'The gut-brain axis in neuropsychiatric disorders – Depression, Anxiety, ADHD and Autism’
sponsored by Optibac

Please note, this is a transcript of the questions received and have been reproduced verbatim in relation to any grammatical errors.

Are oxalates or mycotoxins exposure a risk factors for ADHD and autism?

Exposure to mycotoxins may delay and/or negatively influence the development of neurological, gastrointestinal and inflammatory mechanisms in individuals with Autism and ADHD.

Studies have indicated that children with Autism have high levels of oxalates in their urine. Many children with ADHD require a higher supplement of magnesium in order to reduce their condition’s symptoms and high levels of oxalate can impede magnesium absorption, so there may be a link.

If probiotics are competing for nutrients doesn’t that impact absorption of nutrients?

Beneficial probiotics compete with pathogens for space and for nutrients, and they can crowd out pathogens effectively by doing this. They also help with the digestion and absorption of the nutrients we take in.

Hi, I would like to ask what implications does a keto or carnivore diet has on the gut microbiome? And if there are any implications for psychological conditions?

Some studies found a low carb diet reduced total bacterial levels in addition to reducing bacterial diversity. Studies have also established changes that occur in probiotic species, including low carbs diet, resulting in less beneficial anti-inflammatory species while other less desirable probiotic species increase.

Other studies have shown that a ketogenic diet affects the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio and is associated with decreases in faecal SCFA and increases in A. muciniphila, which can negatively affect intestinal inflammation.

However, it is useful to know that not all scientific studies agree with how the ketogenic diet affects the gut microbiome. Some research came to the conclusion that a low carb diet can help to improve imbalanced gut microbiota. We think that more research is needed before a definitive answer can be given.

You can read more about this here: https://www.optibacprobiotics.com/uk/learning-lab/in-depth/gut-health/keto-gut-microbiome#How%20does%20the%20ketogenic%20diet%20affect%20the%20gut%20microbiome?

Could you kindly advice is this is session is aimed at clinicians or public please? Thanks

This is aimed at practitioners and not the general public.

Is it possible to use the brain cytokine stimulation slide for a talk i’m doing (with accreditation to Optibac)?

Yes sure.

Would we have details of the strains of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacteria that help produce GABA? and acetylcholine?

Both Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium species have been found to produce GABA.

You can find a table of GABA producing strains here: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3769009/

Some GABA-producing strains:
Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG
Lactobacillus brevis LB01
Lactobacillus plantarum 299v
Lactobacillus acidophilus CUL60
Lactobacillus acidophilus CUL21
Bifidobacterium bifidum CUL20
Bifidobacterium lactis CUL34
Lactobacillus rhamnosus JB-1
Lactobacillus reuteri MM4-1A

There isn’t much research revealing the strains that produced acetylcholine but from the research so far, the following species and strains may help:

Lactobacillus plantarum
Lactobacillus odontolyticus
Lactobacillus plantarum MTCC1325
Lactobacillus plantarum
Bacillus subtilis
Escherichia coli
Staphylococcus aureus

Can serotonin made in the gut pass the blood brain barrier?

1. The brain produces it’s own serotonin.

Do the neurotransmitters like serotonin and GABA made by gut microbes cross the BBB?

The serotonin made by the gut does not cross the blood brain barrier (BBB). Rather, it is associated with digestive activity including nutrient absorption and transport. Gut-derived serotonin is also involved with inflammatory response and glucose and lipid homeostasis, among other effects.

Historically, GABA has been thought to be unable to cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB). However, the evidence to support GABA’s permeability is conflicting. Several studies are unable to show that GABA crosses the BBB whereas others demonstrate its ability to do so.

How does the Brain Gut axis influence the microbiome? and the associated conditions?

In short, microbial dysbiosis can drive the increase in pro inflammatory cytokines which leads to chronic intestinal inflammation which can go systemic and cause neuroinflammation. But also, high cortisol levels in the brain can cause inflammation in the gut. So there is this bidirectional communication between the gut and the brain.

If you have been tested and know the client has a high level of strep bacteria (i have one client  with very high strep A) what would you recommend?

Streptococcus salivarius BLIS K12 has been researched for its effect on streptococcal and viral pharyngotonsillitis, and found to be effective.

Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1® and Lactobacillus reuteri RC-14® is effective at resolving Group B streptococcus infection in pregnant women.

Please can you explain how low blautia results in less serotonin in brain?

Blautia has been know to alleviate inflammatory diseases and metabolic diseases and for its antibacterial activity against specific microorganisms. If decreased, this may promote inflammation which drives more tryptophan into the kynurenine pathway and less to the brain to create serotonin, therefore resulting in less serotonin in the brain.

What is the max dose for Sac boulardii per day if say taking 2 per day wasn’t working for one of my clients?

You can take up to 6 capsules of boulardii per day but increase gradually.

How long for can/should you take S. boulardii?

We recommend taking it until symptoms disappear.

Question please: would Sacc boulardii support against a bacterial infection such as Strep?

S.boulardii may help to restore balance to the gut microbiome but there is no evidence for it’s direct benefit for Strep infections. However, the probiotic S. salivarius K12 may reduce the risk of strep throat.

Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1® and Lactobacillus reuteri RC-14® is effective at resolving Group B streptococcus infection in pregnant women.

What will be the recommended dose and duration to take S. Boulardi before foreign travel to build local immunity please?

We recommend our ‘Travel Abroad’ supplement for foreign travel. We would recommend taking one daily capsule 3-5 days before travelling, then continuing for the duration of the trip and also once home until the pack is finished.

I would like to follow up on the recommendations in this presentation, could I speak with someone at Optibac please?

Yes sure. Please send us an email on practitioners@optibacprobiotics.com

Do you know any strains researched in epilepsy in your product line?

No, we do not have any strains that have been researched for epilepsy.

Do you know if the strains mentioned do not produce/influence histamine load?

None of the probiotic strains in our range produce histamine.

Every morning I have a natural yogurt is this enough to keep a well balanced gut?

Probiotics can offer a more targeted approach to particular health conditions and so sometimes it’s necessary to included probiotics in the diet.

Best strain for babies from birth to 2yr?

Bifidobacterium breve M-16V which has been extensively trialled in over 4,000 children for safety and stability. This strain has been shown to help alleviate symptoms of allergy and asthma, colic and risk of infection. It can also be used to support immune function and digestive health.

Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG is one of the most researched probiotics in children which has been shown to help with colic, upper respiratory tract infections, constipation and allergies such as eczema and cow’s milk protein allergy. It also helps to encourage the growth of good bacteria in the child’s gut, including Bifidobacteria, which supports gastrointestinal and immune health.

Can people stay indefinitely on probiotics?

Probiotics are safe to use on a long-term basis.

My nephew has been on antibiotics since birth due to a kidney issue and has to take them until he is 2. He is taking probiotics too but is this enough to offset the damage of the antibiotics and to lower the risk of developing these disorders?

If approved by his Doctor, I would recommend Bifidobacterium breve M-16V®, Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG, Lactobacillus rhamnosus HN001 (this can be found in our ‘Babies and Children’ supplement) to support his gut while on antibiotics. Please note that probiotics are no panacea, so it would be best to support his gut in other ways as well i.e. diet, other supplements and lifestyle considerations.

What would you recommend taking to remove heavy metals and environmental toxins?
There are many substances that have been said to help remove heavy metal and environmental toxins such as bentonite clay, activated charcoal, chlorella and vitamin C. What substance you use will depend on your clients condition and history – these are only some guidelines.

Hello if a client with sepsis was discharged from itu , when can we suggest probiotics?
If under a doctor’s care, it’s best to ask the doctor if it’s ok to make a probiotic recommendation. If yes, any suggestion of probiotics is fine.

Is it best to take probiotics alongside antibiotic or after finished the course of antibiotics?

Probiotics should be taken alongside antibiotics. Lactobacillus rhamnosus Rosell-11, Lactobacillus acidophilus Rosell-52 and Bifidobacterium lactis Lafti B94 are three strains that can be taken alongside antibiotics to help reduce the risk of antibiotic-associated side effects such as diarrhoea, thrush and constipation. You can find these strains in our ‘For Those On Antibiotics’ supplement. After the course of antibiotics is finished, you may recommend our ‘Every Day Extra’ supplement to repopulate the gut with beneficial bacteria.