Which Parts of the Body Make Up the Gut-Brain Axis?
This means from your mouth, through the stomach and intestinal tract, to the anus.
Our microbiome is made up of an estimated 39 trillion microbial cells including bacteria, viruses and fungi.
Betsie Van der Meer/DigitalVision/Getty
Neurotransmitters synthesized by the brain influence things like our fight or flight responses and our mood.
Nervous System
The human nervous system can be considered the body’s command center.
Central Nervous System
The central nervous system consists of the brain and the spinal cord.
The enteric nervous system is capable of functioning with or without input from the central nervous system.
The inflammation of the gut has been linked to mental health disorders such as anxiety and depression.
What Can Harm Your Gut Health?
Food
Much of what influences the health of our gut is our diet.
There are many foods that can inhibit the growth of good bacteria and encourage the growth of bad bacteria.
The good news is there are things we can do to help improve the health of our gut.
How to Improve Your Gut Health?
you might find many supplements over the counter at your local grocery store pharmacy or online.
Having a plan to manage stress can be particularly helpful in addition to monitoring diet and taking probiotic supplements.
The gut-brain axis is still an area being investigated by researchers from a variety of medical areas.
Appleton J.The Gut-Brain Axis: Influence of Microbiota on Mood and Mental Health.Integr Med (Encinitas).
2018;17(4):28-32.
Jarbrink-Sehgal E, Andreasson A.The gut microbiota and mental health in adults.
2020, Article ID 8024171, 13 pages, 2020. https://doi.org/10.1155/2020/8024171
