As well as supplementing with 5-HTP, you may find these other nutritional supplements of interest too.

Discover the properties of Peptidea®, a fish protein hydrolysate that plays a regulatory role in the nervous system. See also L-Tryptophan, an essential amino acid and precursor of serotonin, melatonin and niacin.

The formulation Lactoxira contains the most widely studied probiotic strains in relation to mental health and mood disorders. It is based on the latest meta-analysis which reviewed 25 animal studies and 15 clinical trials (26):

• Bifidobacterius longum (present in the human gastrointestinal tract, it reduces symptoms of depression).
• Lactobacillus plantarum (present in certain fermented, cabbage-based foods, it offers neuroprotection and combats inflammatory processes).
• Bifidobacterium bifidum
• Bifidobacterium lactis
• Lactococcus lactis
• Lactobacillus casei (present in the gut and oral mucous membranes, it increases concentrations of tryptophan and serotonin, producing a significant improvement in mood in those with depression).
• Lactobacillus brevis (reduces symptoms of anxiety).
• Lactobacillus salivarius (the most active of all).

Some of these strains are able to withstand stomach acids (if they weren’t, there would be no benefit to eating yoghurts or drinking kefir), but to maximise their chances of survival and ensure the formulation is as effective as possible, the delivery method chosen by SuperSmart is gastro-resistant capsules which release the probiotics at the site where they need to act – the gut. The number of living microorganisms that arrive there intact determines their impact. This is also why each dose of Lactoxira contains more than 100 billion bacteria (CFU).

To enhance its efficacy still further, prebiotics have been added to the Lactoxira formulation. These natural compounds, which are indigestible by humans, support the growth of probiotics and make it easier for them to colonise the digestive system.

It had been suspected for decades that microbiota played an important role in determining mood (as far back as 1863, Ludwig Andreas Feuerback was asserting that ‘we are what we eat’), but it had not been proven scientifically.

In studies conducted on laboratory animals, scientists first succeeded in modifying the behaviour of selected species by adding probiotics to their food: they observed that certain types of probiotic made the animals more aggressive while others had soothing effects. These early findings encouraged researchers to test their theories in humans suffering from anxiety, depression or the effects of chronic stress – with convincing results. Thus after several clinical trials, it was possible to isolate all the strains shown to be most active in this area, so that they could be combined in a cutting-edge probiotic formulation.

If you want to maximise the effects of Lactoxira, here are some measures to adopt alongside your supplementation.

1) Improve your diet throughout the supplementation period (28). The main thing is to gradually increase your intake of dietary fibre: the higher it is, the lower the risk of depression (29). Dietary fibre is only digestible by beneficial bacteria: consuming more of it therefore gives them an advantage over pathogenic organisms. It’s found in almost all fresh fruits and vegetables as well as in whole grains.

In addition, a number of studies have demonstrated an inversely proportional link between consumption of foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids and depression (30). Some scientists thus advise those with depression to increase their weekly consumption of oily fish or to take omega-3 fatty acid supplements (1-4g a day of EPA/DHA) (31-32).

Finally, it’s important to increase your intake of B group vitamins (especially folic acid). Vitamin B deficiency is common in those with depression (33-35). These nutrients play an important role in the synthesis of neurotransmitters which influence mood (particularly serotonin).

2) Adopt a healthier lifestyle during the supplementation period. Take the opportunity to go to bed earlier to improve the quality of your sleep. It’s also a good moment to undertake new projects, reach out to loved ones and acknowledge your fears.

3) Discover the benefits of massage. Several studies (36-37) have shown that massage helps improve mood and sleep by releasing additional serotonin.

4) Significantly increase your level of physical activity. Being active is vital for mental well-being. The metabolic changes it induces enhance brain function, and particularly mood (38-39). To feel the benefits, you need to be physically active for around 30 minutes a day, five days a week. If you’re already managing to do this, you could increase the intensity or duration of your activities.

Lactoxira can also be combined with other dietary supplements such as SAM-e, a natural molecule that plays a key role in metabolising neurotransmitters, or St. John’s Wort, as long you use it in a well-controlled manner (it’s a plant that interacts with many drugs and substances).

Drawing on the very latest scientific research, Lactoxira provides the means to do what would have previously been unthinkable: improve an individual’s psychological state by improving their microbiota composition and optimising their gut-brain communication.