Did you know that gut health may be an important tool in fighting depression? Researchers are learning more about the gut-brain connection and how we might harness this relationship for better mental health.
The Gut-Brain Connection
There’s a name for this connection: the gut-brain axis.
According to a chapter in “Translational Bioinformatics and Systems Biology for Understanding Inflammation,” the gut-brain axis is a bidirectional communication system between the central nervous system (CNS) and the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, also known as the enteric nervous system or “second brain.” It is also the largest part of the autonomic nervous system. Its circuitry allows it to coordinate gastrointestinal functions and plays an essential role in maintaining equilibrium within the body, including the brain….