Depression is one of the scourges of the 21st century. It can be as disabling as other chronic diseases, and bring about pain, fatigue, headaches, and digestive problems. Depression is also a major risk factor for suicide. The deep despair and hopelessness that go along with depression can make suicide feel like the only way to escape the pain. Thoughts of death or suicide are a serious symptom of depression. How can we make sense of all this and, more importantly, understand the real cause of depression in order to augment the effectiveness of currently available therapies? This article will focus on the Brain and GUT (gastrointestinal tract) connection.

Dr. Michael Gershon, chairman of the department of anatomy and cell biology at Columbia University, coined the term “Second Brain” and wrote about the close connection between the brain at the top of the spinal cord (Central Nervous System) and the hidden but powerful brain in the gut (gastrointestinal (GI) tract) known as the enteric nervous system (neurogastroenterology).

Serotonin is a chemical created by the human body involved in the transmission of nerve impulses and responsible for maintaining mood balance. Dr. Gershon found that 95% of the body’s serotonin is housed in the gut, where it acts as a neurotransmitter, signalling mechanism and helps regulate digestion. In the CNS, serotonin helps regulate mood, sleep, appetite, learning and memory.

By the early ’80s, scientists had accepted the idea of the enteric nervous system and the role of neurotransmitters like serotonin in the gut. Anyone who has ever felt butterflies in their stomach before giving a speech has experienced the actions of the dual nervous systems.

“Clinicians are finally acknowledging that a lot of dysfunction in GI disorders involves changes in the central nervous system,” said Gary Mawe, a professor of anatomy and neurobiology at the University of Vermont. “The majority of patients with anxiety and depression will also have alterations of their GI function,” said Dr. Emeran Mayer, professor of medicine, physiology and psychiatry at the University of California, Los Angeles. It should be crystal clear that nourishing our gut flora is extremely important, from cradle to grave.

In a very real sense we have two brains, one inside our skull and one in our gut, and each needs its own vital nourishment. The importance of re-establishing proper GUT flora and digestion cannot be over emphasized! This is because bacterial overgrowth and over production of yeasts can amplify the effects of depression. Many people who have depression, anxiety or other mood disorders are highly likely to have yeast overgrowth and/or food intolerances.

Our modern diet is the main culprit: sugar and processed foods lead to poor digestion and feed pathogens such as yeast and bacterial overgrowth. Blood sugar swings (hypoglycemia) can trigger mood changes, and some people are very sensitive to sugar. Sugar also increases inflammation. Eating many anti-serotonin producing foods, such as soda, coffee, diet foods, fried foods, alcoholic beverages, chips, crackers, sweets and low fat foods, impedes a depressed person’s ability to generate needed serotonin.

Another overlooked factor in eating take out and convenience foods is the poor fats used in these products. These oils are bad for all of us, but are especially dreadful for anyone suffering from depression, anxiety or stress. The most common cooking oils used in these products (and by most restaurants) are corn, soybean, and canola oils. These oils are not only Genetically Modified oils, but are the wrong fats for our cells. All chemical and electrical impulses are dependent upon proper cell signalling. Unless we provide the correct essential fatty acids, proper cell signalling cannot happen. Healthy oils like coconut, olive oil, pili nut and those found in wild caught fatty fish like salmon or in avocados are the best. Anyone who has depression should be using these healthy oils and avoiding those used in commercial products.

“Diet is one of the important factors for our mental health,” says Dr. Andrew McCulloch, the chief executive at the Mental Health Foundation. McCulloch explains that if we eat a balanced, varied diet, we will naturally get all the mood-boosting proteins and fatty acids we need as well as a full range of micronutrients.

The best pro-serotonin product foods include healthy protein (free range and organic animals) and healthy fats. These foods contain tryptophan, which converts to needed serotonin. Addressing poor GUT flora and improving friendly bacteria with probiotics and naturally fermented foods can also help our body manufacture more of the healthy mood improving amino acids we need. The probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus was found to have a marked effect on GABA levels in certain brain regions and lowered the stress-induced hormone corticosterone, resulting in reduced anxiety- and depression-related behavior. Add a high quality probiotic in addition to eating foods like organic yogurt and/or kefir to your diet. Adding more fresh, living foods helps increase digestive enzymes. Eating two pieces of low GI fruit, such as sour sop (guyabano) or papaya, and raw vegetables like greens, celery or parsley helps re-establish a healthier digestive tract. One of the big advantages of juicing is the intake of raw foods in an easy-to-digest form.

Meanwhile, here is the Green Secret’s “Cup of Happiness”. (Make sure to scrub and wash all vegetables and fruits well before juicing). It is a MUST to use organic vegetables only.

1 tomato
½ cup parsley
2 stalks celery
leaves included
1 bell pepper
1 tsp VCO
Juice all ingredients with your masticating juicer then stir in the VCO. Remember… a green juice a day takes the blues away®

September is Suicide Prevention Month. When your symptoms of depression are overwhelming and disabling, it’s time to seek help. CALL the Natasha Goulbourn Foundation at hotline number: 804-4673 (804-HOPE) * 0917-558 HOPE (4673) or 211 4550. Thank you IAJ Wellness Corporation for making this information public. For questions and/or concerns email me at [email protected]

Christine E.V. Gonzalez is a doctor of naturopathic medicine and holds PhDs
in holistic nutrition and natural medicine. LLM (MS Environmental Laws & Labor)
©Wellness Institute International (632) 656-WELL (9355) • (046) 483-0115 (0917) 888-HEAL
• (0920) 958- HEAL (4325)