Probiotics work double duty as antidepressant

Probiotics are most well known for their use as a digestive health nutrient.  They help balance the good and bad bacteria in the gut which dictate the effectiveness of your bowel movements. They also help eliminate uncomfortable gas, bloating and constipation by keeping everything moving along.

Probiotics-antidepressant link

In addition to this all too important function, probiotics also have been showing a lot of promise as a natural antidepressant.  Multiple studies have shown a link between those with healthy levels of the probiotics “the good flora” and mental health recently, prompting further interest in the link between these organisms and mood function.

One such theory hypothesizes that major depressive disorder has much more of a connection to nutrition than we originally thought. It theorizes that the enhanced ability of the digestive tract to absorb nutrients when probiotics are taken contributes to healthy mental function.

Stress actually lowers the healthy probiotic flora called lactobacilli and bifidobacterium, which inhibits the absorption of nutrients capable of elevating mood and regulating the facilities which alleviate stress and anxiety.  At the very least, this means that probiotics have an indirect effect on mood.

Eating yogurt with active cultures reduces pain and emotional response triggers

Another intriguing study shows that those who eat active culture yogurt daily exhibited a reduced reaction in the areas of the brain the control the senses of pain and strong emotion.  At the same time, the areas that govern decision making were exhibiting an enhanced level of activity.

This makes for a much more even mood, better feelings of control over one’s life and also for more of a sense of calm and well-being.  Researchers have made the link that bacteria in the gut actually has the ability to communicate with several areas of the brain, which may explain why those who have beefed up on probiotics enjoy better overall mental health.

Not suprisingly, these same studies showed that the typical western diet full of processed foods, fat, sugar and salt, do not promote the growth of healthy gut bacteria. Rather, this type of diet actually promotes the growth of bacteria which are destructive to digestive health.

People who eat food high in natural probiotics such as yogurt and fermented foods may also tend to eat a healthier diet in general, which delivers a double benefit to your digestive health.  The specific strains of probiotics found in yogurt actually may have more of an effect on emotional balance, mood and focus when they are eaten over time. So if you haven’t jumped on the yogurt bandwagon yet, now may be the time to do so.

This explains why a healthy diet means a healthy mental state.  It also explains why we tend to feel so much better when we are eating a healthy, plant based diet versus a processed diet full of these other flora-unfriendly foods.

Researchers also noted that this whole theory of a healthy flora balance promoting mental health helps to explain why people tend to start feeling bad emotionally when they are eating improperly.  It really does add a whole new level to the meaning of the “mind-body connection”.

http://blogs.naturalnews.com/probiotics-work-double-duty-as-antidepressant/

Gut Flora and How It Contributes to Allergies

The sources of your allergies can be hard to identify, and what is hard to identify can be impossible to treat. Allergies normally come from abnormalities in your immune system, and beneficial bacteria in the intestines play a major role in keeping your immune system working up to par. About 85% of your immune system is located in the intestinal area, so keeping a digestive tract that is healthy is vital. A healthy diet will help to heal the intestines from any leakage that may come from toxins and nutritional problems through poor diet. 

Gut flora is a term we use for the complex of microorganisms that live in our intestinal tract, or gut. Many health experts think that gut flora is an overlooked component of health, as these tiny organisms play a significant role in if we stay healthy. But when we use the term we have to understand that there is both good and bad gut flora. Having a greater understanding of how to produce more good bacteria to defend our system against the bad is what we will talk about on our site. 

The bacteria in our intestines will protect the lining in our intestines from breaking down, as gut flora plays a major role in protecting it. Without that protection the gut lining can deteriorate, causing small lesions that allow undigested food to leak through the gaps in the intestinal walls. This undigested or partially digested food is unrecognized by the immune system and attacks them. This results in all sorts of immune responses in the form of allergic reactions. 

The objective with our diet is to make sure the intestinal walls are healthy and sealed tight, not allowing the allergy-causing triggers to escape until they are absorbed at the right time into the bloodstream. Let us suggest four categories of foods. 

1. The Mediterranean diet. Olive oil is rich in monounsaturated fat that is believed to reduce belly fat in many people. Olive oil is a staple in the Mediterranean diet. Too much extra weight in the stomach area puts additional pressure on the entire stomach area, causing stress that can result in damage to the walls of the intestines. Other foods that help in this area, if taken in moderation, include avocados, nuts and seeds (particularly flaxseeds, walnuts and sunflower seeds), dark chocolate and olives. 

2. Foods that soothe the stomach. Oatmeal perhaps tops the list, as it is known as a demulcent because it becomes slippery when wet and soothes and coats the stomach. Other foods that relax and soothe the digestive track are cinnamon, cumin, ginger, mint, caraway and fennel. 

3. Feed your gut good bacteria. The key word here is probiotics, which are different types of healthy bacteria. Fermented foods such as yogurt, sauerkraut and miso do the trick, as well as fermented vegetables, which are increasingly becoming a large part of a healthy diet for many people. Also, look for foods that are natural probiotics and also contain soluble fiber like garlic, honey, onions and bananas. 

4. Fiber rich foods. Fiber is important for overall digestive health, and eating a variety of fiber is vital for optimum digestion. All types of vegetables, many fruits but particularly citrus, whole grains and wheat bran are especially good sources. Just be sure to drink plenty of water for the fiber can work its magic the best.

http://ezinearticles.com/?Gut-Flora-and-How-It-Contributes-to-Allergies&id=7923007