In recent years, the connection between our gut health and mental well-being has gained significant attention. Central to this discussion is the concept of the microbiome-gut-brain axis (MGBA), which refers to the complex communication network linking our gut bacteria, the gut, and the brain. This relationship plays a crucial role in how we respond to stress and our overall mental health.
Stress is a common experience that can lead to anxiety and depression. However, not everyone reacts the same way to stress as some individuals are more resilient than others. This resilience may be influenced by various factors, including our gut microbiota, the trillions of microorganisms living in our gut. Emerging research suggests that these gut bacteria can affect our mood and stress responses, potentially offering a pathway to strengthen our resilience to stress. The study by Bear et al. (2021), cited below, underscores the importance of understanding this relationship. It reveals that stress can alter the composition of gut bacteria, which in turn may impact our emotional state. For instance, certain beneficial bacteria, such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, have been linked to improved mood and reduced anxiety levels. Conversely, stress-induced changes in gut microbiota can lead to an increase in harmful bacteria, which may cause feelings of anxiety and depression.
Why does this matter? Understanding the MGBA could open new avenues for treatment options. Instead of solely relying on traditional therapies, incorporating probiotics or dietary changes to promote a healthy gut microbiome might help individuals cope better with stress. This approach could be particularly beneficial for those experiencing chronic stress or those who are more susceptible to mood disorders.
Bear, T., Dalziel, J., Coad, J., Roy, N., Butts, C., & Gopal, P. (2021). The microbiome-gut-brain axis and resilience to developing anxiety or depression under stress. Microorganisms, 9(4), 723. https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms9040723
This post reminded me of a study that we learned about during my undergraduate physiology course. We looked at stress and how a participants with a specific allele (158Met/Met) did worse than the 158Val/Val participants during stressful situations that required the prefrontal cortex such as a cognitive tests. I wonder if a study could look at both the bacteria present in the gut and the different alleles to see if there was a correlation between healthy gut microbiome and the 158Val/Val allele.
ReplyDeleteI did not find the specific paper but have attached a similar one below.
Deletehttps://pubmed-ncbi-nlm-nih-gov.dml.regis.edu/29677196/