The Gut Health-Mood Connection
Fascinated or surprised? Yes, it’s true! Read on …
Studies indicate that the makeup of bacteria in our
intestinal tract (our micro biome), may affect not only our digestive system and
lead to obesity but also affect our mental health conditions. According to
preliminary research, people with depression may benefit from treating their
intestinal tract (micro biome).
Lactobacillus Bacteria
Stress is known to precede depression, and on a recent
animal study, researchers found that when mice were subjected to stress, there
was a loss of beneficial Lactobacillus bacteria in their gut, followed by
depression-like symptoms. When Lactobacillus GG was given to the mice, their
symptoms lifted.
Bifidobacteria
In addition, a small human study found that a strain of
beneficial Bifidobacteria helped to alleviate depressive symptoms in people
with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and led to changes in areas of the brain
related to mood control. A previous study suggested that another strain of
Bifidobacteria may help to ease anxiety and improve memory.
Bifidobacteria are a group of bacteria called probiotics
that normally live in your intestines and stomach. They help your body perform
essential functions such as digestion and staving off harmful bacteria.
Foods that increase
Bifidobacteria levels
Berries
Apples
Yoghurt
Milk kefir
Difference between
Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium
Lactobacilli have limited biosynthetic abilities and ferment
refined sugars, generating lactic acid as the major end product (Wells, 2011),
whereas Bifidobacteria are important producers of short chain fatty acids
(SCFA)
Short Term Fatty
Acids
Short-chain fatty acids are produced by beneficial bacteria
in your micro biome and they're essential for your gut, body, and even brain
health. Short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) can be made from all carbohydrates, but
mainly from prebiotic dietary fibers that fuel the activities of beneficial
bacteria. They have anti-inflammatory, anti-tumorigenic, and antimicrobial effects;
and alter gut integrity
Not a Substitute for
Anti-depressants!
Bottom line. So, while yogurt or probiotic supplements
aren’t about to replace other treatments for depression, there’s good reason to
include nourishing foods that contain beneficial bacteria, such as yogurt and
sauerkraut that contain live cultures, in your diet — along with plenty of
fiber-rich plant foods, which help beneficial bacteria thrive. It might support
your health in myriad ways, including your mood. The digestive tract is
connected to everything else! It is the root cause of all your problems.
Five Signs You Might
Need Probiotics
- Digestive irregularity
- Your sugar cravings are out of control
- Your metabolism is a bit slow
- You've taken an antibiotic, even if it was a long time ago
- You've got some skin issues like eczema, psoriasis, and
itchy rashes
