During the pandemic, the World Health Organisation (WHO) stated that the prevalence of
anxiety and depression have increased by at least 25%. Signs and symptoms of depression
and anxiety have been reported in nearly 56% of young adults.
Due to the increase in prevalence of mental health disorders and pandemic stressors,
lifestyles have been altered. Difficulty in sleeping has impacted 36% of adults, 12% report
increased alcohol and substance abuse, 32% indicated a difficulty in eating (Over or under
consumption). Pre-existing chronic conditions also seem to be impacted by stressors, as
12% indicate a worsening in chronic conditions.
If our mental health has taken a toll during the pandemic, we can assume that our gut health
has also been affected. We can put focus on our gut health and take measures to improve
our gut health. By improving gut health we can lower inflammation in the body, as well as,
lower the risk for developing other conditions such as heart diseases, obesity, inflammatory
bowel syndrome (IBS), liver disease and diabetes.
If you are experiencing specific medical conditions it is very important to seek treatment from
a medical professional.
- If you want to improve your gut health and the diversity of the gut
microbiome you can follow these tips: - Consume a healthy well-balanced diet.
- Eating fiber rich foods to promote gut health. Especially fruit, vegetables, whole-
grains and legumes. - Including probiotics into your diet, such as yogurt, some cheeses, kombucha,
sauerkraut, and pickles. - Exercising or being physically active most days of the week.
- Improving your sleeping habits and reaching a goal of 7-8 hours.
- Finding healthy ways to manage stress.
For medical or nutritional assistance contact our team at Colab Health.
Bibliography
Järbrink-Sehgal, E., & Andreasso, A. (2022). The gut microbiota and mental health in adults.
Current Opinion in Neurobiology.
World Health Organisation. (2022, June 16). World mental health report: Transforming
mental health for all. Retrieved from World Health Organisation:
https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240049338
What are the primary components of the Gut-Brain Axis?