HEALTH | Diet, Depression, and the Microbiome
New studies are exploring the link between diet and clinical depression. The data indicates that consuming whole, natural foods helps prevent depression, whereas a diet with lots of highly refined sugars and processed ingredients exacerbates it.
The gut microbiome (which helps to regulate immune response) is linked to mental and physical health. Research shows that some pathologic species that cause inflammation appear to thrive on unhealthy diets, leading to depression. Modifying diets toward more whole foods and away from highly refined, sugary, fried, Western diets can modify the gut bacteria, lowering the risk of developing clinical depression.
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