Food for thought: Exploring the gut’s role in mental health
This article explores the gut-brain axis, discussing how diet and gut microbiota influence mental health and mood. It references various scientific studies to support the connection between gastrointestinal health and psychological well-being.
Why it matters
Understanding the gut-brain connection is increasingly important for holistic approaches to treating mental health conditions like depression and anxiety.
Mental Health Awareness Week is running 12–18 October, prompting dietitian Fiona Kendall to write about the gut–brain axis and how diet may influence mood and mental health
Kia ora and welcome to New Zealand Doctor Rata Aotearoa
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1. Cryan JF, Dinan TG. Mind-altering microorganisms: the impact of the gut microbiota on brain and behaviour. Nat Rev Neurosci 2012;13(10):701–12. https://doi.org/10.1038/nrn3346
2. Du Y, Gao XR, Peng L, Ge JF. Crosstalk between the microbiota-gut-brain axis and depression. Heliyon 2020;6(6):e04097. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e04097
3. Dinan TG, Stanton C, Cryan JF. Psychobiotics: a novel class of psychotropic. Biol Psychiatry 2013;74(10):720–26. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopsych.2013.05.001
4. Tillisch K, Labus J, Kilpatrick L, et al. Consumption of fermented milk product with probiotic modulates brain activity. Gastroenterology 2013;144(7):1394–401. https://doi.org/10.1053/j.gastro.2013.02.043
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