When the gut health revolution began a decade or so ago, few could have predicted the sheer variety of pre- and probiotic foods that we would come to embrace in our diets. Our entire lifestyle – from stress levels and sleep quality to time spent outdoors – profoundly shapes our gut health. Take a breathA growing body of research shows our gut microbiome and emotional wellbeing are intrinsically linked. Stress and mood disorders such as depression can even affect the composition of our gut bacteria. In adults over the age of 65, canine companionship has been shown to increase populations of beneficial bacteria, while simultaneously suppressing harmful strains.