An exciting new area of research is the connection between the gut and brain. Evidence suggests probiotics (beneficial flora) can be remarkably useful in improving our mood and treating depression and anxiety in three key ways.
The many species of microbes in our gut form a kind of ‘ecosystem’ which helps maintain healthy digestive and metabolic function. However, intestinal flora can become out of balance from antibiotic use, stress, illness or poor dietary choices and when this happens, it can affect our overall vitality and mood.
1. Probiotics improve our ‘happy hormones’ particularly the neurotransmitter serotonin.
It has been discovered that many neurotransmitters needed for healthy brain function are actually produced in our gut. In fact the majority of our body’s serotonin is actually produced from our intestinal flora. When our flora is out of balance, it causes a reduction in serotonin production, which is an underlying problem in feelings of depression and anxiety.
2. Probiotics help improve our stress response
Research suggests probiotics may actually help dampen down stress signals in the brain when we're feeling anxious or stressed. In addition, they can improve production of ‘calming’ neurotransmitters such as GABA. Clinical studies suggest that supplementing with probiotics may improve brain activity and reduce feelings of stress.
3. Probiotics reduce inflammation, which impacts our mood.
Scientists have observed reduced anxiety and depression from taking certain probiotic strains and they believe a reduction in inflammatory chemicals is a likely mechanism. Intestinal dysbiosis (too many bad bugs) can lead to inflammation in the gut, causing inflammatory chemicals to be released into the blood and brain. Low-grade inflammation in the brain is strongly implicated in mood changes, such as depression and anxiety.
Practitioner-strength probiotic supplements help restore healthy flora, thereby reducing inflammation and improving the ‘feel good’ chemicals in our brain. Of course there are many other factors to consider when managing mood changes, for example nutritional status, hormonal imbalance, adrenal stress, thyroid and cognitive issues can also affect our mental health.
A naturopathic consultation can thoroughly address all underlying causes of low-mood and depression, to lift our energy and improve our passion for life.
[Please note that anyone suffering from severe depression or mental illness should seek medical advice].
References:
It has been discovered that many neurotransmitters needed for healthy brain function are actually produced in our gut. In fact the majority of our body’s serotonin is actually produced from our intestinal flora. When our flora is out of balance, it causes a reduction in serotonin production, which is an underlying problem in feelings of depression and anxiety.
2. Probiotics help improve our stress response
Research suggests probiotics may actually help dampen down stress signals in the brain when we're feeling anxious or stressed. In addition, they can improve production of ‘calming’ neurotransmitters such as GABA. Clinical studies suggest that supplementing with probiotics may improve brain activity and reduce feelings of stress.
3. Probiotics reduce inflammation, which impacts our mood.
Scientists have observed reduced anxiety and depression from taking certain probiotic strains and they believe a reduction in inflammatory chemicals is a likely mechanism. Intestinal dysbiosis (too many bad bugs) can lead to inflammation in the gut, causing inflammatory chemicals to be released into the blood and brain. Low-grade inflammation in the brain is strongly implicated in mood changes, such as depression and anxiety.
Practitioner-strength probiotic supplements help restore healthy flora, thereby reducing inflammation and improving the ‘feel good’ chemicals in our brain. Of course there are many other factors to consider when managing mood changes, for example nutritional status, hormonal imbalance, adrenal stress, thyroid and cognitive issues can also affect our mental health.
A naturopathic consultation can thoroughly address all underlying causes of low-mood and depression, to lift our energy and improve our passion for life.
[Please note that anyone suffering from severe depression or mental illness should seek medical advice].
References:
- Bested AC, Logan AC and Selhub EM. Intestinal microbiota, probiotics and mental health: from Metchnikoff to modern advances: Part I - autointoxication revisited. 2013 Mar 18;5(1):5.
- Bested AC, Logan AC and Selhub EM. Intestinal microbiota, probiotics and mental health: from Metchnikoff to modern advances: Part II – contemporary contextual research. Gut Pathogens 2013, 5:3
- Bested AC, Logan AC and Selhub EM. Intestinal microbiota, probiotics and mental health: from Metchnikoff to modern advances: part III - convergence toward clinical trials. Gut Pathog. 2013 Mar 16;5(1):4.
- Bravo JA. Ingestion of Lactobacillus strain regulates emotional behavior and central GABA receptor expression in a mouse via the vagus nerve. PNAS, 2011 vol. 108 no. 38 16050–16055.
- Desbonnet L et al. The probiotic Bifidobacteria infantis: An assessment of potential antidepressant properties in the rat. Journal of Psychiatric Research, Volume 43, Issue 2, Pages 164–174, December 2008
- Dinan TG and Cryan JF. Regulation of the stress response by the gut microbiota: Implications for psychoneuroendocrinology. Psychoneuroendocrinology, Volume 37, Issue 9, September 2012, Pages 1369-1378
- Dinan TG and Quigley EM. Probiotics in the Treatment of Depression: Science or Science Fiction?Aust N Z J Psychiatry December 2011vol. 45 no. 12 1023-1025
- Foster JA and McVey Neufeld K. KGut–brain axis: how the microbiome influences anxiety and depression. Trends in Neurosciences, Volume 36, Issue 5, May 2013, Pages 305-312
- Logan AC and Katzman M. Major depressive disorder: probiotics may be an adjuvant therapy. Medical Hypotheses, Volume 64, Issue 3, 2005, Pages 533-538
- Lyte, M. (2011), Probiotics function mechanistically as delivery vehicles for neuroactive compounds: Microbial endocrinology in the design and use of probiotics. Bioessays, 33: 574–581. doi: 10.1002/bies.201100024
- Rao AV et al. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study of a probiotic in emotional symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome. Gut Pathogens 2009, 1:6
- Vitetta L, Bambling M and Alford H.The gastrointestinal tract microbiome, probiotics, and mood. Inflammopharmacology, 2014, 1-7
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