Q&A: Mental Health Awareness Week

Can poor gut health cause anxiety or depression? How does stress impact gut health? How can meditation support me?

Welcome to The Better Gut Weekly Q&A! As it’s Mental Health Awareness Week, we’ve hand-picked questions geared towards helping you develop a better understanding of the relationship between your gut & your mental health.

But before we dive in… don’t forget to submit your questions for next week’s gut-busting Q&A here.

Question 1: Can poor gut health cause anxiety or depression?

There is a growing body of evidence to suggest that poor gut health can contribute to the development of anxiety and depression.

The gut microbiota, which is a complex community of microorganisms that resides in the gut, has been shown to have a significant impact on brain function and behaviour. Dysbiosis, a state of imbalance in the gut microbiota, has been linked to a range of mental health disorders, including anxiety and depression. Indeed, a 2019 systematic review and meta-analysis found that people with anxiety and depression were more likely to have gut dysbiosis. To get even more specific - individuals with depression have been found to have lower levels of certain beneficial bacteria, such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, and higher levels of harmful bacteria, such as Clostridium.

The gut microbiota can also produce neurotransmitters, such as serotonin, which is often referred to as the "feel-good" neurotransmitter. A 2016 study found that people with depression had lower levels of certain gut bacteria that are involved in the production of neurotransmitters like serotonin, which has been linked to the development of depression and anxiety.

In addition to alterations in gut microbiota composition and neurotransmitter production, poor gut health can also contribute to systemic inflammation, which has been linked to the development of mental health disorders. Chronic inflammation has been shown to have negative effects on brain function and can lead to the development of depression and anxiety.

Treating gut dysbiosis through probiotics, prebiotics, or dietary changes has been shown to lead to improvements in anxiety and depression symptoms. For instance, a 2017 study found that a 4-week course of probiotics led to significant improvements in both anxiety and depression scores among people with irritable bowel syndrome.

Question 2: Can gut health be improved through lifestyle changes like exercise and meditation, and if so, how might this benefit my mental health?