In this photo, you can see a stupor, obese man surrounded by animal corpses (pigs, cows, deer, and birds) and a bottle of alcohol, referring to the typical English lifestyle in London at that time and an association with poor mental health. Since then, advancements in microbiology have allowed us to isolate microbiota from the gut and study their metabolites and their effects on human health and disease. 

Finally, in 2012, research revealed a connection between the gut and the brain through the microbiome called the “microbiota-gut-brain axis.” In fact, 95% of the body’s Serotonin, the “feel-good neurotransmitter,” is produced in the gut, and besides mood, it controls the gut's motility. Did you know that the microbiome also makes dopamine, GABA, and glutamate, all of which influence brain function? Collectively, these molecules lead to alterations in brain function and affect cognition in neurological diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, autism, Schizophrenia, depression, anxiety, and more! 

So, how does that relate to your health? 

Dietary fiber is essential for a healthy gut and for its impact on the gut-brain axis. Higher dietary fiber intake is associated with a lower risk of depression. Here at IOPBM, we educate our patients on lifestyle measures such as nutrition to improve gut health, prevent mental health disorders, and improve mental health through food and lifestyle.