The Tangled Trio of Gut Microflora, Junk Food, and Mental Health

Have you ever experienced a feeling of sadness after eating a cheesious pizza at Burgerking?

Well,Most people”ll respond “NO” with a bursting laughter after hearing this question which indicates that the idea is utterly absurd and comical to them.Eating pizza or any kind of junk food usually and unfortunately makes us all feel happy. But that happiness actually costs the happiness of good bacteria residing your gut.

Our gut is teeming with a lot of microorganisms ; bacteria, yeast etc what makes the botanical garden or “Microbiome” of gut. Besides playing important roles in nutrition, drug metabolism and immunomodulation , the microflora has a significant impact on our mental health.

It can be understood by the fact that 95% of serotonin in our body is synthesized by our gut microbiome and not by our brain. Most of these bacteria contain enzyme “Tryphtophan hydroxylase” that converts tryptophan into 5-hydroxytryphtophan which is later converted to serotonin.

Serotonin also known as “feel good hormone” makes us feel happier, focused, emotionally stable and calmer. Serotonin also contributes to the formation of melatonin;a hormone that regulates sleep-wake cycle.

The sad part about consuming junk food is that most of their constituents are lethal to gut bacteria i.e the additives and preservatives. Moreover, the processed fats oxidize and generate free radicals that can damage bacterial membranes leading to their death. Eventually a person comes up with a condition in which he/she has reduced levels of serotonin and other neurotransmitters. The fact can be related to sudden burst of laziness and lethargy after consuming a whole lot of junk food. Studies also claim that prolonged consumption of processed food can have long term effect on your mental health leading to neuropsyciatric disorders like ADHD, schizophrenia and anxiety disorders. This phenomenon helps explain why individuals from affluent backgrounds are more prone to developing these disorders, in contrast to individuals with modest means who cannot afford to indulge in extravagant lifestyle choices, such as frequent partying and luxurious diets that can contribute to the development of these conditions.

Research suggests that therapies focused on enhancing and restoring the gut microbiome, such as Fecal Microbiota Transplantation (FMT), may be a valuable treatment approach for psychiatric disorders. Transplantation of fecal bacteria from healthy donors has been found to positively impact mental health by reducing symptoms of psychiatric disorders, including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia, by reintroducing diverse and beneficial microbial communities into the gut, promoting a healthier gut-brain axis and suggesting a promising adjunctive treatment strategy for mental health management.

The idea was confirmed by Mar;Gracias and colleagues through a variety of experiments on NOD( non-obese diabetic) and B6 strain of lab mice.

The question is “If junk foods are making you feel sad, what kind of foods can make you feel happier?”

The simple answer is “The food that makes your gut bacteria happy, actually makes “you” feel happy”.

One good option is Probiotics;The live microorganisms. They are abundantly found in fermented foods like yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut etc. Researchers have used the term “psycobiotics” for them in regard to their positive impact on mental health. They help flourish the gut microbiome leading to instant rush of serotonin that’d last longer and help you unlock your full potential.

So, next time you feel like your “inner lion” is sleeping, it’s time to reassess your dietary choices and look after the “Lilliputian organisms” residing inside you.