1.
Supporting Men’s Mental Health
As the pioneer and global leader of Functional Medicine, the Institute of Functional Medicine leads and catalyses the efforts of a large and expanding Functional Medicine ecosystem, including providers, educators, payers, industry leaders, regulators, and influencers.
2023
Abstract
An insightful short read by the IFM raising awareness about gender norms around masculinity and the stigma of men’s mental health as barriers for support by practitioners. It suggests that men’s mental health issues may go unrecognised or undiagnosed due to presenting factors and the fact that men are in general less likely to seek support. The evidence for reducing mental health stigma in men and tailoring lifestyle interventions are discussed.
2.
Micronutrients, Phytonutrients, and Mental Health
As the pioneer and global leader of Functional Medicine, the Institute of Functional Medicine leads and catalyses the efforts of a large and expanding Functional Medicine ecosystem, including providers, educators, payers, industry leaders, regulators, and influencers.
2022
Abstract
The IFM provides some food for thought around the topic of micronutrient deficiency in the population today and how this is having a detrimental impact on our mental health. The many avenues of micronutrient depletion are explored including stress and the link between the coronavirus pandemic and the rise in mental health issues across the globe. They shine a spotlight specifically on magnesium and B vitamins where low levels have been linked to increased risk of depression, plus the importance of anti-inflammatory dietary phytonutrients and antioxidants such as vitamins A, C, D and E which have been associated with reduced levels of stress, anxiety and depression. Besides the evidence for a varied and nutrient dense diet, we are reminded that strategies for managing stress should also be considered with respect to both the direct impact on our mental and physical health, and the risk of micronutrient depletion.
3.
How our microbiome might affect our mental health
The World Economic Forum is the International Organization for Public-Private Cooperation. The Forum engages the foremost political, business, cultural and other leaders of society to shape global, regional and industry agendas. It was established in 1971 as a not-for-profit foundation and is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. It is independent, impartial and not tied to any special interests. The Forum strives in all its efforts to demonstrate entrepreneurship in the global public interest while upholding the highest standards of governance. Moral and intellectual integrity is at the heart of everything it does.
2021
Abstract
This article reviews several studies that analyse the significant stressors brought about and exacerbated by COVID-19, which are associated with startling surges in mental health illnesses, specifically depressive disorders. It further explains how, according to the latest research, the answer to the understanding of depression may lie within the microbiome, given its impact on our brain and emotions. Addressing modification through diet, probiotics, and lifestyle changes, may result in beneficial support for the pathophysiology of depression.
4.
Can Probiotics Help Depression?
Healthpath is an educational platform that uses Functional Medicine to address the root cause of gut issues—and teaches people how to achieve great gut health via smart, sustainable changes.
2021
Abstract
This blog post summarises in plain English language the content of a scientific paper into which researchers collected data from five different studies. Their aim was to assess the impact of probiotics in both depressed and non-depressed people. It concluded that the results have suggested that gut bacteria can significantly affect mood and could be used preventatively. Although additional research in well-controlled studies is needed, it appears that probiotics reduce depressive symptoms more in people under the age of 60 compared to older adults.
Sponsored Blog Post
5.
Gut-Brain Axis
OptiBac Probiotics specialise entirely in probiotics. One of their core values is encouraging people to take health into their own hands in a responsible manner. Training and education is a cornerstone of this, and with their expertise, they hope to help raise awareness of probiotics and their potential to help change lives.
2020
Abstract
The idea of a gut-brain axis is not new, however the science continues to grow on the mechanisms behind the link between these two organs. Against a background of the physical connection between the gut and brain, this blog post provides details of the way that the gut microbiome communicates with the brain, influencing levels of anxiety, sleep, behaviour and mood. With details of specific probiotic strains used in a trial on depression, a TED talk link given by Guilia Enders on this topic and plenty of references to the microbiome and mental health, this is a good read for Nutrition Practitioners exploring mental health and links to the gut.