Anyone experience with gut health for depression?

I saw a dietician years ago for insulin resistance.

I haven't had my bloods tested for a while actually (including insulin or diabetes markers), I should add that to next time I see my GP (darn it I saw him only last week lol). In the past the only other abnormality in my bloods is my Vitamin D (which goes up if ive been taking supplements, but otherwise does tend to be very low). I used to get bloods twice per year to monitor for fatigue related causes (vit D, b12, iron, etc).

Tests haven't been able to explain my pain or fatigue either. But it does help that people are more aware of chronic fatigue now post-covid era.

Will be interesting to hear what you program includes and if it helps you @creative_writer . I hope it does!! 🙂

I have focused on whole foods for 50 years and do believe it is very important for long term mental health and wellbeing. @AlwaysMyself

relatively recently the gut brain hypothesis has been around. I gently include probiotic foods, now that there is more knowledge around, but have always been a yoghurt girl. We love kefir and kombucha, but not everyone is mad on sauerkraut. I just smuggle a bit in. lol. I suspect my good wifey feeding of my ex husband for 16 years helped him come off his Schizophrenia medication, without regress or rehospitalisation.

I do believe it is the long term impact that is important and will do good, rather than worrying too much about the testing.

The testing is more to guide where to focus efforts.

I like to eat more natural and unprocessed foods, but it can be hard energy-wise with cooking (and cleaning up after cooking). But im currently making an effort to because then I can eat both healthy and foods I dont mind the taste of. I dont like vinegar, so most fermented or pickled foods are a nope for me. But *some* sauerkraut I like - the stuff ive had when in Germany was good, as was the pickled pumpkin I had in Latvia! They dont taste like vinegar or sour or sting. I dont like Indian spices/curries or chilli, so that rules out a *lot* of available-in-Australia healthy premade or quick to make foods. But if I make them at home I can leave out the chilli or change the spice mix.

@Appleblossom that's amazing that your partner has been able to come of their meds and be healthy still! Wow!! Awesome for you supporting them through healthy foods. 🙂

I am intrigued by this topic, although I haven't found much in the way of peer-reviewed analysis yet. I just happened upon your post today and coincidentally saw an amazing Australian Story last night, which you might enjoy.

Thanks @Mitzibelle I didnt know Aus Story did a feature on FMT. Just watched it. OMG I cant believe they did that DIY 😮. I first heard about FMT about a year ago I think, but only as something that was just starting to be looked at. I hate the idea of it (mentally), but id be open to it if it was done in a medically-controlled way and didn't cost me much. Id just have to NOT think about what it is!!!!! 🤣🤣🤣

But yeah the basis of the science behind it is why I'm looking into gut health generally. Although not due to antibiotics use, as I tend to avoid them unless a serious need.

Interestingly the post-FMT diet reflects close with what @Appleblossom focuses on with less processed, wholefood, etc. Way to go!