Prebiotics in Mental Health Prebiotic administration can ameliorate learning and memory problems in both cognitively impaired and normal animal models significantly and impact mood - there is presently intense research focus on the so-called gut–brain axis which has become something of a new frontier for brain research in health and disease "Increasing evidence points to bidirectional crosssignalling between the gut microbiota and brain including via microbiotic metabolites, the immune system and the vagus nerve. The intestinal microbiome is a rich source of signalling molecules and can be rapidly modified by diet raising the possibility of another nutritional target which influences brain function (e.g. using pre- or probiotics)." Inulin-rich fructooligosaccharides Example: Jerusalem artichokes - Helianthus tuberosus Microbiome manipulation has shown striking reduction in negative symptoms related to cognition, memory and emotional wellbeing, including symptoms of anxiety and depressio. Longer term, prebiotic induced changes may impact mental well-being and results may be also noted in the acute time-frame. "...on the day that the inulin was consumed, participants felt happier, had less indigestion and were less hungry than when they consumed the placebo. As for performance and mood tasks, the most consistent effects were on the episodic memory tasks where consumption of inulin was associated with greater accuracy on a recognition memory task, and improved recall performance (immediate and delayed)." [2] "Consuming inulin-rich vegetables for 2 wk led to increased satiety and a reduced desire to eat sweet and salty food. Three weeks after subjects returned to their usual diets, these effects were further strengthened, and the desire to eat very sweet and fatty food was significantly decreased." In the same study, introducing inulin-rich vegetables increases intrapersonal emotional competency - which highlights the potential of prebiotic use in the context of emotional 1 impairment Targeting the gut microbiome by prebiotic supplementation may alter brain function [3] and preclinical studies have shown that a 2-4 week dietary supplementation with a prebiotic has beneficial effects on learning and memory, and prevents pro-inflammatory signals that are detrimental to cognitive processes [4]. Prebiotics have recently been shown to improve cognition in serious mental illness [5]. Dietary prebiotics may also be beneficial in obesity and glucose regulation, particularly useful in the adverse effects of psychiatric medications [6] Prebiotic supplementation in individuals with T2DM has shown a significant clinical improvement Yacon (Peruvian Ground Apple) Along with being refreshingly tasty and anti-diabetic food, the inulin-type oligosaccharides which are less polymerised than Jerusalem artichokes ( = somewhat less gassy) have antidepressant activity which is also synergistic with conventional antidepressants in animal models [7] - low glycaemic impact and antidiabetic effects - yacon roots have a high amount of phenolic compounds (about 200 mg in 100 g of edible fresh matter) compared to other plant roots and tubers [1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31108510 [2] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4663569/ [3] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31092898 2 [4] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29883788 [5] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30876680 [6] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30620405 [7] https://www.mdpi.com/2075-1729/11/11/1117 3