The role of your gut in depression

That depression is enormously unpleasant, most people know. But did you also know that nearly 20 percent of Dutch adults experience depression at some point in their lives? This is the reason that depression has long been in the top five highest costs of illness and biggest contributors to absenteeism from work.

Effects of depression

Because when you are dealing with depression, it is difficult to continue participating in regular, everyday activities. You suffer from a lot of sleep deprivation, or, on the contrary, are overly sleep-deprived. You also feel low in energy, unable to concentrate, agitated and restless, and may feel very sad, guilty or worthless. Half of people recover from such depression within three months, but in others it may recur or persist on a regular basis.

Gut as a source of depression

Of course there are treatment options such as (psycho)therapy, mindulness and medication. These treatments often focus on addressing the mental aspect of depression. But what is often not taken into account is that depression can have a physical trigger. In fact, the gut may be the source from which your depression arises.

Microbiome

To explain that, it’s important to know that trillions of bacteria, viruses and fungi live in our gut. They thrive in our intestines, and do not survive when in contact with oxygen. That is the reason these creatures have remained undiscovered for so long. All the bacteria, fungi and viruses together are called the “microbiome. The microbiome helps us digest our food, releasing all sorts of different chemicals. These are substances such as serotonin or dopamine, also known as happiness hormones. All these substances affect our bodies, but of course also our brains.

Healthy gut, healthy brain

Research shows that having many different bacteria is associated with good health. But unfortunately, researchers have found that our microbiome is not doing as well as it used to. Whereas half a century ago a wide variety of bacteria was present in our stool, today this is less and less the case. And because from our gut signals are sent to the brain via the blood, a
less healthy gut
also means a less healthy brain.

Good nutrition

So more and more doctors are seeing the importance of having a healthy body to maintain a healthy mind as well. But how do you make sure you get or keep healthy gut? That has everything to do with what goes into those intestines: or, in other words, your food. Food is not of the same quality as it used to be, as the research cited above shows. Therefore, we will have to eat differently and more consciously, mainly pure and unprocessed foods.

BodySwitch

When you choose organic and pure products, you get lots of nutrients and no pesticides. That’s a good start. And from my
BodySwitch-practice in Heemskerk
I like to offer you more tools to feel better in your body and mind. Thus, based on your problem and desire, I can create a step-by-step plan for you and give advice on what will benefit you and your body. Thus, you can eat healthy food to feel more energetic and fit, and health problems can gradually decrease. See you in my practice? Wishing you very good (gut) health!

Frank Jonkers

BodySwitch Heemskerk
heemskerk@bodyswitch.nl
0251 – 234 000

Related articles:

Less healthy gut – https://www.bodyswitch.nl/laat-buikpijn-niet-langer-je-leven-beheersen/

Nutrition – https://www.bodyswitch.nl/sevh-wat-heeft-jouw-lichaam-nodig/