Digestive Health

Gut Bacteria and Diabetes Linked in New Study

New research has found a previously unknown link between gut bacteria and diabetes. This recent study brings to light the importance of a healthy gut microbiome in maintaining healthy blood sugar levels, especially in type 2 diabetes.

Type 2 Diabetes and Insulin Resistance

Type 2 diabetes is usually preceded by a condition called insulin resistance, which occurs when the body’s cells exhibit increased tolerance to insulin, a hormone in the bloodstream. As a result, insulin is unable to perform its crucial function of regulating glucose levels within the blood.

In a healthy person, insulin allows glucose to move from the blood into the cells where it’s used as energy, keeping blood sugar levels from spiking. This is crucial because when the amount of sugar in the blood gets too high, it can damage tissues and organs. However, in those with type 2 diabetes, this process is interrupted, causing blood sugar levels to reach dangerous highs.

Previous studies have found that fat molecules, or lipids, produced by gut bacteria can positively impact blood glucose levels by influencing the gut-brain axis, the vital communication system that exists between the brain and the gut. Under normal circumstances, when we eat, the opening of the small intestine relaxes its walls, an action that sends a signal to the brain triggering the liver, fat tissue and muscles to absorb glucose from the bloodstream. However, in type 2 diabetes, this process is disturbed because the small intestine stays contracted, preventing the signal from being transmitted to the brain.

Those studying the link between gut bacteria and diabetes believe lipids in the blood produced by “friendly” microbes in the gut microbiome could be the key to reversing this disturbed communication between the gut and the brain and reinstating healthy blood sugar metabolism.

New Research Links Gut Bacteria and Diabetes

In a new study, conducted at the French National Institute of Health and Medical Research, researchers sought to learn more about how lipids promote communication between the gut and the brain via the enteric nervous system and why this communication is inhibited in people with type 2 diabetes.

Researchers fed one group of mice carbohydrates containing fructooligosaccharides (FOS), prebiotic nutrients found in many foods that promote the growth of the “friendly” microbes that produce lipids. Another group of mice was fed a diet that didn’t contain FOS carbohydrates. They found that the mice on the FOS diet exhibited an increased presence of a specific type of lipid, called 12-HETE. The 12-HETE caused reduced muscle contraction, helping to increase communication between the gut and the brain. As a result, these mice exhibited less rigid small intestines and lower blood glucose levels.

To verify their findings in human subjects, the researchers sampled the small intestines of type 2 diabetics and the small intestines of healthy subjects. They found that the diabetic subjects had a significant reduction of 12-HETE lipids.

The findings suggest that future treatments for type 2 diabetes may involve increasing the population of 12-HETE lipids in the blood. In the meantime, glucose metabolism may be improved by naturally boosting the health of the gut microbiome. By ingesting more beneficial microbes, it is possible to boost the effects that the gut microbiome has on the rest of the body, including how it communicates with the brain.

How Can You Naturally Boost Gut Health?

Adopt a Healthier Diet

The most effective way to boost gut health is to adjust your diet. In addition to eating primarily plant-based foods, it is recommended to cut back on refined sugar, unhealthy fats and processed meats. While lean red meat can comprise a small portion of each meal, the majority of every meal should consist of fruits, veggies, nuts and seeds.

Take a Dietary Supplement

Taking a high-quality dietary supplement containing both prebiotics and probiotics, such as Florachron, can also boost the health of your gut microbiome. While prebiotics that help healthy gut bacteria thrive, probiotics increase the number of bacteria in the gut. Together, these compounds help to maintain a strong and diverse gut microbiome.

Manage Your Stress

One of the ways your gut microbiome benefits health is by supporting the immune system. Unfortunately, increased stress compromises the immune system, requiring gut bacteria to concentrate on supplementing immunity instead of performing other necessary functions. It’s possible to avoid this situation by taking time to relax and reduce stress. You can do this through meditation, yoga, exercise or taking up a hobby that you find enjoyable.

