Special Section NEW ADDITION !
Dr . Formulated
MOOD +
by Dawn Thorpe Jarvis , M . S ., R . D ., L . D . N . Garden of Life ® Senior Director of Nutrition Science & Educational Content
Sure , gut bacteria help in digestion . Yes ; gut bacteria help produce some necessary vitamins . No question that gut bacteria play a large role in our immune system health . But our mental outlook and mood influenced by gut bacteria ? Yes ; studies are pointing that way .
Your gut bacteria are a vast army , too , numbering approximately 100 trillion — 10 times as many as human cells in the body . Likewise , two-thirds of the human gut microbiome — the technical name for this evolving collection of trillions of probiotic microbes living in and on the human body — is unique to each person . Part of what makes it unique is due to the food we eat , the air we breathe and other environmental or lifestyle factors .
And know this : studies point toward needing a diverse range of good bacteria , or probiotics , for greater health benefits .
One area that ’ s being closely studied concerning the microbiome is gut bacteria ’ s role in mental health and mood . The American Psychological Association ( APA ) says that gut bacteria produce a variety of neurochemicals the brain uses for physiological and mental processes , including memory , learning and mood . The APA also points out that 95 percent of the body ’ s supply of serotonin — the “ feel good ” hormone that acts as a neurotransmitter and is responsible for maintaining positive mood balance — is produced by gut bacteria .
Studies also indicate that gut bacteria help to reduce stress and anxiety , while supporting a positive mood and mental outlook . In fact , probiotics such as Lactobacillus helveticus R0052 and Bifidobacterium longum R0175 have been shown to positively support mood and emotional well-being , according to published clinical trials .
Even prebiotics — healthy carbs which boost healthy bacteria in the gut — can help to reduce stress and anxiety , according to a study published in Psychopharmacology . Prebiotics work hand-in-hand with probiotics , functioning to increase the growth of probiotic strains such as Bifidobacteria and Lactobacilli in the gut , while also increasing resistance to bad bacteria or invading pathogens .
Probiotics and prebiotics aren ’ t alone in supporting a healthy mood and mental outlook . For example , Ashwagandha ( Withania somnifera ), used in Ayurvedic medicine , is an adaptogenic herb that helps to restore balance to the body , including supporting a healthy stress response , mood and memory .
NAMI , the National Alliance on Mental Illness is a great resource and national network dedicated to helping people with mental health issues to build better lives . www . nami . org
DR . FORMULATED MOOD +:
• Has 350mg of Organic Ashwagandha and Organic Alaskan Blueberries for stress management †
• Offers digestive and immune system support †
Used in Ayurvedic medicine , Ashwagandha ( Withania somnifera ) is an adaptogenic herb that helps to restore balance to the body , including supporting a healthy stress response , mood and memory . Additionally , our AuroraBlue ® Alaskan Blueberry Complex — compared to other wild and cultivated blueberries — contains the highest antioxidant activities ( up to 10 times higher ) to support brain health and a positive mood .
30 Extraordinary Health ™ • Vol 28