The Place of Psychobiotics in Nutrition: Ushering in a New Era of Functional Foods

Year 2025, Volume: 20 Issue: 71, 35 - 50, 31.07.2025

Sırma Polat , Berkin Özyılmaz Kırcali

Abstract

Psychobiotics are a novel class of functional food components that influence mental health by modulating the gut microbiota. Acting through the gut-brain axis, these components have been increasingly recognized as complementary approaches in the management of psychiatric conditions such as depression, anxiety, and stress. Alongside psychobiotics, other microbial-derived biotic compounds, including postbiotics and parabiotics, have garnered attention in recent years. Despite being non-viable microbial products or inactivated microorganisms, they provide beneficial effects by supporting immune functions, reducing inflammation, and strengthening the gut barrier.
This review comprehensively examines the concept of psychobiotics and evaluates the health impacts of postbiotics and parabiotics based on current scientific literature. The interaction between microbial metabolites and the nervous system is discussed within the framework of functional foods, highlighting their potential therapeutic roles. Furthermore, the association of psychobiotics with depression, anxiety, and other mental disorders is presented with supporting scientific evidence.
In conclusion, psychobiotics and related functional microbial components transcend traditional nutrition, playing a significant role in the holistic support of both physical and mental health. The expansion of research in this field promises to contribute to the development of innovative dietary strategies aimed at improving individual quality of life.

Keywords

psychobiotics, nutrition, mental health, postbiotics, parabiotics

Psikobiyotiklerin Beslenmedeki Yeri: Yeni Bir Fonksiyonel Besin Çağı

Abstract

Psikobiyotikler, bağırsak mikrobiyotasını etkileyerek ruh sağlığını destekleme potansiyeline sahip olan yeni nesil fonksiyonel besin bileşenleridir. Bağırsak-beyin ekseni üzerinden etki gösteren bu bileşenler, depresyon, anksiyete, stres gibi psikiyatrik tabloların yönetiminde tamamlayıcı bir yaklaşım olarak değerlendirilmektedir. Psikobiyotiklerin yanı sıra, postbiyotikler ve parabiyotikler gibi mikrobiyal kökenli diğer biyotik bileşenler de son yıllarda dikkat çekmektedir. Bu bileşenler, canlı olmayan mikrobiyal ürünler veya inaktive edilmiş mikroorganizmalar olmalarına rağmen, bağışıklık fonksiyonlarını destekleme, inflamasyonu azaltma ve bağırsak bariyerini güçlendirme gibi etkiler sunmaktadır.
Bu derlemede, psikobiyotik kavramı detaylı bir şekilde ele alınmış; postbiyotik ve parabiyotiklerle birlikte sağlık üzerindeki etkileri güncel literatür ışığında değerlendirilmiştir. Mikrobiyal metabolitlerin sinir sistemi ile etkileşimi, fonksiyonel besin tanımı çerçevesinde incelenmiş ve bu bileşenlerin potansiyel terapötik rolleri tartışılmıştır. Ayrıca, psikobiyotiklerin depresyon, anksiyete ve diğer ruhsal bozukluklarla ilişkisi bilimsel veriler eşliğinde aktarılmıştır.
Sonuç olarak, psikobiyotikler ve diğer fonksiyonel mikrobiyal bileşenler, geleneksel beslenme yaklaşımlarının ötesine geçerek hem fiziksel hem de zihinsel sağlığın bütüncül desteklenmesinde önemli bir rol oynamaktadır. Bu alandaki araştırmaların artması, bireylerin yaşam kalitesini artırabilecek yenilikçi beslenme stratejilerinin geliştirilmesine katkı sağlayacaktır.

Keywords

: psikobiyotik, beslenme, mental sağlık, postbiyotik, parabiyotik

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