How Gut Health Affects Mental Health
How Gut Health Affects Mental Health
Did you know that the health of your gut can directly affect how you feel mentally? The gut-brain axis is the connection between the central nervous system and the gut microbiome. There has been an abundance of research on the gut-brain axis within the last decade showing a link with the health of the gut and conditions like anxiety and depression.
It is common to feel more anxious or depressed when there are underlying issues within the gastrointestinal system. I often see patients find relief from mental health symptoms when we work on chronic infections or inflammation that may be lingering within the gut. One reason for this is because key probiotic strains are necessary to produce certain neurotransmitters that regulate the nervous system. So if there is an imbalance between the good and bad bacteria of the microbiome, or dysbiosis, then it is possible the body is unable to make adequate levels of serotonin, GABA, and/or dopamine. Research has shown that for some people, even just supplementing with probiotics can reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression as effectively as common antidepressant medications.
The integrity of the gut lining matters. Inflammation of the gut and dysbiosis of the microbiome can cause gaps within the intestinal lining, resulting in increased intestinal permeability. Intestinal permeability allows inflammatory molecules to get through into the blood which can increase the permeability of the blood-brain barrier. As a result, these inflammatory molecules can influence brain activity, instigating anxiety, depression, and cognitive issues.
But don’t forget this connection is a two-way street! Stress is a big factor that directly affects the movement and contraction of the gut. On the other hand, the microbiome can affect the stress response and regulate levels of the stress hormone, cortisol.
The gastrointestinal system is linked to many conditions outside of the gut. Thus, the gut-brain connection is a vital aspect that needs to be assessed when dealing with mental health conditions.
Written by Dr. Rachel Heussner NMD
