~*Gut Health Linked to Depression, Anxiety and Autism*~

[Guest guest]

This article is consistent with our experiences.  My daughters are OCD free

today (not quite anxiety free though) after cleaning up their gut health,

removing gluten, adding supplements, etc.

Misty

 

(NaturalNews) Anxiety and depression are commonly thought of as mental ailments,

but new research has found that they may actually originate from the gut. With

more scientific backing added to the idea of preserving gut health, anxiety and

depression are now associated with gastrointestinal disease, including irritable

bowel syndrome. The study even examines the role of poor gut health in the

development of autism, a hot topic in the field of both mainstream and

alternative health. Abnormal bacteria content in the gut, or too much " bad "

bacteria, may play an integral role in the emotional and psychiatric health of

humankind.

The average person has about 1,000 trillium bacteria living in the gut. Some of

this bacteria is the result of lifestyle. Whether it be from taking

pharmaceutical antibiotics or consuming meat containing antibiotics, the

bacteria of the gut can easily be disturbed. This is particularly important

considering that the gut is the powerhouse of the immune system. Gut bacteria

performs vital roles to keep the body well, including fighting infections and

extracting energy from nutritional intake. Therefore, upsetting the environment

in which good bacteria resides -- or even altering the ratio of good to bad gut

bacteria itself -- can result in infection and disease. Superbugs are a special

danger to those with poor gut health, as the immune system is left to its own

devices when antibiotics cannot aid in the fight.

Considering the essential role of gut bacteria in performing many of the body's

most precious tasks, it is no surprise that gut health also plays a role in the

development of depression, anxiety, and even autism. During the study, lab mice

were given antibiotics in order to disrupt normal bacteria in the gut. As a

result, there was an increase in brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)

examined in the mice, which has been linked to depression and anxiety. When the

antibiotics were discontinued, the gut bacteria returned to normal -- along with

the brain chemistry of the mice. The difference between the mice and most humans

is that these mice were only exposed to pill-based antibiotics. Many humans are

exposed to not only antibiotics in their food, but a variety of other

gut-altering chemicals and substances as well. From pesticides to preservatives,

the gut is under constant assault.

" The exciting results provide stimulus for further investigating a microbial

component to the causation of behavioural illnesses, " said , a

professor of medicine and associate dean research at the G. DeGroote

School of Medicine.

Premysl Bercik, an assistant professor of medicine and fellow researcher, said

that the study highlights the possibility of using probiotics to help aid in the

fight against depression and anxiety. Probiotics can help improve the ratio

between " good " and " bad " bacteria in the gut, leading to improved overall gut

health. Probiotics, however, cannot make up for poor lifestyle choices.

Consumption of antibiotic-laden meats and produce sprayed with a cocktail of

pesticides will ultimately lead to poor digestion and severely damaged gut

health. Switching to locally grown organic foods in addition to supplementing

with probiotics will put your gut health on the right track to overcoming

depression and anxiety.

[Editor`s Note: NaturalNews is strongly against the use of all forms of animal

testing. We fully support implementation of humane medical experimentation that

promotes the health and wellbeing of all living creatures.]

Sources:

http://medicalxpress.com/news/2011-...

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7...

http://www.health.harvard.edu/press...

Learn more:

http://www.naturalnews.com/032843_gut_health_anxiety.html#ixzz1R49Qdx2f