April 21, 2014

  

Forgiving another for a transgression is so hard. Many are trained at a young age to curse the transgressor and seek retribution.

 

I think back to my Polish Catholic upbringing and realize that my greatest mentor is my father. He is a man of principle and above all love. When things go south, he tries to see the silver lining and help the other, no matter who it is. 

 

Dr. M

 

 

Chronic Depression. 

 

I have been told that the science can get a little much for this newsletter, so if that bothers you, stop reading now and just skip to the take home point. 

 

The current research on the gut and depression has left me dumbfounded. In the Journal of Affective Disorders from 2012, Maes et. al. has found clear evidence that bacteria are influencing chronic depression. HERESY - many a psychiatrist will claim. The truth is that our microbiome is active and dangerous. 

 

The authors have found that in patients with chronic depression there is increased antibody (IgM) development against a type of bacterial by product called a lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The LPS is produced when gram negative bacteria naturally die off. If these bacteria cross the gut barrier and die off, they are now causing an immune reaction that is affecting the brain in an inflammatory way.

 

How does this occur? Many studies have shown that a high saturated fat diet and a refined sugar diet promote gram negative gut flora to proliferate. If these bacteria grow into vast numbers and alter the balance of the gut, they may affect the gut mucosa and cause bacterial translocation. These translocated bacteria then stimulate an immune inflammatory response that triggers a depression episode in a genetically susceptible individual. 

 

The major trigger is the diet in a person with the right genes. Think back to the Appleton Wisconsin Alternative High School study and their great response to diet changes in the school and behavior. It is an easy leap to the reality of diet = disease in the psychiatric realm. 

 

Take Home Point:

 

One's diet dictates the type of bacteria that will grow in their body. That diet will ultimately effect the way you feel all the way to depression in the susceptible person. Depression is no longer a pure gene abnormality. Diet  and experience are the keys!

 

 

Dr. M

Deviled Eggs after Easter for the leftover eggs.

Ingredients:

12 Hard boiled eggs

1/3 cup olive oil based mayonnaise

2 teaspoons of Trader Joe's dijon mustard

1 dollop of Pesto per 1/2 egg

Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

Take hard boiled eggs and cut in half. Take yolk out of egg and place in bowl with mayonnaise, mustard, pepper and salt. Mix all together. Place egg mixture back into egg white halves. Place a dollop of pesto on top and serve chilled.

Dr. M