Microbiome

Articles about the MicroBiome from Lori Calabrese, MD | The Ketamine Blog

What is the microbiome?

The microbiome is the genetic material of a vast community of microorganisms such as bacteria, protozoa, viruses, and fungi that live in the gastrointestinal tract of your body. The combined genetic factors in this environment make up more than 200 times the genetic material in your own DNA. As such, this collection of microbes provide a strong influence over your digestion, immunity, and overall health.

In fact, for you to be at optimum health and wellbeing, these organisms must be in balance. When they are, they assist your digestion and strengthen your immunity.

What is “Balance” in the Microbiome?

There are harmful bacteria and other microbes as well as beneficial ones. As long as the “good” bacteria keep the “bad” bacteria from taking over, you can enjoy health and wellbeing. But if the good guys and bad guys shift out of balance, it can cause you to become very ill from a variety of diseases.

And along with diseases, depression and anxiety can also become unmanageable.

How do you strengthen the gut -brain axis?

To strengthen your microbiome, you can

  • increase the fiber in your diet
  • Eat as much fruits and vegetables as you can, choosing a wide variety and including all the colors available.
  • Choose high fiber vegetables in abundance like leeks, artichokes, garlic, and onions for their prebiotic fiber content. Some vegetables are low in fiber and actually have minimal nutritional value.  Lettuce falls in this category.
  • Seek out polyphenols, as in nuts, seeds, berries, olive oil, brassicas (cruciferous vegetables, mustard plants, and cabbages) coffee, and tea (green tea is best of all!)  These are antioxidants and fuel microbes.
  • Avoid snacking to give your microbiome a rest.
  • Make fermented foods a strong component of your daily diet. Foods like yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, kimchee
  • Play in the dirt. Spend time in the country, work in your garden, and enjoy the earth and the fresh air. Doing so will diversify your microbiome and multiply the types of organisms there to improve your health, your immunity and your wellbeing.

These articles about the microbiome are offered to improve your understanding of the beneficial properties it possesses.

Who’s Affected by Severe Chronic Depression?

Severe chronic depression makes this man despondent.

Just think about it. How far reaching is this one condition? Sure people talk about being depressed with a casual tone. You get the feeling they feel crummy…but it seems to be their response to circumstances.  And when circumstances change, they seem to forget they felt bad. But when you think about who’s affected by […]

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The Teen Suicide Epidemic – What You Can Do

For this girl, the teen suicide epidemic has been reversed by someone caring, listening, and helping her get treatment.

Sam Chaney walked up to the quiet car in the dark. It was a place by the lake frequented by teens for romantic interludes, or beer drinking. This car was dark. Silent. But running.  He tapped on the window with a bit of anxiety. He’d just been reading about the teen suicide epidemic this morning. […]

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Get Your PUFAs Straight and Watch Your Mood Lift

Get your PUFAs straight so you can enjoy your moments like happy this young man.

We’re smack in the middle of a couple weeks focused on the quest for improved treatments for depression and anxiety.  This past Thursday was World Mental Health Day, dedicated to raising awareness for mental health …and this year’s efforts were focused on “40 seconds of action” to help reduce the risk of suicide. Because every […]

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APA IPS: Innovation and Collaboration Improve Access to Psychiatric Care

Dr. Calabrese's poster presentation about ketamine stopping suicidality and innovation and collaboration improve access to care.

I just returned from the annual meeting of the American Psychiatric Association’s Institute for Psychiatric Services: Mental Health Services Conference, in NYC. This conference was presented in collaboration with the World Psychiatric Association. The World Psychiatric Association represents 120,000 psychiatrists in 120 countries. The heart and focus was that innovation and collaboration improve access to […]

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Cost of Ketamine Treatment: Is it Worth It?

The cost of ketamine treatment was worth it for James- his life is blooming.

“IV Ketamine treatment…?  I can’t afford that.”  “Sure, I want to feel better.  I’ve tried so many medicines and treatments. I don’t even know what it’s like to enjoy something, anything…or to feel happy. I don’t have the energy to even get out of bed half the time, much less get anything done. But…the cost […]

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ASKP Conference 2019: Celebrating the Response to Ketamine

A sullen, depressed teen girl is laughing and happy because she's fighting suicide with ketamine.

The Importance of Meeting Together Every once in a while — sometimes only once or twice in a physician’s career — a medicine or treatment comes along that’s a game changer. Something that sets its own records, raises its own bar, and helps people so profoundly that their lives are better because of it. A […]

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Where Can You Find Real Help for a Suicidal Person?

To help a suicidal person, ask hard questions, then listen. Help them connect with people who care. You can save a life.

What is a suicidal person like?  How do you find help for a suicidal person? Can you describe the profile of someone who wants to die? Are they melancholy?  Irritable or agitated?  Are they funny?  Always making people laugh when they’re dying inside? Do they present themselves one way in public and another way in […]

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Suicide Prevention: #Bethe1to Save a Life

Suicide prevention: #Bethe1to ask how they're doing, to connect with them and listen.

Today marks the beginning of National Suicide Prevention Week 2019, and tomorrow, September 10, is World Suicide Prevention Day. More than just observing a day or week like this, let’s use the opportunity to learn what we can actually do to make a real difference in the life of someone who suffers from suicidal thoughts. […]

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“r” is for Recovery From Any Addiction – Lori Calabrese, M.D.

September is National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month 2019, and as we celebrate and support everyone in recovery, let’s also talk about what might help others who are trying…to actually get there. “r” is for recovery whether you seek recovery or are actively working your recovery every day. Addictions can involve alcohol, opioids, other […]

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Why Are Young Girls Turning to Suicide?

Why are young girls turning to suicide?

It’s a heart-shattering tragedy when a child dies. How do you bear such tragedy?  …such loss? The waste of a beautiful life…it defies our logic to find reason in it, or to try to make sense of it. But what about when that young child kills herself? Why are young girls turning to suicide? It’s impossible […]

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