Gut Check: Is Your Microbiome Making You Miserable?

Story at-a-glance

Gut bacteria called Morganella morganii produce unusual fats that contain diethanolamine (DEA), an environmental micropollutant; the fats trigger inflammation that contribute to major depressive disorder
The gut-brain axis operates bidirectionally — gut dysbiosis causes systemic inflammation that affects your brain while brain inflammation disrupts gut health
Disruptions in gut bacteria lead to increased intestinal permeability, or "leaky gut," which allows harmful substances to enter your bloodstream and trigger systemic inflammation
Neuroinflammation shifts tryptophan metabolism toward the kynurenine pathway, which produces substances that contribute to glutamate excitotoxicity, in turn damaging brain cells and contributing to depression
Restoring gut health requires a comprehensive approach, including eliminating seed oils, avoiding endocrine disruptors, optimizing carbohydrate intake and carefully introducing beneficial bacteria like Akkermansia muciniphila