New Study Suggests Daily Probiotics Could Ease Depression and Anxiety Symptoms - Video

A daily probiotic supplement may help reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety in older adults when used alongside standard antidepressant treatment, according to a small clinical trial published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.

The study adds to growing evidence that the gut-brain connection may play an important role in mental health. Researchers found that older adults with depression who took a probiotic every day experienced greater improvements in mood and anxiety symptoms compared with those who received a placebo while continuing their regular antidepressant medications.

The trial included 58 adults in India aged 60 years and older who had moderate depression. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either a probiotic supplement or a placebo for 12 weeks. Researchers then followed them for another 12 weeks to evaluate longer-term effects.

Both groups showed significant improvements over the course of the study, likely reflecting the benefits of ongoing antidepressant treatment. However, the probiotic group experienced additional reductions in depression and anxiety scores, suggesting that improving gut health may offer extra support for mental well-being.

Scientists also examined biological markers linked to brain health and analyzed changes in participants' gut bacteria. The findings support the idea that the microbiome may influence mood through pathways connecting the digestive system and the brain.

Despite the encouraging results, researchers caution that the study was relatively small and designed as a pilot trial. Larger studies are needed to confirm the findings, identify which patients may benefit the most, and determine whether the improvements can be sustained over time.

The researchers believe probiotics could eventually become a safe, affordable complement to conventional depression treatment in older adults. They are now planning a larger clinical trial to further investigate the potential mental health benefits of probiotic therapy and better understand how changes in gut bacteria may influence depression and anxiety symptoms.

REFERENCE: Preeti Sinha, Prasun Chatterjee, et al.; Efficacy of Adjunct PRObiotics as Compared to the Standard Care in Moderate Unipolar Depression Among Geriatric Patients: A Randomized Double‐Blind Placebo‐Controlled Pilot Multi‐Center Trial (PRODG). Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 2026; DOI: 10.1111/jgs.70530