The role of gut bacteria and anxiety

You know how sometimes we feel like we have butterflies in our tummies?  Well maybe they aren't little flying caterpillars in there but an imbalance of 'bad' bacteria.

We know that our gut health plays a huge part in our emotional health and wellbeing and now scientists are researching certain 'good' bacteria strains that could help with anxiety.  Most notably is a study published in PLoS One journal in 2018 showing a vast improvement of anxiety in animal models.  While the study couldn't specifically identify if this translated to humans, there is certainly some exciting news that probiotics may help with mental health.

From personal experience I know this to be true.  Recently I had a middle ear infection and had to take a round of antibiotics.  While I know the need to maintain our gut microbiota integrity, I also know that when it comes to ear infections and hearing I don't mess around.  So I started taking SB alongside my antibiotic. SB or Saccharomyces Boulardii is a beneficial yeast that lays a protective layer over our good bacteria and prevents the proliferation of 'bad' bacteria that can occur.  Most often with antibiotic use patients can suffer clostridium difficile associated diarrhoea. SB has been shown to prevent that in many cases. However in my case, it tends to cause me to become constipated after a few days so on day three I stopped taking it and continued with the antibiotics alone as I only had to take them for a few more days.  Boy did I notice a difference in my gut bacteria after a few days on it. 

Antibiotics are like throwing a bomb in your gut when you are as sensitive as me and I could feel the anxiety start to rise.  I believe you need to let the antibiotics do their job, so straight after my last dose I was onto a good multiflora probiotic with the strain Lactobacillus Rhamnosus GG (LGG) and I started to feel better within a day.

Anxiety is a full spectrum issue that is not treated with a single treatment as there is not always a single cause.  But an easy cause to rule out for a spike in your anxiety could be an imbalance in your gut bacteria.  If you'd like help choosing the right probiotic for your condition send me a message.

​Leah xx

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