Method for reducing pressure

Abstract

The invention relates to a computer-implemented method for providing suggestions for managing stress to a user wearing or carrying a device comprising a physiological sensor, comprising the steps of: a. Receiving physiological data from the physiological sensor, b. Determining at least one individual health index at regular intervals based on the physiological data, c. Monitoring the evolution of the health index over time, d. Determining a suggestion regarding the intake of the nutritional supplement from the evolution of the individual health index over time, e. Displaying the suggestion to the user. The invention also relates to a kit comprising a nutritional supplement and an application designed to carry out such a method.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a computer-implemented method for supporting a user through stress and improving the user's mental resilience. The present invention also relates to a health and well-being improvement kit comprising a nutritional supplement and a computer program product adapted to perform this method. Background Art

[0002] Stress can be defined as the brain-body reaction of being overwhelmed or unable to cope due to mental or emotional pressure from internal or external stimuli. Anxiety often occurs with the body's natural response to stress. Anxiety may cause feelings of panic, fear, and nervousness. The organization of the body's response to stress involves neuronal responses to hormones and chemicals in several areas of the neurotransmitter system and the limbic system.

[0003] Stress and anxiety-related disorders in humans have a significant impact worldwide. In 2020, an estimated 40% of adults worldwide experienced “high stress the day before,” a 5% increase from 2019 (Gallup World Poll Dataset, 2020). Furthermore, the monetary impact of work-related stress alone is estimated to cost the U.S. economy $402 billion (European Agency for Safety and Health at Work, 2014). This increasing incidence of stress and anxiety has led to growing concerns about the impact on healthcare systems. It highlights the need to provide individuals with accessible stress and anxiety management tools to build resilience to reduce the global economic burden of stress-related disorders.

[0004] To regulate the acute stress response to external stimuli, neurotransmitters including dopamine, acetylcholine, glutamate, and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) are released. In cases of chronic stress, parts of the limbic system controlled by the GABAergic system may be impaired. There is evidence that levels of GABA activity, one of the main neurotransmitters in the brain, may be altered under stress-related disorders, and that this may contribute in some way to the pathogenesis of stress-related disorders. Specifically, reduced GABA activity in brain regions has been demonstrated in stress-related disorders, including cortical regions such as the insula and anterior cingulate gyrus.

[0005] All stress responses to internal or external stimuli are individual and will vary physiologically and behaviorally depending on how individuals adapt and develop stress resilience mechanisms. Therefore, therapeutic management of stress aimed at improving stress resilience and ultimately improving health and well-being requires a personalized approach as well as ongoing monitoring and adjustment.

[0006] Therapeutic management to build resilience to stress and anxiety includes both pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions. Different therapeutic management approaches from Western, Indian, Chinese and other cultures are increasingly being combined to create personalized, holistic health and well-being solutions for stress resilience. Stress and anxiety management tools can include (among others) the use of nutritional supplements, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), meditation, abdominal breathing, mindfulness, visualization and imagery, and building and activating social support networks, but also include pharmacological interventions based on antidepressants or other medications.

[0007] Among non-pharmacological interventions, behavioral change recommendations are important. The most widely studied form is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT focuses on changing thinking and transferring behavioral skills learned in talk therapy to daily life through qualified treatment methods. As CBT treatment continues, patients can transition from being dependent on their therapist to becoming their own therapist through self-management of these skills. With the development of artificial intelligence (AI), CBT can provide personalized treatment through computer-implemented methods.

[0008] Using nutritional supplements is another stress and anxiety management tool. In particular, certain probiotic strains of supplements, known as psychobiotics, have been clinically shown to have positive effects on emotional focus and stress resilience.

[0009] For example, computer-implemented methods using physiological data provided by a wearable device and aiming to identify or track the user's emotions have been described in US2018 / 014739 A1 and US2020 / 0074039 A1.

[0010] With millions of undiagnosed people suffering from acute or chronic stress and anxiety, there is an unmet and growing need for accessible, personalized solutions to this global problem.

[0011] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a solution for personalized stress management. Summary of the invention

[0012] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer-implemented method for providing suggestions for managing stress to a user wearing a device including a physiological sensor.

