Gut feelings
The race to develop food supplements that could treat depression
There are trillions of bacteria living in our guts and there's growing evidence that they can have a major impact on our mental well-being. So could we soon see a food supplement that can treat depression?
The science behind this so-called gut-brain axis and whether we can manipulate it isn't yet conclusive, but there are plenty of believers. We speak to a woman who says her irritable bowel syndrome and anxiety disappeared after she started taking kefir, a fermented milk drink. She was so convinced by its impact that she now runs a south London business making and selling it.
There are already food supplements out there targeting anxiety and depression, but are they getting ahead of the science? We speak to one of the major probiotics manufacturers and hear from a leading scientist who says unproven product claims could be dangerous for mental health patients and that they shouldn't be seen as a silver bullet.
Plus, how human are we really? We find out just how many strings our microbes are pulling.
(Image: Head outline with food representing the brain. Credit: Getty Images)
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A 'miracle drink' made me happier
Duration: 02:40
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Do probiotics need closer regulation?
Duration: 01:55
Broadcasts
- Thu 28 Mar 2019 03:32GMT91热爆 World Service UK DAB/Freeview, Europe and the Middle East & West and Central Africa only
- Thu 28 Mar 2019 05:32GMT91热爆 World Service Australasia, Americas and the Caribbean, South Asia & East Asia only
- Thu 28 Mar 2019 11:32GMT91热爆 World Service except West and Central Africa
- Thu 28 Mar 2019 18:32GMT91热爆 World Service Australasia
- Thu 28 Mar 2019 21:32GMT91热爆 World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only
- Thu 28 Mar 2019 23:32GMT91热爆 World Service except East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa
- Sun 31 Mar 2019 07:32GMT91热爆 World Service
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