A couple of weeks ago, we talked about how you should trust your gut. This week, we’re going to tell you how you should trust your gut when it comes to anxiety. There are a ton of studies suggesting anxiety might be alleviated by regulating gut bacteria and we would be remiss to not share all the fascinating findings with you.
The fact of the matter is that your gut health is undeniably linked to, and the catalyst of, your overall health. Joe preached the connection for years. That’s why it’s so gratifying to see the medical establishment at large start to make these connections with even more research.
Probiotics, seem to be a trending topic these days for good reason. They have powerful, positive effects on the body. They’re paramount in treating diarrhea, bloating, and gastrointestinal discomfort. They also shape the body’s immune system, produce antimicrobial substances, and ferment fiber in our diets to generate nutrients for the cells that line our intestines.
Not only are they miracle workers within the gut itself, but new research has found evidence that probiotics, specifically those containing Lactobacillus (L.) rhamnosus, significantly reduced anxiety-like behavior in rodent studies. Other studies have shown the effects of bacteria in the gastrointestinal (GI) system send signals to the central nervous system, linking the gut with the brain, and add to that, the known connections between GI illness and mental illness. For example, a higher-than-average number of people with irritable bowel syndrome also develop depression and anxiety.
Does this mean that probiotics could be an answer to boosting emotional health?
It sure looks like it.
Still, some researchers are hesitant to make prescriptive statements and caution that more research in humans needs to be done in order to have definitive answers. Linda Lee, M.D. of Johns Hopkins School of Medicine says, “Right now, we don’t have a lot of proof that taking probiotics is going to change depression or anxiety. It’s an attractive theory, but we need a lot more research to guide us.”
We understand the hesitation, but what’s the downside? Probiotics are a key component of any supplement regimen. They’re one of the “must haves” as far as we’re concerned. Even if we’re wrong about the mental health connection, you’ve still got a better regulated intestinal track… and that’s it’s own reward!
If you’re looking for a natural way to boost your mood and emotional health, probiotics and mood essentials are a great place to start!
Sources: