Bowel problems can cause depression

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

Nutritionist Maria Cross described how she cured the leaky gut that caused the mental disorder.

What is leaky gut syndrome

The intestine not only digests food and extracts nutrients from it. It represents a protective barrier between the internal organs and the outside world. But there is a weak link in the system. The intestinal mucosa consists of a thin layer of epithelial cells, which are "stitched" together with special proteins - tight contacts.

These proteins, like a gatekeeper at the door, do not allow unwanted elements into the body: toxins, undigested food particles, viruses and other foreign bodies that got into the food. Under normal circumstances, these offenders are quickly cleared naturally.

But the epithelium is very easy to damage, and as a result, it begins to "leak". Microscopic holes appear on the mucous membrane, tight contacts are weakened. Unnecessary substances enter the bloodstream, and with it - into any part of the body.

Symptoms vary widely. In different people, a "leaky" intestine leads to inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, celiac disease, arthritis, eczema, acne.

The problems are partly due to the increased amount of toxins. Usually the liver copes with the daily volume of harmful substances, but when there are too many of them, they are excreted in other ways. For example, in the case of acne, through the skin. Recently, scientists have discovered that depression is also a symptom.

How is it related to depression

The link between depression and a leaky gut is inflammation.

Inflammation is one of the main signs of intestinal permeability. It is caused by bacteria that must be present in the intestines. But due to its increased permeability, they enter the bloodstream, where they release harmful substances - endotoxins. And they trigger the immune response and, among other things, cause the appearance of inflammatory proteins of cytokines. Cytokines alter the production and transmission of neurotransmitters responsible for mood. And this leads to negative emotions and.

There is growing evidence that cytokines and endotoxin lipopolysaccharide (LPS) can lead to clinical depression. According to researchers, 47% of people with this condition have increased levels of inflammation in their bodies. It's no surprise if you remember the modern lifestyle and nutrition that can trigger inflammation. However, when the depression goes away, so does the inflammation.

Which leads to inflammation and depression

Medication

First of all, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. For example, aspirin, ibuprofen, diclofenac. According to researchers, about two-thirds of people using such drugs suffer from leaky gut.

Stress and anxiety

They lead to leaky gut syndrome, which in turn increases stress and anxiety. In addition, during stress, the body produces many harmful ones. They also affect intestinal permeability.

Dysbacteriosis

It is an imbalance of good and bad bacteria in the gut. Symptoms of dysbiosis include bloating, gas, abdominal cramps and other gastrointestinal disorders, as well as confusion and depression.

Nutrition

Foods that increase gut permeability include alcohol, sugar, simple carbohydrates, and refined vegetable oils. Of the latter, corn, soybean and sunflower seeds are especially harmful. They are high in omega-6 unsaturated fatty acids, which contribute to the development of inflammatory processes.

Smoking

This habit harms the entire body. Including due to the huge amount of free radicals that arise.

Allergens

Foods that cause you allergies or intolerances also lead to inflammation in the body.

How to be treated

Fight the cause, not the symptoms. First, find out if you have a leaky gut. To do this, you need to be tested for dysbiosis. If the leaky intestines are to blame, start a rehabilitation course.

Take probiotics

These are beneficial microorganisms and supplements with them. fight harmful bacteria and restore intestinal microflora. They also strengthen the bonds between intestinal epithelial cells and release anti-inflammatory substances.

Moreover, they have a positive effect on the psyche. It is known that bacteria in the gut "communicate" with the brain through the vagus nerve. One study found that after 30 days of taking probiotics, patients experienced significant improvements in symptoms of psychological stress, including depression and anxiety.

Eliminate sugar and refined carbohydrates from your diet

Refined carbohydrates are, in fact, sugars. White bread, white rice, pasta, potatoes, chips, sweets in the intestines are broken down to glucose. And it gets into the bloodstream, raising the level of insulin, a hormone that itself provokes inflammation.

Cut back on refined oils

To do this, you will have to constantly check the labels on the products. Vegetable oils with omega-6 unsaturated acids are used in almost all convenience foods and snack foods. Therefore, it is best to cook it yourself using olive oil, coconut oil, or butter. They do not break down at high temperatures, which means they do not form free radicals.

Give up alcohol

It acts as a depressant and irritates the intestines.

Eat more vegetables

Try to eat vegetables and leafy greens every day. They are high in antioxidants that fight free radicals. In addition, they are a source of probiotics: these substances feed on the beneficial bacteria in the intestines.

Include fermented foods in your diet

Live yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut and pickled vegetables increase the content of lactic acid bacteria. And they improve.

Eat fatty fish

Salmon, trout, mackerel, herring, anchovy and sardines are rich in anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids. They are needed for brain development and are associated with mood and cognitive function. Patients with depression have been found to have lower levels of these acids.

Check what medications you are taking

If you are drinking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, talk to your doctor about other treatment options.

Avoid allergens

If you know that some food makes you feel bad, avoid it. In case you are not sure what exactly you are having problems with, try avoiding gluten-rich foods. It is found in wheat, barley and rye.

Don't snack between meals

Long breaks, like short-term fasting, reduce inflammation. You don't have to go fast. Just stop chewing anything all the time and only eat when you feel hungry.

Finally

On average, it takes at least two months to recover.

At first, digestion calmed down, pains and gases disappeared. The skin took longer to recover, but gradually the inflammation began to appear less frequently, healed faster, and then disappeared completely. At the same time, I noticed other improvements: clarity of thinking, good sleep.

Maria Cross

Sometimes leaky gut is very difficult to detect. Although it is accompanied by digestive problems for most, sometimes these symptoms are absent. The main indicator is inflammation. And it is directly related to depression.

Remember that you have the opportunity to improve both physical and mental health by changing your diet.