Infections, Mental Health, & How To Stay Healthy

Why & How Do Infections Cause Mental Health Issues?

At this point, we can narrow in on three major factors causing mental health issues. Infection can influence all three.

• Inflammation: It is increasingly clear that inflammation, especially brain or neuro inflammation, is a key component of mental health problems. Infections of all types increase inflammation. The gut brain axis is involved in the link between infection and mental health. Other factors involved are brain or neuroinflammation and the permeability of the Blood Brain Barrier. Viruses, and other infections, can trigger particular immune and signaling pathways. Higher levels of inflammatory cytokines may be the key mechanism between viral infections and schizophrenia, for example. These issues ultimately lead to inflammation and brain disease processes that can result in a mental disorder. 
• Genes: Genes may play a small role. No particular gene is responsible for mental health issues but it is thought that genes contribute small effects to overall mental health. Changes in how certain genes express themselves can occur due to an infection.
• Epigenetic factors: Epigenetic factors are diet, lifestyle, environmental and external factors that affect health. Health, in fact, is heavily influenced by epigenetic factors. These factors have a 70-80% influence on your health, meaning that genetic factors are only have maximum 20-30% influence on your health. The many other epigenetic factors involved in mental health include social and environmental influences. These might be childhood abuse, trauma, neglect, social isolation or loneliness, experiencing discrimination such as racism, social inequality, adverse childhood experiences, stigma and deprivation.  Day to day epigenetic environmental factors that we can control (diet, stress, exercise, toxins, sleep) can also heavily contribute to mental health issues.

What Can You Do to Avoid Infections & to Reduce the Severity of an Infection?

The key to avoiding infection is to have a strong immune system. This will mean you don’t catch every little bug going around. And if you are infected by something, a strong immune system will reduce the severity of the infection. You can boost your immune system through epigenetic diet and lifestyle habits.

• Poor nutrition plays an important role in the development of mental illness. Eat a nutritious diet and avoid processed foods to improve well-being and mood. 
• Manage stress through meditation, deep breathing, yoga, tai chi, a bubble bath or getting out into nature.
• Be active, exercise and avoid excessive sitting. Physical activity is good for both mind and body.
• Avoid excessive intake of toxins like cleaning chemicals, alcohol or toxic mold in the home/ office. 
• Don’t smoke. 
• Keep your weight at a healthy level and lose weight if necessary. 
• Get a good night’s sleep every night. Poor sleep affects mental well-being.
• Take reasonable steps to avoid infection, such as washing hands, avoiding people with an active infection and cooking meats thoroughly.

Boost immunity by incorporating natural antibiotic, anti-microbial, anti-viral and anti-fungal substances into your diet and life:

• Oregano/ Oil of Oregano: Oregano is antibacterial (meaning it fights bacteria that can lead to infection), antimicrobial (fights microbes), antiviral (fights viruses), antifungal (fights fungi), anti-inflammatory (fights inflammation) and cancer suppressant. It helps with chronic digestive issues and yeast infections. Oregano is very potent, so you should talk to your Functional Medicine doctor before taking it. Oil of oregano should only be taken for a short period of time. Do not use it for more than 1 month at a time. Start low with dosing. It can be toxic and even lethal if you take too much so just use the recommended amount of oregano to get the benefits. 
• Raw Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV): Apple cider vinegar is antibiotic and antiseptic. It can help with weight loss, low stomach acid and other digestive issues. ACV can also be used topically to naturally disinfect a wound.
• Raw Honey: Raw honey is a super food. It is antibiotic, full of antioxidants, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and antiseptic. Honey can be used to treat wounds and avoid infections. Honey can soothe digestive problems, reduce hay fever (if local) and strengthen immunity.
• Turmeric: Turmeric is anti-inflammatory and can protect against infection. When mixed with honey, it can be topically applied to a wound. 
• Grapefruit Seed Extract (GSE): GSE is effective in killing viruses, bacteria, fungi and parasites. It is a natural insect repellent. It can boost immunity and help with chronic digestion issues.
• Garlic: Garlic fights germs. The allicin in garlic can protect against yeast, parasites and bacteria.
• Echinacea: Echinacea is an herb that fights bacteria. Take echinacea when you feel a cold coming on, as it has preventative properties against the common cold.
• Cruciferous vegetables: Cruciferous vegetables include broccoli, cauliflower, Brussel sprouts, cabbage and others. This group of vegetables contains sulfur, which activates detoxification pathways. They help the body to detoxify whatever it is fighting, such as bacterium, viruses, fungi or parasites. As cancer often involves an excessive toxin load, cruciferous vegetables can help in fighting off cancer. They can also help with weight management, improve digestion issues and prevent chronic disease through improved detoxification. 
• Extra Virgin Coconut Oil (EVCO): Coconut oil is antifungal and antimicrobial. It can boost the immune system and help to balance blood sugar. As a healthy fat, EVCO also helps with brain function. 
• Fermented Foods: Unpasteurized sauerkraut, homemade pickles and probiotic yogurts are all fermented and contain live bacteria. They have amazing benefits for the gut microbiome. They also fight bacteria and cancer prone cells.

In addition to epigenetic factors already mentioned (diet, sleep, stress, exercise), there are other important ways to optimize mental health:

• Talk about your feelings. Sharing and being listened to can help to feel less alone with any problems you might be dealing with.
• Practice mindfulness. This helps to stay in the present moment, which can reduce stress.
• Keep in touch with your social circle. Supportive friends or family help us cope with the stresses of life. This support gives you a different perspective from whatever is going on in your head.
• Likewise, take care of others. Work on your relationships with family and friends, let go of old grudges or get out and volunteer.

Summary

• Infections, such as bacteria, viruses, fungi or parasites, can be the trigger for mental health issues. Or they may just simply be part of the root cause picture of a mental health problem. 
• These infections can cause various mental health problems including depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, autism, encephalopathy, PANS / PANDAS or other mental health conditions
• It is increasingly clear that inflammation, especially brain or neuroinflammation, is a key component of mental health problems. Infections of all types increase inflammation. 
• Epigenetic factors can also significantly influence mental health status. Epigenetic factors are environmental and external factors that affect health, such as diet, stress, exercise, toxins, sleep, trauma, social inequality, childhood experiences, stigma and deprivation.  
• To avoid infection, do your best to optimize your health through these epigenetic factors. Eat a nutritious diet. Sleep well. Exercise. Maintain a healthy weight. Manage stress.
• There are certain natural antimicrobial foods and supplements you can use such as raw honey, garlic, turmeric and others to boost your immune system strength.
• You can also look after your mental health by having a strong social support circle, talking things through and practicing mindfulness. 
• Check in with a Functional Medicine doctor, or our clinic, to address a case of poor mental health in yourself or a loved one.

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As always, please get in touch with us. If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health symptoms, contact our clinic today. We can work on any issue(s) and improve your health. Book a free health evaluation call with us today, to see how we can help you with your concerns. We can answer your questions and help you book an initial consult with one of the functional medicine doctors in our clinic.