Get More Sleep

The reason doctors recommend seven to eight hours of sleep is that the body uses this time to repair itself. This includes giving the bacteria in the gut a period of inactivity to perform their necessary functions. If you’re getting less than seven hours of sleep regularly, try replacing your bedding with more comfortable blankets and pillows. You should also reduce your caffeine consumption and shut off electronics one hour before bed. If you’re still having trouble sleeping through the night, consult your doctor.

Whole Body Vibration Benefits the Microbiome and More

Oct 14 by Ewcopywriting

While you may not be familiar with whole body vibration, or WBV, it’s a practice that has been around for several decades. New research has found that whole body vibration benefits include a reduction in inflammation, while it also promotes a healthier gut microbiome.

What is Whole Body Vibration?

Initially introduced in the early 1990s, whole body vibration is a form of passive exercise that involves using vibrations to send waves of energy through the entire body. The process involves standing, sitting or lying on a platform and enduring a series of vibrations. The vibrating energy causes your muscles to contract and expand repeatedly throughout the process, helping to grow and tone muscle mass. Daily 15 minute sessions may promote weight loss, improve blood flow and decrease the production of stress hormones.

In one recent study, subjects were divided into two groups, and each group had their oxygen intake and energy usage measured during physical activity. The subjects in the first group were subjected to WBV treatments before the trial, while the second group did not participate in WBV activities.

The researchers found that those subjects who received the whole body vibrations experienced over 22 percent greater oxygen intake and 20 percent greater energy usage. This indicates that the use of WBV along with a regular exercise routine may promote greater weight loss.

Additional research has found that whole body vibration benefits also include reversing conditions such as fatty liver disease and glucose intolerance. It has also been found to be effective in alleviating back pain, reducing bone loss and improving muscle coordination in senior adults. As more studies are conducted, there’s hope that WBV treatments will be effective in promoting better health in other ways.

New Research Pinpoints Whole Body Vibration Benefits

A recent study at Augusta University in Georgia focused on discovering why and how WBV treatments improve metabolic health, after discovering the positive effects it exhibited for type 2 diabetics. The research project involved studying mice with leptin deficiencies, since this abnormality raises the risk for obesity and insulin resistance. Obesity and insulin resistance both increase the risk of type 2 diabetes, so the researchers sought out test mice that exhibited these characteristics.

The study involved examining the microphages in the mice, which are cells in the immune system that are associated with the gut microbiome and general body inflammation. The mice were separated into a control group and a test group, with the mice in the test group receiving daily WBV treatments for a period of four weeks. At the end of the four weeks, each of the mice was evaluated by taking body fat and stool samples for analysis.

One of the findings involved an increased diversity in the gut microbiome, which helped reduce inflammation. In particular, the presence of alistipes, a type of bacteria that promotes the production of short-chain fatty acids in the body, was increased. These short-chain fatty acids are able to attack inflammation and reduce its presence wherever it occurs in the body. This bacteria is also responsible for helping the body extract butyrate from daily fiber, which helps reduce the dangers of a high-fat diet.

Whole body vibration helped to combat inflammation in the mice in another way; by increasing the presence of M2 macrophages. These immune cells are tasked with increasing the anti-inflammatory cytokines, and as a result, new inflammation is suppressed. The researchers found that shorter WBV sessions that were combined with alistipes supplements also helped improve metabolic health. Although they admit that more research is needed in this area, they feel hopeful that regular WBV treatment can help people reach and maintain more optimal metabolic health.

How Can You Protect Your Gut Microbiome?

Eat a Diverse Plant-Based Diet

Most of your meals should be comprised of plant-based foods, such as vegetables, fruits, seeds and nuts. You should also try to pick a variety of foods by choosing fruits and veggies with a broad range of colors. This will ensure you get a good sampling of vitamins, while also exposing your gut microbiome to a more diverse selection of helpful microbes.

Eat High-Fiber Foods

Some foods that are high in fiber include onions and similar foods, such as leeks and garlic. Artichokes are also high-fiber foods. Eating more of these types of veggies will help, because it takes longer for the body to digest natural fiber. As a result, the prebiotics in the fiber will be absorbed into the gut microbiome, where they nourish the bacteria already thriving there.

