Mind-Gut Connection Revealed: A Guide to Understanding How the Silent Communication Within Our Bodies Affects and How It Affects Our Mood, Lifestyle Choices & Well Being One of the hottest topics in scientific research during recent years is known as the brain-gut connection, which is simply the intricately intertwined relationship between our brain and gut. It is bidirectional through back and forth communication acting as transmitting paths between the central and enteric nervous system via brain-gut axis module to provides complex fine interactions of these two parts. And, new studies underscore the vital importance of this connection for your overall health and wellness. The gut-brain axis acts through complex interplay of neural, hormonal and immunological pathways. An important player in this communication highway is the vagus nerve — the main ‘cable’ that transmits signals between the gut and the brain. In addition, trillions of microorganisms that form part of the gut microbiota have shown to strongly affect this axis as well. For instance, these microbes are known to produce diverse metabolites including short-chain fatty acids that have the capability to cross the blood-brain barrier and influence brain function and behavior. Insight into the brain-gut relationship can ultimately transform health. For example, imbalances in this axis have been associated with a variety of diseases including irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), anxiety, depression and neurodegenerative disease such as Parkinson's. Correction: Studies have demonstrated that many IBS patients exhibit an abnormal gut microbiota, as well as a higher degree of intestinal permeability appeared to represent another important marker feature in relation to both the sensitivity and inflammation from numerous studies. On the flip side, anything that causes stress can exacerbate gut symptoms and irritate the cycle of discomfort and distress. Conversely, targeting the gut through diet or other interventions could potentially benefit brain health. Interventions modulating the gut microbiota including pre-, pro-, and dietary fibres have been proposed to ameliorate symptoms of anxiety and depression. These effects are based on specific probiotic strains, whose production of neurotransmitters (e.g., serotonin or gamma-aminobutyric acid [GABA]) capable of modulating mood has already been established elsewhere.
