Stress May Affect Gut Bacteria
A recent animal study suggests that stress may affect the presence of bacteria naturally found in the gastrointestinal tract.
Some bacteria in the gut are beneficial to the body. For example, probiotics help the body maintain a healthy intestinal tract and assist with digestion. Some gut bacteria also help stimulate the production of antibodies, which help fight off harmful pathogens.
The researchers found that as stress levels increased, the diversity and quantity of beneficial bacteria decreased, while harmful bacteria (such as Clostridium) increased.
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References
Bailey MT, Dowd SE, Galley JD, et al. Exposure to a social stressor alters the structure of the intestinal microbiota: implications for stressor-induced immunomodulation. Brain Behav Immun. 2011 Mar;25(3):397-407. View Abstract
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