The concept of the gut-brain axis has recently emerged, and it is increasingly accepted that the gut microbiota play an important role in communicating with our brain and regulating mood, including anxiety and depression (Cryan JF et al). Disruptions in the gut microbiota, along with important interrelated dynamics of dysregulated stress and immunity, may be converging to influence the development of depression (Cruz-Pereira JS et al).
Can diet impact the gut microbiota to influence the gut-brain axis and subsequently our mental health? Increasing data suggest that indeed it does, with diet playing a central role in our brain function, mood, and mental well-being (Adan RAH et al). The recognized role of diet in shaping the gut microbiota is changing the available approaches that can be taken to improve a number of health conditions (Hills RD Jr et al), including depression (Duarte-Silva E et al) and anxiety (Norwitz NG and Naidoo U), as pro-inflammatory diets are associated with poor mental health (Chen G. et al). Although more research is needed to fully evaluate the effects of nutrition on mental health, the emerging field of nutritional psychiatry is taking the lead in utilizing dietary interventions to improve mental health. Nutritional therapy may offer an attractive additional therapeutic option for IBD given the potential dual benefit of improving both the underlying condition of IBD and mental health.