[0013] According to the present invention, the method comprises the following steps:

[0014] a. Receive physiological data from physiological sensors,

[0015] b. determining at least one personal health index at regular intervals based on the physiological data,

[0016] c. monitor the evolution of health indicators over time,

[0017] d. Determine recommendations regarding the intake of nutritional supplements based on the evolution of individual health indices over time,

[0018] e. Display suggestions to the user.

[0019] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the physiological sensor is a heart rate sensor, and / or a current sensor, and / or an accelerometer.

[0020] According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the physiological data used in step b) includes data selected from heart rate variability data, electrodermal activity data, respiratory rate data and body activity data.

[0021] Preferably, the method comprises the further step of receiving self-reported data and / or mobile phone usage data, wherein the self-reported data and / or mobile phone usage data are used in step b) to determine the personal health index. The self-reported data may for example relate to data related to the intake of nutritional supplements, other nutritional information, data about emotions experienced by the user or data related to health status. The mobile phone usage data may for example be activity data, sleep data or data related to the use of social media, messaging applications or media consumption.

[0022] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the health index determined in step b) is a stress index and in a further step b)' a second personal health index, also referred to herein as resilience index, is determined based on the stress index and its evolution over time.

[0023] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the nutritional supplement has a composition comprising at least one bacterial strain of the following species: Lactobacillus helveticus, Bifidobacterium longum, Bifidobacterium Bifidum, Lactobacillus paracasei and / or Lactobacillus plantarum. Bifidobacteria in the intestine produce neurotransmitters through the metabolism of indigestible fiber. GABA and other neurotransmitters produced by intestinal bacteria may cross the blood-brain barrier and alter brain activity in some cases.

[0024] These specific strains of bacteria have been clinically shown to have positive effects on mental health by acting on the gut-brain axis and increasing GABA activity.

[0025] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the nutritional supplement has a composition comprising Lactobacillus helveticus Rosell-52 (CNCM-I-1722), Bifidobacterium longum Rosell-175 (CNCM-I-3470) and / or Lactobacillus plantarum Rosell-1012 (CNCM-I-3736). The combination of these three psychoactive probiotics has been shown to alter functional activity in the insula as well as the lateral orbital and ventral cingulate gyri, and in a proof-of-concept study using MRI, it appears that the combination of specific strains has a synergistic effect on positive emotional regulation of stress and anxiety-related brain activity.

[0026] According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the nutritional supplement has a composition which, in addition to at least one strain of the species Lactobacillus helveticus, Bifidobacterium longum and / or Lactobacillus plantarum, preferably in addition to Lactobacillus helveticus Rosell-52 (CNCM-I-1722), Bifidobacterium longum Rosell-175 (CNCM-I-3470) and / or Lactobacillus plantarum Rosell-1012 (CNCM-I-3736), also contains antioxidants such as L-glutathione, and / or minerals such as potassium, magnesium and zinc, and / or dietary fibers such as inulin. Minerals such as potassium, magnesium and zinc have additional anti-stress benefits.

[0027] According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the nutritional supplement preferably has a composition comprising L-theanine and / or Ashwagandha in addition to at least one bacterial strain of the species Lactobacillus helveticus, Bifidobacterium longum, Bifidobacterium bifidum, Lactobacillus paracasei and / or Lactobacillus plantarum. The inclusion of L-theanine or Ashwagandha is advantageous because these ingredients, known as adaptogens, have been shown to reduce user perception and physiological biomarkers of stress. Therefore, the inclusion of these adaptogens in the supplement will have a complementary effect on efficacy by providing stress protection.

[0028] A combination considered particularly advantageous is a nutritional supplement containing Lactobacillus helveticus Rosell-52 (CNCM-I-1722), Bifidobacterium longum Rosell-175 (CNCM-I-3470), Bifidobacterium bifidum Rosell-71 (CNCM-I-3426), Lactobacillus paracasei LaftiL26 (CBS-116412) and Ashwagandha.

[0029] According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the nutritional supplement contains Lactobacillus helveticus Rosell-52 (CNCM-I-1722), Bifidobacterium longum Rosell-175 (CNCM-I-3470), Bifidobacterium bifidum Rosell-71 (CNCM-I-3426), Lactobacillus paracasei Lafti L26 (CBS-116412) and vitamin B1 and vitamin B2.

