A healthy microbiome is important for everyone—especially for people suffering from a mental health condition, as there's a growing body of evidence suggesting a link between inflammation and mental illnesses, including anxiety, depression and PTSD.
Extensive research shows that the relationship between the microbiome and the brain may contribute to the development of mental health conditions. A study on the microbiome's connection with mental health disorders, for example, found signs of intestinal inflammation in people with PTSD. There’s a need for a deeper understanding of these connections to develop effective treatment approaches.
Diet, the Microbiome and Inflammation
The microbiome is essential in maintaining the balance between pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory responses in the intestine. It can be seen as a mediator through which foods influence these responses. Diets—such as the typical Western diet— rich in saturated fats, sugar, and salt, coupled with low fiber content, can trigger inflammation and autoimmunity.
PTSD has also been connected to dysregulation in the brain circuits that manage stress and fear responses. Studies have shown that people with PTSD have a hyperactive amygdala, the area of the brain that helps process emotions. The microorganisms living in the digestive tract influence the development of the amygdala and its response.
An animal study comparing the effects of a traditional Western diet to a Mediterranean-style diet on stress resilience revealed that animals on the Mediterranean diet showed better stress resistance than those on a Western diet. The Mediterranean diet also appeared to delay age-related increases in sympathetic nervous system activity and cortisol responses to stress. These results suggest that adopting a similar dietary modification in humans may yield comparable benefits.
Another study revealed a connection between higher levels of PTSD symptoms and lower adherence to the Mediterranean-style diet. These findings suggest potential insights for diet-based interventions in the prevention or treatment of PTSD.
Restoring Balance
Other research has focused on the potential role of probiotics in treating and preventing anxiety and depression because probiotics can restore normal microbial balance. This research found that probiotics can effectively alleviate symptoms of anxiety and depression to a comparable extent as conventional prescription medications.
The Mediterranean diet is anti-inflammatory, focusing on plant-based foods and eliminating red meat and processed foods. Consequently, adherence to the Mediterranean diet may contribute to the alleviation or prevention of PTSD symptoms and other mental health disorders, mainly through its inflammation-reducing properties. Microbiome-friendly probiotics are another potential anti-inflammatory avenue for treating mental health conditions.
The current research findings show promise, suggesting that as ongoing studies progress, potential therapy protocols incorporating probiotics and the Mediterranean diet for mental health conditions, including anxiety, depression, and PTSD, may be formulated.