Understanding the probiotics of autistic patients

Gastrointestinal issues often affect the daily lives of individuals with autism. Treating these issues with probiotics can improve their comfort and quality of life. In fact, researchers suggest that an unhealthy gut is one of the reasons for some of the adverse symptoms seen in individuals with autism and ADHD.

Clinical studies show that the number of beneficial bacteria in the gut microbiome of children with autism is usually lower than normal, while the number of pathogenic bacteria is higher, leading to digestive health issues.

Supplementing with specific strains of probiotics can not only help improve gut health but also improve neurological and mental health, potentially reducing these adverse symptoms and increasing comfort. While all the potential long-term benefits of daily probiotic supplementation are not yet clear, current data suggest that probiotics have a promising future in improving the quality of life for individuals with autism.

What are Probiotics?

Probiotics are live microorganisms, such as bacteria and yeasts. To be called a probiotic, the microorganism must provide health benefits when consumed in adequate amounts.

Some cultured and fermented foods, like yogurt and kombucha, contain potentially beneficial microorganisms that may support gut health. While getting "probiotics" from food seems more natural than taking supplements, the specific organisms present and the provided dosage are unknown, and there is variation between batches.

Probiotic supplements and medicinal probiotics list specific strain compositions and dosages on their packaging. They are packaged as capsules, powders, or liquids. Some products contain a single probiotic strain, while others are mixtures. Look for probiotics that have been scientifically researched in humans (even in individuals with autism) and proven beneficial for gut health and/or another aspect of human health.

Another supplement that supports gut health is prebiotics, like inulin. Prebiotics are "food" for friendly bacteria, allowing them to thrive in the gut at the expense of pathogens. When a person's gut microbiome is properly balanced between beneficial and unhealthy microorganisms, they typically experience less gut inflammation and gastrointestinal issues. Prebiotics can help maintain this balance.

Prebiotics are very beneficial for your gut health, especially if you're also taking a probiotic supplement. These special complex carbohydrates are found in many different fruits and vegetables. If you're unsure how to incorporate high-fiber foods into your diet, check out our prebiotic superfood guide for new food ideas to try.

Types of Probiotics

Incorporating a high-quality probiotic supplement into your daily life to intake beneficial bacteria can improve your digestive health. Some probiotic strains can even have a positive impact on your immune health, mental health, and help you address common skin problems like acne. Different strains and species of probiotics can benefit your health in unique ways.

There are two types of probiotics that can impact many individuals with autism:

Gut health probiotics

xPsychobiotics

Gut health probiotics primarily restore balance within the gut. They can also reduce systemic inflammation caused by poor gut health or leaky gut. As chronic inflammation can lead to depression and other mental health challenges, gut health probiotics may indirectly contribute to mental health.

Psychobiotics have a more direct impact on mental health. They seem to regulate the levels of neurotransmitters that affect mood and impact other aspects of brain chemistry in various ways. Importantly, psychobiotics can help people, whether or not they also have gastrointestinal symptoms.

Gut Health Strains

Factors like bacterial exposure, antibiotic use, genetics, and life experiences play a crucial role in the unique composition of gut bacteria. For various reasons that require more research, individuals with autism are more prone to gut dysbiosis: an imbalance between the "good" and "bad" microorganisms in the gut microbiome. Some studies also report a correlation between more severe gastrointestinal symptoms and the level of support required by individuals with autism.

Probiotics beneficial for gut health help protect people from viral invasions, support digestion, and synthesize vitamins. Probiotics can also reduce inflammation by replacing pathogens and improving the balance of gut microbiota. Using gut health probiotics to reduce inflammation and gastrointestinal symptoms can have a significant impact on overall physical and mental health.

Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium are the most commonly consumed and researched probiotics beneficial for gut health.

Psychobiotic Strains

The gut (stomach, small intestine, and large intestine) plays a positive role in our mental and neurological health. The gut nervous system and the microorganisms within the gut impact the brain through the Gut-Brain Axis (GBA). Thanks to the GBA, the microorganisms in our gastrointestinal tract can interact with the neurons connecting the gut and brain, the gut endocrine cells regulating brain chemicals, and even immune receptors.

Certain probiotic strains, referred to as psychobiotics, appear to modulate neurotransmitter levels and activity and/or alter gene expression in brain cells, leading to mental or neurological health benefits. One example of a psychobiotic that can positively impact the quality of life for people with autism is Lactobacillus Rhamnosus LR99.

Lactobacillus Rhamnosus LR99 is a neuroactive probiotic strain. This means that even if LR99 does not leave the gut, it can still function in mood, attention, and behavior through the GBA. Studies have shown that this particular strain can help reduce repetitive behaviors in some children with autism, while also improving their attention and communication skills.

LR99 psychobiotics may also help alleviate stress and anxiety, which can be a significant part of the life experience for people with autism. An 8-week study conducted on 36 highly stressed adults showed a reduction in cortisol (our stress hormone), a 20% decrease in perceived stress, and improvements in mood, sleep, anxiety, and overall quality of life.

While the main benefits of psychobiotics like LR99 are mental and neurological health, some people have found these probiotics can also positively impact gut health by reducing bloating, spasms, and constipation.

The Gut-Brain Axis

Our bodies contain almost as many bacterial cells as human cells, and the role of our gut microbiome goes far beyond helping us digest food. As you're starting to see, it has far-reaching impacts—in fact, all the way to the brain.

The Gut-Brain Axis (GBA) is a bidirectional signal transmission between the central nervous system and the gut nervous system. It connects the emotional and cognitive centers of the brain with gut functions and the microorganisms within the gut, allowing them to communicate.

The simplest way to think about the GBA is to visualize it on a scale (see above). When something happens on one side, it affects the other. This means that when changes occur in the emotional and cognitive centers of the brain, gut functions respond accordingly, and vice versa.

When the GBA is out of balance, it can affect a person's mood, cognition, sleep cycles, and stress levels. Supporting individuals with autism in ways that better balance the GBA could improve their quality of life and that of their caregivers.

Many studies have explored the connection between the brain and the gut, especially in the past 10 to 15 years. For example, in a human study, participants who took a multi-strain fermented milk probiotic supplement for four weeks showed significant changes in brain scans using functional MRI. The use of probiotics led to differences in the way their brains processed tasks related to emotional attention.

How do probiotics help individuals with autism?

It is well known that individuals with autism not only experience gastrointestinal symptoms, but also have higher rates of depression, anxiety, and hyperactivity than neurotypical individuals. Safe and effective supplements can alleviate any of these stressors, greatly improving the quality of life for individuals with autism. Fortunately, preliminary research into the effects of probiotics suggests that they can improve not only "regularity," but also mood disorders and anxiety.