Fast Without Snacking

When you fast for several hours without snacking or drinking, you’ll be giving your gut microbiome an opportunity to rest. This will give that community of microbes an opportunity to do other work in your body, such as boosting immunity, so you’ll feel healthier. Additionally, weight gain is reduced overall by periods of fasting.

Take a Daily Probiotic/Prebiotic Supplement

There are high-quality supplements on the market that provide the body with a supply of both probiotics and prebiotics. Probiotic supplements supply “friendly” bacteria to the gut, and help promote a healthy and diverse gut microbiome. Once ingested, prebiotics are used by the gut microbiome to fortify the existing microbes in the body. This helps the gut microbiome function better and grow more diverse. Prebiotics can also boost colon health and improve digestive functions.

Spend More Time Outdoors

Improving the diversity of your gut bacteria will help you maintain better overall health, but eating more plant-based foods isn’t the only method. You can also expose your gut microbiome to more bacteria by spending more time outdoors, especially when you spend that time away from the city. Go to a favorite park or drive out to the country for the day. As you relax in nature, you’ll breathe in bacteria that your gut can use to manage your health.

New Insights Into the Gut-Brain Connection

Sep 11 by Ewcopywriting

We have known for some time about the critical gut-brain connection that relays messages in both directions; in fact, the gut has even been referred to by some researchers as the “second brain.” New insights into this connection suggest that gut health may influence mood and overall well-being, underscoring the importance of maintaining a healthy and diverse gut microbiome.

How are the Gut and the Brain Connected?

For some time, we have known that there’s a gut-brain connection that relays messages in both directions. For instance, when your brain tells you it’s time to eat, it sends signals to your gut that trigger the sensation of a growling stomach. Conversely, gastrointestinal problems can prompt signals to the brain that cause anxiety or depressive episodes. This relationship has led to the discovery that many metabolic health conditions may originate in the gut and eventually affect the other organs in the body.

One way that the gut can influence metabolism is by allowing specific types of microbes called endotoxins to leak into the blood supply. Once the endotoxins get past the stomach lining and enter the bloodstream, they can trigger an immune system response. In response to these endotoxins, the immune system initiates inflammation, creating a barrier that prevents the spread of these foreign microbes. However, on the downside, this natural process also creates greater resistance to insulin and leptins, which are hormones responsible for controlling hunger. Through this chain of events, these harmful endotoxins may lead to obesity, type 2 diabetes and fatty liver disease.

The gut also has its own separate nervous system, called the enteric nervous system (ENS), which sends messages directly to the brain. Since it consists of more than 500 million neurons and operates independently, many scientists refer to it as a second brain. This system of neurons regulates digestion by prompting the release of stomach acids that break down food in the gut. It also controls the contracting and expanding of certain muscles which are also integral to the digestive process.

The ENS uses the vagus nerve, which extends from the brain down to the abdomen, to send messages back and forth between the brain and the gut. This is how information about gastrointestinal issues is carried to the brain. This connection also carries serotonin, a feel-good neurotransmitter, from the gut to the brain. More recent research has found that neurons in the gut also use this pathway to send messages to neurons in the vagus nerve itself.

How Does the Gut-Brain Connection Affect Mental Health?

A study conducted at Australia’s Flinders University found significant activity between the neurons in the gut lining and those in the vagus nerve. The researchers looked more closely at the ENS and how it interacts with the gut to see how the communication between the gut and the brain can affect the development of disease. Their hope was that their findings could lead to new treatments for metabolic diseases. They focused their research on the viscerofugal neurons in the wall of the gut, specifically examining how those neurons interacted with the neurons in the spinal cord.

Using mice, the researchers focused on the colon because it rotates in a circular motion as it contracts. This process is known as the colonic motor complex and, although the reason is unknown, previous research has found that viscerofugal neurons are very active as the colon contracts. During the study, researchers monitored colon activity and the firing of electrical impulses, which designated viscerofugal neuron activity.

