Depression and microbiota

It manifests itself by unusual sadness, loss of interest, inability to perform daily tasks, greater fatigue and is accompanied by an increase of cortisol levels²², and thus a disruption of stress response.

In animals, the absence of gut microbiota(or its disruption) is associated to depressive symptoms and to an imbalance of neurotransmitters (serotonin, dopamine, GABA...). Furthermore, inflammation-inducing molecules that are present in excess in the blood and produced by gut bacteria, seem directly related to the development of depression²³. Although there are few, studies made in humans seem to have brought to light a bacterial signature: very recently, researchers discovered for instance that low levels of some bacterial genera in the intestines (Coprococcus and Faecalibacterium) are related to a feeling of poor quality of life in depressed patients.

Balanced gut, balanced mind

The administration of some psychobiotics, such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacteria (bacteria from the Firmicutes phylum that are present at low levels in affected people) could be beneficial and be used as a supplement to antidepressant and anxiolytic treatments currently used. Initial results are encouraging: prolonged use can relieve depressive symptoms and psychological distress, without causing adverse events²⁴.

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It would seem that high-glucose transformed products could increase predisposition to depression. In depressed patients, prebiotics (mainly galacto-oligosaccharides found in red beans, chickpeas, artichokes...) could act positively by stimulating the increase of bifidobacteria²⁵. Opting for fruits, vegetables, fish (rich in omega-3 fatty acids) could restore the microbiota, regulate pro-inflammatory processes, and thus favorably impact mood. Turmeric could decrease cortisol levels in the saliva and increase gut flora diversity, resulting in positive effects on the state of mind and behavior