Probiotic Stress

The benefits of magnesium

• Magnesium contributes to normal psychological functions.
• Magnesium contributes to the proper functioning of the nervous system.
• Benefits on cell development

The benefits of our probiotic complex

The links between brain and microbiota are increasingly established, to the point that some speak of our intestine as a “second brain”.

When to take our Probio Stress?

•     Our Probiotic Stress formula and its magnesium should be taken at breakfast.
•     If taking Probiotic Stress and its magnesium is combined with antibiotic treatment, it is preferable to take the capsules approximately 3 hours after taking the treatment.

How many capsules?

• Children: Not recommended.
• Adolescents: Not recommended.
• Adults: 2 per day.
• Pregnant and breastfeeding women: 2 per day (seek the advice of a health professional before any supplementation)

Duration of a dose

• Our bottle of Probiotic Stress and its magnesium lasts 1 month at a rate of 2 capsules per day. The intake must last 1 to 3 months to comply with clinical studies.

* Reference Intakes
**Colony Forming Unit

Ingrédients : Corn starch, TRAACS® labeled magnesium bisglycinate (The Real Amino Acid Chelate System - Albion® Minerals), Gastro-resistant vegetable capsule (gelling agents: hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, pectin), SynbÆctive® KeepCalm patented probiotic complex (Lactobacillus reuteri PBS072, Bifidobacterium breve BB077).

SynbÆctive® is a registered trademark of SYNBALANCE.

1. What is the microbiota?

Intestinal flora, microbiota, probiotics… These are terms that we have heard more and more often in recent years but whose meaning we do not always know. A microbiota actually refers to all the microorganisms living in a given ecosystem. We have many different microbiota within our body: on the skin, in the digestive system, the vagina, the oral mucosa, saliva or even the nasal mucosa. The microbiome designates all of these different microbiota within the same individual. They contain not only bacteria, but also other microorganisms (archaea, microfungi, viruses). A microbiota is unique to each individual, like a fingerprint, forged by many factors during life such as breastfeeding, diet and taking certain medications.

2. The role of the intestinal microbiota in our health

In the digestive system, the majority of microorganisms, of which bacteria represent the essential, are found in the colon. Indeed, the stomach is too acidic for the development of bacteria, and the small intestine also contains very little.

The main families of bacteria are bifidobacteria, which represent the bulk of the microbiota in the first years of life, as well as lactobacillus, firmicutes, actinobacteria and proteobacteria. Many parameters will affect this composition during life [1]: type of birth (vaginal or cesarean), artificial milk or breastfeeding, diet, etc. Once an adult, the microbiota will remain more or less stable for the rest of its life (apart from taking antibiotics). Food will still be the main criterion that can affect the number and diversity of bacteria in the intestinal microbiota.

3. The gut-brain axis passes through the microbiota

The concept of the gut influencing the brain and behavior, and vice versa, has long been known from the digestion angle, with the ability of stress to disrupt digestive functions. With phrases like “feeling it in your gut” or “having butterflies in your stomach,” this gut-emotion connection has long been a part of popular culture. Despite everything, it is only very recently that scientists have developed tools to observe this two-way communication between the brain and the intestine.

This complex gut-brain communication not only ensures the mechanisms of gastrointestinal functions, but also allows the sending of signals through the intestine which will have profound effects on mood, motivation, behavior and cognitive functions. This link passes through the nervous system, in particular the vagus nerve, neuroendocrine cells, activation of the immune system, modulation of enteric reflexes (autonomic nervous system) and signals from enteroendocrine cells (specific cells of the digestive tract and the pancreas). [2-4]

Over the past ten years, research has shown that the intestinal microbiota is a key regulator of this gut-brain axis. For example, exposure to even short-term stress can impact the profile of the microbiota by altering the proportions of different genera, and experimental modulation of the microbiota influences responses to stress, anxiety and the level of triggering of the HPA (hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal) axis, which plays a central role in the stress response, in particular by reducing cortisol. [5-7]

4. How does the microbiota communicate with the brain?

Even if all the mechanisms are not yet understood, researchers have a global vision of the different pathways of this communication (figure 1). First, bacteria send signals via their structural molecules (pieces of cell wall, etc.). They also produce a large number of metabolites, such as short-chain fatty acids (butyrate), amino acid derivatives (phenolic compounds and ammonia), bile salt metabolites or even secondary metabolites produced from organic compounds derived from food (polyphenols, etc.); In certain cases, we even find molecules acting as neurotransmitters (e.g. acetylcholine). Some of these molecules can be absorbed by the intestinal wall and end up in the circulation, where they can then cross the blood-brain barrier and have an action in the brain.