They found that changes in the colon caused the neurons to fire at an accelerated pace. They also noticed that the firing of those neurons was synchronized to match the activity of the neurons that are located within the spinal cord. Researchers believe this is how the ENS neurons in the gut send information to the sympathetic nervous system in the spinal cord. From there, the information is carried to the brain. It’s believed that this system of relaying messages is responsible for linking emotional well-being to physical conditions, especially gastrointestinal changes.

These findings are especially significant because we now understand that many physical and emotional health conditions originate in the gut. Parkinson’s disease is just one example of a health condition that starts in the gut and whose effects are transmitted along the vagus nerve to the brain. Research into Parkinson’s disease has found that adult men who suffer from constipation are four times more likely to develop Parkinson’s disease. This corroborates the idea that the earliest symptoms of the disease start in the gut. Other medical conditions that may begin with gut problems include autism, dementia, multiple sclerosis and stroke. As more research focuses on this crucial gut-brain connection, the importance of keeping your gut healthy is even more evident.

Improving Gut Health Naturally

Aside from eating a healthy and varied diet, the following suggestions are great ways to ensure optimal gut health as you age.

Consume More Probiotics

Probiotics are microbes in your gut that benefit overall health. Your body relies on a steady influx of probiotics to maintain diversity in the gut microbiome. You can get probiotics from eating a broad range of fermented foods, such as sauerkraut, kombucha, kimchi and fermented vegetables. If you’re concerned you’re not getting enough probiotics in your diet, you can also take a high-quality probiotic supplement.

Consume Prebiotic Fiber

Prebiotics are essential for helping healthy bacteria thrive in your gut, and they may also help strengthen and multiply the probiotics in your gut. Asparagus, bananas, garlic and onions are rich sources of this unique type of fiber.

Reduce Sugar Intake

If you eat foods that are high in refined sugar, you’re just feeding the harmful bacteria in your gut. This creates an imbalance that leads to many problems, including metabolic conditions. Even artificial sweeteners can increase your risk for developing heart disease and diabetes, so it’s advisable to reduce your intake of all sweeteners as much as possible.

In general, a healthy diet, coupled with plenty of exercise and quality sleep, will help you maintain a healthier gut. It will also reduce your risk for most diseases. Even making small dietary changes can have a big impact on your gut health, which, in turn, will boost your emotional health.

The Latest Updates in Gut Health Research

Aug 20 by Ewcopywriting

Not all bacteria are nefarious germs that spread disease and cause illness. The human body is host to a vast community of beneficial bacteria that play a role in maintaining optimal health. In fact, there are 10 trillion more bacteria in the body than human cells — all of which exist in the gut microbiome. Located in the large intestine, this community of microbes serves a broad range of functions. The bacteria in the gut help regulate health for the heart, digestion, immunity and many other biological systems. New advancements in gut health research reveal that the health of the gut microbiome plays a part in both brain health and the development of type 2 diabetes.

Why is the Gut Microbiome Important?

There are many different factors that help form the gut microbiome. Bacteria begin finding their way to this part of the large intestines immediately after birth; some research suggests the formation of the gut microbiome begins even before birth. Because diet is a significant factor in creating a diverse gut microbiome, a pregnant mother’s diet can influence the unborn child’s microbiome. Once a baby is born, both environment and diet play a part in introducing new types of bacteria into the microbiome.

Research over the past decades has revealed that bacterial strands, or types, influence how we develop into adulthood. For instance, the presence of certain types of bacteria can determine the likelihood that you’ll experience obesity or other metabolic conditions in your lifetime. There are also microbes in the gut that n determine the risk for developing certain types of diseases, which is why new research is focusing on identifying the functions of certain types of bacteria in the gut.

Gut Health Research Finds Link Between Gut Microbiome and Diabetes

In a recent study, researchers found evidence that the way the gut microbiome fluctuates on a day-to-day basis may indicate the onset of type 2 diabetes. The study focused on the correlation between the circadian rhythm, or the body’s biological clock, and the activity in the gut microbiome. By studying a group of 2,000 healthy adults, the team discovered that the gut microbiome fluctuates in connection with the circadian rhythm, producing reliable movements during each day.

