UltraFlora NeuroSupport contains researched probiotic strains to restore a healthy stress response.

The ‘gut-brain axis’ is a two-way communication system between our gut and brain, involving endocrinological, immunological, and neuronal signals. A key component is the vagus nerve pathway, which responds to microbiota metabolites and transmits impulses to the central nervous system.

Targeting this pathway and maintaining a healthy gut microbiota with specific probiotics can restore a healthy microbiota-gut-brain axis and modulate stress response. Lactobacillus paracasei (Lpc-37™) and Lactobacillus plantarum 299v can modulate the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis response to stress, providing a protective effect on the HPA axis in stressed individuals.

A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial showed that 299v influences the gut-brain axis via short chain fatty acid production, preventing a cortisol rise during acute stress.(1) A separate trial demonstrated that 299v significantly reduces levels of kynurenines, which are believed to negatively impact mood. (2) Additionally, in a 2020 trial, Lpc-37™ was found to support the gut-brain axis by modulating heart rate, reducing stress and exhaustion, normalising cortisol levels in low-stress individuals, and improving perceived health and sleep recovery in high-stress individuals. (3)

"(1) Andersson H, Tullberg C, Ahrné S, Hamberg K, Lazou Ahrén I, et al. Oral administration of Lactobacillus plantarum 299v reduces cortisol levels in human saliva during examination induced stress: a randomised, double-blind controlled trial. Int J Microbiol. 2016;2016:8469018. doi: 10.1155/2016/8469018. Epub 2016 Dec 22. PubMed PMID: 28101105; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC5217173.

(2) Andersson H, Tullberg C, Ahrné S, Hamberg K, Lazou Ahrén I, Molin G, et al. Oral Administration of Lactobacillus plantarum 299v reduces cortisol levels in human saliva during examination induced stress: a randomised, double-blind controlled trial. Int J Microbiol. 2016;2016:8469018. doi: 10.1155/2016/8469018. Epub 2016 Dec 22. PubMed PMID: 28101105; PubMed Central. PMCID: PMC5217173.

(3) Patterson E, Griffin SM, Ibarra A, Ellsiepen E, Hellhammer J. Lacticaseibacillus paracasei Lpc-37 improves psychological and physiological markers of stress and anxiety in healthy adults: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled and parallel clinical trial (the Sisu study). Neurobiol Stress. 2020;13:100277.