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The Role of Psychobiotics to Ensure Mental Health during the COVID-19 Pandemic—A Current State of Knowledge

Author

Listed:
  • Dorota Zielińska

    (Department of Food Gastronomy and Food Hygiene, Institute of Human Nutrition Sciences, Warsaw University of Life Sciences (WULS-SGGW), Nowoursynowska 159C Str., (Building No. 32), 02-776 Warsaw, Poland)

  • Marcelina Karbowiak

    (Department of Food Gastronomy and Food Hygiene, Institute of Human Nutrition Sciences, Warsaw University of Life Sciences (WULS-SGGW), Nowoursynowska 159C Str., (Building No. 32), 02-776 Warsaw, Poland)

  • Aneta Brzezicka

    (Neurocognitive Research Center, SWPS University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Chodakowska Str. 19/31, 03-815 Warsaw, Poland)

Abstract

Psychobiotics are defined as probiotics, mainly of the genus Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium , that confer mental health benefits to the host when consumed in a particular quantity through the interaction with commensal gut microbiota. The gut microbiota, which means a diverse and dynamic population of microorganisms harboring the gastrointestinal tract, communicates with the brain and vice versa through the brain–gut axis. The mechanisms of action of psychobiotics may be divided into four groups: synthesis of neurotransmitters and neurochemicals, regulation of the HPA axis, influence on the immune system, and synthesis of metabolites. Recent years showed that the COVID-19 pandemic affected not only physical, but also mental health. Social isolation, fear of infection, the lack of adequate vaccine, disinformation, increased number of deaths, financial loss, quarantine, and lockdown are all factors can cause psychiatric problems. The aim of this review was to discuss the potential role of psychobiotic in light of the current problems, based on in vitro and in vivo studies, meta-analyses, clinical trials evidence, and registered studies assessing probiotics’ therapeutic administration in the prevention or treatment of symptoms or side effects of COVID-19.

Suggested Citation

  • Dorota Zielińska & Marcelina Karbowiak & Aneta Brzezicka, 2022. "The Role of Psychobiotics to Ensure Mental Health during the COVID-19 Pandemic—A Current State of Knowledge," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(17), pages 1-19, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:17:p:11022-:d:905737
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Daniel J Reis & Stephen S Ilardi & Stephanie E W Punt, 2018. "The anxiolytic effect of probiotics: A systematic review and meta-analysis of the clinical and preclinical literature," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 13(6), pages 1-25, June.
    2. Shameena Gill & Alia Maisara Adenan & Adli Ali & Noor Akmal Shareela Ismail, 2022. "Living through the COVID-19 Pandemic: Impact and Lessons on Dietary Behavior and Physical Well-Being," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(2), pages 1-23, January.
    3. Thaísa Barros-Santos & Kallyane Santos Oliveira Silva & Matheus Libarino-Santos & Elisangela Gouveia Cata-Preta & Henrique Sousa Reis & Eduardo Koji Tamura & Alexandre Justo de Oliveira-Lima & Laís Fe, 2020. "Effects of chronic treatment with new strains of Lactobacillus plantarum on cognitive, anxiety- and depressive-like behaviors in male mice," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 15(6), pages 1-14, June.
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