Upon examining the guts of people with metabolic syndrome, obesity and type 2 diabetes, they found that the bacterial communities in their guts did not fluctuate as actively. This helped the researchers identify a rhythmic cycle that the gut goes through during each 24-hour period. This cycle slows considerably in people suffering from metabolic conditions. The study also identified biological markers that could suggest the rhythm was beginning to slow, leading the researchers to suspect the gut’s activity could be used to predict the onset of type 2 diabetes.

Specifically, researchers found 13 different strands of bacteria that didn’t change in at-risk subjects. The study couldn’t determine if these bacterial strands played a part in causing type 2 diabetes, or if they were merely affected by the same process. Ongoing research will continue to determine the relationship between these bacterial strands and the development of diabetes, but, in the meantime, researchers are hopeful that these findings can be used to help diagnose type 2 diabetes sooner.

Study Finds a Link Between Gut Bacteria and a Brain Blood Vessel Defect

Another study focused on the link between the bacterial community in the large intestines and the development of cavernous angiomas (CA), which is an abnormal blood vessel in the brain. Although only 0.5 percent of the world’s population develops this defect, a large number of people who do develop the condition experience symptoms that include headaches, vision problems, seizures and strokes. A new study looked at the relationship the gut microbiome might share with the development of the CA blood vessel abnormality.

The researchers examined 122 people with a confirmed CA and compared their gut microbiomes to subjects who did not have the blood vessel defect. The CA subjects were found to have specific strands of bacteria that weren’t found in the guts of the healthy subjects. The CA subjects also exhibited a higher presence of lipopolysaccharide molecules. The researchers hope that they can use this gut health research to make it easier to diagnose those with CA. They also hope the differences in the gut microbiomes will also help them measure the severity of the blood vessel disorder’s effect on the brain.

How Can You Maintain a Healthy Gut Microbiome?

Eat More Fiber

Fiber carries plenty of helpful bacteria to the gut, while also lowering the risks of some types of cancer and heart disease. It can also help with weight loss by controlling hunger cravings.

Choose a Wider Variety of Foods

Your meals should consist mainly of fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds to provide the vitamins and nutrients you need each day. Additionally, choosing a variety of colors in selecting your fruits and vegetables will help you boost the health of your gut. Each type of food contains a different community of bacteria, which will help diversify your gut microbiome.

Consume More Polyphenols

Certain foods and drinks, like olive oil, coffee, tea, berries, nuts and seeds, contain polyphenols. The polyphenols are antioxidants that help sustain the bacteria in your gut.

Limit Your Snacking

Eating creates more activity in the gut, which distracts the bacteria in your gut from fulfilling other functions. If you can skip meals, or fast for one or two days a week, you can give your gut microbiome even more time to benefit your health.

Eat Fermented Foods

Some examples of fermented foods include kimchi, plain yogurt, sauerkraut and cheeses. Fermented foods contain a higher concentration of microbes, so eating these foods regularly can help you build a more diverse microbiome.

Supplement Your Diet With a Prebiotic/Probiotic Formula

If you aren’t sure whether your diet is providing the wide array of microorganisms needed for a healthy gut microbiome, try supplementing with a high-quality formula that contains both prebiotics and probiotics. Prebiotics are indigestible fibers that help to nourish the probiotics, or “friendly” bacteria, in the gut. Supplementing with both prebiotics and probiotics can help ensure that your healthy gut bacteria thrive, paving the way for good health.

Serotonin Deficiency: Symptoms and Treatment

Aug 12 by Ewcopywriting

Serotonin (also referred to as 5-hydroxytryptamine or 5-HT) is a chemical messenger that helps the nerve cells in the body communicate. While serotonin was discovered by scientists over 60 years ago, the study of its importance to healthy body function continues to evolve. A serotonin deficiency has been linked to a variety of physical and mental health issues, making it important that you recognize and treat the problem. Here are a few things to know about this neurotransmitter that may help shed light on potential health issues as well as ideas on how you can boost serotonin levels naturally.

