Nutrition. Vitamins. You.
The supplement SAMe can help promote a healthier state of mind. And while it is beneficial for mood, it is also helpful for hormone balance, according to Amanda Williams, MPH.
Have you ever thought about if your genes are making you feel abnormal or disrupting your mental well-being? The answer is yes – they can be.
Invite Health Podcast, Episode hosted by Jerry Hickey. Ph
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Welcome back to our episode on the gut-brain axis, the influence your gut has on your brain. In Part 1, I discussed how gut bacteria and your diet influence your memory. Check out Part 1 here if you missed it! Now, we’re going to look at how the gut impacts your mood.
PROBIOTICS, DEPRESSION AND STRESS
A study done at McMaster University in Canada published in the Journal of Gastroenterology showed that probiotics can improve symptoms of depression. Researchers worked with 44 adults who had irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and mild to moderate anxiety and/or depression. Half of the group took a daily dose of bifidobacterium longum for 12 weeks, while the other half took placebo at the same frequency. At the 6 week mark, 64% of the patients taking the probiotic had decreased scores on tests for depression. Only 32% of patients on placebo saw decreases in these scores. The patients were also given functional MRIs, which showed that the improvement in these scores was connected to changes in multiple brain regions involved with mood control.
Griffith University in Queensland, Australia performed a systematic review and meta analysis that was published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. The researchers looked at 7 different studies with over 300 participants and found that probiotics reduce psychological symptoms, stress, depression and anxiety. This helps prove the validity of the gut-brain axis.
The Benefits of Probiotics for Allergies – Invite Health Podcast, Episode 124. Listen Now >>
A study in the Journal of Cephalalgia looked at patients who suffer from migraines. The researchers worked with people who have episodic migraines, meaning they have 14 or less migraines a month, as well as people who have chronic migraines, meaning 15 or more migraines a month. A group of these patients took a probiotic supplement with 14 different strains of gut-friendly bacteria for 10 weeks, while another group took placebo. Researchers found that the probiotic significantly improved a number of migraine-related symptoms in the patients. Patients with episodic migraines saw a 40% decrease in migraine days, and people with chronic migraines saw a decrease of 45%. Researchers also found that the probiotics reduced the intensity of episodic migraines by 29%, and of chronic migraines by 31%.
These studies are evidence that bacteria in the intestines affect the health of the brain. For all studies mentioned in this podcast episode, please listen to the full episode now by clicking the play button above or wherever you stream podcasts!
WHAT REDUCES HEALTHY BACTERIA IN THE BODY?
Here are some things that can reduce the amount of healthy bacteria you have in your body:
NOT ALL PROBIOTICS ARE EQUAL
Not all probiotic supplements are made the same. Here are some qualities that you should look for when choosing a probiotic supplement:
Thank you for tuning in to the Invite Health Podcast. For all studies mentioned in this podcast episode, please listen to the full episode now by clicking the play button above or wherever you stream podcasts! You can find all of our episodes for free wherever you listen to podcasts or by visiting www.invitehealth.com/podcast. Make sure you subscribe and leave us a review! Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram at Invite Health today. We’ll see you next time on another episode of the Invite Health Podcast.
5-HTP easily enters your brain and is quickly converted into serotonin. Serotonin is known as the ‘happiness molecule’ and is a very important neurotransmitter. This is why 5-HTP has been studied for its benefit for mood and overall brain health.
? by Osha Key on Unsplash What is Curcumin? Curcumin, or Curcuma longa, is a major ingredient in the Turmeric root. It is a ginger-like plant used for its powerful healing properties in China, the Middle East and India. Turmeric refers to the plants underground …
In a recent study, scientists found that mental health and well-being are directly linked to the number of fruits and vegetables included in your diet. Using data from 14,000 people aged 16 and older, researchers from the University of Warwick Medical School examined the overall mental wellness and health-related behavior of the participants. The research team also looked at factors like socioeconomic status and geographic location, which can impact mental health as well.
The scientists made an interesting discovery – nutrition choices seem to have a direct impact on your mental health, particularly fruits and vegetables. The results of this study showed that people who ate more fruits and vegetables regularly were much more likely to feel mentally satisfied and stable.
“The data suggests that the higher an individual’s fruit and vegetable intake, the lower the chance of their having low mental well-being,” said Dr. Saverio Stranges, lead author of the study. Other factors that showed a direct link to mental wellness included smoking and exercise. The participants who stated that they felt mentally healthy most of the time generally consumed plenty of fruits and veggies, did not smoke and followed a regular workout routine.
So if you have been feeling down lately, add some fruits and veggies into your daily diet – it might make all the difference in your low mood!
Source: http://www.activebeat.com/health-news/study-links-mental-health-with-diet/