New evidence shows a direct link between mental health and gut health.
I recently published an article outlining evidence that the health of our tummy can affect the production of serotonin, which can impact our levels of happiness, optimism, and satisfaction.
Now a separate study has determined a link between gut health and anxiety.
The crucial connection between gut microbes and anxiety-related behaviours
Scientists from Duke-NUS Medical School and the National Neuroscience Institute in Singapore have published an article suggesting microbial metabolites (an intermediate or end product of metabolism play a direct role in regulating brain activity linked to anxiety.
This finding opens exciting possibilities for new probiotic-based therapies to improve mental health.
The scientists observed that mice not exposed to live microbes showed significantly more anxiety-related behaviours than those which were.
Their investigations revealed that the increased anxiety was associated with heightened activity in the brain region involved in processing emotions such as fear and anxiety, the basolateral amygdala.
A new connection between microbes and mental health
“Our findings reveal those without any live microbes showed higher levels of anxious behavior than those with live bacteria. Essentially, the lack of these microbes disrupted the way their brains functioned, particularly in areas that control fear and anxiety, leading to anxious behavior.” – Associate Professor Shawn Je.
These findings, according to the researchers, open up the potential of targeting the gut-brain axis to treat anxiety-related disorders by restoring the microbe composition through dietary supplements with indoles or by introducing indole-producing gut microbes as probiotics.
They tell us that the findings underscore the deep evolutionary links between microbes, nutrition, and brain function.
This also has huge potential for people suffering from stress-related conditions, such as sleep disorders or those unable to tolerate standard psychiatric medications.
“It’s a reminder that mental health is not just in the brain- it’s in the gut too.” – Professor Patrick Tan, Senior Vice-Dean for Research at Duke-NUS.
The team now hopes to explore clinical trials to determine whether indole-based probiotics or supplements can be effectively used in humans as a natural anxiety treatment.
If successful, this could mark the beginning of a new era in mental health care – one where gut microbes help keep our minds at ease.
How can I improve gut health now?
While the scientists are talking about further developments in probiotics, there are several things you can start doing today to help your gut health.
Stress is a big factor, I can’t tell you to not stress, but taking steps to try and help ease external stress factors is a common first step.
Regular exercise and quality probiotic supplements might help too. It is also recommended that you go easy on antibiotics, and eat a wide variety of plant-based foods.
