Many people are aware of the connection between the gut and the brain, whether it's a nervous sensation in the stomach before an important presentation or a butterfly at the sight of a loved one. The central nervous system and the enteric nervous system communicate via the gut-brain axis.
Scientists are still figuring out how to communicate in both directions. Some of the potential mechanisms behind the gut-brain axis are explained here.
The gut-brain axis is a two way communication that takes place between the gastrointestinal tract and the central nervous system.
She said that it links emotional and cognitive centers of the brain with the gut. A troubled brain can send signals to the gut.
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The communication happens through a network. Some of them are listed here.
The gastrointestinal tract, home to trillions of microbes, is a key player in the communication system, according to Jane Foster, a professor of Psychiatry at UT Southwestern.
The impact of a person's diet on these organisms is significant. Short-chain fatty acids are produced by gutbacteria which ferment fiber. Butyrate and propionate are included. According to a 2020 study, short-chain fatty acids have the ability to cross the blood-brain barrier, where they can impact brain structure and function.
Foster said that the immune system is part of the gut-brain axis.
The barrier between the gut and the bloodstream can become permeable when there is an insufficient amount of gutbacteria. It can allow badbacteria to enter the bloodstream. According to a review published in the journal Frontiers in Immunology, dysbiosis can cause inflammation of the brain. Multiple Sclerosis, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases, as well as anxiety and depression, have been linked to inflammatory pathways.
The human's gut contains 500 million brain cells. One of the most important nerves in the body is the vagus nerve.
A study published in the journal PLOS One found that psychological stress may have a harmful effect on the vagus nerve.
Chemicals called neurotransmitters are used to communicate between the brain and the gut. The "fight or flight" response is one of the functions of some of the neurotransmitters produced in the brain.
They can be produced in the gut according to a 2016 review. It was found that neurotransmitters such as dopamine and norepinephrine are able to regulate and control blood flow.
The relationship between the gut-brain axis and mental health is still being understood. Much of the evidence is based on animal research so it's hard to say how this will translate to humans.
When it comes to the relationship between the brain and the gut, it's difficult to establish cause and effect.
It can be the cause or the result of anxiety, stress, or depression.
Balance and diversity are hallmarks of a good gut microbiome. There may be a link between a person's gut flora and their mental health.
Foster said that a mental health problem is different from a healthy one. Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease are related to a different profile of microbes in the gut.
Poor gut health may contribute to the start and progression of mental health conditions, according to a review published in the journal. The levels of Enterobacteriaceae and Alistipes were increased in patients with depressed moods. The researchers found that patients with mental disorders had less diversity in their gutbacteria. It's not clear if changes in gutbacteria affect mood disorders or not.
According to a 2016 meta-analysis published in the journal PLos One, beneficialbacteria found in food and supplements can support gastrointestinal health. Psychobiotics is a new field that is looking at the role that probiotics can play in treating mental health symptoms. There is more research that needs to be done.
Evidence shows a correlation between the gut microbiome and cognitive performance A study published in the Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society found a link between gut microbiome composition and cognitive function. People with higher proportions of Firmicutes and Verrucomicrobia performed better on tests related to attention, learning and memory.
The article is not meant to give medical advice.
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