Western Medicine tells us that depression and anxiety are caused by a ‘chemical imbalance.’

But what causes that chemical imbalance?

Because I’m more into finding out the root cause…

Consider the following…

Research tells us that bifidobacterium (a good gut bacteria) creates the following by fermenting the fiber that you eat (a.k.a. they eat the fiber you consume and in a sense ‘poop out’ the following byproducts): [1]

• Acetate (short chain fatty acid)
• Biotin (Vitamin B7)
• Butyrate (food for your colon cells)
• Folate (B9)
• Gamma-Amino butyric acid (GABA – helps you to feel ‘calm’)
• Indole-3-propionate (neuroprotective antioxidant)
• Lactic acid
• L-Tryptophan (precursor to serotonin)
• Niacin (B3)
• Pantothenate (B5)
• Propionate
• Pyridoxine (B6)
• Thiamine (B1)
• Vitamin K

Did you notice several of those listed are associated with mood (hint: folate [3], thiamine, [4] niacin, L-Tryptophan, and GABA)?

Pretty interesting, huh?

Let’s keep going because this is fun…

Now let’s look at another common gut bacteria, lactobacillus and its byproducts: [2]

• Acetate
• Acetylcholine
• Biotin (Vitamin B7)
• Butyrate
• CO2
• Cobalamin (Vitamin B12)
• D-Glucose
• Folate (B9)
• Gamma-Amino butyric acid (GABA)
• Histamine
• Hydrogen peroxide
• Lactate
• Lactic acid
• Niacin (B3)
• Pantothenate
• Pyridoxine (B6)
• Riboflavin (B2)
• SCFA Short Chain Fatty Acid
• ß-galactosidase (estrogen related)
• ß-glucuronidase (estrogen related)
• Sulfate
• Thiamine (B1)
• Trimethylamine
• Tyramine
• Vitamin K

Similar pattern here, as you see folate, thiamine, niacin, GABA, B12… 

If this is the impact of only two bacteria in your gut, what do you think happens when you have…

• Insufficient good gut bacteria?
• Overgrowth of bad bacteria?
• Take antibiotics that wipe out your good gut bacteria?
• Don’t eat enough prebiotic fiber to keep your good gut bacteria alive and thriving?

If you’re following along, you’re probably seeing the direct connection between your gut health and your mental health symptoms.

Because if you dig deep enough, you will always find the answers!

What would your gut bacteria reveal?

You can learn all about my gut testing packages here and my favorite gut support products in the store.

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References:

1. https://microbiomeprescription.com/Library/Details?taxon=1678
2. https://microbiomeprescription.com/Library/Details?taxon=1578
3. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28759846/
4. https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/7c1b/53c8c4dbfdccf441a16bcc1464b2b26c9c55.pdf