The Gut Health-Mood Connection
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.
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
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
