Effectiveness of Probiotics

ABSTRACT

Background: To evaluate the potential of probiotics in stress management caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. Material(s) and Method(s) PubMed, Elsevier, New England journal of Medicine and Google Scholar were searched for the keywords "Probiotics and stress management during the Covid pandemic" up to 30th April 2022. Result(s) Probiotics have a great potential of managing mild stress. The pandemic has brought about physical as well psychological distress and has had a negative impact on the mental health of individuals. Stress increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases, hypertension and neuropsychiatric disorders. Probiotics can be used to alleviate mental stress. Probiotics maintain ecological balance of gut and provide immunity. They also affect mood and health of host by regulating gut-brain axis of host and may be used as Psychobiotics by altering various neurotransmitters like dopamine, serotonin, adrenocorticotrophic hormone, epinephrine, norepinephrine and GABA. The use of probiotics in mild stress will help reduce the risk of adverse effects and dependence associated with the psychotropic drugs. Conclusion(s) The ongoing studies on probiotics seems to be a good solution towards stress and related problems which is rapidly increasing due to COVID-19 pandemic. Probiotics seem to be beneficial in handling stress as they alter the release of neurotransmitters reducing stress level of an individual and have a positive effect on mood. The current pandemic is likely to continue and there is a need for greater preparedness of stress management, therefore, it is essential to explore the full potential of probiotics application in stress management. Copyright © 2022 Authors.