Probiotics, known for their benefits in digestive health and skin conditions, may also offer significant advantages during pregnancy, according to a recent study. Published in Brain, Behavior and Immunity, the research from Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center explores how probiotics, specifically Bifidobacterium dentium, might help alleviate prenatal stress and support both maternal and fetal health.
The study, led by Tamar Gur, MD, PhD, at Ohio State’s Institute for Behavioral Medicine Research and Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, focused on Bifidobacterium dentium due to its potential role in processing amino acids such as tryptophan. Tryptophan is crucial during pregnancy as it aids in regulating inflammation and supports fetal brain development.
“We have strong evidence suggesting that this specific probiotic reduces stress-related issues in mothers and improves outcomes for their babies, including better weight gain and enhanced social behavior,” Gur said in a press release.
Previous research by Gur’s team highlighted how prenatal stress can disrupt brain development, alter amino acid metabolism, and negatively impact social behavior and the gut microbiome of offspring. This new study builds on that knowledge, indicating that probiotics like Bifidobacterium dentium could potentially mitigate these negative effects by improving amino acid metabolism and reducing stress-related behavior and immune issues.
Despite these promising findings, Gur acknowledges the need for further research. The current study, which was conducted in mice, sets the stage for future clinical trials involving pregnant women to confirm and expand upon these results.
In summary, while the study underscores the potential benefits of probiotics during pregnancy, further investigation is necessary to fully understand their effectiveness and implications for maternal and fetal health.
