Diet and Microbiome Interactions: Application in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

What this Trial Is About

This research investigates how the gut microbiome affects mental health, focusing on adults with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It explores the "Old Friends Hypothesis," which suggests that losing certain gut microbes due to modern lifestyles may lead to immune problems and inflammation, contributing to health issues like PTSD. The study aims to see if increasing the variety of plants consumed can improve gut microbial diversity and reduce PTSD symptoms. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups in a double-blind setup for four weeks. One group will drink a 4 oz beverage made from 30 different blended vegetables (high plant diversity), while the other will consume a similar 4 oz beverage made from only 3 plant species (low plant diversity). Throughout the study, participants will maintain diet records every two weeks and record daily bowel movements using the Bristol Stool Scale. They will provide stool samples at the start, midpoint, and end of the study. Researchers will collect blood samples and complete questionnaires on sleep, mental health, and quality of life at the beginning and end of the study. They will measure changes in PTSD symptom severity, gut microbiome diversity, blood markers of inflammation like C-reactive protein, and immune cell profiles. The study will monitor participants closely during the four-week intervention to understand how plant diversity in the diet relates to mental and physical health outcomes.

Diet and Microbiome Interactions: Application in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in Adults Consuming Vegetable Drinks