After the devastating global COVID-19 pandemic, the world has gone into an economic recession. This has affected the populace in many ways, including our mental health. Mental health around the world has seen a progressive and alarming decline as the world struggles to bounce back from the huge financial crisis. People and entire families are steadily losing homes and jobs.

If you use social media in any way or have recently commenced on your journey to better health, you might have heard of probiotic supplements. You also might have heard or seen probiotic campaigns in relation to improved gut health and treatment of gut-related disorders in men, women, and children. However, you probably haven't heard that these amazing products can be just as beneficial to the mind as they are to the body.

Recent research has revealed that probiotic supplements can positively alter the mind and improve mental health as a bonus to their well-established gut-related benefits. Have probiotics been scientifically proven to aid overall physical and mental well-being? Yes, they have been, and this article is packed with all the information you need about Probiotics and your mental health. 

HOW DO PROBIOTICS AFFECT MENTAL HEALTH?

The body uses immune, neural, and metabolic pathways to send signals back and forth to the brain. The brain is responsible for many processes in the body - your mental health being the major one - and needs to be properly nourished. Consequently, when it starts lacking in nutrients, the brain protests by giving warning signs, which come in the form of stress, fatigue, and anxiety, among many others. 

Probiotics are present only in certain foods and often exist inside the body. For certain reasons, however, one may lack the necessary bacteria to keep the body at a healthy level of probiotics, which can lead to an increase in illness and hormonal imbalance. Hormonal imbalance occurs when the necessary hormone levels drop, causing problems in the body, such as unexplained weight gain and weight loss, fatigue, and even mental health problems such as anxiety and depression. 

According to Healthline, some studies have shown that people with certain mental health conditions have an altered microbiota. However, it is unclear if this causes the conditions or if it results from diet and lifestyle factors. 

Probiotics help with gut health, and since gut bacteria produce substances that can influence the brain, probiotics are heavily beneficial to the brain and mental health. Gut bacteria also influence the brain and central nervous system by controlling inflammation and hormone production, making it very much tied to brain function.

SOURCES OF PROBIOTICS

Probiotics come in many forms and are present in some of the foods we consume daily. Nature has allowed us to have them in different forms, including:

• YOGURT:  Made from the bacterial fermentation of milk, yogurt is one of the most important and best sources of probiotics. It has many health benefits, from being a main source of probiotics to improving bone and teeth health, and generally boosting the immune system. 

• CABBAGES:  These are widely known vegetables with countless health benefits, such as aiding digestion and packing a healthy amount of probiotics. It can also be eaten in different forms, including Sauerkraut, a finely cut, fermented, and equally beneficial variant. Kimchi is also another variant of cabbage that is native to Korea; it is also fermented as well as spicy. 

• SOURDOUGH BREAD: Sourdough depends greatly on wild yeast and certain lactic bacteria that are a great source of probiotics. 

• PICKLED CUCUMBER: These are a natural form of probiotics native to India. They are made from fermenting cucumbers in sea salt and water. 

• NATTO: This fermented soybean food contains a bacterial strain called Bacillus Subtilis and is native to Japanese kitchens. It is also related to and shares similar benefits with other soybean-based foods like Tofu, Tempeh, and Miso. 

• KEFIR:  Kefir is a drink made out of fermented milk. Although less widely known, it is a richer probiotics source than the popular yogurt. Even more, it's great for the lactose intolerant. 

MENTAL HEALTH BENEFITS OF PROBIOTICS. 

THEY IMPROVE BRAIN FUNCTIONS -   Probiotics assist the gut flora to stay balanced, which in turn encourages proper brain function, maintaining a positive effect on mental health. The gut-brain axis is a two-way interaction, which means the brain can be affected by the gut, and vice versa. Probiotics ensure that the gut and the brain are healthy enough to function normally. 

THEY BALANCE HORMONES - As mentioned earlier in the article, hormones have quite the influence on nearly every aspect of human function. Some of their roles include growth and development, metabolism, reproduction, sleep, and mood—all of which directly impact mental health. Consuming probiotics have been said to help with stress, as well as visibly improve mental health. 

THEY PREVENT INFLAMMATION - To support your mental health, your gut flora needs to be balanced. When it isn't, opportunistic microbes can take advantage of the weakness and cause inflammation. This has been linked to depression, leading to more inflammation and becoming a never-ending cycle. A probiotic diet helps eradicate these microbes, restoring better mental health. 

SHOULD YOU TAKE PROBIOTICS TO IMPROVE YOUR MENTAL HEALTH?

Probiotics and gut health are a huge part of immune function, which is your body's ability to fight illnesses. Regularly including probiotic supplements in our diet is an amazing way to take your mental health and well-being into your own hands. Progurt makes sure that cells that subserve bodily and mental functions are provided with a wide range of products that have only been portrayed in a positive light. 

Combining our supplements with proper rest, dietary improvements, and stress-relieving exercises, there should be a visible reduction in your stress levels and an improvement in your mental health overall. 

Hurry to our website now to purchase a probiotic supplement that suits your needs!