Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) plagues approximately 5.4 million children in America. As researchers look for treatments and preventive measures for these conditions, probiotics have been tested because of their believed brain-gut axis influence. Here's what they gleaned from various studies assessing the effectiveness of probiotics on ADHD prevention.

ADHD  & Probiotics

Although the general public has just become more aware of the instrumental role gut bacteria plays in our mental -even developmental- health, starting 14 years ago, researchers tested their hunch about its affects on nueropsychiatric disorders. 13 years later, here is what a group of Finnish researchers discovered.

The initial study followed a group of 75 people, from infancy to age 13. Selected at random and then separated into placebo and test groups, researchers concluded that "At age 13 years, ADHD, or autistic spectrum, was diagnosed in 17.1% of the children in the placebo group and none in the group receiving the probiotic."

All participating researchers agree that further testing is required. However, they are in agreement that probiotic supplementation -- Lactobacillus rhamnosus in this instance -- in early life "...may reduce the risk of neuropsychiatric disorder development later in childhood," reports David Perlmutter, MD.

A Brighter Future

Although continued research is needed to strengthen the research on the effects of probiotics on ADHD prevention, researchers have given us hope about the many applications of probiotics.

For more industry news, stop by again.