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The Link Between Gut Health and Mental Wellbeing

Last Updated on 5 November 2024 by Brisbane Livewell Clinic

A healthy mind needs a healthy body, more specifically a healthy gut and more specifically again, healthy gut microbiota. By now you may have heard of the gut-brain-axis – the bidirectional link between the brain, gut, and microbiome (1) – but you may not have heard about some of the latest findings that are shedding light on how our gut bacteria can have a profound impact on our mental wellbeing. The new approach to mental health is backed by science and the good news is, it’s a natural approach. 

Uplifting your Unhappy Underbelly

Imagine seeking help for anxiety or depression and your psychiatrist suggests a probiotic. This could be the suggested treatment in the future if the latest research is anything to go by. Probiotics are fast becoming recognised to have anxiolytic (anti-anxiety) effects. (2) Human studies have now shown that oral probiotics can decrease anxiety, diminish perceptions of stress, and improve mental outlook. (3) Not only is this promising for the treatment of mental health but also for functional gut disorders like Irritable Bowel Syndrome IBS, where anxiety and depression are common experiences. (4) 

Taking a natural approach to mental health

Gut healing to treat depression and anxiety is slowly becoming more widely acceptable, with probiotics leading the way. Many Naturopathic treatment goals for improving mental health overlap with the therapeutic activity that probiotics can exert on the brain including: (3)

  • Increasing peripheral tryptophan levels
  • Altering dopamine and serotonin turnover in parts of the brain
  • Increasing the tissue levels of omega-3 fatty acids 
  • Influencing tissue levels of mood-regulating minerals, such as magnesium and zinc
  • Improving fasting insulin levels

While probiotics may not always be a stand-alone therapy for either gut or mood disorders, their diverse actions make them an invaluable tool to enhance treatment goals. Classically, gut-healing is the cornerstone to Naturopathic treatment and the significance of addressing the gut-brain axis is a reminder of why. 

Have the Guts to Ask for Help

Needless to say, the gut-brain axis is a pretty complex topic. The take-home message for anyone in need of mood support is to know that discussing your digestive health is relevant. If you feel like you’re spinning off your axis when it comes to mood, seek the complementary support that will serve your overall health, with Naturopathy and Nutrition.

Remember all good health starts in the gut – so it’s a great place to start when it comes to not only your physical health but your mental and emotional wellbeing too.


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External References

Naturopathic Care for Anxiety: A Randomised Controlled Trial PLOS ONE

Global Naturopathy Research as Reflected by Scopus (2000–2019) –  Emerald Insight

Selenium and Naturopathic Treatment of Hashimoto’s Disease – PubMed

Global Strategy for Traditional and Complementary Medicine – World Health Organization (WHO)

Naturopathy for Mental Health: Approaches to Anxiety and Depression – Journal of Integrative Medicine

Naturopathic Research Resources – World Naturopathic Federation

World Naturopathic Federation – Naturopathic Research Resources

BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies – Overview of International Naturopathic Practice and Patient Characteristics

National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) – Evidence-Based Naturopathy for Chronic Disease Management

Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine – Naturopathic Research Capacity in Clinical Practice

PubMed – Clinical Evidence for Selenium and Naturopathic Treatment of Hashimoto’s Disease

World Health Organization (WHO) – Traditional and Complementary Medicine Strategy

Journal of Integrative Medicine – Naturopathic Approaches to Anxiety and Depression

National University of Health Sciences – Resources for Naturopathic Research

Cambridge Media Journals – Naturopathy in Clinical Practice Guidelines

The American Journal of Medicine – The Integration of Naturopathy in Chronic Disease Management

External Resources

– National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)
– Australian Government: Department of Health
– World Health Organization (WHO) – Traditional Medicine
– National Institutes of Health (NIH) – MedlinePlus: Complementary and Integrative Medicine
– Australian Research Centre in Complementary and Integrative Medicine (ARCCIM)
– British Medical Journal (BMJ) Complementary Medicine
– Australian Traditional-Medicine Society (ATMS)
– University of Sydney – Complementary Medicine Research
– Australian College of Natural Medicine
– Natural and Traditional Medicine Program at the Australian National University

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