Treating Anxiety and Depression By Fixing Your Gut Flora

by Eric Bakker N.D.

Sometimes I see patients who not only have multiple physical symptoms but are also experiencing significant depression and anxiety. This combination of problems can be a real catch-22 because depression, anxiety, and intense cravings interfere with the motivation needed to follow a healthy lifestyle. It is not unusual to see a lot of fear, a lot of anxiety, and a lot of depression in people who have severe candida. These emotions are a completely understandable response to having a multitude of symptoms that leave you feeling depleted. Nevertheless, if you put some work in, I’m confident you can see positive changes to your mind and body.

I am not a scientist or researcher, but I have seen a lot of patients over the year. I have noticed that there is a definite link between anxiety and depression and a lack of healthy bacteria. The most critical healthy bacteria in this situation seem to be lactobacillus and bifidobacterial.

Further readings:

If you are experiencing symptoms like bloating, belly and back pain, lack of energy, tiredness after eating, and depression, my recommendation is that you have a comprehensive stool test. The goal of the test is to identify the levels of good and bad bacteria in your gut. Once you find out the type and number of harmful bacteria in your gut, you can act on that information. I have seen patients in very poor health experience full recovery after dealing with the bad bacteria in their gut. Do not give up hope that you, too, can turn around your symptoms.

To recap, the stepwise approach I am recommending is as follows:

1. Identify what the problem is internally.

2. Repair what needs repairing.

3. Stand back and watch what happens to your health

4. Reassess your gut bacteria in three to five months.

5. Correct any outstanding issues.

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About Eric Bakker N.D.

Eric Bakker ND has completed almost ten years of study and has almost almost 25 years of clinical experience in natural and integrative forms of medicine, and has pursued continuous post-graduate study in Australia, America, India as well as in New Zealand.

Eric is the past Vice President of the NZ Natural Medicine Association and is currently on their editorial advisory board.