Why is Serotonin Important to Overall Well-being?

Your body produces serotonin from the essential amino acid tryptophan. The body sends signals between nerve cells through this vital neurotransmitter. While serotonin is primarily found in the digestive system, it is also present in various areas of the central nervous system, such as the brain, as well in blood platelets.

Getting adequate amounts of nutrients like tryptophan, vitamin D, omega-3 fatty acids and certain B vitamins is necessary for your body to produce adequate levels of serotonin. Tryptophan is especially important when it comes to serotonin production. Without enough tryptophan in your diet, you may experience lower-than-desired levels of serotonin.

Serotonin is instrumental in a variety of bodily functions. This chemical modulates almost every behavioral function in the human body, including mood, aggression, memory, appetite, sexual function, anger and more. This means that serotonin plays a critical role in achieving adequate amounts of sleep, enjoying a positive mindset, experiencing good digestive support, having a rewarding sex life and much more. In fact, it is easier to find something that serotonin does not have a hand in than to try to list all of the functions that it touches.

What Causes Serotonin Deficiency?

There are a number of factors that may lead to a deficiency in serotonin. Because serotonin comes from tryptophan, a deficiency in this amino acid may cause serotonin levels to drop below an acceptable level. When a deficiency is present, it can be difficult to ascertain what is causing it precisely because serotonin has so many functions.

Scientists know that some of the most common causes of seroconin deficiency include changes in the brain related to age, not eating the right mix of healthy foods, chronic stress, poor exercise habits and inadequate amounts of natural light exposure. While it is possible to test serotonin levels, most physicians will try to evaluate possible conditions related to low levels of the neurotransmitter.

What Are the Symptoms of Serotonin Deficiency?

Low levels of serotonin can manifest through both physical and mental health issues. Some of the most common physical symptoms that may indicate a deficiency in this crucial chemical include problems with movement or balance, sexual issues as such as premature ejaculation and difficulties with digestion and incontinence. Individuals with low serotonin may also experience problems with wound healing because of poor blood clotting ability as well as unexplained chronic pain.

Low serotonin levels may also present through mental health problems. Some of the most common indicators of this deficiency include unexplained depression or anxiety, issues with memory or concentration and schizophrenia. Because serotonin helps to regulate sleep patterns, you may have problems falling or staying asleep if you are low on this neurotransmitter. Other symptoms of a deficiency include hyperactivity and issues related to sexual function such as changes in desire and the ability to find pleasure in sexual activity.

How to Boost Serotonin Levels Naturally

The good news is that there are many things that you can do to boost your serotonin levels naturally. Here are just a few ideas to consider if you or your doctor suspect serotonin deficiency.

Seek Out Natural Light

In addition to treating various types of seasonal depression, exposing yourself to natural light can help to boost serotonin levels. If this is a challenge for you because of your climate or lifestyle, you may want to consider using a light therapy lamp.

Focus on Emotional Well-being

Because serotonin levels and mental health are linked, it is recommended that you make your emotional well-being a priority. You can do this by being diligent about reducing chronic levels of stress in your life. Some people also find success in boosting serotonin through the use of psychotherapy. Engaging in these types of cognitive or behavioral therapies can have a positive effect on serotonin levels so that you feel better emotionally.

Get Moving

As with many health conditions, a little exercise can go a long way in helping to combat a myriad of issues. Regular exercise has been shown to raise serotonin levels, giving you just one more reason to commit to a consistent routine.

Watch Your Diet

Focusing on good nutrition can play a pivotal role in encouraging the production of serotonin. In addition to general nutritional guidelines with whole foods as the base, be sure to include foods rich in tryptophan such as turkey, pineapple, tofu, nuts, and chickpeas.

Take a Natural Supplement

Taking a high-quality natural supplement like Tryptochron® can help support healthy serotonin levels in the brain. Tryptochron® provides L-tryptophan, 5-HTP and vitamins B3 (niacin) and B6 (pyridoxine) in a patented formulation to help relieve certain symptoms of serotonin deficiency.

