Diet-gut microbiome nexus: A new paradigm in food-based mental disease therapeutics

Abstract

Mental health and well-being are greatly influenced by interactions between gut microbiota and the brain. This "gut microbiome-brain axis" (GMBA) operates through the various metabolic products released by gut microbes, which can be altered by diet changes. Additional research is needed to elucidate the association among diet, microbial constitution, metabolite production, and various neurological and neurodegenerative conditions. This article abridges the current understanding of microbiota-mediated mental pathogenesis, opportunities for non-invasive diagnosis, and treatment options utilizing GMBA modulations. Research on the interactions between diet, microbiota, and the brain has revealed that nutritional therapy could be a promising approach for preventing or treating depression, anxiety, and neurodegenerative diseases. Studies show that the gut microbiota regulates neurological pathways, endocrine signaling, tryptophan metabolism, gut-brain communication, and immune responses. The consumption of dietary components like prebiotics, probiotics, and pharmaceutical products can modify the gut microbiota, influencing mental health and well-being. Moreover, both psychiatric and non-psychiatric neurodegenerative disorders, as well as bacterial infections, play a critical role in maintaining gut microbiota and affecting mental health. As a result, there is potential to develop innovative functional foods, supplements, or medicines tailored to support a gut microbiome that promotes better mental health.