Gut Policy: The Mental Health Link Inside Us

Written by Kaif Smith, Account Manager, Healthcare

During European Mental Health Awareness Week, which runs from 19-25 May, the theme is Investing in Social Policies. This year we’re bringing attention to how policies such as access to adequate nutrition and health literacy could impact an often-overlooked factor that might be influencing our mental health: our gut health.

While mental health policy often focuses on therapy and medication, there’s a lesser-known influence hidden in our digestive systems. It’s time we gave it the attention it deserves.

How Gut Health Affects Mental Wellbeing

Research has shown that the gut microbiota – the collection of microorganisms in our digestive system – differs between people with psychiatric disorders like anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia, and those without.^1,2 These imbalances are linked to increased inflammation and changes in the production of neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin, as well as short-chain fatty acids.^2,3 These compounds can negatively impact brain function.^2,3 Some studies even suggest that transferring bacteria from people with Major Depressive Disorder into rodents can induce depression-like behaviours in the animals.³

Neurological Conditions Also Start in the Gut

Neurological disorders, such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson’s, and autism spectrum disorders, are among the leading causes of disability worldwide.⁴ People with these conditions often have distinct gut microbiota profiles compared to those without.^5,6 Changes in the gut microbiome can influence disease progression through similar mechanisms as seen in mental disorders.^5,6

The Gut-Brain Conversation: How Signals Travel

The gut and brain communicate through several pathways. These include neural communication via the vagus and sympathetic nerves, chemical signals like gut peptides and neurotransmitters, and behavioural factors such as diet and stress.⁷ Animal studies have shown that probiotics can benefit brain function by altering the gut microbiome, although their effectiveness in humans remains uncertain.⁷

What We Still Don’t Know About the Microbiome

While there's substantial evidence linking gut microbiota to brain health, pinpointing which bacteria are responsible for specific conditions is tricky. However, an imbalanced gut microbiome is clearly associated with various negative effects.^1-3,4-7 As research progresses, there's hope that we might find new ways to treat conditions previously thought untreatable.

By investing in social rights – such as access to nutritious food, preventative care and education, we may strengthen both gut health and mental health.

To find out more about our expertise, contact Katy ([email protected])

References:

1. Xiong RG, Li J, Cheng J, et al. The role of gut microbiota in anxiety, depression, and other mental disorders as well as the protective effects of dietary components. Nutrients. 2023;15(14):3258.
2. Grau-Del Valle C, Fernández J, Solá E, et al. Association between gut microbiota and psychiatric disorders: a systematic review. Front Psychol. 2023;14:1215674.
3. Cheung SG, Goldenthal AR, Uhlemann AC, et al. Systematic review of gut microbiota and major depression. Front Psychiatry. 2019;10:34.
4. Ningrum DNA, Kung WM. Challenges and perspectives of neurological disorders. Brain Sci. 2023;13(4):676.
5. Ullah H, Arbab S, Tian Y, et al. The gut microbiota-brain axis in neurological disorder. Front Neurosci. 2023;17:1225875.
6. Loh JS, Mak WQ, Tan LKS, et al. Microbiota-gut-brain axis and its therapeutic applications in neurodegenerative diseases. Signal Transduct Target Ther. 2024;9(1):37.
7. Rogers GB, Keating DJ, Young RL. From gut dysbiosis to altered brain function and mental illness: mechanisms and pathways. Mol Psychiatry. 2016;21(6):738-748.