Probiotics for Mental Health & Digestion
Aug 11, 2021A gut in distress can impact mood. In fact, our guts have such an extensive network of neurons, that some scientists have given the gut the nickname "second brain." It's now understood that our second brain has a significant impact on mood and anxiousness. In short, a healthy gut feeds better mental health.*
Unfortunately, many day-to-day stresses and environmental exposures can contribute to a lack of helpful bacteria or overabundance of unhelpful bacteria (pathogenic bacteria, fungi, or parasites) in the digestive tract. Stress can interfere with the development of healthy gut bacteria and increase inflammation. Leaky gut, inflammation, and dysbiosis, can all negatively affect the core digestive processes. A stressed-out gut can also occur after an acute illness, after a course of antibiotics, when experiencing other bothersome GI symptoms, or due to unhealthy dietary practices.*
When some damage has occurred, it can be helpful to rebalance the microbiome with probiotics (the healthy bacteria) and to boost the necessary nutrients these healthy bacteria need to survive and thrive with special probiotic foods called prebiotics.*
Remember, supplements are generally not the only solution and are most often short-term supports. Exposure to a variety of appropriate micro-organisms in daily activities and a diverse diet (try our Resilient Diet) is essential to continue to maintain a healthy gut (and brain).*
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Douglas Labs Multi-Probiotic 40 Billion
*Note: Some of the supplements discussed in this article can cause side effects, but many people tolerate them much better than prescription medications. They are generally considered safe, however, they should not be started without your doctor’s knowledge and supervision. If you are taking medication already, be sure to talk with your doctor before adding any of these items. If you are considering going off medication, remember never to stop your medication suddenly—always consult with your doctor about how to safely taper off any psychiatric medication. See terms. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
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