[0030] According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the nutritional supplement contains Lactobacillus helveticus Rosell-52 (CNCM-I-1722), Bifidobacterium longum Rosell-175 (CNCM-I-3470), Lactobacillus paracasei Lafti L26 (CBS-116412) and saffron extract. Saffron extract contains Safromotivines, which have a complementary effect on stress parameters. According to clinical studies observing the effects of saffron supplements on mood and well-being, saffron extract appears to improve subclinical depression symptoms in healthy individuals and may help improve resilience against the development of stress-related mental disorders. Therefore, the addition of saffron extract will have a complementary effect on efficacy.

[0031] The preferred amount of Lactobacillus helveticus Rosell-52 (CNCM-I-1722) and Bifidobacterium longum Rosell-175 (CNCM-I-3470) is about 1 to 3 billion CFU per daily dose.

[0032] A preferred amount of Bifidobacterium bifidum Rosell-71 (CNCM-I-3426) is 5 to 3 billion CFU per daily dose.

[0033] A preferred amount of Lactobacillus paracasei Lafti L26 (CBS-116412) is about 500 million to 1 billion CFU per daily dose.

[0034] A preferred amount of Ashwagandha is 200 to 300 mg, preferably about 250 mg, per daily dosage.

[0035] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the nutritional supplement is a capsule taken daily at a dosage of one capsule per day, wherein one capsule contains 3 billion CFU of Lactobacillus helveticus Rosell-52 (CNCM-I-1722) and Bifidobacterium longum Rosell-175 (CNCM-I-3470), 500 million CFU of Bifidobacterium bifidum Rosell-71 (CNCM-I-3426), 500 million CFU of Lactobacillus paracasei Lafti L26 (CBS-116412) and 0.5 mg of vitamin B1 and B2.

[0036] Generally, it would be advantageous if the nutritional supplement had a composition that showed activity in altering the function of brain regions involved in emotional and cognitive processing, including the insula, lateral orbitofrontal, and ventral cingulate.

[0037] According to an embodiment of the invention, step c) comprises comparing the personal health index with a threshold value, and step d) comprises modifying the recommendation for nutritional supplement intake when the personal health index exceeds the threshold value for a predetermined amount of time.

[0038] The threshold may be a predetermined percentage of the average for a particular user or group of users, or may be adjusted based on feedback from users.

[0039] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the suggestion to modify the nutritional intake recommendation includes a suggestion to change the supplement formulation and / or increase the dosage and / or change the time of day to take the supplement.

[0040] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the method comprises an additional step d') of determining a behavior change suggestion, and an additional step e') of displaying the behavior change suggestion to the user. Combining appropriate behavior change suggestions with nutritional supplements can have an additive effect on GABAergic activity to build stress resilience. The behavior change suggestion can, for example, include a suggestion to consult specific educational materials, follow guided exercises, or follow CBT coaching delivered by phone or messaging.

[0041] Another aspect of the invention is a health and well-being improving kit comprising a nutritional supplement and a computer program product adapted to perform the steps of the above method.

[0042] According to a preferred embodiment, the nutritional supplement is a probiotic composition for oral administration. More preferably, it has a composition comprising at least one bacterial strain of Lactobacillus helveticus, Bifidobacterium longum and / or Lactobacillus plantarum.

[0043] According to an even more preferred embodiment, the nutritional supplement has a composition comprising Lactobacillus helveticus Rosell-52 (CNCM-I-1722), Bifidobacterium longum Rosell-175 (CNCM-I-3470) and / or Lactobacillus plantarum Rosell-1012 (CNCM-I-3736).

[0044] According to a preferred embodiment, the nutritional supplement is a probiotic composition for oral administration, comprising (a) probiotics in an amount of at least about: Bifidobacterium longum 50 billion CFU / g, Lactobacillus helveticus 150 billion CFU / g and Lactobacillus plantarum 150 billion CFU / g, (b) one or more prebiotic components selected from inulin, fructose, oligofructose and mixtures thereof, and (c) one or more metal salts selected from magnesium gluconate, potassium citrate, zinc gluconate and copper citrate.

[0045] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the supplement further comprises glutathione, such as L-glutathione. Glutathione is an antioxidant that can fight oxidative stress.

[0046] According to a preferred embodiment, the nutritional supplement being part of the kit according to the invention further comprises L-glutathione, potassium, inulin, magnesium and zinc, preferably in combination with L-theanine and / or ashwagandha.