If you feel as if you are not quite yourself lately, it may be a prudent idea to get your serotonin levels checked out. Getting to the root of any possible deficiency will help you to live a healthier and happier life.

Research Update: Probiotics Reduce Symptoms of Depression

Jul 29 by Ewcopywriting

It has been a well-known medical fact for years that probiotics are effective at treating a variety of gut-related issues. What has not been studied as much until recently is how this treatment may also be able to help those individuals who experience mental health challenges. When you understand how the gut and brain are so closely connected, it makes sense that a healthy gut would also promote a healthy state of mind. As more research becomes available regarding the closely connected gut-brain axis, many experts now believe that probiotics reduce symptoms of depression.

Defining Depression

The National Institute of Mental Health defines depression as a mood disorder that lasts more than two weeks. It is important to understand that there is a difference between acute sadness related to a specific event and true depression. Signs of clinical depression include difficulty concentrating, challenges sleeping, disinterest in usual hobbies and activities and fatigue.

Because depression is a highly personalized issue, there is no set treatment to help sufferers. Most physicians will initially recommend natural treatment options such as exercise and healthy eating. If this does not help the problem, a doctor may prescribe medication to help the patient.

Getting the Most Out of Probiotics

Probiotics are actual living microorganisms that can provide many benefits to the body when ingested. While most probiotics are classified as bacteria, they can also involve certain types of yeast. You can nourish your body with probiotics through the use of supplements or by ingesting foods that have been prepared through the process of bacterial fermentation. Foods that are high in naturally occurring probiotics are yogurt, sauerkraut and kimchi.

Probiotics help the digestive tract to function properly by reducing the prevalence of diarrhea, irritable bowel syndrome and other inflammatory diseases that are associated with the gut. Maintaining a healthy gut is essential if you want to feel better overall. Without good gut health, you will likely feel uncomfortable and dragged down.

It is important to not confuse probiotics with prebiotics. While both prebiotics and probiotics can be helpful in encouraging healthy bacteria and other organisms in the gut, they are not the same. Prebiotics are a specific type of fiber that the human body is not able to digest. Their function is to serve as food for their probiotic counterparts.

How Can Probiotics Reduce Symptoms of Depression?

One thing that scientists know for a fact is that there is a bidirectional relationship between the gastrointestinal tract and the brain. This relationship is referred to as the gut-brain axis. New evidence shows that gut microbiota is related to both gastrointestinal and extragastrointestinal diseases. Increasing research shows a link between inflammation of the gut and mental illnesses such as depression and anxiety.

Because probiotics can be instrumental in restoring a healthy microbial balance, it is not a surprise to learn that they can also help treat and prevent depression and anxiety. By learning more about how the gut microbiota develops, scientists and medical researchers have zeroed in on the applications of using probiotics to help to reduce the symptoms often associated with depression.

What the Studies Have Shown Us

A recent review article helped shed light on the question of how probiotics can be a powerful ally in the fight against depression. The authors of this review looked at seven published studies between the years of 2003 and 2019. Through the extensive review, the authors were able to discern that there was a clear benefit to using dietary probiotic intervention to help alleviate the symptoms of depression. This benefit was present despite the different controlling factors of each study.

The review also found that intervention involving both prebiotics and probiotics also proved advantageous for treating depression. However, the review noted that the exclusive use of prebiotics did not deliver any meaningful advantages. In order to achieve measured benefits, probiotics must be a part of the support of the gut-brain axis.

Another key finding of the review is that the combination of prebiotics and probiotics did not seem to be helpful in reducing anxiety in individuals. In addition, the review found that there is increasing evidence that improving the gut microbiome can reduce the risk of chronic health problems that sometimes go hand in hand with depression. In short, the far-reaching effects of the usage of probiotics to treat depression could go well beyond the benefits to the overall emotional and mental state.

Because there is no cure for depression, it is important that doctors and scientists examine all of the factors that feed into this serious mental issue. A comprehensive treatment and prevention plan will ensure that no stone is left unturned in fighting this illness. As more research continues to emerge about the use of probiotics, it is clear that this angle can play a significant role in the battle against depression.