– Our gut consists of different types of microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, and viruses, and this composition is unique to everyone. The gut microbiota also works and communicates with other systems such as the immune system and the central nervous system (including the brain), termed as the gut-brain-immune axis.
– The gut and brain communicate bi-directionally via several pathways, including endocrinological, neurological, and immunological.
– Consumption of dietary fiber and prebiotics promotes diverse microbiota growth and are also important in providing substrates for the gut microbiota to form metabolites, which confer health benefits to us and thus improve the gut-brain axis.
The human’s gut consists of a certain composition of beneficial microorganisms that is unique to every individual, which is also known as the gut microbiota. On top of the usual gastrointestinal processes such as digestion and absorption, this composition of microorganisms has also been found to play a significant role in several other functions and diseases that are otherwise seemingly unrelated to the gut. Why and how is this gut-brain-immune axis possible?
Read on to find out more about this fascinating interaction between the gastrointestinal system, central nervous system, and the immune system.
Before we try to understand this complex interaction of the gut-brain-immune axis, let’s first understand what the gut microbiota is, what it does, and what happens when there is a change in this composition.
The gut microbiota consists of different types of microorganisms, ranging from bacteria, fungi, and viruses [1]. This composition is unique to everyone due to the impact from multiple factors including environmental and lifestyle factors [2]. One of the functions of the gut microbiota is to break down indigestible substrates like dietary fibers and intestinal mucus, producing short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and gases in the large intestine. These SCFAs are associated with several health benefits, including metabolism, homeostasis, controlling gut hormones, and lower rates of obesity [3].
Other gastrointestinal functions of the gut microbiota include the synthesis and absorption of vitamins and nutrients such as vitamin K and vitamin B, as well as maintain the integrity and structure of the gut barrier [4].
A change in the composition of the gut microbiota can happen due to several factors, including drugs (e.g., excessive use of antibiotics), toxins and pathogens [5]. This is also called ‘dysbiosis’, and this affects the permeability of the gut’s barriers.
Other than the effects the gut microbiota have on the gastrointestinal system, it also works and communicates with other systems such as the immune system and the central nervous system (including the brain).
The immune system is especially connected with our gastrointestinal system, as evidenced from the fact that more than 70% of immune cells are found in the gut [6]. The interactions between the gut microbiota and the immune system are thought to be via the SCFAs that are produced as by-products of the indigestible substrates (e.g., dietary fibers) [7]. These SCFAs are involved in the homeostasis of immune cells through several receptors [8], and act as key metabolites for the functioning of the intestinal surface layer. The intestinal surface layer, where the gut microbiota resides, also acts as a first line of defense for the body against incoming pathogens.
The gut microbiota also has a bidirectional communication with the central nervous system (CNS), including the brain. This interaction is often coined as the ‘gut-brain axis’. For one, the gut is physically connected to the nervous system and the brain via the vagus nerve. It is thought that the interaction between the gut and brain also otherwise happens via several pathways [9]:
Neurological
SCFAs such as butyrate (produced by the gut microbiota by breaking down dietary fiber) also affect CNS functions such as the formation of the blood brain barrier (BBB) [10], which shields the brain from toxic substances and filters chemicals to the blood [11].
Endocrinological
Chemicals that can affect brain cell physiology (i.e., neurotransmitters) are produced by some of the species within the gut microbiota [2]. One such neurotransmitter is serotonin, which also plays a part in affecting an individual’s mood.
Immunological
Gut microbiota also affects mucosal immune activation. An increase in inflammation was seen in studies involving mice after they were treated with oral antibiotics [9]. It is thought that this activation may be due to enzymes such as proteases [9].
Dysbiosis (i.e., alteration in the gut microbiota) is also associated with many hosts diseases, including diseases related and not related to the gastrointestinal system. Some of these includes [5]:
– Gastrointestinal system: irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD)
– Other body systems: asthma, allergies, obesity, cardiovascular diseases
The role of supplementation to improve the gut health is not only important for the gut’s health but is also paramount for the development of other crucial systems such as the immune system and nervous systems. As mentioned in this article, dysbiosis has also been associated with several diseases, including even autism via the gut-brain axis [13]. Hence, developing the gut microbiota is an important thing to do that should not be missed out.
Consumption of dietary fiber and prebiotics promotes diverse microbiota growth [14]. Other than promoting for microbial growth, dietary fibers are also important in providing substrates for the gut microbiota to form SCFAs, which have been found to be beneficial in multiple functions and developments as described above in this article.
Another consideration may be the excessive use of antibiotics in children, which has been associated with dysbiosis as well. Antibiotics use has also been linked with several diseases such as asthma and juvenile arthritis [15]. Parents should also not request for antibiotics use excessively and unnecessarily for their children to prevent possible dysbiosis as well.
The benefits of a healthy gut extend beyond the gastrointestinal system. Healthy gut microbiota has also been thought to have beneficial effects on the health of other systems, particularly the immune and nervous systems. Consider better nutrition and supplementations to improve our gut health, which have beneficial effects extending beyond that and into the nervous and immune systems.
Prebiotic: Gut Microbiota, Gut Health, and Beyond
Gut Health and Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS): Types, Symptoms, and Treatment
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