[0047] According to a preferred embodiment, the nutritional supplement is a probiotic composition for oral administration, comprising:

[0048] At least about 50 billion CFU / g Bifidobacterium longum;

[0049] At least about 150 billion CFU / g of Lactobacillus helveticus;

[0050] At least about 150 billion CFU / g of Lactobacillus plantarum;

[0051] Prebiotic components;

[0052] Mineral metal salts; and

[0053] excipient.

[0054] Preferably, the Bifidobacterium longum is Bifidobacterium longum R175.

[0055] Preferably, the Lactobacillus helveticus is Lactobacillus helveticus R52.

[0056] Preferably, the Lactobacillus plantarum is Lactobacillus plantarum R1012.

[0057] The one or more prebiotic components are preferably selected from inulin, fructose, fructooligosaccharides and any combination thereof.

[0058] The one or more metal salts are preferably selected from magnesium, potassium, copper, zinc and any combination thereof.

[0059] Preferably, the magnesium salt is magnesium gluconate, the potassium salt is potassium citrate, the copper salt is copper citrate, and the zinc is zinc gluconate.

[0060] Another aspect of the invention is a computer-implemented method for detecting and preliminarily diagnosing clinically relevant anxiety, wherein the individual would benefit from consultation with a health care professional, based on the criteria listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) published by the American Psychiatric Association. The user wears or carries a device including a physiological sensor, and the method comprises the following steps:

[0061] a. receiving physiological data from physiological sensors,

[0062] b. determining at least one personal health index at regular intervals based on the physiological data,

[0063] c. monitor the evolution of health indicators over time,

[0064] d. Determine recommendations regarding the intake of nutritional supplements based on the evolution of individual health indices over time,

[0065] e. Display suggestions to the user.

[0066] Physiological data

[0067] Using commercially available wearable devices, it is possible to detect momentary stress or anxiety under real-life conditions. Signals relevant to stress detection measured by existing wearable devices include:

[0068] Heart rate (HR) - extracted from an electrocardiogram (ECG) or photoplethysmography (PPG), the latter being the preferred form of measurement in consumer wearables. Most wearables on the market today are equipped with a PPG sensor.

[0069] • Heart rate variability (HRV) - extracted from the ECG or PPG, it is associated with the autonomic nervous system (ANS) and can provide information about the activation of the sympathetic branch of the ANS under stress.

[0070] Most advanced wearable devices report HRV as a standard parameter.

[0071] Electrodermal activity (EDA) - extracted from galvanic skin response (GSR) sensors that measure skin conductance, which is known to change during stress-induced ANS activation due to sweat gland activity. EDA is currently found mainly in medical-grade wearables, while GSR sensors are rarely included in wearables targeting a broad audience. GSR is known to be associated with stress and arousal.

[0072] Respiratory rate (RR) - extracted from ECG or PPG, it can be associated with increased cardiopulmonary activity due to stress. Respiratory rate is not currently considered a mainstream parameter for consumer wearables, namely due to technical difficulties in extracting it correctly.

[0073] Acceleration (ACC) - extracted from accelerometers and gyroscopes, used to measure behavioral patterns and activity levels, and is considered a standard parameter for all wearable devices. Secondary stress-related parameters calculated primarily from accelerometer signals are sleep and activity.

[0074] It will be appreciated that any combination of these parameters has the potential to detect and possibly quantify the degree of sympathetic ANS activation and may therefore be used as a basis for determining a relevant personal health index related to stress and / or anxiety.

[0075] Determination of personal health index

[0076] In the context of the present patent application, a personal health index corresponds to a value expressed on a suitable scale (e.g. from 0 to 100%), which is derived from an algorithm using one or more physiological parameters, i.e. the physiological parameters mentioned above (HR, HRV, EDA, etc.). Optionally, such an algorithm may also use self-reported parameters (e.g. perceived stress level, objective stressful events, etc.) and / or participation / usage metrics related to CBT or journaling activities and various stress reduction exercises (e.g. deep breathing, mindfulness, etc.).

