How Probiotics can Support Mental Health

“𝘓𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘯 𝘵𝘰 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘨𝘶𝘵” ⁣
There may be a lot more truth to this statement than we could ever imagine!⁣ I’ve studied probiotics throughout my career. In and out of the hospital setting. But recently, I have been focusing on the importance of probiotics for mental health. The research is fascinating! There are 10 times more cells within your gut than there are cells in the human body. And your gut has its own nervous system embedded in the lining of the GI tract. Which is called the enteric nervous system aka second brain.

Having healthy gut bacteria have been shown to improved to mental health and prevent disease. Healthy gut flora (bacteria) can also strengthen the immune system, endocrine/hormone function, and mental health 💓⁣

Get this! Gut bacteria produces about 95% of serotonin in your body. Serotonin is the neurotransmitter that helps regulate sleep, appetite, moods, and pain. Studies have shown that probiotics help to reduce anxiety levels and perceptions of stress while improving mental outlook.

𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐜𝐤 𝐭𝐢𝐩𝐬:⁣
1. 𝘊𝘩𝘰𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘢 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘣𝘪𝘰𝘵𝘪𝘤 with a variety of bacterial strands. Some of my favorite brands require refrigeration. VSL#3, Life 9, Align, Bio-K all have variety of probiotic strands.
2. Do your best to 𝘙𝘦𝘥𝘶𝘤𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘢𝘮𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘣𝘪𝘰𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘴 you are exposed to.⁣
3. 𝘌𝘢𝘵 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘳𝘶𝘪𝘵𝘴/𝘷𝘦𝘨𝘨𝘪𝘦𝘴. Some great veggies containing prebiotics are garlic, leeks, onion, asparagus, banana, oats, apples, wheats bran, chicory root (in some fiber bars), and flaxseeds.🌱
4. 𝘗𝘳𝘰𝘣𝘪𝘰𝘵𝘪𝘤 𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘩 𝘧𝘰𝘰𝘥𝘴 include kombucha, sauerkraut, yogurt, kefir, tempeh, kimchi.⁣  Fermented foods contain live, active cultures that contribute to the ‘good bacteria’ in your gut.
5. 𝘚𝘵𝘢𝘺 𝘩𝘺𝘥𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘥. This is crucial for a healthy GI tract 💧⁣

Eating prebiotics, such as onions and garlic, alongside probiotics can help support GI tract function.⁣

Reference: https://www.apa.org/monitor/2012/09/gut-feeling