Have you ever had a “gut feeling” about something? Or experienced butterflies in your stomach before a big presentation? These sensations are more than just metaphors – they reflect the connection between our gut and our brain.
If you ever feel like your mood is out of control or experience feelings of anxiety, depression, or stress, you’re not alone. Many people suffer from mental health issues that seem to have no clear cause or solution. However, recent research has shed light on a potential culprit: the gut-brain axis. In this article, we’ll explore the connection between your gut and your brain, and how improving your gut health could have a positive impact on your mental wellbeing.
The gut-brain axis is the bidirectional communication network that links our central nervous system (CNS) with the enteric nervous system (ENS), the complex network of neurons that lines our digestive tract.1 This communication is facilitated by a complex network of neurons, hormones, and immune cells that work together to regulate various bodily functions, including digestion, metabolism, and immunity.2
Research has shown that the gut-brain axis also plays a crucial role in regulating our mental health and emotional wellbeing.3 In fact, up to 90% of the body’s serotonin, a neurotransmitter that plays a key role in regulating mood, is produced in the gut.4
Additionally, the gut is home to trillions of micro-organisms, collectively known as the gut microbiota, that play a vital role in maintaining the health of the gut and modulating the gut-brain axis.5
When the gut microbiota is disrupted, it can lead to inflammation, gut permeability, and changes in neurotransmitter production, all of which can contribute to mood disorders such as anxiety, stress and depression.6
Gut microbiota can produce and regulate neurotransmitters – chemical messengers – that help regulate our mood and emotions. For example, certain gut bacteria produce gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a neurotransmitter that has a calming effect on the nervous system.7
Other gut bacteria produce serotonin, a neurotransmitter that plays a key role in regulating mood and neurological function.7 There are also several lifestyle factors that can impact the gut-brain axis and our mental health. For example, a diet high in processed foods and sugar can lead to an imbalance in gut bacteria and increased inflammation in the body, which can contribute to mood disorders.5
On the other hand, a diet rich in whole foods, fibre, and fermented foods can support a healthy gut microbiome and improve mental health.6
In addition to diet, stress can also have a negative impact on the gut-brain axis. Chronic stress can lead to an imbalance in gut bacteria and increased inflammation, which can contribute to a range of mental health disorders.8 Incorporating stress-reduction techniques such as mindfulness, meditation, and yoga can help support a healthy gut-brain axis and improve mental health.
Phytoceutics™ may provide the solution with Ceregut™ Probiotic, a next generation probiotic. Ceregut™ is a 3 billion CFU probiotic which contains the same ingredients as Cerebiome® and betters digestive system function.
Cerebiome® is a patented internationally documented probiotic which works on the gut-brain axis with studies showing that the product may promote a healthy mood balance, promote a healthy stress response and reduce stress related gut complications.
In conclusion, the gut-brain axis is a complex and important system that plays a key role in regulating our mood and emotions. By prioritizing a healthy diet, reducing stress, and supporting a diverse gut microbiome, we can take steps to improve our mental health and overall well-being.
Health supplements may provide an additional benefit to ensure a healthy connection between the brain and the gut.
| References |
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| 1. Mayer EA. Gut feelings: the emerging biology of gut-brain communication. Nat Rev Neurosci. 2011;12(8):453-66. doi: 10.1038/nrn3071. |
| 2. Grenham S, et al. Brain-gut-microbe communication in health and disease. Front Physiol. 2011;2:94. doi: 10.3389/fphys.2011.00094. |
| 3. Cryan JF, Dinan TG. Mind-altering microorganisms: the impact of the gut microbiota on brain and behaviour. Nat Rev Neurosci. 2012;13(10):701-12. doi: 10.1038/nrn3346. |
| 4. Yano JM, et al. Indigenous bacteria from the gut microbiota regulate host serotonin biosynthesis. Cell. 2015;161(2):264-76. doi: 10.1016/j.cell.2015.02.047. |
| 5. Singh RK, et al. Influence of diet on the gut microbiome and implications for human health. J Transl Med. 2017;15(1):73. doi: 10.1186/s12967-017-1175-y. |
| 6. Selhub EM, Logan AC, Bested AC. Fermented foods, microbiota, and mental health: ancient practice meets nutritional psychiatry. J Physiol Anthropol. 2014;33(1):2. doi: 10.1186/1880-6805-33-2. |
| 7. Strandwitz P. Neurotransmitter modulation by the gut microbiota. Brain Res. 2018;1693(Pt B):128-133. doi: 10.1016/j.brainres.2018.03.015. |
| 8. Kelly JR, et al. Transferring the blues: Depression-associated gut microbiota induces neurobehavioural changes in the rat. J Psychiatr Res. 2016;82:109-18. doi: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2016.07.019. |
