Probiotics and eating disorders: a systematic review of humans and animal model studies

Abstract Background Eating disorders are complex mental health conditions that significantly impact physical and mental well-being. Current research suggests a potential link between eating disorders and the gut microbiota, highlighting the role of gut-brain communication and its influence on nutrie...

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Main Authors: Hossein Bahari, Camellia Akhgarjand, Seyedeh Nooshan Mirmohammadali, Mahsa Malekahmadi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2024-11-01
Series:Journal of Eating Disorders
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s40337-024-01143-4
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author Hossein Bahari
Camellia Akhgarjand
Seyedeh Nooshan Mirmohammadali
Mahsa Malekahmadi
author_facet Hossein Bahari
Camellia Akhgarjand
Seyedeh Nooshan Mirmohammadali
Mahsa Malekahmadi
author_sort Hossein Bahari
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Eating disorders are complex mental health conditions that significantly impact physical and mental well-being. Current research suggests a potential link between eating disorders and the gut microbiota, highlighting the role of gut-brain communication and its influence on nutrient absorption. Probiotics, which are beneficial bacteria, have shown promise in modulating the gut microbiota and may offer complementary interventions in the treatment of eating disorders. Methods A comprehensive search was conducted in electronic databases, including PubMed/Medline, Scopus, and Web of Science, from inception to January 2024 to analyze the existing literature on the effects of probiotic supplementation in eating disorders. The search strategy included terms related to probiotics, prebiotics, eating disorders, and food addiction. The human studies were assessed for risk of bias using the Cochrane tool. The quality of animal studies was evaluated using the risk of bias (RoB) tool from the Systematic Review Centre for Laboratory Animal Experimentation. Results Of the 417 papers, 12 eligible studies were included comprising five animal and seven clinical studies. Clinical trials ranged from 10 to 20 weeks and were randomized and parallel-arm design. The included studies varied in terms of sample characteristics, intervention types, and outcome measures. Preliminary findings suggest that probiotics may influence gut microbiota composition and may offer support in the treatment of eating disorders. Conclusions The reviewed studies showed that probiotic supplementation may have a role in reducing food addiction and binge eating, and enhancing satiety, regulating food intake as well as positively affecting mood. However, further studies with better quality and larger sample size are needed to further validate these findings.
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spelling doaj-art-1952bdecf2ea4731bcf48d4bcb8dbe802025-08-20T02:08:23ZengBMCJournal of Eating Disorders2050-29742024-11-0112111110.1186/s40337-024-01143-4Probiotics and eating disorders: a systematic review of humans and animal model studiesHossein Bahari0Camellia Akhgarjand1Seyedeh Nooshan Mirmohammadali2Mahsa Malekahmadi3Transplant Research Center, Clinical Research Institute, Mashhad University of Medical SciencesDepartment of Clinical Nutrition, School of Nutritional Sciences and Dietetics, Tehran University of Medical SciencesDepartment of Food, Nutrition, Dietetics and Health, Kansas State UniversityImam Khomeini Hospital Complex, Tehran University of Medical SciencesAbstract Background Eating disorders are complex mental health conditions that significantly impact physical and mental well-being. Current research suggests a potential link between eating disorders and the gut microbiota, highlighting the role of gut-brain communication and its influence on nutrient absorption. Probiotics, which are beneficial bacteria, have shown promise in modulating the gut microbiota and may offer complementary interventions in the treatment of eating disorders. Methods A comprehensive search was conducted in electronic databases, including PubMed/Medline, Scopus, and Web of Science, from inception to January 2024 to analyze the existing literature on the effects of probiotic supplementation in eating disorders. The search strategy included terms related to probiotics, prebiotics, eating disorders, and food addiction. The human studies were assessed for risk of bias using the Cochrane tool. The quality of animal studies was evaluated using the risk of bias (RoB) tool from the Systematic Review Centre for Laboratory Animal Experimentation. Results Of the 417 papers, 12 eligible studies were included comprising five animal and seven clinical studies. Clinical trials ranged from 10 to 20 weeks and were randomized and parallel-arm design. The included studies varied in terms of sample characteristics, intervention types, and outcome measures. Preliminary findings suggest that probiotics may influence gut microbiota composition and may offer support in the treatment of eating disorders. Conclusions The reviewed studies showed that probiotic supplementation may have a role in reducing food addiction and binge eating, and enhancing satiety, regulating food intake as well as positively affecting mood. However, further studies with better quality and larger sample size are needed to further validate these findings.https://doi.org/10.1186/s40337-024-01143-4ProbioticsPrebioticsGut microbiotaEating disordersMental healthSystematic review
spellingShingle Hossein Bahari
Camellia Akhgarjand
Seyedeh Nooshan Mirmohammadali
Mahsa Malekahmadi
Probiotics and eating disorders: a systematic review of humans and animal model studies
Journal of Eating Disorders
Probiotics
Prebiotics
Gut microbiota
Eating disorders
Mental health
Systematic review
title Probiotics and eating disorders: a systematic review of humans and animal model studies
title_full Probiotics and eating disorders: a systematic review of humans and animal model studies
title_fullStr Probiotics and eating disorders: a systematic review of humans and animal model studies
title_full_unstemmed Probiotics and eating disorders: a systematic review of humans and animal model studies
title_short Probiotics and eating disorders: a systematic review of humans and animal model studies
title_sort probiotics and eating disorders a systematic review of humans and animal model studies
topic Probiotics
Prebiotics
Gut microbiota
Eating disorders
Mental health
Systematic review
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s40337-024-01143-4
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AT camelliaakhgarjand probioticsandeatingdisordersasystematicreviewofhumansandanimalmodelstudies
AT seyedehnooshanmirmohammadali probioticsandeatingdisordersasystematicreviewofhumansandanimalmodelstudies
AT mahsamalekahmadi probioticsandeatingdisordersasystematicreviewofhumansandanimalmodelstudies