You Are What You Eat - The Gut Microbiome Shapes Mood, Health, and Behavior

In this episode, I’m diving deep into how your gut microbiome influences more than just digestion—it impacts your mood, mental health, and even your decisions! I'll break down fascinating science on the gut-brain connection, share surprising research on gut bacteria and depression, and give you practical tips for a healthier gut. Join me as we explore why taking care of what’s inside your belly can transform how you feel, think, and act. Let’s get savvy about gut health together!

 

Further reading / bibliography:

• Bercik, P., Collins, S. M. (2014). The Effects of the Microbiota on the Central Nervous System and Behavioral Disorders. Gastroenterology, 146(6), 1449-1458. DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2014.02.037

• Cryan, J. F., & Dinan, T. G. (2012). Mind-altering microorganisms: the impact of the gut microbiota on brain and behaviour. Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 13(10), 701-712. DOI: 10.1038/nrn3346

• Foster, J. A., Rinaman, L., & Cryan, J. F. (2017). Stress & the gut-brain axis: Regulation by the microbiome. Neurobiology of Stress, 7, 124-136. DOI: 10.1016/j.ynstr.2017.03.001

• Mayer, E. A., Padua, D., & Tillisch, K. (2014). Altered brain-gut axis in autism: comorbidity or causative mechanisms? BioEssays, 36(10), 933-939. DOI: 10.1002/bies.201400075

• Clarke, G., Stilling, R. M., Kennedy, P. J., Stanton, C., Cryan, J. F., & Dinan, T. G. (2014). Minireview: Gut microbiota: The neglected endocrine organ. Molecular Endocrinology, 28(8), 1221-1238. DOI: 10.1210/me.2014-1108

• Sampson, T. R., & Mazmanian, S. K. (2015). Control of brain development, function, and behavior by the microbiome. Cell Host & Microbe, 17(5), 565-576. DOI: 10.1016/j.chom.2015.04.011

• O'Mahony, S. M., Clarke, G., Dinan, T. G., & Cryan, J. F. (2015). Early-life adversity and brain development: Is the microbiome a missing piece of the puzzle? Neuroscience, 342, 37-54. DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2015.09.068

• Ridaura, V. K., et al. (2013). Gut microbiota from twins discordant for obesity modulate metabolism in mice. Science, 341(6150), 1241214. DOI: 10.1126/science.1241214

• Dash, S., Clarke, G., Berk, M., & Jacka, F. N. (2015). The gut microbiome and diet in psychiatry: Focus on depression. Current Opinion in Psychiatry, 28(1), 1-6. DOI: 10.1097/YCO.0000000000000117

• Madra, M., & Ringel, Y. (2015). The role of probiotics in treating irritable bowel syndrome. Gastroenterology Clinics of North America, 44(1), 159-175. DOI: 10.1016/j.gtc.2014.11.013

• Jacka, F. N., et al. (2017). A randomized controlled trial of dietary improvement for adults with major depression (the 'SMILES' trial). BMC Medicine, 15, 23. DOI: 10.1186/s12916-017-0791-y

• Staudacher, H. M., et al. (2017). Probiotic and prebiotic mechanisms to improve mental health via the gut-brain axis. Current Opinion in Pharmacology, 38, 69-77. DOI: 10.1016/j.coph.2018.03.008

• Kong, X., et al. (2020). Probiotics supplementation during antibiotic treatment reduces the risk of Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea. The American Journal of Gastroenterology, 115(6), 921-929. DOI: 10.14309/ajg.0000000000000601

• Mills, J. P., et al. (2017). The Impact of Cesarean Delivery on the Diversity of the Infant Gut Microbiome. Microbial Ecology in Health & Disease, 28(1), 13777. DOI: 10.1080/16512235.2017.13777