Microbiome: Gut Bacteria Controlling your Mood?

Microbiome: Gut Bacteria Controlling your Mood?

The Microbiome.

You have probably heard about it by now, or if you havn’t, you will soon because it is one of the hottest and most researched topics in the medical and functional medical world right now.

Hundreds of studies have now shown that the bacteria that are inside of us are the number one factor for a healthy body. In the past, we have talked about their effect on our immune system, hormones, and digestion– and today we uncover their profound effect on our brain and mood.

Do you or someone you know struggle with anxiety, depression, or irritability? Your gut health and bacteria may be a factor!

Microbiome: How the Gut Effects the Brian

Happiness and mental wellbeing may be directly related to the health of your digestive tract. The truth is that 90% of the body’s serotonin is produced in the gut, while only 5% is produced in the brain. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that influences mood, sleep, appetite, and pain sensations. The right amount of serotonin in the brain produces a relaxed and positive feeling.

Everything from depression and anxiety to obsessive-compulsive disorder and autism are related to an imbalance in serotonin signaling.

If you have leaky gut (which many people do), your digestive track may not be producing or getting serotonin to your brain like it should.

Many mental health disorders improve once the gut heals.

How Bacteria Effects Your Mood

One recent study published in BioEssays found that gut bacteria produce brain chemicals—which actively influence the brain! (17)

Other studies show that beneficial gut bacteria reduce anxiety. And another study published in Gut Pathogens in 2009 found that probiotics reduced anxiety.

In 2011, researchers found that beneficial gut bacteria increase GABA receptors in the brain.

GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) is another brain chemical that is responsible for a feeling of wellbeing and happiness. An imbalance in GABA can make you feel anxious, panicked, and worried.

Many people that have candida or dysbiosis( an imbalance of good to bad bacteria) struggle with anxiety and sugar cravings.

Gut Bacteria Controlling your Mood?

The Microbiome contains the different kinds of bacteria in our gut. Gut bacteria significantly influences the communication between the brain and the gut. When the gut is full of healthy bacteria, it has the potential to regulate mood and positive feelings. Beneficial bacteria in the gut will increase GABA receptors in the brain to alleviate mood disorders like chronic depression.

What Harms the Gut and Bacteria

  • Processed food, fast food, sugar
  • Vegetable oils
  • Conventional meat and dairy
  • Antibiotics
  • Birth control pills
  • Pesticides, fluoride – found in our food and water

Action Step to a healthy Gut and Happy Mood

  1. Eat an anti-inflammatory organic diet filled with vegetables
  2. Drink filtered water
  3. Avoid the damaging causes above
  4. Consume a WIDE range of probiotic pills, food, and liquids daily.
    1. Fermented foods
    2. Fermented liquids
    3. Probiotic pills
    4. Fermented greens powders
    5. Fermented protein powder

Consume Collagen and bone broth to heal and seal the intestinal lining.

 

Microbiome- Gut Bacteria Controlling your Mood-References:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17241888

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17360153

https://www.pnas.org/content/108/38/16050

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