Danny says: Probiotic Yogurt May Reduce Stress!

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As promised, here is Danny Parker’s new column about myeloma and nutrition:

Probiotic Yogurt May Reduce Stress

Readers may recall Dr. Brian Duries’s previous blog where he announced that stress reduction might trump diet relative to those of us with multiple myeloma.  What was more important, reducing sugar or reducing anxiety?

http://myeloma.org/MtEntryPage.action?source=/imf_blogs/myeloma_voices/2012/03/sugar.html

While Dr. Durie believes a sound diet is important for myeloma patients, he also posits that reducing our stress levels may be equally important. Specifically, he identified research suggesting that that the “flight” stress hormone, noradrenaline, may directly trigger cancer cell growth.

Of course, it’s easy to say, “Don’t panic!” when you don’t have myeloma. However, we patients know we are in a difficult situation.  Efforts not to worry are notoriously difficult.

While there are many means to reduce stress in our lives– physical exercise, meditation, prayer– what if I told you that eating pro-biotic laden yogurt might help a little with stress and anxiety?

Well, it turns out that, the probiotics such as Lactobacillus rhamnosus, found in cultured yogurt are associated with stress and anxiety relief.  These helpful microorganisms live in our gut.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Probiotic

Probiotics—the good bacteria– are associated with a variety of other helps with digestion which can help our drug addled digestive systems.  But the latest research suggests probiotics also appear to exert a calming effect on the nervous system.  And myeloma patients could use that!

A popular description of the study:

http://www.examiner.com/article/health-buzz-could-yogurt-be-the-new-anti-anxiety-antidepressant

the technical background stuff:
http://www.pnas.org/content/108/38/16050

Of course, not all yogurt is created equally. You need to choose yogurt that has active pro-biotic cultures. I like Stonyfield Organic, which I get locally here. However, there are lots of other brands.

http://www.stonyfield.com/healthy-people/our-yogurt/six-live-cultures

So, at least several times a week, I try to either have yogurt in the morning with my Muesili  or in the smoothie blender.  I add blueberries, raspberries or papaya to the cereal or smoothie for reasons previously described in my columns.

Will it make a difference?

While its hard to know for sure, it certainly feels right when we can make our own personal effort. Eating sustains us and making appropriate choices to help with our life always feels good.

Be well.

I like Danny’s last point:  “Eating sustains us and making appropriate choices to help with our life always feels good.”  Hard to argue with that!

Feel good and keep smiling!  Pat