Dr. Jeremy Schingen on “Dysbiosis & Depression: The Gut-Brain Connection.”

This week, the Student Club trained with Dr. Jeremy Schingen on the connection between mood disorders and gut dysbiosis.

The Gut-Brain Connection

When it comes to common mood disorders and symptoms such as fatigue, brain fog, and forgetfulness, we often overlook the gut. The bacteria in our gut directly communicate with the brain through the enteric nervous system. The same material that creates the blood-brain barrier is also in the gut, so whenever there is inflammation in the gut, there is inflammation in the brain. Evidence of inflammation in the GI system is best seen through a stool test. There is so much that occurs in the gut that impacts not only digestion but also the immune response and brain health.

Important Stool Test Markers

GI infections, imbalances in microbiome diversity, parasites, and yeast all create toxins that are inflammatory to the brain and, thus, can inhibit proper neurotransmitter production. More specifically, Dr. Jeremy talked about a toxin called LPS produced by pathogenic bacteria, which can create symptoms that mimic common mental health symptoms like anxiety and depression. Additionally, the quantity of short-chain fatty acids is critical to consider as these feed the good bacteria and are needed for proper GI function and repair. The marker beta-glucuronidase was also talked about, as it can recirculate toxins and hormones when increased, further driving up the inflammatory response in the body. Lastly, looking at the IgA levels can be a good indication of the activity of the immune system and the integrity of the GI tract. If food allergies or bacterial infections are triggering the immune system, this can be helpful information to further asses digestion function and supplement support.

Supplements to Consider

Dr. Jeremy finished the meeting by spotlighting some herbs that can help combat some of the inflammatory triggers in the GI. Herbs like Goldenseal and Oregano Oil are very effective at killing off harmful bacteria and yeast overgrowth. Chamomile is another beneficial herb when it comes to stimulating the goblet cells to produce mucus along the intestinal lining. Furthermore, Turkey Tail mushroom, also found in Mushroom Immune, is a great immune supporter that helps restore the gut and can feed the good bacteria those short-chain fatty acids.