By Richmond Natural Medicine

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June 14, 2018

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Probiotics are hugely beneficial in shaping who we are, how we respond to the world, and how our health is affected by these billions of tiny bacterias residing in the gut.

90% of your immune system is in your gut! Therefore probiotics are KEY in maintaining a strong immune system for several reasons:

• They form a protective layer within the intestinal lining to block harmful bacteria from forming
• They secrete IgA which prevents infection
• They assist in preventing allergies and down-regulate inflammation
• They act as the gatekeepers at the tight junctions within the intestines (along with zonulin), preventing toxins and waste products from passing through into the bloodstream

As unusual as it may sound, healthy intestinal bacteria are also linked to balanced emotions. The reason is that the gut influences and produces major mood hormones.  Mood disorders, including anxiety, insomnia, panic disorders, and addiction are a significant issue in the U.S. and have at least tripled since 1980. Since these conditions all have a pattern of imbalances of the mood hormones serotonin, GABA and taurine (which cannot be made without healthy intestinal bacteria) probiotics and mood are inextricably linked.

• Serotonin – 95% of all serotonin is made in the gut
• Taurine – A calming brain chemical that enhances GABA. If the intestinal bacteria is imbalanced, (which can happen if not enough probiotics are present), a negative bacterial overgrowth can develop, which can cause the kidneys to excrete taurine. The result is more anxiety and insomnia.
• GABA – The probiotics in the gut create this strong mood stabilizer that increases the body’s level of serotonin.

1. We eat the amino acid, tryptophan
2. Tryptophan is converted to 5-HTP in the small intestines
3. 5-HTP is converted into serotonin in the brain

An entire nervous system resides in your gut

The Enteric Nervous system is located within your gut and functions autonomously in the body. This is a “Distinct Entity – a complete network of neurons, neurotransmitters and special proteins responsible for communications, thinking, remembering and even learning”.  Ninety percent of messages that operate the gut come from the enteric nervous system, not the brain!

What are some symptoms of probiotic imbalance?

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO), constant illness or susceptibility to colds, constipation, diarrhea, foggy brain, multiple food allergies, depression, to name a few.

How do things go wrong?

Diet, environment, climate, stress, illness, drugs and aging all contribute.

• Antibiotics wipe out nearly all of the good bacteria in our gut, leaving our immune system weakened and our gut vulnerable to infections and “bad” bacteria build up.
• Stress can alter gut motor function leading to sensitivity to foods (diarrhea) or hypersensitivity and leaky gut. Stress also increases cortisol which is inflammatory to the gut.
• With age, more drugs are prescribed, the diet may negatively change and the body becomes frailer.
• Within our environment, we are bombarded with toxins, pollutants & chemicals that are absorbed into our body and stored up over time, damaging our gut health and weakening out probiotics over time.

How can things be balanced?

1. Improve diet to include whole foods, fruits, vegetables, fiber & fermented foods on a DAILY basis.
2. Eliminate artificial foods, sugars, chemicals, pesticides, processed meats and Genetically Modified Foods (GMO’s) from the diet.
3. Reduce stress or seek out ways to cope with stress in a healthy way (meditation, yoga, stress management counseling).
4. Supplement with probiotics on a daily basis. My favorite is the Garden of Life Raw Probiotics for Men & Women.
5. Work with your doctor and nutritionist to decrease Rx drug use and improve diet to be as balancing and nutritious as possible. There is no one right diet for everyone!
6. Herbal support that enhances intestinal health, which can vary according to a person’s constitution.

Probiotic Foods:

Yogurt, kefir, dark chocolate (at least 70% dark), Miso soup, pickles, tempeh, kimchee, kombucha, sauerkraut, microalgae (blue-green)

In summary – your gut health is hugely important to nearly every main function in your body and can drastically contribute to or diminish your susceptibility to chronic disease. Each of us has a very unique bacterial makeup and there is no one “right” way to eat or supplement. Pay attention to the foods you eat, the environment that surrounds you and listen to your gut!

For further reading, check out the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition