is our body’s response to a perceived threat or pressure.

When we become stressed, our body increases the release of hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline. This is sometimes referred to as the “fight or flight” response. During this response, the body’s energy is diverted away from digestive processes, so that other organs (such as muscles and heart) can help with the escape from “danger”.

Long-term stress can also lead to inflammation (when the immune system activates) in the gut, which can be damaging if it extends for long periods of time.

These changes in gut function can alter the environment our microbiota live in, and therefore our microbiome composition.

Symptoms of stress, may include

Anxiety or nervousness
Increased heart rate
Digestive issues, including diarrhea or constipation
Tiredness or decreased focus and performance
Trouble sleeping

If you have any of these symptoms, please consult a healthcare professional.

What role does the gut microbiome play in stress?

Our gut has millions of nerves that communicate with the brain constantly. Stress can impact this brain‑gut communication which can trigger pain and bloating. Serotonin, also known as the “happy hormone”, is important for movement of the gut during digestion. During stress, serotonin levels may change causing changes in bowel movements.

When stress hormones such as cortisol are released, they increase inflammation, which can disrupt the balance between “good” and “bad” bacteria (dysbiosis). The inflammation damages the lining of the gut causing it to become “leaky”, which allows “bad” bacteria to colonize the gut and spread. This then worsens inflammation, creating a vicious cycle.

The continuous cross-talk between the gut and the brain means the reverse applies too – dysbiosis and inflammation in the gut affect our resilience to stress. This is because our microbiota influence the expression of hormonal signals in our central nervous system, and therefore may influence our emotions.

A solution that meets your needs

To ease the discomfort caused by stress, we have designed a solution based on the most up-to-date scientific knowledge to support mental well-being by optimizing the microbiome. It contains two strains of bacteria, Bifidobacterium infantis M‑63 and Bifidobacterium lactis HN019, which have been carefully selected to complement each other’s beneficial effects.15–17 These strains are combined with a unique carefully selected blend of prebiotic supplements, and other specifically chosen ingredients, to optimise their action in the gut and support your well-being.

Together these strains can help:

Improve digestive symptoms and support healthy bowel movements
Improve mental well-being
Boost immune function

The following ingredients have been shown to be beneficial:

Fructooligosaccharides (FOS) and Galactooligosacharides (GOS): prebiotic supplements that enhance the growth and digestive activity of healthy microflora in the intestine
Magnesium: a mineral that is needed for the nervous system to work and may lower risk of migraines and depression
L-tryptophan: an amino acid that is needed for creating serotonin, the “happy hormone
Phosphatidylserine: helps keep nerve cells healthy and is needed for forming memories
Zinc: a mineral that is needed for normal mental function and for immune cell development and growth
Vitamin PP (Vitamin B3, Niacin, Nicotinic acid): helps the nervous system to function
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin): helps to reduce tiredness and fatigue
Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine): needed to allow the nerve cells to communicate with each other and for optimal immune system function
Vitamin B1 (Thiamine): essential for maintaining healthy nervous and digestive systems
Biotin (Vitamin B7, vitamin H): involved in the digestion of food and for normal nervous function
Vitamin B12: plays a role in maintaining a healthy nervous system