Keywords
Probiotics
Mental health
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Abstract
Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of interventions with probiotics, prebiotics and diet in improving symptoms of mental disorders, such as depression and anxiety, and their impact on patients' lives. Methods: Integrative literature review carried out in the PubMed, CAPES and BVS databases, using the descriptors "Mental Disorders", "Gut Microbiota" and "Probiotics" and obtaining the search truncation: (Critical Care) AND (Intensive Care Units) AND (Surgical Procedures, Operative) AND (Patient Monitoring). Eighteen articles from the last 5 years were included, excluding studies that did not meet the research objective. Results: Evidence suggests that diets and probiotics can influence mental health, mainly by modulating the intestinal microbiota. Probiotic interventions have shown potential to improve symptoms of depression and anxiety, reducing inflammation and modulating the gut-brain axis. However, results vary due to limitations, such as lack of standardization and short duration of studies. The efficacy is promising, but more research is needed to confirm long-term effects and better understand the underlying mechanisms. Conclusion: Probiotics have therapeutic potential in mental health, especially in cases of depression and anxiety, by improving the intestinal microbiota and reducing inflammation. However, more research is needed to standardize dosages and understand gaps.
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