Nervous System

Overview: The Nervous System & Biomunity™

The gut microbiome communicates with the Central Nervous System [CNS] and influences brain function and behavior through a bidirectional link known as the gut-brain axis. Through this axis, gut microbiota regulates gastrointestinal homeostasis and connect emotional and cognitive areas of the brain with functions of the gut. [1]

 

Biomunity™ Can Help

A well-modulated immune system fosters optimal brain functioning, which in turn supports mental acuity, mood management, and focus. Improved mental clarity, as well as mood, aids the ability to avoid and/or reduce stress and anxiety. [2] Biomunity provides Vitamins D3 which has been found to ameliorate symptoms of depression in people with insufficient levels. [3]

The Science

The gut-brain axis regulates various metabolic processes and, via specific gut microbial populations, produces metabolites that can affect the development of neurodegenerative diseases.  Intestinal dysbiosis may augment inflammation and blood-brain barrier permeability through the microbiota-gut-brain axis.

Banerjee A, Pradhan LK, Sahoo PK, Jena KK, Chauhan NR, Chauhan S, Das SK. Unravelling the potential of gut microbiota in sustaining brain health and their current prospective towards development of neurotherapeutics. Arch Microbiol. 2021 Mar 24. doi: 10.1007/s00203-021-02276-9. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 33763767.

The vagus nerve represents the main component of the parasympathetic nervous system, which oversees a vast array of crucial bodily functions, including control of mood, immune response, digestion, and heart rate.  There is preliminary evidence for gut bacteria to have a beneficial effect on mood and anxiety, partly by affecting the activity of the vagus nerve.

Breit S, Kupferberg A, Rogler G, Hasler G. Vagus Nerve as Modulator of the Brain-Gut Axis in Psychiatric and Inflammatory Disorders. Front Psychiatry. 2018;9:44. Published 2018 Mar 13. doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2018.00044

Specific Ingredients that Help

CurQFen can influence brain waves in a manner consistent with penetration of the blood-brain-barrier.  It has been implicated for its influence on memory improvements and has been demonstrated to improve quality of life with considerable reduction in stress and anxiety. [2][4] 

 

Lactobacillus rhamnosus reduced stress-induced corticosterone and anxiety- and depression-related behavior in studies, suggesting an impact of the strain on the Central Nervous System at a physiological level.  Moreover, L. rhamnosus consistently modulates GABA receptors implicated in anxiety behavior. [5][6]

 

Lactobacillus plantarum reduces inflammatory cytokine levels, increases anti-inflammatory cytokine levels, and increases dopamine levels.  These results suggest that L. plantarum could ameliorate anxiety- and depression-like behaviors and modulate neurochemicals related to affective disorders. [7]

 

Vitamin D insufficiency is associated with depression, and Vitamin D supplementation and augmentation has been shown to ameliorate symptoms in those with clinical depression who are Vitamin D deficient. [3]

References:

  1. Breit S, Kupferberg A, Rogler G, Hasler G. Vagus Nerve as Modulator of the Brain-Gut Axis in Psychiatric and Inflammatory Disorders. Front Psychiatry. 2018;9:44. Published 2018 Mar 13. doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2018.00044 
  2. Khanna A, Das S S, Kannan R, Swick AG, Matthewman C, Maliakel B, Ittiyavirah SP, Krishnakumar IM. The effects of oral administration of curcumin-galactomannan complex on brain waves are consistent with brain penetration: a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled pilot study. Nutr Neurosci. 2020 Dec 9:1-10. doi: 10.1080/1028415X.2020.1853410. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 33295851. 
  3. Parker GB, Brotchie H, Graham RK. Vitamin D and depression. J Affect Disord. 2017 Jan 15;208:56-61. doi: 10.1016/j.jad.2016.08.082. Epub 2016 Oct 11. PMID: 27750060
  4. Pandaran Sudheeran S, Jacob D, Natinga Mulakal J, Gopinathan Nair G, Maliakel A, Maliakel B, Kuttan R, Im K. Safety, Tolerance, and Enhanced Efficacy of a Bioavailable Formulation of Curcumin With Fenugreek Dietary Fiber on Occupational Stress: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Pilot Study. J Clin Psychopharmacol. 2016 Jun;36(3):236-43. doi: 10.1097/JCP.0000000000000508. PMID: 27043120.
  5. Bravo JA, Forsythe P, Chew MV, Escaravage E, Savignac HM, Dinan TG, Bienenstock J, Cryan JF. Ingestion of Lactobacillus strain regulates emotional behavior and central GABA receptor expression in a mouse via the vagus nerve. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2011 Sep 20;108(38):16050-5. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1102999108. Epub 2011 Aug 29. PMID: 21876150; PMCID: PMC3179073.
  6. Chen L, Li H, Li J, Chen Y, Yang Y. Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG treatment improves intestinal permeability and modulates microbiota dysbiosis in an experimental model of sepsis. Int J Mol Med. 2019;43(3):1139-1148. doi:10.3892/ijmm.2019.4050 
  7. Liu YW, Liu WH, Wu CC, Juan YC, Wu YC, Tsai HP, Wang S, Tsai YC. Psychotropic effects of Lactobacillus plantarum PS128 in early life-stressed and naïve adult mice. Brain Res. 2016 Jan 15;1631:1-12. doi: 10.1016/j.brainres.2015.11.018. Epub 2015 Nov 24. PMID: 26620542.