The link between gut health and depression.
Integrative medicine such as naturopathy and functional medicine should be considered when treating major depressive disorders (MDD) such as depression. Research shows evidence of how gut health is connected to physical and mental health issues. Naturopathic and functional medicine helped me recover from my own Crohn's disease, which is why I use it in my work as a nurse coach to help others achieve optimum health. In my research, I found a study by doctors Lijia Chang, Yan Wei, and Kenji Hashimoto that supports the connection between gut health and depression. Other research also links gut health to anxiety, bipolar disorder, and PTSD.
Brain-gut-microbiota axis in depression: A historical overview and future directions
The gut microbiome plays a crucial role in regulating our mood and behavior, including depression and anxiety. Research has shown that individuals with these mental disorders often exhibit changes in their gut bacteria, which can impact depression and anxiety by influencing stress responses and inflammation.
Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), essential molecules produced by the gut microbiota during the breakdown of dietary fiber, are key players in maintaining intestinal health, modulating inflammation, and affecting mood and cognition. SCFAs also facilitate communication between the gut and the brain through various pathways.
Dietary interventions can help modulate SCFAs levels in both the gut and the brain. Taking probiotics or prebiotics can restore gut microbiota balance and promote beneficial SCFAs.
Studies have explored supplementing with a mixture of acetic acid, propionic acid, and butyric acid, as well as receiving a probiotic containing Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, a major butyrate producer, to improve depressive symptoms and inflammatory markers. While the hypothesis of fecal transplantation of beneficial microbes to depression patients is intriguing, further research is needed.
In summary, understanding the effects of prebiotics, probiotics, and diet on SCFAs can offer promising avenues for managing depression and promoting mental well-being.
Reference:
Chang, Lijia et al. “Brain-gut-microbiota axis in depression: A historical overview and future directions.” Brain Research Bulletin vol. 182 (2022): 44-56. doi:10.1016/j.brainresbull.2022.02.004
