http://www.nowpublic.com/health/playing-di...-soil-bacterium

In what appears to be a good reason for organic gardening, a new study finds that a common soil bacteria, may help produce the neurotransmitter, serotonin and thereby ward off depression.


In healthy soil, the foods we eat, contain this in abundance, but with depleted soils, there is less of this in the food. The full study further suggests, this may be the reason for the current rise in depression rates.


Researchers have found evidence that “friendly” bacteria found in soil may activate the immune system, produce the brain compound serotonin, and help ward off depression. Researchers from Bristol University and University College London have completed a study showing mice treated with the soil agent Mycobacterium vaccae behaved much like mice treated with anti-depressants. ...

A specific part of the mice brain that produces serotonin—the dorsal raphe nucleus, or DRI—had been energized, and was producing serotonin, which helps govern mood. Popular anti-depressants such as Prozac and Zoloft work by inhibiting the re-uptake of serotonin in the brain: this bacterium appears to work by indirectly increasing the actual amount produced in the brain.

Apparently, Dr. Chris Lowry of Bristol University became interested in the subject after he heard that cancer patients treated with the soil bacterium reported a better quality of life. Lowry speculated that it might be because the bacteria was activating their “serotonergic system,” as the study appears to confirm.

“These studies leave us wondering if we shouldn’t all be spending more time playing in the dirt,” Lowry said. Another line of thought may go something like this, the food we eat draws the minerals and vitamins we need from the soil. either directly, vegetables or indirectly, meat.

In other words, the meat and vegetables that humans consume are merely tasty transport agents for the nutrients and micro-nutrients that abound in healthy soil.

A lot of the food we eat is full of pesticides and toxins, not to mention the animal products pumped full of antibiotics and hormones. I'm not sure why organic food is so expensive but I'm sure it doesn't have to be -- The food industry and farming techniques have compromised our immune systems and our health in general -- I'm forever surprised how manufacturers get away with their misleading claims on food labels. Hubby and I have often discussed growing our food - we already have a herb patch ---

Thanks for posting the study, Sariah -- it's interesting although not that much of a surprising find -- it all comes down to basics and common sense in the end but money talks doesn't it?

Not sure what they mean by depleted soils -- --

By depleted soils they mean the normally-occurring organic matter and rich minerals are missing or minimal, therefore the soil environment does not support the growth of healthy organisms nor healthy plants/vegetables/fruits.

Hey I divided & replanted dayliles today and I feel less depressed!

Guess I'll try to get some playtime in the dirt this week!!!

Okay Snow...can you please send me some of that dirt because the kind that I'm using obviously isn't working! ...heavy sigh!


TJ

[quote name='Sariah' date='Apr 11 2009, 10:43 AM' post='278148']
http://www.nowpublic.com/health/playing-di...-soil-bacterium

In what appears to be a good reason for organic gardening, a new study finds that a common soil bacteria, may help produce the neurotransmitter, serotonin and thereby ward off depression.

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Sariah, you are very well read. I always enjoy reading your post; they are packed full of information.

Just for your information.....I not only play in the (garden) dirt, but I eat it, too! yuk!


Ok...ok...I will clarify. I take primal defense, a pro biotic, (garden of life). It has soil bacteria in it. Over the years, I have taken many different kinds of probotics. This one is different. It is expensive. It works....especially if you have any type of crohns or digestive problems. I don't take it daily. I don't need to right now; however, every now and then, I will take one in order to keep good bacteria in my gut.

The inventor of this product was very sick and accidentally discovered this key component. (dirt) LOL!

Also, I have read studies that farm kids who are exposed to all kinds of pollens, dirt, and animals have less allergies and etc.

Your fan,
Shebee


So everyone ....Eat Dirt...It's Free! LOL!

Shebee,
Primal Defense is a great probiotic that contains homeostatic soil organisms. The organisms are different than the usual probiotics. However, every time I take it I get more constipated than I already am. I've tried it several times in the past several years and each time it binds me up, for some reason. I'm quite disappointed that I can't take it because I know it has helped so many. The story of the owner of the company is fascinating. He was so sick for so many years, looked like a skeleton, and was deteriorating until he discovered the value of these organisms and started using them regularly. Unlike many other probiotics that implant and continue to reproduce, Primal Defense doesn't hang around in the GI tract once you stop using it, it needs to be taken on an ongoing basis, especially when first using it.

I think we have become overzealous in our attempts to eradicate every possible germ and bacteria. Getting sick and being exposed to these things 'trains' the immune system, so by not being exposed to them we are probably setting ourselves up for other health issues.

Sariah,

Thanks for the information; I did not realize that Primal Defense doesn't stay in the GI tract.

When I first started using it, I took it every day or every other day. Now, I take it whenever. (mostly because is expensive) I also take other probiotics and make yogurt. I always rotate the store-bought yogurt. I think that I must have a pretty good mix in my gut. I always cram Primal Defense down my family's throats when ever they get diarrhea or food poisoning.

My grandmother was never, ever sick! She nursed all of her grandchildren back to health. I have always wondered why she never even caught a cold. Finally, I came to the conclusion that she had already had everything and was immune! LOL!

Best wishes,
Shebee