[0077] The first personal health index, also referred to as a stress index, can be determined based on physiological data, which is obtained by physiological sensors that can be integrated into wearable devices such as wristbands, watches, etc. Alternatively or additionally, the physiological data can be obtained by physiological sensors (e.g., accelerometers) that are integrated into smart phones, or integrated into other non-wearable devices that communicate with smart phones (e.g., connected bathroom scales, toothbrushes, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) devices, etc.). Alternatively or additionally, the physiological data can be self-reported data, such as data weight, sleep quality and quantity, or data related to physical stress symptoms experienced by the user. Data related to nutritional intake and data related to nutritional supplement intake, i.e., the type, amount and time of the supplements used, can also be used. Based on all or some of the above data, the algorithm will determine the first personal health index or stress index, which will indicate the current possible stress level. A typical response to a stress event may be a reduction in heart rate variability, a change in behavior, an increase in heart rate, or a combination of these relative to their respective previous baseline values. In this case, the stress index will increase, indicating that the stress at this time is higher than the stress a few minutes ago.

[0078] The stress index can be a relative value baselined daily, or it can use an average of the relevant physiological parameters over a longer period of time as a baseline. In either case, the purpose of the stress index is primarily to provide an indication of the severity of stress "at that moment" rather than to indicate average stress levels over days and weeks.

[0079] The stress index may also be used to provide feedback to the user and prompt him or her to interact with the application for logging when the stress index exceeds a predetermined threshold.

[0080] In addition to the first personal well-being index (also called stress index), the method according to the invention can use a second personal well-being index (also called resilience index). The purpose of the resilience index is to provide information about medium- and long-term stress levels, both in terms of severity and duration, and about the long-term development of stress resistance, using a combination of different parameters.

[0081] The same type of physiological data already described above can be used, as well as the corresponding derivatives, i.e. before and after a stressful event (i.e. before and after a peak in the stress index), or before and after taking a nutritional supplement, before and after a CBT session or exercise, etc. The peak and derivative values ​​of certain parameters can indicate stress severity, while the roll-off rate (increment over time) can indicate recovery speed. A small response in the former and / or a fast roll-off in the latter are both associated with increased resilience, which results in a higher score.

[0082] In addition to physiological data, self-reported data can be used to calculate a resilience index. Such self-reported data can be related to perceived stress, but it can also include information about specific keywords and positive / negative emotions captured in the log records. The algorithm can, for example, use parameters such as the frequency of stressful events, the perceived stress score, the frequency of use of negative keywords - for example, the use of specific keywords in the log records may be a clear indicator of a decline to a lower resilience level, or on the other hand, the use of certain positive predetermined keywords may indicate a rising resilience index. Furthermore, additional metrics such as "stress-free minutes" can be calculated similar to the "exercise minutes" used in smart watches, and can be shared with the user to allow them to see if their resilience has increased and / or if their stress level has decreased.

[0083] Additional application-derived data

[0084] The method according to the present invention can be implemented in an application that a user can use on a smartphone, tablet, computer, or any other suitable device. In addition, non-physiological data derived from the application can be used to detect specific patterns that may indicate changes in resilience to stress. When a peak in heart rate and / or heart rate variability is detected, the application can prompt the user to record his emotions and potential causes, which cannot be explained by physical exercise. The user is prompted to describe how they feel, what causes this feeling, etc. The application can use machine learning to continuously improve the ability to detect emotions based on user input and corresponding physical data.

[0085] Using metrics such as “engagement minutes” (e.g., time and frequency of journaling, coaching, breathing, mindfulness, or other types of engagement) utilizing the application, changes in behavioral patterns can be indicated, which can indicate resilience to change. For example, a downward trend in the frequency of breathing exercises combined with a low stress index may indicate increased resilience to stress. Additionally, other types of objective data derived from the application can provide insights into current emotional states while journaling; such as typing speed. For example, a low speed may indicate a state of calm, while changes in typing speed during a journaling session may indicate the effectiveness of the session, as well as provide information about the impact of stressors associated with the same session. In general, multiple application usage parameters can be used not only to provide context for a journaling session (e.g., feeling angry or sad), but can also reveal other information that would be apparent in a face-to-face discussion. For example, editing and rewriting portions of a journal back and forth would indicate uncertainty, which could spark a follow-up discussion with a coach.

[0086] Intake of nutritional supplements

[0087] It is now known that probiotics can have not only physiological effects (i.e. due to their alteration of the gut microbiome), but can also have an impact on the user's resilience to stress, sleep quality, and overall mental health. These effects depend on parameters such as the user's initial stress level and gender, the microbiome present, and other factors, which are not always well understood.

[0088] The effectiveness of supplements containing probiotics can also vary depending on the conditions in which they are consumed, i.e. whether they are taken with a meal. It is known that at least some uncoated probiotics survive best when taken with fat, while others survive better when taken on an empty stomach.

