Dr Oz: How You Gut Affects Your Mood
Dr Oz welcomed Dr David Perlmutter to his show, to talk about why he believes that happiness starts with the gut. Dr Perlmutter explained that serotonin is 90% manufactured in the gut. He said literature shows that when you have a leaky gut, it can cause inflammation, so it’s about maintaining the good bacteria in your gut like probiotics.
Dr Perlmutter said there’s a time and place for medications, but the idea of using anti-depressants all the time to treat depression is “treating the smoke and ignoring the fire.” Inflammation comes from the Latin word for fire. He said we have to recognize the relationship between the gut and our moods.
Dr Oz: Healthy Diet Helped Woman Overcome Depression
Dr Oz talked to Dr David Perlmutter about how your gut is connected to your brain and what you need to eat to feel better. (cedarsummitfarm / flickr)
Dr Oz shared the story of a woman named Nikki who was treated by Dr Perlmutter for depression. Nikki share that it all started about four years ago when she suddenly felt like a different person, and was in a dark depression. She had brain fog, dizziness, and was unable to breathe. Doctor after doctor tried to give her anti-depressants but she knew they weren’t right for her. Dr Perlmutter offered a different approach, suggesting that they target her gut.
Nikki joined Dr Oz and shared that her transformation happened within a week’s time. Over a six month period of following Dr Perlmutter’s advice, her results have been “mind-boggling.” She ate a lot of organic, prebiotic and probiotic foods. She learned how to ferment her own vegetables that feed the bacteria in your gut.
Dr Oz: Fill Most Of Your Plate With Vegetables
Dr Perlmutter had a daily plan that anyone could follow if they want results like Nikki’s. The first part of his “daily happy gut plan” was to fill your plate with 1/3 protein and 2/3 vegetables. Dr Perlmutter shared that meat and protein need to be more of a side dish, and you should fill your plate with nutrient, dense colorful vegetables.
For breakfast, Dr Perlmutter would eat yogurt full of probiotics, avocado topped with olive oil, kimchi, and an omelet. A typical lunch for him was shredded beets, a salad, and some cottage cheese. For dinner, he would ate halibut with capers, fermented cabbage, and dandelion greens, which are full of fiber.
Dr Oz: Sources Of Probiotics + Treat Yourself
When your gut is unhappy, you have leakiness of the gut which can lead to inflammation and unhappiness. Often times when people think of probiotics, they only think of yogurt, but there are actually quite a few options. Dr Perlmutter suggested consuming lemon preserves, cultured sour cream, coconut kefir, and raw kimchi as other sources of probiotics.
Another part of the daily plan to keep your gut happy, you can treat yourself to chocolate, coffee, tea, and red wine. Dr Perlmutter explained that they’re all foods that are rich in polyphenols. They’re natural antioxidants which can reduce free radicals and inflammation. You can have one service each of chocolate, tea, wine, and coffee each day.
Dr David Perlmutter is the author of Brain Maker.
Will you be trying these foods to see if it makes a difference with your mood? Have you found a more natural alternative to anti-depressants that you’re willing to share?
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