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How your unhealthy gut could lead to depression

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Kavita Devgan
Kavita DevganOct 13, 2018 | 14:50

How your unhealthy gut could lead to depression

We all know enough about the connection between our gut and our health. How healthy it is, determines a lot of important things for us: our immunity, longevity, energy levels, weight, even the glow of our skin.

But new research is pointing towards an interesting direction. Apparently, there is a strong connection and key to better mental health be found in our gut. New thinking is that our gut’s health can affect our mood, and even have a say in whether we are at risk for anxiety and depression. This, in fact, is today a very interesting and thriving field of research – and is taking further the oft-used phrase "Gut Feeling" literally and proving it to be true.

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The fact that our digestive system is closely connected to what goes on in our brain isn’t new news. We have known that for a while, from the time of Hippocrates, the Greek physician and father of modern medicine in fact. But the idea that the state of our gut today, the kind of bacteria we are populating in there could be deciding what neurological condition we could suffer from sooner than later - is now being studied extensively, and the connections the scientists are finding are solid.

In fact, it is now known that a dysfunctional digestive system could actually be the reason for anxiety, depression and brain fog. And it is increasingly also getting clear that depression could be a result of not just the lack of the happy hormone serotonin but is more likely a by-product of chronic inflammation in the gut and body.

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Very often what we are eating can actually be making things worse for our mind. (Photo: Facebook)

The obvious question that arises now is can simple dietary tweaks change our mental wellbeing? Well, it seems they absolutely can! So eat carefully – and to stay brain healthy follow these gut boosting tips:

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Eat a balanced diet

Very often what we are eating (even if we are trying to eat super healthy – low-fat this and low-fat that) can actually be making things worse for our mind. So focus on eating a balanced diet that has all food groups, fats included, as both our gut and our brain need good fats to stay good.

Eat a happy diet

What you eat has the power to make you feel good or really bad as food affects our emotions directly. So what’s an unhappy meal? Well, boiled cabbage cannot make anyone happy. It can only make you bored. And it’s the same for any insipid food that doesn’t excite your taste buds. So there is no point in trying to throw all that down your throat. By the way science also says that when you eat food that you don’t enjoy, the nutrient absorption is very low. So what’s the whole point! Really!

Eat an anti-inflammatory diet

Inflammation is usually a result of our exposure to multiple chemicals and additives, and new research is showing that markers of inflammation are found to be elevated in depressed people, so be careful about what you plate. Cut out all (or at least as much as you can) processed and sugary foods and see your gut get more efficient and as a result, your energy levels go up and mood get buoyant. Eat as much whole, real foods as possible and include known anti-inflammatory foods like turmeric, garlic and ginger in your diet daily. Leaky gut fans the flames of inflammation and depression, so avoid all low nutrient and gut damaging foods.

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We live in toxic times, so every now and then do a sensible detox. (Photo: Facebook)

Boost good bacteria

Eat more plant and dietary fibre, as they can help you achieve and maintain microbiota diversity — which is extremely important for scoring a clearer mind and happier disposition. Eating fermented and probiotic foods is also a good idea.

Heal your gut constantly. We live in toxic times, so every now and then do a sensible detox (not a crash detox as that will only harm more). Not only will it help you lose weight, but it might also just keep you away from depression too.

The brain is malleable and can be manipulated by what we eat. So the sensible thing to do is to consciously eat a gut and thus a brain-healthy diet to keep neurological disorders, unhappiness, anxiety and depression away.

Last updated: October 13, 2018 | 14:50
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