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Diet and the Microbiota–Gut–Brain Axis: Sowing the Seeds of Good Mental Health
journal contribution
posted on 2021-07-01, 00:00 authored by Kirsten Berding, Klara Vlckova, Wolf MarxWolf Marx, Harriet Schellekens, Catherine Stanton, Gerard Clarke, Felice JackaFelice Jacka, Timothy G Dinan, John F CryanABSTRACT
Over the past decade, the gut microbiota has emerged as a key component in regulating brain processes and behavior. Diet is one of the major factors involved in shaping the gut microbiota composition across the lifespan. However, whether and how diet can affect the brain via its effects on the microbiota is only now beginning to receive attention. Several mechanisms for gut-to-brain communication have been identified, including microbial metabolites, immune, neuronal, and metabolic pathways, some of which could be prone to dietary modulation. Animal studies investigating the potential of nutritional interventions on the microbiota–gut–brain axis have led to advancements in our understanding of the role of diet in this bidirectional communication. In this review, we summarize the current state of the literature triangulating diet, microbiota, and host behavior/brain processes and discuss potential underlying mechanisms. Additionally, determinants of the responsiveness to a dietary intervention and evidence for the microbiota as an underlying modulator of the effect of diet on brain health are outlined. In particular, we emphasize the understudied use of whole-dietary approaches in this endeavor and the need for greater evidence from clinical populations. While promising results are reported, additional data, specifically from clinical cohorts, are required to provide evidence-based recommendations for the development of microbiota-targeted, whole-dietary strategies to improve brain and mental health.
Over the past decade, the gut microbiota has emerged as a key component in regulating brain processes and behavior. Diet is one of the major factors involved in shaping the gut microbiota composition across the lifespan. However, whether and how diet can affect the brain via its effects on the microbiota is only now beginning to receive attention. Several mechanisms for gut-to-brain communication have been identified, including microbial metabolites, immune, neuronal, and metabolic pathways, some of which could be prone to dietary modulation. Animal studies investigating the potential of nutritional interventions on the microbiota–gut–brain axis have led to advancements in our understanding of the role of diet in this bidirectional communication. In this review, we summarize the current state of the literature triangulating diet, microbiota, and host behavior/brain processes and discuss potential underlying mechanisms. Additionally, determinants of the responsiveness to a dietary intervention and evidence for the microbiota as an underlying modulator of the effect of diet on brain health are outlined. In particular, we emphasize the understudied use of whole-dietary approaches in this endeavor and the need for greater evidence from clinical populations. While promising results are reported, additional data, specifically from clinical cohorts, are required to provide evidence-based recommendations for the development of microbiota-targeted, whole-dietary strategies to improve brain and mental health.
History
Journal
Advances in NutritionVolume
12Issue
4Pagination
1239 - 1285Publisher
Oxford University PressLocation
Oxford, Eng.Publisher DOI
ISSN
2161-8313eISSN
2156-5376Language
engPublication classification
C1 Refereed article in a scholarly journalUsage metrics
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dietmicrobiotabrainbehaviormental healthmechanismsgut–brain axisnutritionScience & TechnologyLife Sciences & BiomedicineNutrition & Dieteticsgut-brain axisCHAIN FATTY-ACIDSRANDOMIZED CONTROLLED-TRIALDEPRESSIVE-LIKE BEHAVIORGLUCAGON-LIKE PEPTIDE-1PITUITARY-ADRENAL AXISMEDITERRANEAN DIETINTESTINAL MICROBIOTAGENE-EXPRESSIONMETABOLIC-ACTIVITYCOGNITIVE FUNCTION
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