According to a recent study published in JAMA\nPsychiatry, the use of antibiotics in youth in Denmark up to the age of 17,\nincreased the risk for these individuals to develop mental illnesses. The\ncrucial link seems to be a change in the patient\u2019s intestinal bacteria brought\nabout by antibiotics. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the mentioned study, out of a cohort of 1\n098 930 people born between 1995 and 2012, the risk of mental disorder after\nearly severe infections treated by antibiotics increased by 84%. The need for\nmedication for mental illness in these individuals increased by 42%. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
This study is one of about 50 papers\npublished since late 2018 using data from the Danish Psychiatric Central\nResearch Register. This register is the first of its kind and tracks the\nclinical data of more than one million people. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Every possible variable in health has been\ntracked, from medications, to family histories to general and mental health\nstatuses over time. This specificity is helping researchers to focus on\nspecific variables and discount others so that they can accurately gain\ninsights into life histories and mental health outcomes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One theory is that the gut microbiome \u2013 the\nfriendly bacteria in your intestines \u2013 sends signals to the brain to help\nregulate our moods, and perhaps also our likelihood of becoming unwell with\nmental illness. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Animal testing has confirmed that there is a\nlink between bacteria and depression. One such study displayed how mice treated\nwith antibiotics had alterations evident in their gut microbiome and performed\nworse in memory tests. Animals that had completely had their gut bacteria wiped\nout by antibiotics developed Autism Spectrum, Alzheimer\u2019s disease and\ndepression. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In an intriguing study, human faecal samples\nfrom patients with depression were transplanted into rats, which brought on\ndepression-like symptoms in the animals. Similarly, in another study, faecal\ntransplants from anxious humans to rats similarly created anxious rat\nbehaviours. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
While these experiments have established a\nlink between the gut and mental health, the exact nature of this link is still\nlargely a mystery. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
By identifying neuroactive compounds produced\nor consumed by bacteria in the gut, we might get closer to figuring out this\nmystery. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In 2018, Philip Strandwitz and his colleagues\nstudied rare gut bacteria with the name KLE1738. These bacteria eat gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). Another kind of\nbacteria, Bacteroides, produces GABA, which keeps the KLA1738 bacteria alive by\nproducing its source of food. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
This small explanation\nshows how intricate and finely balanced the interactions of the bacteria in the\ngut are. And, GABA is a compound required by our central nervous system so that\nit can run properly. Depressive disorders are usually associated with lower\nGABA levels. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Strandwitz therefore put\nforth the idea that a person with more GABA generating bacteria in their gut,\nwould probably be a happier person. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Whilst there are\ncertainly cases where antibiotics should be administered, the overuse of\nantibiotics has had a big impact on both our physical and mental health as a\nsociety in general. There is still a lot to be determined about the human\nmicrobiome but it is certainly worth paying attention to your diet when\naiming to improve your mental health and physical health. When in doubt, see a\nnutritionist or healthcare professional for advice specific to your\nsituation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
This information is intended for education\nand awareness only. Please consult your medical doctor and health professional\nteam before you make any changes to your treatment plan<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" According to a recent study published in JAMA Psychiatry, the use of antibiotics in youth in Denmark up to the age of 17, increased the risk for these individuals 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