Depression begins in the gut?

Recent studies have revealed that inflammation, among other factors, may be one of the causes of depression.

Current research suggests that depression is frequently associated with gastrointestinal inflammation and autoimmune disease, in which chronic low-grade inflammation is a significant contributing factor. For this reason, depression may be a manifestation of a chronic inflammation.

Natural medicines can help to treat gastrointestinal inflammation with probiotics, vitamin D, B vitamins and omega-3s, and this may have a flow-on effect of reducing the impact inflammation has on the brain and thus improve depression symptoms and quality of life.

These findings, according to the researchers, justify an assumption that treating gastrointestinal inflammation may improve the efficacy of current treatments for depression and related disorders.

Fehér J, Kovács I, Balacco Gabrieli C. Role of gastrointestinal inflammations in the development and treatment of depression. Orv Hetil 2011;152(37):1477-85.

 
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