ABSTRACT
The effects of Lactobacillus bulgaricus DWT1 as a psychobiotic during the Bulgarian Antarctic Expeditions & on post-COVID syndrome
Maria Peneva1, Rositsa Nedeva2, Nadezhda Vladimirova2, Boyan Mednikarov2, Petko Ginev3, Maria Yakova3, Miglena Angelova1, Georgy Alexandrov1, Anna Petkova4, Ioannis Misopoulos5, Marieta Georgieva6
1MC Evrozdrave-Bulgaria Ltd, Sofia, e-mail: daflorn@abv.bg
2Nikola Vaptsarov Naval Academy, Varna, e-mail: info@naval-acad.bg
3MMA Sofia, Sofia, e-mail: vma@vma.bg
4UHAT St. Anna, Sofia, e-mail: a.petkova9201@gmail.com
5 Mika Nutri-Pharma International, Thessaloniki, e-mail: arial_white@yahoo.com
6 Medical University Prof. Dr. Paraskev Stoyanov, Varna, e-mail: marieta_md@yahoo.com
Psychobiotics are live bacteria that, by improving gut microbiome, benefit host’s mental health.
Study aim is to establish effect of probiotic formula with Lactobacillus bulgaricus DWT1 on mental well-being of both Research Vessel 421 crew during the Bulgarian Antarctic Expeditions and of post-COVID syndrome patients.
Maritime profession puts the crew under high stress. During the two Antarctic expeditions 2022-2024 the crews (25-28 individuals) are divided into two groups – taking and not taking probiotic. Research methods include measuring anxiety and depression by Zung questionnaires and survey to assess sleep quality.
Individuals, taking probiotic, show no statistically significant differences in anxiety and depression levels before and after voyage. They maintain sleep quality under the extreme conditions of expeditions. Individuals, not taking probiotic, show a significant increase in anxiety and depression symptoms which correlatively worsened their sleep. Probiotic used supports crew’s mental stability by protecting against depression, anxiety and improves sleep. Voyage of Research Vessel 421 to the Antarctic is model of studying the effects of psychobiotic Lactobacillus bulgaricus DWT1 on mental health of people under extreme stress.
After COVID epidemic, new nosological class was formed – post-COVID syndrome, which is expressed not only with somatic disorders, but also with various deprivations in human psyche – sleep and social adaptation disorders and high levels of anxiety. For the period 2022-2024, 98 post-COVID syndrome patients, including 15 women with children up to 2,5 years, were examined by using applied practical psychology methods (analytical, dynamic, ecopsychological, situational, systemic). Clinical observation shows that application of nutritional therapy with probiotic formula containing Lactobacillus bulgaricus DWT1 and psychological consultations leads to behavior stabilization, control of emotional reactions, improvement in social adaptation and sleep quality.
By improving gut-brain axis, this probiotic formula with Lactobacillus bulgaricus DWT1, is effective psychobiotic both in people under extreme stress and in post-COVID syndrome patients.
Key words: Antarctic, Naval Academy, Lactobacillus bulgaricus DWT1, probiotic, depression, stress, post-COVID syndrome, psychobiotic