New Research Shows Gut Health Impacts Mental Health

A doctor at OU Health said the health of your gut plays a major factor in your mood.

In fact, Dr. Maria Trapp with OU Health said gut imbalance and inflammation can cause several mental health illnesses like anxiety and depression.

"The gut brain, the second brain they call it, has a tendency to interact with the main brain on a very frequent basis,” Trapp said.

It's both stress and how you take care of your body that can have a major impact on the health of your gut and your overall mood.

Trapp recommends whole foods, whole grains, probiotics and yogurts to realign and keep balance of your gut.

A person’s genetics plays a factor, too.

"Your gut microbiome is actually developed before birth, and it actually comes from your mother," Trapp said.

Trapp said the brain and gut are in constant reciprocal communication.

Trapp recommends cognitive behavioral therapy to help reduce stress hormones to reduce gut inflammation, thus creating more calm and less stress signals throughout the body and gut.