Probiotic supplementation improves well-being and anxiety in healthy women: An exploratory, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study

The gut microbiota plays an important role in the maintenance of health and well-being throughout the life course but little is known about the impact of these changes on the balance of the microbiota and the well-being of women during their midlife transitional phase. In this exploratory, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, women (45 to 65 years old) received either a daily dose of probiotics or placebo for 4-months. Measurements of overall well-being included anxiety, depression, quality of life and sleep quality, gastrointestinal discomfort and changes to the fecal microbiota composition(ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT06507111). The women in the probiotic group showed a 40% reduction in anxiety, an 18.5% improvement in quality of life and indications of improved sleep, resulting in a significant 17.5% improvement in overall well-being compared to those in the placebo. Incidence rates of indigestion and stomach pains were reduced and <i>Blautia</i> sp. KLE 1732 was less abundant in the probotic group at the end of the study. Daily probiotic supplementation may support the well-being of women in their 40s - 60s.