Reference Number: 201
Year: 2015
Link: Link to original paper
Health: Mental Health
Summary
The human gut harbors a dynamic and complex microbial ecosystem, consisting of approximately 1 kg of bacteria in the average adult, approximately the weight of the human brain. The evolutionary formation of a complex gut microbiota in mammals has played an important role in enabling brain development and perhaps sophisticated social interaction. Genes within the human gut microbiota, termed the microbiome, significantly outnumber human genes in the body, and are capable of producing a myriad of neuroactive compounds. Gut microbes are part of the unconscious system regulating behavior. Recent investigations indicate that these microbes majorly impact on cognitive function and fundamental
behavior patterns, such as social interaction and stress management. In the absence of microbes, underlying neurochemistry is profoundly altered. Studies of gut microbes may play an important role in advancing understanding of disorders of cognitive functioning and social interaction, such as autism.
SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
Psychobiotics are probiotics with a potential mental health benefit. The current review illustrate show our gut microbes are part of an ‘unconscious system’ influencing behaviour by having a major impact on cognitive function and fundamental behaviour patterns in humans. Disorganisation of the gut microbiota can negatively impact on mental health.
Some of these beneficial bacteria have a preference to metabolise certain foods, and so what we teach here is to maximise diversity and include in out baking foods that we know encourage the abundance of beneficial bacteria associated with feeling good.