[0089] Microbiome diversity is an important factor in physical and mental health, so rotating between different strains and types of probiotics has been found to be more beneficial than long-term daily consumption of the same probiotic supplement and the same constant diet over time. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0090] Example

[0091] In an embodiment, when purchasing a probiotic nutritional supplement (which may be part of a range of nutritional supplement products), the user will be prompted via a QR code on the packaging or in the product leaflet to download an app that will help them better manage their stress and tailor the intake of the nutritional supplement to their needs.

[0092] According to one example, the nutritional supplement will contain Lactobacillus helveticus Rosell-52 (CNCM-I-1722), Bifidobacterium longum Rosell-175 (CNCM-I-3470), Lactobacillus plantarum Rosell-1012 (CNCM-I-3736), L-glutathione, potassium, inulin, magnesium and zinc.

[0093] Alternatively, the nutritional supplement product may contain Lactobacillus helveticus Rosell-52 (CNCM-I-1722), Bifidobacterium longum Rosell-175 (CNCM-I-3470), Bifidobacterium bifidum Rosell-71 (CNCM-I-3426), Lactobacillus paracasei Lafti L26 (CBS-116412), vitamin B1 and vitamin B2.

[0094] Alternatively, the nutritional supplement product may contain Lactobacillus helveticus Rosell-52 (CNCM-I-1722), Bifidobacterium longum Rosell-175 (CNCM-I-3470), Bifidobacterium bifidum Rosell-71 (CNCM-I-3426), Lactobacillus paracasei Lafti L26 (CBS-116412) and Ashwagandha.

[0095] Alternatively, the nutritional supplement product may contain Lactobacillus helveticus Rosell-52 (CNCM-I-1722), Bifidobacterium longum Rosell-175 (CNCM-I-3470), Lactobacillus paracasei Lafti L26 (CBS-116412) and saffron extract.

[0096] Alternatively, the user may download an application as a first step through which the nutritional supplements may be ordered. The application may include a subscription service including a set amount of nutritional supplements per month.

[0097] The application contains software that uses heart rate, heart rate variability, acceleration data and optionally skin temperature and galvanic skin response to calculate a first personal well-being index between 0% and 100%, also known as a stress index. Heart rate and heart rate variability are measured using a photoplethysmography (PPG) sensor integrated into a smartwatch or wearable device (e.g. a wristband). Skin temperature is measured using a thermometer integrated into the smartwatch or wearable device. Galvanic skin response is measured using appropriate sensors integrated into the wearable device or smartwatch. If the user's wearable device or smartwatch does not have temperature and / or galvanic skin response sensors, the algorithm will simply use other available data.

[0098] It should be noted that the actual computation can also be done on a remote server, with the application itself sending only the necessary data to the server.

[0099] The acceleration data may be provided by an accelerometer integrated in a smartwatch, or by an accelerometer or gyroscope integrated in a mobile phone. Typically, a higher heart rate and lower heart rate variability not due to physical exercise will indicate a higher stress level and will therefore lead to an increase in the stress index. As a baseline, an average value for the past 7 to 28 days will be used (if available). When a user uses the application for the first time, an average value for a similar user group (e.g., users of the same gender and age) may be used.

[0100] A second personal well-being index (also called resilience index) between 0% and 100% is calculated using the derivative of the stress index, i.e. its evolution over time. Furthermore, the user will also be asked to enter data about their feelings, activities and perceived stress levels into the application (so-called logging). These data will also be used to determine the resilience index. Generally, a lower variability and a lower mean value of the stress index over time will correspond to a higher resilience index, i.e. the user is better able to cope with stress. Likewise, certain keywords used in the logging activity that indicate a relaxed, positive mental state will lead to an increase in the resilience index, while other keywords that correspond to a tense, negative mental state will lead to a decrease in the resilience index. Metadata such as information about typing speed, length of the log entry, whether the user edited the entry or not are also used.

[0101] Users will also enter daily information related to nutritional supplement intake into the app, i.e. whether any supplements are taken, and if so, which product, quantity and at what time of the day.

[0102] Based on all of the above data, recommendations regarding nutritional supplement intake are determined and displayed to the user.

[0103] In particular, if the resilience index increases, the recommendation could be to not change the intake of nutritional supplements, or to reduce the dosage.

