Your Gut as Home for Bacteria
Your gut is home to trillions of bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms. These microbes make up your gut micro biome and play a vital role in your overall health. They help you digest food, absorb nutrients, and fight off infection.
Mental Health
In recent years, scientists have begun exploring the link between and mental health. They have found that people with depression often have different gut bacteria than people who do not have depression. It suggests that gut bacteria may play a role in the development of depression.
Bacteria and Mood
One way that gut bacteria may affect mood is by producing neurotransmitters. Neurotransmitters are chemicals that transmit signals between nerve cells. Gut bacteria produce Some neurotransmitters, including serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine. These neurotransmitters are all involved in mood regulation.
Gut and Depression
Another way that gut bacteria may affect mood is by influencing inflammation. Inflammation is a normal immune response, but chronic inflammation can harm health. It has a link to some chronic diseases, including depression.
Gut bacteria can also influence inflammation by producing short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). The fermentation of fiber in the gut produces SCFAs. They have anti-inflammatory properties and improve mood in animal studies.
How to Improve Gut Health
You can do several things to improve your gut health and reduce your risk of depression. These include:
- Eating a healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and fiber.
- Taking probiotics are live bacteria similar to the beneficial bacteria that live in your gut.
- Reducing stress, which can damage your gut health.
- Getting enough sleep, which also helps to maintain a healthy gut microbiome.
If you are struggling with depression, you must talk to your doctor. There are some effective treatments for depression, including medication, therapy, lifestyle changes, and acupuncture and herbal medicine. Improving your gut health may reduce your risk of developing depression and improve your overall mood.
Korean Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine
In Traditional Eastern Medicine, classical books mention mental and emotional disorders, such as depression, anxiety, fright, panic attacks, etc., with symptoms and signs related to the gut or whole abdomen. They consider them caused by blood stasis, severe constipation, or lumps. When patients drink herbal formulas intended for the symptoms, they have significant relief and recover their normal mental and emotional state.
Korean acupuncture unblocks obstruction in the meridian. Obstacles cause the circulation of blood and energy throughout the body. This results in disharmony among organs, causing many health conditions, including mental health issues.
Dr. Kihyon Sohn, an acupuncture and herbal medicine doctor in Beaverton, OR, effectively treats many health conditions by addressing the three most significant factors: sleep, digestion, and bowel movement.
Additional Information
In addition to the information above, here are some additional things to keep in mind about the link between gut bacteria and depression:
- The exact mechanism of gut bacteria affecting mood is still not fully understood.
- More research is needed to determine the best ways to improve gut health and reduce the risk of depression.
- If you are struggling with depression, call us at (503) 404-4567 or visit moxa.blog for scheduling.