Evidence supporting the use of: Bifidobacterium infantis
For the health condition: Mental Illness

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

Bifidobacterium infantis has attracted scientific interest for its possible role in supporting mental health via the gut-brain axis. Several preclinical studies and some early human trials suggest that certain probiotic strains, including B. infantis, may influence mood and cognitive function by modulating inflammation, neurotransmitter production, and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. In animal models, administration of B. infantis has been shown to reduce depressive-like behaviors and normalize immune responses. One notable human study (Desbonnet et al., 2008) found that supplementation with B. infantis led to changes in tryptophan metabolism and reduced markers of inflammation in rats subjected to stress, which is relevant because inflammation and tryptophan metabolism are implicated in depression.

However, high-quality randomized controlled trials in humans are still limited. Some small studies suggest potential benefits of probiotics (including but not limited to B. infantis) in improving mood or reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety, but results are inconsistent and often involve multi-strain formulations. Systematic reviews generally conclude that while the gut-brain connection is promising, more research is needed to determine specific effects and mechanisms for individual strains.

In summary, B. infantis is being scientifically investigated for mental health support, but current evidence is preliminary, and its efficacy for treating mental illness in humans is not yet well established.

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