Our modern lifestyles increasingly disrupt our body’s daily changes, which are impacted by things like irregular sleep patterns, high stress, and poor diet. Breakthrough research from University College Cork and APC Microbiome Ireland – a Research Ireland Centre – targets the relationship between the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, the body’s main stress response system, and the gut microbiota.
Gut microbiota are responsible for many metabolic activities like food digestion. Studies have shown that gut microbiota also have an important role in the development of brain function as well as the pathology of stress-related diseases and neurodevelopmental disorders.
A couple of traits appeared in people who dealt better with stress. Activity in their micro biome (micro bacterial cells in the gut) was connected with reduced inflammation and improved gut barrier integrity.The gut barrier absorbs nutrients and prevents toxins and other harmful things from entering the bloodstream. When the gut barrier becomes more permeable and detrimental things are able to get into the bloodstream, the resulting inflammation functions as a stress signal, signalling to the brain that something is wrong.
There are ongoing efforts to turn this research into treatments with little results so far. Researchers say this is because the microbiome requires a different approach than what’s typically used in the development of pharmaceutical treatments
In conclusion, gut microbiota is a building block for studies that could ultimately lead to treatments.
RELATED STORIES
- https://www.news-medical.net/news/20241105/Study-uncovers-key-role-of-gut-microbiota-in-regulating-stress-responses.aspx#:~:text=%22Our%20research%20has%20revealed%20an,follows%20a%20precise%20circadian%20rhythm.
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6663509/
- https://www.npr.org/sections/shots-health-news/2024/06/24/nx-s1-5018044/gut-microbiome-microbes-mental-health-stress
- https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/gut-bacteria-may-influence-our-stress-response-a-mouse-study-shows
- https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/11/241105113820.htm
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