DISCLAIMER: 'Gut Feeling' could be real
Written By: Bonoshree DuttaMEET THE PSYCHOBIOME
Our colon is home to innumerable bacterial cells which make up a unique ecosystem called the 'gut microbiome'. As well as creating a passage between nutrients and our body and keeping opportunistic pathogens locked out, the activities of gut bacteria also influence our brain.
"We know, people who are depressed and anxious have very different microbiomes than people who are not depressed," says psychiatrist Dr. Tracey Marks. The gut bacterial population that influences our brain and mental health is termed the psychobiome.IT TAKES GUTS
If you've said or heard things like “Gone with my gut” to make a decision or felt “butterflies in my stomach” when nervous, you may have gotten signals from an unexpected source — the psychobiome.
This bacterial ecosystem varies and is visibly different in the gut of a mentally healthy person compared to that of a depressed person. The unique gut microbiome plays a role in influencing how you feel.
GUT AND GUSTO
Gut bacteria regulate different hormones and neurotransmitters and thus regulate our mood. Turns out “you are what you eat” has been true all along. What you put into your stomach can affect how your mind feels.
Foods for a Healthy Gut:
● Probiotics: Fermented foods like sour cheese, yogurt, pickles, and some organic fruits and vegetables.
● Prebiotics: Banana, oatmeal, apple, garlic, onion, and mango.
● Phenolic food: Potato, yam, tomato, broccoli, cherries, and legumes.
Let’s start giving our ‘gut’ some credit for helping our mental well-being.