This makes complete sense when paired with growing body of research [1] [2] on the gut-brain axis and how gut health impacts cognition, mood, and various neurol

This makes complete sense when paired with growing body of research [1] [2] on the gut-brain axis and how gut health impacts cognition, mood, and various neurological functions. We already know that processed foods with low fiber, lots of sugar, and various chemicals can worsen gut biome diversity, increase bad bacteria, cause inflammation and gut permeability ('leaky gut'), etc. It follows that this would have an impact on mood from both depression-as-inflammation and gut-brain axis theories. From [2]: > Several studies have shown that fecal transplants rich with bacteria from depressed rats, as well as from depressed humans, can induce depression in recipient rats. In December 2021, a review of 34 human studies showed a similar pattern of bacterial species in the guts of people diagnosed with depression, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. I know of at least one microbiome startup staffed by a lot of great researchers that are working on this line of research to treat depression. I'm also personally involved in a study on the gut biome connection to MECFS & long covid [3]. Tests on my gut biome show I have a leaky gut (high gram negative lipopolysaccharides and various imbalances) and after 6 weeks of repairing this with pre & probiotics and a more restrictive diet I'm seeing notable improvement in my energy, cognition, and mood. [1] https://www.washingtonpost.com/wellness/2023/01/31/gut-microbiome-anxiety-depression/ https://www.washingtonpost.com/wellness/2023/01/31/gut-micro... [2] https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2023/07/08/1186092825/studying-the-link-between-the-gut-and-mental-health-is-personal-for-this-scienti https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2023/07/08/1186092... [3] https://remissionbiome.org https://remissionbiome.org