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TODAY , it is estimated that one out of every five American adults suffers a mental-health condition ( 43.7 million Americans — more than the combined populations of New York and Florida ), and the statistic only seems to be worsening . 1 Additionally , from 2011 to 2014 , rates of youth depression increased from 8.5 percent to 11.1 percent ; many youth are unable to access adequate treatment . 2
The medical establishment blames brain-based imbalances for this epidemic . But could it instead be due to gut dysfunction ?
Gut health is rapidly gaining recognition for its vital role in overall health , especially mental health . References to “ gut feelings ” and the sensations of “ butterflies in one ’ s tummy ” are more than just figures of speech ; in fact , the gut has named the “ second brain ”, given that it can act independently from the central nervous system .
WHAT CONSTITUTES A HEALTHY GUT ?
Gut health is largely determined by the mycobiome , the collection of bacteria ( symbiotic and pathogenic ) as well as fungi , that resides in the gut . The keys to optimal gut health include maintaining a healthy balance of “ good ” and “ bad ” bacteria and fungi in the gut , and ensuring a healthy , robust gut lining .
The Mycobiome
The term “ mycobiome ” was coined by an NIH-funded researcher , Dr . M . Mahmoud Ghannoum , when he discovered the significant relationship between bacteria and fungi and its effect on the balance of the body ’ s bacterial levels . Dr . Ghannoum noted that the popular concept of the “ microbiome ” focuses on the bacterial community , ignoring the body ’ s equally important fungal populations . 3
Nearly 80 percent of the immune system is located in the gut , 4 which is why any alterations in bacterial balance can lead to various health conditions . For instance , an overgrowth of pathogenic bacteria can cause gut dysbiosis , which can contribute to more serious conditions like inflammatory bowel diseases ( e . g . Crohn ’ s disease , ulcerative colitis ) as well as neurological problems ( e . g . depression , anxiety , and autism ). In fact , research suggests that the aforementioned ailments actually stem from i n s u ffi c i e n t diversity of gut organisms ( which can arise when beneficial strains are crowded out by a pathogenic species ). 5
Gut Lining
The gut lining is comprised of epithelial cells , bound together by tight junctions . 6 Any impairment to these junctions leads to hyperpermeability in the gut lining (“ leaky gut ”), allowing undigested foods and toxins to seep into the bloodstream . This causes inflammation that may precipitate the development of conditions like asthma , allergies , eczema , or migraines , and autoimmune conditions like fibromyalgia , celiac disease , and rheumatoid arthritis .
Leaky gut may derive from the use of medications such as antibiotics , birth control , aspirin , and NSAIDs ; diets high in processed foods ( with artificial ingredients and hydrogenated oils , especially ) and alcohol can also be factors . Maldigestion of grains and dairy has also been linked to leaky gut , so these foods are best avoided during the healing phase ( with possible reintroduction once the gut has properly healed ).
The �Second Brain� The enteric nervous system , also known as the “ second brain ”, is responsible for controlling the entire GI tract and all steps in the digestive process . It is located in the tissues lining the digestive tract , including the esophagus , stomach , small intestine , and colon . It allows us to swallow , coordinates the release of digestive enzymes , and controls blood-flow to facilitate nutrient assimilation and waste elimination .
The enteric nervous system “ speaks ” to the brain via millions of neurons , and is in constant contact with the central nervous system . Indeed , the enteric nervous system contains as many neurons as the spinal cord ! 7 It , along with the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems , makes up the autonomic nervous system . However , the enteric nervous system can also act independently , monitoring the entire digestive tract alone . 8
Neurological disorders like depression and anxiety were once thought to be triggered by digestive problems . However , the opposite is likely true ; gut dysfunction may cause changes in mood and behavior , triggered by the enteric nervous system . 9
Roughly 30 to 40 percent of the American population suffers from digestive complaints , which may help explain the recent uptick in incidence of depression , anxiety , and other neurological disorders . 10
Happiness and Your Gut
The health of the gut has a profound impact on happiness and overall wellbeing . A recent study illuminates the influence of specific strains of bacteria on our behavior and emotions . Researchers compared gut flora between several cohorts of women and noticed significant variation in cognitive function and emotions like anxiety and irritability , correlating to differences in gut-bacteria composition . 11 According to numerous other studies , animals that were exposed to stressors exhibited pronounced differentiation in gut bacteria . 12
Furthermore , roughly 95 percent of the body ’ s serotonin is produced in the gut , primarily the colon . 13 Serotonin is the “ feel-good ” neurotransmitter known for regulating mood balance and promoting happiness . Deficiencies in serotonin levels have been linked to neurological disorders like depression . 14
It is evident that any alterations to gut flora can lead to health complications and overall malaise , but what exactly causes changes in gut bacteria ? There are many contributing factors ; in fact , gut bacteria naturally undergo day-to-day fluctuations . However , the two primary inputs governing longterm gut makeup are chronic stress and diet .
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