Nutrition Support for Depression and Anxiety,
Rooted in the Gut Microbiome
Support your mental health and resilience with a Registered Dietitian in Ontario
If you have tried different approaches to address your mental health but still don’t feel like yourself, you may be missing this foundational piece.
Mental health is complex and there is no single solution.
But two areas that are often overlooked are nutrition and gut microbiome health.
I work with adults across Ontario to support mental health through personalized, evidence-based nutrition, focusing on the gut microbiome, inflammation, and the nutrients your brain needs to function well.
How nutrition affects mental health
Several key factors connect nutrition to depression and anxiety:
Nutrient status – Your brain is energy and micronutrient hungry. It requires a steady supply of nutrients. Low levels of vitamins, minerals and essential fats can affect mood, nervous system function and stress response.
Inflammation – The food you eat plays a key role in inflammation, which is increasingly linked to depression and anxiety.
Blood sugar balance – Large fluctuations can worsen mood stability and feelings of anxiety and irritability.
Gut microbiome – A balanced gut microbiome is important for mental health and is largely determined by the food you eat.
The Role of the Gut Microbiome in Mental Health
Your gut microbiome is the community of bacteria, viruses and fungi living in your digestive system. It plays an important role in mental health. Your gut and brain are closely connected through what’s often referred to as the gut-brain axis.
This connection influences:
Neurotransmitters – including serotonin and other brain chemicals involved in mood
Inflammation – which is increasingly linked to depression and anxiety
Stress response – how your body reacts to and recovers from stress
Energy regulation – including mitochondrial function and blood sugar balance
When the gut microbiome is out of balance, it can contribute to symptoms like low mood, anxiety, brain fog, and low energy.
Supporting gut health through nutrition is one way to help create a stronger foundation for mental well-being.
Gut microbiome testing allows us to see exactly where your gut microbiome needs support. In this way, your care is personalized to you.
Some reasons you may benefit from nutrition support for mental health
You feel like you’re missing the root cause of your symptoms - maybe there is no obvious reason for your depression or anxiety
You have tried other strategies to restore your mental health with limited improvement
You’re interested in supporting your mental health through nutrition and gut health
You feel overwhelmed by conflicting nutrition advice and you want an evidence-based approach
You would prefer to reduce reliance on medications where appropriate
What mental health nutrition looks like in practice
This approach is not about following a perfect diet or cutting out entire food groups.
Instead, we focus on:
Consistent, balanced meals to support energy and mood
Plant-forward nutrition to support the gut microbiome
Key nutrients involved in brain function and stress response
Reducing overwhelm by simplifying nutrition choices
Sustainable changes that fit your lifestyle
Gut microbiome testing and targeted supplementation (when appropriate)
The goal is to support your brain and body in a way that feels manageable—especially during times when motivation or energy may be low.
A balanced, evidence-based approach
Nutrition is not a replacement for therapy or medical care.
It works best as part of a broader support system, which may include:
psychotherapy
medication
lifestyle changes
stress management
This approach is about supporting your body alongside other forms of care—not replacing them.
Work with a Registered Dietitian in Ontario
I’m Nicole Gagnon, a Registered Dietitian and Certified Microbiome Analyst.
I provide virtual nutrition counselling to adults who are looking for a different strategy for supporting their physical and mental health.
My approach is practical, evidence-based, and tailored to you.
Find out more here.
Biome Nutrition Counselling
Harnessing the power of nutrition and the gut microbiome for optimal mental and physical health.
hello@biomenutrition.ca
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