Foods To Support The Microbiome
The "microbiome" is the term for the bacteria, fungi, and viruses that naturally live in our bodies. Having a "healthy" and balanced microbiome is key to overall health and specifically mental health.
People with various psychiatric disorders like depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and autism spectrum disorder have been shown to have significant differences in the composition of their gut microbiome when compared to "healthy" individuals.
Enhancing beneficial bacteria in the gut, through the use of probiotics, prebiotics, or dietary change, has the potential to improve mood and reduce anxiety in both healthy people and patient groups.
Foods that Support Microbial Diversity:
•Foods sources of probiotics: dairy
•Acidophilus milk
•Buttermilk
•Cheese (aged)
•Cottage cheese
•Kefir
•Sour cream
•Yogurt (plain, no added sugar, active cultures)
•Food sources of probiotics: non-dairy
•Fermented meats
•Fermented vegetables
•Kimchi
•Kombucha
•Miso
•Natto
•Pickled vegetables (raw)
•Sauerkraut
•Tempeh