Last Updated on 8 March 2024 by Brisbane Livewell Clinic
A healthy mind needs a healthy body, more specifically a healthy gut and more specifically again, healthy gut microbiota. By now you may have heard of the gut-brain-axis – the bidirectional link between the brain, gut, and microbiome (1) – but you may not have heard about some of the latest findings that are shedding light on how our gut bacteria can have a profound impact on our mental wellbeing. The new approach to mental health is backed by science and the good news is, it’s a natural approach.
Uplifting your Unhappy Underbelly
Imagine seeking help for anxiety or depression and your psychiatrist suggests a probiotic. This could be the suggested treatment in the future if the latest research is anything to go by. Probiotics are fast becoming recognised to have anxiolytic (anti-anxiety) effects. (2) Human studies have now shown that oral probiotics can decrease anxiety, diminish perceptions of stress, and improve mental outlook. (3) Not only is this promising for the treatment of mental health but also for functional gut disorders like Irritable Bowel Syndrome IBS, where anxiety and depression are common experiences. (4)
Taking a natural approach to mental health
Gut healing to treat depression and anxiety is slowly becoming more widely acceptable, with probiotics leading the way. Many Naturopathic treatment goals for improving mental health overlap with the therapeutic activity that probiotics can exert on the brain including: (3)
- Increasing peripheral tryptophan levels
- Altering dopamine and serotonin turnover in parts of the brain
- Increasing the tissue levels of omega-3 fatty acids
- Influencing tissue levels of mood-regulating minerals, such as magnesium and zinc
- Improving fasting insulin levels
While probiotics may not always be a stand-alone therapy for either gut or mood disorders, their diverse actions make them an invaluable tool to enhance treatment goals. Classically, gut-healing is the cornerstone to Naturopathic treatment and the significance of addressing the gut-brain axis is a reminder of why.
Have the Guts to Ask for Help
Needless to say, the gut-brain axis is a pretty complex topic. The take-home message for anyone in need of mood support is to know that discussing your digestive health is relevant. If you feel like you’re spinning off your axis when it comes to mood, seek the complementary support that will serve your overall health, with Naturopathy and Nutrition.
Remember all good health starts in the gut – so it’s a great place to start when it comes to not only your physical health but your mental and emotional wellbeing too.
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