Depression Starts in Your Gut
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Does depression really start in your gut?
I know it may sound crazy! The old story is that depression is caused by a deficiency of neurotransmitters like serotonin. What if I told you that may not really be the case?
If you’ve been diagnosed with depression, your doctor may have said that you’re “just born that way.” And you may worry that having a depressed family member means that you’ll get depression too. What if I told you that this may not be the case at all? What if I told you that DEPRESSION is often a sign of CHRONIC INFLAMMATION?
We eat foods that are processed beyond recognition, are sitting in offices and cars most of the day, and are exposed to thousands of modern chemicals. Inflammation is the result of these types of issues. Our bodies are trying to protect us by puffing up like a puffer fish!
The science behind it all.
Science, YES SCIENCE, is showing that chronic inflammation is at the root of nearly every disease. Inflammation is linked to everything from metabolic disorders, like obesity and diabetes, to neurodegenerative diseases, autoimmune disease, and cancer.
What Role Does Our Gut Play in Mood?
We’re a stressed society. We have day to day stress, emotional stress, environmental stress…it’s everywhere and when our bodies aren’t handling the stress, inflammation occurs.
This constant state of stress causes chronic inflammation. Your body reacts to the stress as a type of infection and tries to overcome it. This exposure to prolonged stress can have serious consequences for your health, ranging from high blood pressure to autoimmune disorders.
Your gut microbiome is linked to things like depression. You’re stressing your gut which is then not sending the right information to your brain which may result in depression or even more serious health issues. Your gut is pretty much your second brain.
There was a study done that showed how the gut and brain are connected through studying the effects of probiotics on patients with irritable bowel syndrome and depression. Researchers found that twice as many patients saw improvements from depression when they took a probiotic. So, with an improvement in the gut, came an improvement in mental wellbeing.
How many people do you know with IBS that also have some type of depression or anxiety, maybe neither have been diagnosed BUT they may have a “sick” stomach and not feel well when they are in a stressful situation.
Let me just say, I’ve been there, done that with the depression and stomach and I’ve worked overtime to find a more natural way to get through it all and it has helped tremendously. I no longer take antidepressants/anxiety meds and my stomach is doing quite well. I have cleaned up my diet quite a bit, I’m not 100% with that but I’m a work in progress, and I’ve started adding supplements to my daily regimen. I’d love to chat more with you about what has worked for me. Feel free to send me a message, I’d love to chat.
This is the link I was referencing to. Microbiome and Mental Health
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