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Probiotics During Pregnancy May Boost Mom and Baby Health.
Columbus, Ohio – A new study from The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center suggests that probiotics can significantly benefit both pregnant women and their offspring. Researchers found that administering the probiotic Bifidobacterium dentium to pregnant mice improved maternal and offspring immune function and behavior.
The study, published in Brain, Behavior, and Immunity, indicates that this specific probiotic may regulate the metabolism of amino acids, including tryptophan, a crucial nutrient for fetal brain development and inflammation control.
“We observed a reduction in stress-related issues for both mothers and their babies,” said lead researcher Tamar Gur, MD, Ph.D. “The offspring exhibited improved social behavior and weight gain.”
Gur’s team has previously linked prenatal stress to negative outcomes in offspring, including altered brain development and behavioral problems. This new research suggests that probiotics may help counteract these effects by supporting healthy gut bacteria and amino acid metabolism.
The researchers are now focused on understanding the underlying mechanisms of these benefits and exploring potential preventive or treatment strategies for prenatal stress-related issues.
Mouse study finds probiotics during pregnancy help moms and babies (2024, August 15)
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