Mental health and immunity: their connection to the brain-gut axis

Did you know you have more than one brain?

Recently, scientists and researchers discovered that your intestinal bacteria act like a “little brain” (or 2nd brain). This influences not only your intestinal health but also your cognitive health (1). Although the research is still quite new, it is noted that mental health problems and cognitive disorders can be more complex than a simple brain-related disorder. Could this mean that there are even more ways to help those suffering from mental health problems?

What is the gut microbiome?

Your microbiome is large and complex. Indeed, while it was believed that gut bacteria simply played a role in digestion, scientists now realize that the microbiome does much more than that.

The human microbiome represents “all the microorganisms in the human body as well as their respective genetic material.” (2) There are approximately 100 trillion bacteria in your intestines, ten times more than your own cells. (3) Bacteria in your gastrointestinal tract help with digestion, break down food into nutrients, support the immune system, and communicate with the brain. (4)

The gut-brain axis

The communication between your gut microbiome and your brain is called the gut-brain axis. Scientists have discovered that your gastrointestinal tract has its own neural network. This is lined with nerve cells from start to finish, from the mouth to the rectum. (5)

Additionally, your gut produces neurotransmitters that influence your brain chemistry. For example, serotonin, a neurotransmitter that influences mood, is produced mainly in the intestine. (6) Conversely, the bacteria in your gut respond to these neurotransmitters. Which means your brain also influences your gut bacteria. (7) If your gut is happy, your brain will be happy and vice versa. It is two-way communication.

Leaky gut syndrome

The connection between your gut and your brain can have a major impact on your physical and mental health. Chronic inflammation in the intestine can, over time, create holes in the intestinal wall. This is called “leaky gut syndrome”. Your immune system will eventually respond to this intestinal inflammation by attacking the digestive tract, potentially causing even more damage to your intestinal wall. Food particles and pathogens then have free access to the blood system and can access the central nervous system, even passing through the blood-brain barrier. (8)

Scientists have discovered that this process can trigger autoimmune diseases, causing the immune system to constantly attack certain parts of the body. (9) Busy constantly attacking himself, he can find himself too helpless and exhausted to fight viruses coming from outside.

Furthermore, chronic inflammation coupled with an overactive immune system are correlated with mental health disorders. (10) Your gastrointestinal system sends signals to your brain that can change your mood and cause certain mental disorders. (11)

Stress can also change the bacterial composition of your gut, making you more susceptible to mental illness. (12)

How to prevent?

“Our gut bacteria (or gut microbiota) are profoundly shaped by our eating habits.” (13)

Eating habits

Dietary changes can help alleviate some symptoms of autoimmune diseases. (14) Your microbiome is largely influenced by what you consume. So, eating healthy, organic, unprocessed foods, adding supplements, and reducing added sugar and alcohol consumption, can greatly support your gut health.

Therapies

A variety of diverse therapies, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, can soothe the mind and gut issues. (15)

Probiotics

Probiotics may play an important role in gut health and boosting cognitive health. This is an exciting discovery! Although more research still needs to be done, probiotics may help reduce inflammation and prevent neuronal dysfunction. They can also help reduce cortisone levels (16), allowing for better stress management.

Probiotics from Living Alchemy

Living Alchemy is committed to formulating the best clean supplements for your gut and body health.

We created Symbiotics Your Flora , a blend of probiotics, prebiotics, enzymes and nutrients made from fermented whole foods. These supplements will give you everything you need to take care of your gut, your immune system and feel good.

In addition, we offer the Vivant range composed of fermented adaptogenic plants. These will help you manage your stress better. They have the power to bring you closer to a state of mental calm and good humor.

Finally, we formulated Sagesse , a powerful blend of fermented herbs to which we added hedgehog hydne (or lion's mane) mushroom. Wisdom will help you maintain good cognitive health and keep you “on”!

All Living Alchemy products are available in-store and online.

Written by the Living Alchemy team

References :

1. https://www.sciencesetavenir.fr/sante/cerveau-et-psy/le-microbiote-allie-de-notre-cerveau_105135
2. Clapp, Megan. Sept 15, 2017. Gut microbiota's effect on mental health: The gut-brain axis. NCBI. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5641835/ Accessed April 17, 2020.
3. Carpenter, Siri. September 2012. That gut feeling. American Psychological Association. https://www.apa.org/monitor/2012/09/gut-feeling Accessed April 17, 2020.
4. John Hopkins Medicine. The Brain-Gut Connection. John Hopkins Medicine. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/the-brain-gut-connection Accessed April 18, 2020.
5. John Hopkins Medicine. The Brain-Gut Connection. John Hopkins Medicine. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/the-brain-gut-connection Accessed April 18, 2020.
6. Carpenter, Siri. September 2012. That gut feeling. American Psychological Association. https://www.apa.org/monitor/2012/09/gut-feeling Accessed April 17, 2020.
7. Carpenter, Siri. September 2012. That gut feeling. American Psychological Association. https://www.apa.org/monitor/2012/09/gut-feeling Accessed April 17, 2020.
8. Clapp, Megan. Sept 15, 2017. Gut microbiota's effect on mental health: The gut-brain axis. NCBI. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5641835/ Accessed April 17, 2020.
9. Wekerle, Hartmut. December 2016. The gut–brain connection: triggering of brain autoimmune disease by commensal gut bacteria. Rheumatology. https://academic.oup.com/rheumatology/article/55/suppl_2/ii68/2892202 Accessed April 17, 2020.
10. Clapp, Megan. Sept 15, 2017. Gut microbiota's effect on mental health: The gut-brain axis. NCBI. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5641835/ Accessed April 17, 2020.
11. McQuillan, Susan. Nov 18, 2018. The Gut Brain Connection: How Gut Health Affects Mental Health. PSYCOM. https://www.psycom.net/the-gut-brain-connection Accessed April 18, 2020.
12. Carpenter, Siri. September 2012. That gut feeling. American Psychological Association. https://www.apa.org/monitor/2012/09/gut-feeling Accessed April 17, 2020.
13. Wekerle, Hartmut. December 2016. The gut–brain connection: triggering of brain autoimmune disease by commensal gut bacteria. Rheumatology. https://academic.oup.com/rheumatology/article/55/suppl_2/ii68/2892202 Accessed April 17, 2020.
14. John Hopkins Medicine. The Brain-Gut Connection. John Hopkins Medicine. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/the-brain-gut-connection Accessed April 18, 2020.
15. Clapp, Megan. Sept 15, 2017. Gut microbiota's effect on mental health: The gut-brain axis. NCBI. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5641835/ Accessed April 17, 2020.