A new study shows a prebiotic pill could be the cure for your winter depression

For every person who welcomes winter as a time of cosy hibernation and comfort food, there will be another one who dreads the darker days knowing that it will bring on a bout of seasonal depression. open image in gallery The lack of sunlight in winter months can lead to a disruption in the body’s natural rhythm However, a new clinical trial suggests we should actually be taking a look at our gut microbiome and supplementing prebiotic fibre as a long-term mental health fix – especially at this time of year. Gut health expert Dr Azadeh Ovaici explains: “Mood and anxiety are directly correlated with hormones and chemical changes inside the body and an intake of prebiotics has shown to increase the levels of serotonin, reduction in inflammatory cytokines markers inside the body as well as changing the microbiome flora in the gut, which results in a reduction in catecholamine production which reduces the fear response and hence anxiety.” “We know that 90 per cent of neurotransmitters for serotonin are found in the gut, and this could explain that ‘sick to the stomach’ feeling we have when we are anxious or when we are feeling nervous we often have to run to the toilet. The study, which delivers new data based on the health of 60 participants diagnosed with metabolic syndrome, reveals that taking a microbiome-targeting prebiotic fibre blend not only “significantly reduces systemic inflammation but also improves mental health markers, such as stress, anxiety and depression”. The significant reduction in both inflammation and mental health symptoms, seen alongside improvements in microbiome composition, suggests that precision prebiotic fibre could become a vital tool in promoting both physical and mental wellbeing.” “The findings highlight that prebiotic fibres not only help reduce inflammation but may also play a crucial role in preventing the long-term effects of chronic, low-grade inflammation, often referred to as ‘inflammaging’.