Didgeridoo Health Promotion Method Improves Mood, Mental Stress, and Stability of Autonomic Nervous System

Leuconostoc mesenteroides subsp. strain NTM048 ameliorated nasal symptoms in patients with Japan cedar pollinosis: Randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Lactobacillales including L mesenteroides have beneficial effects on human health, including improvement of psychological status and alleviation of allergic rhinitis. In mice, L mesenteroides subsp. strain NTM048 (NTM048) increased intestinal s-IgA. In humans, however, the effects of NTM048 on s-IgA secretion have been unclear.

STUDY

This 16-week trial was performed using a double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel group design. We aimed to establish whether Leuconostoc mesenteroides subsp. strain NTM048 increases the secretion of s-IgA in saliva. Forty healthy adults and forty patients with Japanese cedar pollinosis were recruited. Participants took either 2 test capsules including NTM048 (1010 CFU/day), or 2 placebo capsules per day, for 16 weeks. They were asked to collect their saliva and answered POMS2, a questionnaire about psychological status. The patients also answered questions about nasal symptoms. Blood samples were collected from the patients with Japanese Cedar pollinosis. Stool samples were collected at the start and on the last day of the trial.

RESULTS

All subjects completed the trial. It was conducted during the season when Japanese cedar pollen is most scattered. Serum concentration of Japanese cedar pollen-specific IgE was > 2.0 UA/mL in patients with Japanese cedar pollinosis. The amount of s-IgA in saliva was not increased by NTM048 in overall subjects, and Japanese cedar pollen-specific IgE was not changed by NTM048 in patients with Japanese cedar pollinosis. The symptom of nasal blockage was improved by NTM048 12 weeks after the start of trial. post hoc analysis indicated a positive correlation between improving psychological status and the increase in occupation ratio of lactobacillus including NTM048.

CONCLUSION

The amount of s-IgA in saliva was not increased by NTM048, but nasal blockage was improved by it. Psychological status might be improved if dosage of NTM048 is raised to the degree that NTM048 might be increased in the intestinal tract.

Effect of Oral Administration of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum SNK12 on Temporary Stress in Adults: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Double-Blind, Parallel-Group Study

Mouse studies have reported anti-stress effects of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum SNK12 (SNK). Specifically, oral SNK administration increased mRNA levels of hippocampal neurotrophic factor and gamma-aminobutyric acid receptor in mice with sub-chronic mild stress-induced social defeat; moreover, it improved depressive behavior. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of SNK ingestion against stress in healthy adults. We used the Uchida–Kraepelin test for the stress load, with a low-dose (50 mg/day), high-dose (150 mg/day), and placebo groups (dextrin). The primary outcome was the psychological evaluation as measured by the Profile of Mood States 2nd Edition (POMS2) using total mood disturbance (TMD) scores. The secondary outcomes were the score of each POMS2 item, salivary cortisol as a stress marker, and autonomic balance with the low frequency (LF)/ high frequency (HF) ratio. Compared with the placebo group, the SNK ingestion group showed significantly lower TMD scores. Additionally, compared with the placebo group, the high-dose group showed significantly lower scores for Tension-Anxiety and Confusion-Bewilderment, while the low-dose group showed significantly lower Anger-Hostility scores, salivary cortisol levels, and LF/HF scores. Our findings suggest that SNK ingestion could relieve stress (negative feelings, anxiety, tension, embarrassment, confusion, anger, and hostility) resulting from the temporary load caused by work and study.

Eastern Integrative Medicine and Ancient Sound Healing Treatments for Stress: Recent Research Advances

Eastern integrative medicine includes centuries-old practices and treatments which have quite recently garnered significant attention in Western society. Numerous traditional medicine techniques such as yoga, sound healing, Qigong, Tai Chi Chuan, and acupuncture have recently been studied in relation to their potential for reduction of human chronic stress, a widespread societal health problem. These ancient treatments present considerable potential for stress reduction globally. Thus, the present authors recommend that substantial resources be devoted to the study of these practices as potential tools for stress reduction and improvement in public health.