Nutrition and Psychological Health: The Gut-Brain Axis
Let Food Be Your Medicine, and Medicine Be Your Food: Scientific Insights into the Healing Power of Nutrition, NOVA Publications , ss.243-270, 2026
- Yayın Türü: Kitapta Bölüm / Araştırma Kitabı
- Basım Tarihi: 2026
- Yayınevi: NOVA Publications
- Sayfa Sayıları: ss.243-270
- Anahtar Kelimeler: gut microbiota, gut-brain axis, nutritional therapies, omega-3 fatty acids, prebiotics, probiotics
- İnönü Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
This study addresses the bidirectional relationship between gut microbiota and mental health from the perspective of the ‘gut-brain axis’ and reveals the determining role of nutrition in psychological health with a multidimensional approach. Gut microbiota is defined as a microbial ecosystem that plays an active role in the holistic functioning of not only the digestive system but also the immune, endocrine and nervous systems. While the microbiota composition is shaped by environmental and genetic factors from birth, nutrition is one of the most effective determinants in the modulation of this composition. Disturbances in microbiota balance (dysbiosis) are associated with many neuropsychiatric disorders, especially depression and anxiety. In this context, the microbiota - gut - brain axis stands out as a key communication network in the sustainability of brain health and psychological functions. Diet can have direct and indirect effects on the central nervous system by influencing the microbiota’s neurotransmitter production, intestinal permeability, inflammation levels and immune responses. Fiber-rich diets, fermented foods, probiotic and prebiotic consumption support brain health by increasing the production of short-chain fatty acids (especially butyrate). At the same time, microbial synthesis of neuroactive compounds such as serotonin, dopamine and Gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) plays a decisive role in mood and cognitive functions. Micronutrients such as omega-3 fatty acids, polyphenols, vitamin D and B group vitamins also show neuroprotective effects by reducing neuroinflammation. In this study, the effects of various dietary models (Western-style diet, traditional diets, low FODMAP diet (Fermentable Oligosaccharides, Disaccharides, Monosaccharides and Polyols)), especially the Mediterranean diet, on microbiota composition and mental health were compared. The Mediterranean diet has a strong therapeutic potential in reducing the risk of depression and anxiety thanks to its anti-inflammatory effects and microbiota-friendly content. In contrast, Western diets, which are high in sugar, saturated fat and processed foods, may have negative effects on mental health. Furthermore, the dependence of serotonin production on microbial tryptophan metabolism further strengthens the role of microbiota health in psychiatric disorders. Specialized nutritional approaches such as low FODMAP diets have also been reported to alleviate symptoms of anxiety and depression, especially in conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome. In conclusion, this study reveals that the interaction between the gut microbiota and the brain can be regulated through nutrition and that this regulation has therapeutic potential for psychological well-being. The role of the microbiota in neurotransmitter synthesis, its interaction with the immune system and its regulatory effects on the hypothalamic - pituitary - adrenal (HPA) axis allow the development of new therapeutic approaches. These findings necessitate a re-evaluation of the effects of nutrition not only on physical but also on mental health and indicate that nutrition-based psychiatric interventions may find a wider place in clinical practice in the future.