EPISODE 7: WELLNESS EXPERT LAURA DE SANCTIS DISCUSSES THE LINK BETWEEN DEPRESSION AND YOUR GUT HEALTH
Hello and welcome back to the Is That Soh Podcast!
In today’s episode, we are talking about how depression has been found to be linked to your gut, and to help discuss this topic I have invited a very special guest on, nutritionist Laura De Sanctis to fill us in on all the latest research and findings.
For those who don’t know Laura, she is the Wellness Expert at Global News and AM640 as well as an official Bodyrocks nutritionist and the founder of ‘Go With Your Gut’ Tea!
CHECK OUT THESE OTHER EPISODES FROM THE PODCAST!
LAURA’S OFFICIAL CREDENTIALS
Reiki Level 1, Toronto (2019)
Energy Medicine Practitioner – Institute of Holistic Nutrition, Toronto (2016)
Holistic Nutritionist – Institute of Holistic Nutrition, Toronto (2016)
For those who need a quick biology refresher, the Gut not only aids digestion but it also,
+ can boost immune system defense
+ breaks down food so we can absorb vitamins
+ injects the body with anti-inflammatory compounds
+ and now also apparently produces chemicals that influence the brain!
Main problems or symptoms that you may experience that would tell you if you may be having issues with your gut:
Irritable bowel syndrome
bloating
inflammation
fatigue
joint pain
excessive gas
mood swings
cramps
anxiety
stress
brain fog
Fun Fact! You have 1 kg of bacteria in your gut. That is equivalent to the weight of the human brain.
Study At Belgium Luven Centre of Microbiology the links Depression To Gut Health
They found that certain bacterias found in the gut produce substances that interact and therefore could affect the nervous system.
Missing Bacteria:
Coprococcus
- Produces DOPAL - which is a dopamine metabolite
- Produced Butyrate - which is an anti-inflammatory dietary fiber found in plantsDialister
- Produced Butyrate - which is an anti-inflammatory dietary fiber found in plants
“We found that the ability of microorganism’s to produce DOPAL, a metabolite of the human neurotransmitter dopamine, was associated with a better quality of life.” - study co-author Mireia Valles-Colomer
People with depression have similar gut bacteria breakdowns.
Those with better well being had a high concentration of Coprococccus and Faecal bacteria.
Those who are more active and a good diet were happier.
Recommends diets with low processed food, more veggies, fruits, legumes, nuts and grains.
Plant-based diet - a diet consisting entirely of foods derived from plants, including vegetables, grains, nuts, seeds, legumes, and fruits.
Mediterranean diet - all the rage in the 60s, started in Italy and Greece
High amounts of olive oil, legumes, fruits, veggies
Moderate to high amounts of fish
Moderate amounts of wine and dairy
Low amounts of meat
- The Chicken and the Egg -
- People with depression have different habits, lifestyles, diets than those people without depression and so that could affect gut microbes which in-turn reinforcing the depression symptoms.
Laura has also created two teas, a digestive cleansing tea and a prebiotic honey elixir that support better gut health. You can find out more about both products through her website linked below.
WHERE TO FIND LAURA DE SANCTIS
WEBSITE ▶ http://www.gowithyourgut.org/
INSTAGRAM ▶ https://www.instagram.com/gowithyourgut/
FACEBOOK ▶ https://www.facebook.com/Go-With-Your-Gut-287384384940789/
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If you have any comments or questions about this episode on the brain gut connection, feel free to leave them below
