An unhappy gut brews trouble
ANITA was at work when she received a call from her mother. It was about Aiden, her five-year-old son. Aiden had hit another child in school again. In fact, that was the third time that month that Aiden had gotten into trouble in school.
Aiden is a bright little boy. However, even Anita has to admit that his behaviour is taking a toll. Anita is stressed and even her mother who takes care of Aiden during the day is losing patience, not least because she has troubles of her own – she is facing early signs of Parkinson’s disease.
When a child acts out, has a meltdown or is naughty for some reason, it does not automatically spell poor parenting or bad behaviour. As children may lack the ability to verbalise their feelings, any form of stress experienced is usually expressed through their moods and behaviours.
Scientists have now found that there lies a second brain, or “emotion centre”, located within the gut, capable of sensing emotions and feelings, therefore influencing our thoughts, feelings, moods and behaviours.
The gut-brain connection
Our gut and our brain have more in common than we previously thought. It has long been known that one feels in his gut influences how he feels in his brain. For instance, he can get very angry when hungry, or absolutely happy and sated after a good meal.
In 2019, a research team led by Prof Tsai Ying-chieh from the National Yang-ming University in Taiwan published a groundbreaking study in Nutrients outlining the positive brain benefits of a specific strain of gut-brain probiotics or psychobiotics from the Lactobacillus plantarum family titled Effects of Lactobacillus plantarum PS128 on Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder in
Taiwan: A Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Trial. It was the first clinically proven, strain-specific gut-brain probiotics discovered in Asia.
Study on autism and hyperactivity
Prof Tsai’s research saw the use of a patented strain of Lactobacillus plantarum among children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). According to the World Health Organization, it is estimated that one in 160 children worldwide suffer from ASD. More recent statistics in the United States now puts that ratio closer to one in 59 children.
While ASD has been so prevalent, there has been no effective cure to date. As such, early intervention has been the main treatment. The neurotransmitter serotonin has been implicated in autism where some studies point to low serotonin levels in the brains of autistic people.
Prof Tsai’s research team discovered that the consumption of this specific strain of Lactobacillus plantarum resulted in improvements in sociability and restrictive, repetitive behaviours (two core ASD symptoms), as well as Asd-related symptoms such as hyperactivity, anxiety and defiance.
Study on Parkinson’s
Parkinson’s disease affects nerve cells in the brain that produce dopamine. This disorder causes gradual loss of muscle control. When the specific strain of Lactobacillus plantarum was studied in a Parkinson’s model, it resulted in better balance and coordination besides imparting a protective effect on dopamine producing neurons.
This strain of gut-brain probiotics developed by Prof Tsai and his team was awarded the Probiotic Product of the Year prize at the 2018 Nutraingredients-asia Awards. It is now available as a dietary supplement in more than 29 countries worldwide including Malaysia.
This article is brought to you by the Nuvaceuticals Division of Nuvanta Sdn Bhd. For more information, call 03-5636 3758/1300 881 712 or email pharmacist@ nuvanta.com
When a child acts out, has a meltdown or is naughty for some reason, it does not automatically spell poor parenting or bad behaviour. As children may lack the ability to verbalise their feelings, any form of stress experienced is usually expressed through their moods and behaviours.