[0104] If the resilience index decreases, or at least does not increase, recommendations will be given to change the intake of nutritional supplements.

[0105] The application may also provide the possibility to track, either through input given by the user or through technical means, whether the user is actually taking nutritional supplements and according to the recommendations. If the application determines that the user is not taking or is not taking the recommended supplements regularly, it may display additional reminders and / or recommendations to take supplements according to the current recommendations, especially if the resilience index is decreasing or not increasing.

[0106] The application will also automatically set a corresponding reminder, which will be displayed to the user via a push message or similar message to remind the user when the supplement should be taken. The reminder may include information about the type of supplement and the recommended amount. The application may also remind the user to reorder or purchase appropriate nutritional supplements and recommend automatic reordering. If the application offers subscriptions, appropriate supplements may also be automatically sent to the user.

[0107] The recommendations may include recommendations to increase the daily dose of the nutritional supplement and / or increase the frequency of intake.

[0108] The recommendation may include a recommendation to switch from a supplement containing only probiotics to one that also contains an adaptogen such as L-theanine or ashwagandha. Of course, different ingredients may also be present in different products, and so the recommendation may also be to take an additional supplement containing complementary ingredients.

[0109] Depending on the type of nutritional supplement, and based on available information regarding whether this particular supplement has its best effect when taken with a meal (particularly when taken with fat), or whether this particular supplement has its best effect when taken on an empty stomach, this advice may include a recommendation to modify the timing of nutritional supplement intake (i.e., with a meal rather than before bed, before the first meal in the morning, etc.).

[0110] If available data indicates that the same type of probiotic supplement has been taken for a period of time (e.g., more than 2 weeks), the recommendations may include a suggestion to switch to another probiotic supplement containing different bacteria or a different strain of the same bacteria to increase the diversity of the user's microbiome.

[0111] If the stress index and resilience index indicate a series of extreme stress events and poor recovery rates, the recommendations may include a recommendation to increase magnesium intake to compensate for magnesium loss due to stress.

[0112] If the stress index is increasing and / or the resilience index is decreasing, and the sleep quality derived from the accelerometer data sleep is also poor, the recommendations may include a suggestion to take a nutritional supplement containing probiotics and / or adaptogens (such as L-theanine or ashwagandha) with dinner.

[0113] In addition to recommendations related to the intake of nutritional supplements, recommendations to take certain actions can also be determined and displayed. For example, the recommendation could be to use the CBT feature of the app, sign up for a coaching session, or consult a healthcare professional.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method for providing suggestions for managing stress to a user wearing or carrying a device including a physiological sensor, comprising the steps of: a. receiving physiological data from the physiological sensor, b. determining at least one personal health index at regular intervals based on the physiological data, c. monitoring the evolution of said health index over time, d. determining a recommendation regarding the intake of nutritional supplements based on said evolution of said personal health index over time, e. Displaying the suggestion to the user.

2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein: The physiological sensor is a heart rate sensor, and / or a current sensor, and / or an accelerometer.

3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 or 2, wherein: The physiological data used in step b) comprises data selected from heart rate variability data, electrodermal activity data, respiratory rate data and body activity data.

4. A computer-implemented method according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising the further step of receiving self-reported data and / or mobile phone usage data, wherein: The self-reported data and / or mobile phone usage data is used in step b) to determine the personal health index.

5. A computer-implemented method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The health index determined in step b) is a stress index and in a further step b)' a second personal health index is determined based on the stress index and its evolution over time.

6. A computer-implemented method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The nutritional supplement has a composition comprising at least one bacterial strain of the following species: Lactobacillus helveticus, Bifidobacterium longum, Bifidobacterium bifidum, Lactobacillus paracasei and / or Lactobacillus plantarum.

7. A computer-implemented method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The nutritional supplement has a composition comprising Lactobacillus helveticus Rosell-52 (CNCM-I-1722), Bifidobacterium longum Rosell-175 (CNCM-I-3470), Bifidobacterium bifidum Rosell-71 (CNCM-I-3426), Lactobacillus plantarum Rosell-1012 (CNCM-I-3736) and / or Lactobacillus paracasei Lafti L26 (CBS-116412).

8. The computer-implemented method of claim 7, wherein: The nutritional supplement has a composition further comprising L-glutathione, potassium, inulin, magnesium and zinc.

