Research: Feeding intestine microbes to nourish the mind: Unravelling the food plan–microbiota–intestine–mind axis. Picture Credit score: Ellen Eryomenko / Shutterstock.com
The rise in mind issues is linked to poor food plan, whereas wholesome consuming helps mind well being. This evaluate highlights the gut-brain axis, the place food plan influences mind operate by way of intestine microbiota, and discusses its potential for treating neuropsychiatric issues.
A current Nature Metabolism examine discusses the diet-microbiota-gut-brain axis, which describes the position of each food plan and intestine microbiota composition on cognitive and emotional well being.
Weight loss plan and the intestine microbiota
Diets wealthy in carbohydrates considerably enhance Bifidobacterium ranges within the intestine microbiome whereas resulting in lowered Bacteroides ranges. Undigested carbohydrates in prebiotics promote the expansion of a wholesome intestine microbiota, thereby benefitting the gastrointestinal (GI) tract.
Proteins are the first supply of amino acids, that are key for mind well being. Consuming plant-based proteins will increase short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) and branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) ranges, each of which promote general well being. Comparatively, long-term consumption of animal-based proteins might adversely influence the intestine microbiota.
Elevated consumption of saturated fat has been related to cognitive impairment, whereas an inverse impact has been noticed for unsaturated fatty acid consumption. The amount and saturation of fats determines the precise results on the intestine microbiota.
Minerals, nutritional vitamins, and hint parts are wanted for the survival and progress of a number of intestine micro organism. Thus, micronutrient deficiencies might result in poor cognitive efficiency and emotional disturbances.
Earlier research have additionally demonstrated the affiliation between temper issues and the consumption of ultra-processed meals (UPF), with the intestine microbiome having a key position on this relationship.
The gut-brain axis and neuropsychiatric issues
The intestine microbiota regulates anorexia nervosa (AN), which entails being underweight by way of compensatory behaviors and/or continual meals restriction. The chance of schizophrenia can be partially mediated by the intestine microbiota as a consequence of irritation induced by maternal or postnatal dietary malnourishment by way of over- or under-feeding.
The ketogenic food plan will increase the abundance of sure genera, corresponding to Bifidobacterium and Akkermansia. Growing the manufacturing of ketones by way of this dietary method inhibits apoptosis and reduces oxidative stress, which has been therapeutically efficient within the administration of sure types of epilepsy.
Dietary patterns, particularly those who contain elevated consumption of high-fat dairy merchandise, meat, butter, eggs, and refined sugar, are related to an elevated threat of dementia or Alzheimer’s illness (AD).
Kids with consideration deficit hyperactivity dysfunction (ADHD) exhibit decrease serum concentrations of chromium, magnesium, and zinc. ADHD has additionally been related to an elevated abundance of Eggerthella and Faecalibacterium.
Intestine metabolites and their therapeutic potential
A number of molecular pathways are concerned within the bidirectional communication of the diet-microbiota-gut-brain axis, which coordinates cognition and emotion in wholesome and diseased states. Bacterial metabolites concerned in digestion equally affect communication between the intestine microbiota and the mind.
SCFAs, corresponding to propionate, acetate, and butyrate, produced from microbial fermentation of host-indigestible dietary fibers or microbial protein breakdown are related to blood strain regulation, GI operate, neuroimmune operate, and circadian rhythm regulation. A number of research have proven that the modifications in fecal SCFA ranges are related to weight problems, Parkinson’s illness (PD), ASD, and continual psychosocial stress, thus demonstrating the sturdy position of SCFAs in microbiota-gut-brain axis-related issues.
A discount in SCFA-producing micro organism within the intestine will increase the dangers of PD. This has led researchers to analyze the efficacy of propionate remedy, which has been proven to extend dopaminergic cell survival charges in a PD mouse mannequin.
Taurine is one other microbial metabolite concerned in host digestion. Along with its position in digestive processes, taurine is related to anticonvulsant, neuroprotective, and cognitive-enhancing properties by way of its exercise as an agonist of glycine, gamma-aminobutyric acid kind A (GABAA), and gamma-aminobutyric acid kind B (GABAB) receptors within the mind. Taurine supplementation has a possible therapeutic worth for epilepsy, AD, PD, nervousness, and despair.
Main gut-associated microbial taxa, corresponding to Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus, and Bacteroidetes, specific bile salt hydrolase enzymes that de-conjugate bile acids from taurine and glycine. Alterations in intestine microbiota composition as a consequence of an unbalanced food plan might induce neuroinflammation and cut back synaptic plasticity on account of impaired TGR5 signaling and modifications in bile acid synthesis.
Commensal bacterial metabolites corresponding to choline, bacteriocins, neuromodulators, bile acids, and SCFAs operate as signaling molecules and may modulate microbe-host interactions. These metabolites affect neural signaling and talk with the mind.
Future outlook
Extra analysis is required to judge how continual meals consumption influences the microbiota-gut-brain axis. Longitudinal and multimodal examine designs can be utilized to know the position of the diet-microbiota-gut-brain axis within the pathogenesis of neuropsychiatric issues and/or in symptom severity. Moreover, randomized managed trials could be performed to find out whether or not diet-induced alterations in intestine microbiota have an effect on medical populations.
Journal reference:
- Schneider, E., O’Riordan, Okay. J., Clarke, G., & Cryan, J. F. (2024) Feeding intestine microbes to nourish the mind: Unravelling the food plan–microbiota–intestine–mind axis. Nature Metabolism; 1-25. doi:10.1038/s42255-024-01108-6
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