Wellness Wednesday - Gut Health and Depression

Growing up, I don't really remember too much about people being depressed.  Either the people around me weren't depressed or it just wasn't talked about.  Now, it seems like everyone suffers from some form of depression.  

I ran into my bout when my husband died.  I still kind of classify myself as a functioning depressive - my term.

Did you know that depression is as dangerous as obesity?

Depression causes 1 in 5 heart deaths.

In the article Head Rules Your Heart

Lead researcher, Professor Karl-Heniz Ladwig, from the Technical University of Munich, said: “There is little doubt that depression is a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. 
“The question now is, what is the relationship between depression and other risk factors like tobacco smoke, high cholesterol levels, obesity or hypertension?–– 

“How big a role does each factor play?”  
Prof Ladwig said: “Our investigation shows that the risk of a fatal cardiovascular disease due to depression is almost as great as that due to elevated cholesterol levels or obesity.”   Lizzie Parry, Digital Health Editor, The Sun

Their findings were published in the medical journal Atherosclerosis.  The risk rankings differ for men and women, but these are among the top for both sexes:

• Diabetes 
• High Blood Pressure
  
• Smoking
• Depression
• Obesity

Fifteen percent of the of cardiovascular deaths are depression related.  

Is there anything you can do to help depression?  There is research to support the belief that gut health impacts depression.  In last weeks post, I explained about Candida Yeast Overgrowth, listed a few ways that our environment can affect overgrowth and listed some of the symptoms or issues that it can cause.  

Since the medications used to treat depression can have serious side effects, many doctors try to get to the root issue before prescribing anything.  Candida ranks high on the root issue list.  

A good probiotic along with a gentle cleanse and a diet that cuts out sugar are great ways to get your gut healthy.  

Do some research on probiotics.  Choosing the right one will make all the difference.  That along with changing your diet.

Sign up today and I will send you my series that goes into greater depth and detail.

Experience the benefits of a good probiotic first hand. 

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 For more information check out these articles: 

The Effects of Candida on Mental Health

Depression is as Dangerous as Being Fat