Depression and the Gut-Brain Connection –
Many of us are familiar with the state of depression, whether having gone through it ourselves or having watched a loved one struggle with it. Also familiar territory for many, is the overuse of prescriptions and antidepressant medications. Even though these medications may be successful in controlling symptoms, they are not always as successful in treating and correcting the actual state of depression.
So, why is this happening?
Where is this little imbalance and how can we fix it?
This may sound a bit simplistic, but depressive symptoms may actually be a direct indication of what is going on in your gut. There are various reasons as to why depression may be a factor in an individual’s life, however, gut health is one of them!
The gut is often referred to as the second brain. Conditions of the gut are often directly linked to what happens in our brain. The gut-brain connection to depression specifically involves inflammation. If there is a significant amount of inflammation in the gut, this could very well be initiating, or adding to depressive symptoms.
Why would my gut be inflamed?
There are many factors that can contribute to gut inflammation.
- Sedentary lifestyle, not getting daily exercise.
- Diet high in added sugar, fat, and refined carbohydrates.
- Consumption of too few fruits, vegetables, and healthy fats (omega 3’s!).
As quoted by David Perlmutter in “Brain Maker”:
“…what we put in our mouths and how we feed our gut bacteria do indeed affect our brain’s functionality.”
What can I do to alleviate feelings of depression?
- Consume whole foods. A great place to start! Consuming whole foods (real food, food that grows) will ensure the body is receiving the nutrients, vitamins and minerals it requires to function.
- Take Probiotics. Get those good bugs in there! Taking probiotics or having probiotic enemas is a great way to help reset gut bacteria levels.
- Include healthy fats in your diet. Our brains NEED and LOVE healthy fats!
- Avoid processed, refined, and processed foods. They are chocked full of indigestible fats and preservatives, that have little or no nutrient value.
- Tend to that gut. Get off the couch, go for a walk! Not moving may actually be contributing to the depressive state.
- Schedule a few colon cleanses. Speak to a nutritional consultant. Make sure your gut is in a “good bacterial” state, and is eliminating as often as it should be. Your gut is a major detox and elimination organ, and can have a negative effect on your emotions.
Gut health is not the only factor in depression. It’s just one of the many things that could help alleviate some of the symptoms. Do not ignore chronic depression. If you think you are struggling with depression, please call a professional and ask for help.
