BACTERIA AND DEPRESSION

Research has recently revealed that certain bacteria can also help our bodies modulate the levels of stress hormones in the body. A study showed that having higher levels of two particular strains of bacteria, bifidobacteria and lactobacillus, is linked to a reduced release of stress hormones into the bloodstream. This test has its basis in lab rats, but the early human experiments with these two strains of bacteria have produced similarly low levels of anxiety in response to typically anxiety-inducing activities.

Research has revealed that roughly 50% of neurochemicals are actually engaged in gut function, thus regulating appetite, digestive rate, and metabolism. These neurochemicals include a significant amount of the dopamine and serotonin in our bodies, which most people assume is produced and used in the brain itself. In truth, most of those neurochemicals are directly managed and produced in the gut!

“Good” bacteria in the stomach needs to be maximized, and one of the best ways to ensure a balanced microbiome is to “feed” those bacteria things it needs, such as prebiotics, concentrated carbohydrates that help those bacteria grow. By improving the bacterial health of the gut, a measurable decrease in anxiety was measured in human patients, because the bacteria were operating properly and releasing chemicals to soothe stress.