Transferring the blues: gut microbiome and moodWe know how to maintain a healthy gut microbiome through eating a wide variety of fruit, vegetables, nuts and seeds, and staying physically active (see the June newsletter for a refresher). But did you know that the quality of our gut microbiome might be directly linked to how we feel? In one study, researchers transferred samples of gut microbiome from a group of patients living with depression into the guts of rats who had had their microbiomes depleted. They did the same with samples from a healthy control group for comparison. They found that the rats that received a microbiome transplant from patients with depression started to display symptoms of low mood, anhedonia (lack of enjoyment) and anxiety. This didn’t happen in those rats that received transplants from the healthy control group.
In another study, researchers found that mental and emotional wellbeing decreases sharply with more frequent ultra-processed food consumption. Patients who consumed ultra-processed food several times a day were three times more likely to have serious mental health struggles compared to those who rarely or never do. These findings suggest that the quality of our gut microbiome might be directly linked to how we feel. This might have implications for how we treat anxiety and depression in the future. Have you noticed any changes in how you feel since starting a plant rich lifestyle? What small change can you make today to improve your diet? Do let me know.
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