New research emerges almost daily revealing yet another critical role that our gut bacteria play in promoting and sustaining our health.
Intestinal microbes are key in digestive function, helping the body to produce vitamins B & K, regulating mood as well as many other functions. An altered microbiome is linked to auto-immune diseases like diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, cancer, as well as many, many others.
Now, we are beginning to see that the bacteria found in our gut also play a very crucial role in the production of serotonin.
Many people know that serotonin is a neurotransmitter created by our central nervous system that helps regulate our mood, sleep and appetite. But in it’s peripheral form, it is produced in our digestive tract and has many other important functions.
Peripheral serotonin, which makes up about 90% of our total serotonin, can be found in cells in the GI tract, where it helps regulate intestinal movements (to keep us regular), in blood clotting and in cellular growth. Current research also shows that peripheral serotonin plays an important part in glucose and lipid metabolism- which come into play in weight gain and diabetes.
In a recent study, researchers discovered that changes in gut flora makeup appear to be closely linked to changes in serotonin levels. They measured levels of peripheral serotonin in mice with normal gut flora and in germ-free mice that do not have these standard microbes. They discovered that the germ-free mice produced 60% less serotonin than the mice with typical gut flora. These mice had less intestinal movements (which would affect bowel regularity) and had changes in blood platelet function, which are important in clotting.
When the researchers introduced these conventional bacteria into the germ-free mice, they found that the serotonin levels rose- suggesting that, luckily, this deficiency in serotonin can be reversed.
This study brings to light that specific bacteria in the gut interact with the intestinal cells that produce serotonin. A reduction of these vital bacteria appears to lead to decreased serotonin levels, contributing to disease symptoms in the body.
Looking at this study, one can imagine that if alterations in our gut bacteria can affect serotonin production in the gut in this way, serotonin production in the brain is also likely affected by an unbalanced microbiome… which would contribute to the depression and mood swings, weight gain and loss, and impaired sleeping patterns that accompany many chronic diseases.
This is one more reason why we need to not only nurture our gut health, but promote it by avoiding antibiotics, pesticides and GMOs whenever possible and by consuming good quality probiotics, fermented vegetables and fermented drinks.
Sources
“Microbes Help Produce Serotonin in Gut.” http://phys.org, April 9, 2015.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serotonin
Clinically diagnosed with multiple sclerosis at the age of 28, Pam chose an alternative approach to recovery. Now decades later and still symptom free, she coaches others on how to treat the root cause of chronic disease, using a holistic approach. She can teach you how, too.
Pam is the author of Become a Wellness Champion and founder of Live Disease Free. She is a wellness expert, coach and speaker.
The Live Disease Free Academy has helped hundreds of Wellness Champions in over 15 countries take charge of their health and experience profound improvements in their life.
