Gut Check: Is Your Microbiome Making You Miserable?
Story at-a-glance
- Gut bacteria called Morganella morganii produce unusual fats that contain diethanolamine (DEA), an environmental micropollutant; the fats trigger inflammation that contribute to major depressive disorder
- The gut-brain axis operates bidirectionally — gut dysbiosis causes systemic inflammation that affects your brain while brain inflammation disrupts gut health
- Disruptions in gut bacteria lead to increased intestinal permeability, or "leaky gut," which allows harmful substances to enter your bloodstream and trigger systemic inflammation
- Neuroinflammation shifts tryptophan metabolism toward the kynurenine pathway, which produces substances that contribute to glutamate excitotoxicity, in turn damaging brain cells and contributing to depression
- Restoring gut health requires a comprehensive approach, including eliminating seed oils, avoiding endocrine disruptors, optimizing carbohydrate intake and carefully introducing beneficial bacteria like Akkermansia muciniphila
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