Another pathway is the activation of the parasympathetic nervous system, via the vagus nerve, and the enteric nervous system, which controls the digestive system. Finally, the microbiota can also activate the immune system, thus influencing the balance of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines which directly affect cognitive functions, or triggering the production of neuropeptides by enteroendocrine cells present in the intestinal epithelium. . [7]

Figure 1: the different microbiota-brain communication pathways: (1) via the blood circulation, (2) via the immune system, (3) via enteroendocrine cells, (4) or via activation of the vagus nerve [ 5]

Numerous studies, mainly on animals, have sought to study the role of the microbiota in the modulation of the gut-brain axis in recent years. Different strategies have been used, with the use of animals without microbiota, probiotics and antibiotics.

Studies on mice lacking microbiota have shown that colonization of the intestine is central in the development and maturation of the central and enteric nervous systems. The absence of microbiota is associated with problems with the expression of neurotransmitters and an alteration of the neuromuscular functions of the digestive system. [8]

The same type of studies (on mice without microbiota) have also demonstrated that the microbiota influences the stress response and anxiety behaviors, and regulates the balance point of HPA axis activity. These animals generally show a greater stress response, with higher levels of cortisol and ACTH (adrenocorticotropic hormone). Microbial colonization of the intestine allows normalization of the HPA axis, as well as a reduction in the stress response but only in young individuals, pointing to the existence of a critical period after birth during which plasticity of the brain is very sensitive to signals sent by the microbiota. [8]

At the same time, in these animals without microbiota, memory disorders were also observed, probably due to altered expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor or BDNF (Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor), which promotes survival and growth. and the plasticity of neurons, and which plays a central role in memory. [8]

The impact of the microbiota on the gut-brain axis has been further explored through the manipulation of the microbiota through the use of probiotics and antibiotics. These studies confirm that the microbiota influences anxiety and the HPA axis by modifying brain biochemistry. [8]

5. From animal studies to human studies

Although the majority of work on the effects of the microbiota on stress has been carried out on animals, the number of clinical studies on humans continues to grow. An interesting example is a 2011 study which first observed the anxiolytic effects of 2 strains in rats (L. helveticus R0052 and B. longum R0175), before confirming the effects of these probiotics on reducing stress and anxiety in humans in a clinical study. In the latter, 55 healthy adults took either 3 billion CFU* per day of this complex, or a placebo, for one month. The probiotic group saw an improvement in their stress, anxiety and depression scores. [9] Other studies using different strains of probiotics have also shown positive effects on mood disorders. [10,11]

*CFU: Colony Forming Units, the unit of measurement to quantify the number of living bacteria in a given volume

6. SynbÆctive® KeepCalm: 2 specific strains to target stress

Among these probiotics, two strains have demonstrated promising results: Lactobacillus reuteri PBS072 and Bifidumbacterium breve BB077, brought together in a patented probiotic complex under the name SynbÆctive® KeepCalm.

In a first in vitro study, these bacteria showed their ability to regulate the activity of stress-modulating molecules and to stimulate the production of GABA and serotonin in the face of exposure to cortisol. [12]

A first study on humans then tested these promises. 27 healthy subjects aged 18 to 30 took 4 billion CFU of this probiotic complex for 28 days during a stressful period (exam period). They carried out cognitive tests at the start and end of the study, also recording several physiological markers. After one month of taking it, results on tests of short-term memory, attention and problem solving were significantly better than at the start of the study. Furthermore, the level of salivary cortisol and electrodermal activity (linked to activation of the sympathetic nervous system) had significantly decreased, and the quality of sleep had significantly improved. [12]

A second clinical study, double-blind with placebo this time, sought to confirm these effects, particularly those linked to stress. 33 healthy adults aged 25 to 60 years were divided into 2 groups, each taking for 30 days either the probiotic complex or a placebo, then vice versa with a break period of 30 days between the 2, i.e. a duration total study duration of 90 days. Taking probiotics led to an improvement in both mood and sleep quality for both groups when they took the probiotic complex. [13]

Finally, a very recent study was conducted on young mothers to observe the effects on postpartum stress. The "baby blues" and postpartum depression are realities for many young mothers, which can also negatively impact babies' early development. 190 women in their first trimester postpartum were divided into 2 groups taking either a multivitamin and the probiotic complex or the multivitamin alone for 90 days. Results: taking the probiotic complex led to a decrease in anxiety and postpartum depression scores, an improvement in the quality of breastfeeding, and even a decrease in crying and restlessness in breastfed babies. [14]

7. Why buy our Probiotic Stress and its magnesium?

To help you benefit from all these benefits on your microbiota and on managing your stress! Our formula brings together 3 elements:

• The SynbÆctive® KeepCalm probiotic complex, which contains 2 strains with demonstrated clinical effectiveness in reducing stress and anxiety and improving sleep quality.
• A clinically validated dosage: with 4 billion CFU per dose, you will have the right dose for which benefits have been observed.
• Magnesium in synergy: TRAACS® labeled magnesium bisglycinate, a highly bioavailable and perfectly tolerated form, for complementary action on stress mechanisms.