Posted on 11/12/2023 12:17:48 PM PST by ConservativeMind
Interactions among microorganisms within the human gut may be associated with increased anxiety levels in people with depression, according to research.
Using advanced bioinformatics tools like 16S rRNA gene sequencing, researchers analyzed stool samples from 178 patients with a current or past diagnosis of depression who are part of an ongoing Texas Resilience Against Depression (T-RAD) study.
The analysis revealed three networks of gut microbial communities, one of which was correlated with anxiety. While the early findings raise the possibility that gut bacteria could affect anxiety levels, further validation is needed to confirm whether there is a relationship and how that might translate to a clinical setting.
"This novel approach allowed us to consider the community of bacteria in the gut rather than individual bacteria. One specific microbial community was enriched with butyrate-producing bacteria, and we found that individuals with a low abundance of these key bacteria had higher anxiety," said Jane Foster, Ph.D.
A UTSW-led team developed the two longitudinal studies that make up T-RAD, D2K and RAD, in 2020. Spanning 10-plus years and each enrolling 2,500 participants, including from Children's Health and Parkland Health, the studies aim to comprehensively understand depression onset, recurrence, progression, and treatment response. The work is similar to the hallmark Framingham Heart Study that identified risk factors that now serve as gold-standard metrics for heart disease.
Gut microbiota was one of the first biological markers examined by T-RAD because of its role as a key modulator of human physiology and its strong relationship with mood regulation. Dr. Foster was part of the first research group to connect microbiota to anxiety-like behavior in mice about 15 years ago.
(Excerpt) Read more at medicalxpress.com ...
The colonies grow in size by consistently eating more soluble fiber. Men below the age of 50 need at least 34 grams a day and women need 28 grams a day, on average.
If someone is missing such bacteria, probiotic formulations and kefirs can provide a small variety which may help.
Or perhaps it’s the anxiety that causes the gut bacteria issues by creating an unfavorable environment for them.
These correlations are good to know, but often I wonder whether they are coming to the right conclusion about which is the cause and which is the effect.
Anxiety is all in your head. Literally. It’s why therapy is so effective for it.
Ulcers anyone?
Anxiety is a gut feeling.
For later reading.
Interactions among microorganisms within the human gut may be associated with increased anxiety levels in people with depression,
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