PSYCHOBIOTICS:
Meet the tiny organisms living in your gut
that control your mood and your mental health
According to statistics, American’s mental health is declining.
In 2013 the New England Journal of Medicine published a report revealing that we now spend about $200 billion annually caring for dementia patients – many of whom are being diagnosed with degenerative brain disorders like Alzheimer’s disease as young as 30 and 40 years-of-age.
Mood and anxiety disorders are also on the upswing, afflicting more than 40 million Americans. And autism cases have surged eight-fold, making this brain related ailment a true modern-day epidemic.
Now the good news: Scientists around the world are reporting that many emotional and neurological problems – from ADHD to insomnia — can be improved or resolved entirely by the introduction of beneficial bacteria in the digestive tract.
“When ingested in adequate amounts, these bacteria, dubbed ‘psychobiotics’ by researchers, offer enormous potential for the resolution of emotional and neurological problems,” says developmental scientist and probiotics expert Natasha Trenev.
“Scientists are discovering that microbes in the gut can send messages to the brain via the vagus nerve, which extends from the brain stem all the way to the abdomen. Certain strains of these microscopic organisms are able to lessen feelings of stress, anxiety, and depression by communicating with the brain and producing important neurochemicals like dopamine and serotonin and by manufacturing important vitamins that are important to keep the brain healthy.”
Trenev says these beneficial bacteria also maintain the integrity of the lining of the gastrointestinal tract, preventing “leakiness” of the gut and systemic inflammation, a condition known to underlie the development of Alzheimer’s, multiple sclerosis (MS), Parkinson’s, and autism.
“Our microbiome – the sum total of the genetic components of our gut bacteria – is responsible for 99 percent of our genetic expression, whereas our own genes only regulate genetic expression up to 10 percent,” says Trenev. “Luckily, we can change the composition of our gut bacteria to optimize their genetic expression by making correct lifestyle choices and by taking probiotics and choosing to eat foods that are rich in prebiotics to enhance the growth of good bacteria.”
To assist our bodies to establish and maintain a healthy microbiome, Trenev suggests the following:
· Avoid unnecessary use of antibiotics and antibacterial soaps: Antibiotics change the microbiome and trigger growth of harmful bacteria.
· Avoid refined sugar and processed fructose: They encourage growth of disease causing bacteria, fungi, yeast, and promote gut inflammation
· Avoid genetically engineered food and pesticides: The bacteria in our gut are not familiar GMO foods and pesticides and can’t process them. Eat organically grown and raised foods, being sure to thoroughly wash fruits and vegetables as they carry a lot of bacteria and other microbes with them.
· Consume probiotics and probiotic foods: Focus on eating probiotic foods, such as fermented vegetables, sauerkraut, kimchi, plain kefir and plain yogurt. Kombucha (a fermented drink) is also recommended, but may not be good for those on a candida diet. Probiotic supplements are advisable, especially if you have used antibiotics.
“These are all very simple lifestyle choices that we can make to enhance the health and the diversity of the microorganisms in our gastrointestinal tract that determine both our physical and mental health,” says Trenev.
NATASHA’s NOTE ON PROBIOTIC LABELING
Because of the costs associated with manufacturing, testing, shipping, and storage of probiotic supplements, many companies, in an effort to maximize profits, do not adhere to the probiotic industry labeling standards established by the National Nutritional Foods Association more than 20 years ago. Natasha urges consumers to be cautious when selecting any probiotic product, and before purchasing she recommends consumers study the article entitled, “How to Read a Probiotic Label in 6 Easy Steps” posted on her Web site: www.natren.com.