Does Anxiety + Depression Start in the Gut?

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...

For starters, consider the following:

95% of serotonin is manufactured in the gut by your gut bacteria and the neurotransmitter serotonin is often examined when talking about depression and anxiety. Gut dysbiosis can change the delicate balance of your gut microbiome influencing the synthesis of neurotransmitters. [5,6]

And if you dig deeper into the genetic influencers and pathways of serotonin production, you'll find even more answers. The body needs certain raw materials and cofactors (i.e. nutrients) like B6, Tryptophan (amino acid), B2 (riboflavin) and the right conditions for all this to happen (i.e. no gut infections, inflammation, and/or chronic stress that mess with serotonin production).

Just like you can't bake a cake without the right ingredients and the right oven temperature, your body can't produce neurotransmitters like serotonin if it isn't getting what it needs and your gut isn't in good shape.

But let's keep digging..

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 (short chain fatty acid, 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 (short chain fatty acid)
• Pyridoxine (B6 — cofactor in making serotonin)
• Thiamine (B1)
• Vitamin K

Did you notice several of those listed are associated with mood (hint: folate [3], thiamine, [4] niacin, L-Tryptophan (serotonin production), B6 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 (short chain fatty acid)
• Acetylcholine
• Biotin (Vitamin B7)
• Butyrate short chain fatty acid)
• 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)
• ß-galactosidase
• ß-glucuronidase (estrogen related)
• Sulfate
• Thiamine (B1)
• Trimethylamine
• Tyramine
• Vitamin K

Similar pattern here, as you see folate, thiamine, niacin, GABA, B12, B6... 

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 influence your gut has on your mental health.

Your body needs the right amount of raw materials (a.k.a nutrients) to support your body and its natural desire for health.

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
5. https://www.apa.org/monitor/2012/09/gut-feeling
6. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4259177/