9. The computer-implemented method of claim 7, wherein: The nutritional supplement has a composition comprising Lactobacillus helveticus Rosell-52 (CNCM-I-1722), Bifidobacterium longum Rosell-175 (CNCM-I-3470), Bifidobacterium bifidum Rosell-71 (CNCM-I-3426), Lactobacillus paracasei Lafti L26 (CBS-116412) and optionally vitamin B.

10. The computer-implemented method of any one of claims 6 or 7, wherein: The nutritional supplement has a composition comprising Lactobacillus helveticus Rosell-52 (CNCM-I-1722), Bifidobacterium longum Rosell-175 (CNCM-I-3470), Lactobacillus paracasei Lafti L26 (CBS-116412) and optionally saffron extract.

11. A computer-implemented method according to any one of claims 6 to 10, wherein: The nutritional supplement has a composition further comprising L-theanine and / or ashwagandha.

12. A computer-implemented method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: Step c) comprises comparing the personal health index to a threshold value, and step d) comprises modifying the recommendation for nutritional supplement intake when the personal health index exceeds the threshold value for a predetermined amount of time.

13. The computer-implemented method of claim 12, wherein: The recommendations to modify nutritional intake recommendations include recommendations to change the supplement formulation and / or increase the dosage and / or change the time of day to take the supplement.

14. The computer-implemented method according to any of the preceding claims, comprising the additional steps d') of determining a behavior change suggestion, and e') of displaying the behavior change suggestion to the user.

15. A health and well-being improving kit comprising a nutritional supplement and a computer program product adapted to perform the steps of the method of any preceding claim.

16. The health and well-being improving kit according to claim 15, wherein: The nutritional supplement has a composition comprising at least one bacterial strain of the following species: Lactobacillus helveticus, Bifidobacterium longum, Bifidobacterium bifidum, Lactobacillus paracasei and / or Lactobacillus plantarum.

17. The health and well-being improving kit according to claim 15 or 16, wherein: The nutritional supplement has a composition comprising Lactobacillus helveticus Rosell-52 (CNCM-I-1722), Bifidobacterium bifidum Rosell-71 (CNCM-I-3426), Bifidobacterium longum Rosell-175 (CNCM-I-3470), Lactobacillus plantarum Rosell-1012 (CNCM-I-3736) and / or Lactobacillus paracasei Lafti L26 (CBS-116412).

18. The health and well-being improving kit according to claim 16 or 17, wherein: The nutritional supplement also contains antioxidants, namely L-glutathione, prebiotics and metal salts.

19. The health and well-being improving kit according to claim 16 or 17, wherein: The nutritional supplement comprises Lactobacillus helveticus Rosell-52 (CNCM-I-1722), Bifidobacterium longum Rosell-175 (CNCM-I-3470), Bifidobacterium bifidum Rosell-71 (CNCM-I-3426), Lactobacillus paracasei Lafti L26 (CBS-116412) and vitamin B.

20. A kit for improving health and well-being according to any one of claims 15 to 19, wherein: The nutritional supplement has a composition further comprising L-theanine and / or ashwagandha.

21. A kit for improving health and well-being according to any one of claims 15 to 20, wherein: The nutritional supplement has a composition comprising Lactobacillus helveticus Rosell-52 (CNCM-I-1722), Bifidobacterium longum Rosell-175 (CNCM-I-3470), Lactobacillus paracasei Lafti L26 (CBS-116412) and saffron extract.

22. A kit for improving health and well-being according to any one of claims 15 to 20, wherein: The nutritional supplement has a composition comprising Lactobacillus helveticus Rosell-52 (CNCM-I-1722), Bifidobacterium bifidum Rosell-71 (CNCM-I-3426), Bifidobacterium longum Rosell-175 (CNCM-I-3470) and Lactobacillus paracasei Lafti L26 (CBS-116412) and optionally vitamin B.

23. A computer-implemented method of detecting and preliminarily diagnosing clinically relevant anxiety in which an individual would benefit from consultation with a healthcare professional for a user wearing or carrying a device including a physiological sensor, the method comprising the steps of: f. receiving physiological data from the physiological sensor, g. determining at least one personal health index at regular intervals based on said physiological data, h. monitoring the evolution of said health index over time, i. determining a recommendation regarding the intake of nutritional supplements based on said evolution of said personal health index over time, j. Displaying the suggestion to the user.