When someone has severe bleeding in the brain, they often struggle with movement, swallowing, and thinking clearly. Researchers tested whether adding special beneficial bacteria (called probiotics) to a special liquid diet could help these patients recover better. They studied 114 patients over two years, giving half of them regular nutritional drinks and half the same drinks plus probiotics. The group that received probiotics showed better brain function recovery, stronger immune systems, and less inflammation in their bodies. This suggests that what we eat—especially foods with beneficial bacteria—might play an important role in helping brain injury patients heal.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether adding probiotics (good bacteria) to a special low-fat liquid diet helps patients recover better after severe brain bleeding
  • Who participated: 114 patients hospitalized with severe brain bleeding between August 2022 and June 2024. Half received standard nutrition support, and half received the same support plus probiotics mixed in
  • Key finding: Patients who received probiotics with their nutrition showed significantly better brain function recovery, stronger immune systems, and lower inflammation markers compared to those who received nutrition alone
  • What it means for you: If you or a loved one experiences severe brain bleeding, adding probiotics to medical nutrition support may help with recovery. However, this should only be done under doctor supervision as part of a complete treatment plan. More research is needed before this becomes standard practice

The Research Details

This was a controlled comparison study where researchers divided 114 brain bleeding patients into two equal groups. One group (57 patients) received standard low-fat liquid nutrition through a feeding tube. The other group (57 patients) received the same nutrition but with added probiotics—beneficial bacteria similar to those found in yogurt. Both groups received this nutrition support for the same length of time, and doctors measured their recovery using standard brain function tests and blood work.

The researchers measured several things: how well patients’ brains were working, how well they could perform daily activities like eating and moving, and specific markers in their blood that show how their immune system and inflammation levels were doing. They compared these measurements between the two groups to see if the probiotics made a difference.

This type of study is considered fairly reliable because it compares two similar groups receiving different treatments, allowing researchers to see what effect the probiotics specifically had.

After brain bleeding, patients’ bodies often go into a state of high inflammation and weakened immunity, which can slow healing and cause complications. By studying nutrition support with probiotics, researchers were investigating whether we could use food and beneficial bacteria to help the body heal itself more effectively. This approach is important because it’s non-invasive and works alongside standard medical care rather than replacing it.

This study has several strengths: it included a reasonable number of patients (114), used a control group for comparison, and measured multiple important health markers. However, the study was conducted at a single hospital, which means results might not apply equally to all populations. The journal is a legitimate pharmaceutical sciences publication, though it’s not one of the most widely-cited journals in nutrition research. More studies from different hospitals would strengthen confidence in these findings.

What the Results Show

Patients receiving probiotics showed measurably better brain function recovery compared to those receiving nutrition alone. Doctors measured this using a standard brain function test, and the probiotic group had significantly better scores, meaning their brains were working better after treatment.

The probiotic group also performed better at daily activities like eating, moving around, and self-care tasks. This suggests they regained independence faster than the control group.

Blood tests revealed important differences in brain chemistry. The probiotic group had lower levels of glutamate and aspartic acid—chemicals that can damage brain cells when they’re too high after injury. They also had higher levels of protective brain chemicals like glycine and GABA, which help calm the nervous system and reduce damage.

Immune system markers also improved more in the probiotic group, suggesting their bodies were fighting infection and inflammation more effectively.

Beyond brain function, the probiotic group showed stronger overall immune responses. Their blood tests showed better immune cell counts and better ratios of different immune cell types, suggesting a more balanced and effective immune system. Inflammation markers were significantly lower in the probiotic group, which is important because excessive inflammation after brain injury can cause additional damage and slow healing.

Previous research has suggested that probiotics can help reduce inflammation and support immune function in various conditions. This study extends that knowledge by showing these benefits may apply specifically to severe brain bleeding patients. The findings align with growing evidence that gut health influences brain health through what scientists call the ‘gut-brain axis.’ However, most previous studies on probiotics and brain injury have been smaller or conducted in animals, making this human study a valuable addition to the research.

This study was conducted at only one hospital, so results might not apply equally everywhere. The study didn’t track patients for a very long time after treatment ended, so we don’t know if benefits lasted months or years later. The research didn’t specify exactly which probiotic strains were used or the exact doses, making it harder for other doctors to replicate the treatment. Additionally, the study didn’t account for all factors that might affect recovery, such as patients’ age, overall health before the bleeding, or other medications they were taking.

The Bottom Line

For patients hospitalized with severe brain bleeding: Probiotics added to medical nutrition support appear to improve recovery outcomes and should be discussed with your medical team as a potential addition to standard care (moderate confidence level). This should never replace standard medical treatment but rather complement it. For general population: This research doesn’t suggest healthy people need to change their probiotic intake, as the study focused specifically on severe brain injury patients.

This research is most relevant to: patients hospitalized with severe brain bleeding, their families and caregivers, neurologists and intensive care doctors, hospital nutritionists, and rehabilitation specialists. People with mild brain injuries or those without brain injury shouldn’t assume these findings apply to them without consulting their doctor.

In this study, improvements were measured after the treatment period (typically days to weeks in hospital). Patients showed better brain function and daily activity performance by the end of their nutrition support period. However, the study didn’t track long-term recovery beyond hospitalization, so we don’t know if benefits continue to improve over months of recovery at home.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • For patients in recovery: Track daily brain function improvements using simple measures like time spent in therapy, number of words spoken clearly, or ability to perform self-care tasks. Rate these on a 1-10 scale daily to see progress over weeks.
  • Work with your medical team to ensure your nutrition plan includes appropriate probiotic sources (whether through supplements or foods like yogurt if tolerated). Log when you consume these and any changes you notice in energy, digestion, or recovery progress.
  • Create a weekly summary of recovery milestones: brain function improvements, inflammation symptoms (like swelling or pain), immune health signs (like fewer infections), and overall activity level. Share this with your healthcare team to adjust treatment as needed.

This research describes results from a single hospital study on severe brain bleeding patients receiving specialized medical nutrition support. These findings should not be applied to other conditions or healthy individuals without medical guidance. Probiotics should only be added to medical care under direct supervision of your healthcare team, as they may interact with medications or be inappropriate for certain patients. This information is educational and does not replace professional medical advice. Always consult with your doctor before making changes to nutrition or treatment plans, especially after serious medical events like brain bleeding.