A new study helps to further explain how chronic stress can cause harm through the gut, this research contributes to the substantial body of evidence that suggests the gut-brain axis plays an important role in our digestive health [1].
A summary of the study:
Two main areas of work, the first used a mouse model and showed that when exposed to chronic stress for two weeks, stem cells lining the intestine of the mice were prevented from developing into cells that normally protect the gut from incoming pathogens. This disruption was thought to be due to a malfunction of the metabolism of these cells and was accompanied by increased levels of a chemical named indole-3-acetate (IAA) which is commonly known as a product of gut bacteria (Lactobacillus) under stressful conditions.
The second part of the study involved human participants, researchers analysed the faeces of individuals known to suffer with depression and compared them to a control group that did not, they found that those individuals within the depressed group had significantly higher levels of Lactobacillus and IAA in their gut than those in the control group, suggesting a similar mechanism exists to that seen within the mouse model.
A quote from the author states ‘When we suffer from stress, our gut microbiome is also suffering from stress’[2].
In summary, this work is part of a much bigger puzzle and there are a lot of questions still left unanswered but current evidence points to a strong link existing between the brain and gut. In order to ensure a healthy gut, it is important to eat a fibre-rich diet consisting of a variety of fruit and vegetables, but it is also important to try to keep stress to a minimum, techniques known to help include meditation and yoga, dietitian Kaitlin Colucci (Instagram@themissiondietician) is a specialist in this area and gives lots of great advice.
1. Wei, W., et al., Psychological stress-induced microbial metabolite indole-3-acetate disrupts intestinal cell lineage commitment. Cell Metab, 2024.
2. Kozlov, M., How does chronic stress harm the gut? New clues emerge, in Nature. 2024: England. p. 20.
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