Navigation
Nutraceuticals and physical activity as antidepressants: The central role of the gut microbiota
Major depressive disorder (MDD) is one of the diseases that the gut microbiome is suggested to exert a critical role in regarding its pathogenesis, in addition to modulating brain function. As per recent literature, the gut microbiome was found to constantly communicate with the brain—and vice versa—through several neural, endocrine and inflammatory signaling pathways, which postulates a link between oxidative stress and MDD pathophysiology through overactive inflammatory signaling. In this work, Zeppa et al. (2022) hypothesized that depressed individuals harbor inflammation in their plasma and brain due to increased intestinal permeability (thus, allowing the translocation of harmful pathogens into systemic circulation). Nutraceuticals (i.e., nutritive elements that have additional physiological benefits) such as specific probiotics, psychobiotics, polyphenols, carotenoids, butyrate, and prebiotics, were found to possess an antidepressant activity, however, they require prior metabolization and activation by the gut microbiome to exert this activity. Due to the influence physical exercise has on gut microbiome composition, it is suggested that physical exercise may play a part in improving depressive symptoms. The authors discuss the interactive links governing nutraceuticals, exercise, and depression, in addition to the postulated part the gut microbiota plays as a potential target for treating depression. [NPID: Depression, exercise, gut microbiota, gut–brain axis, nutraceuticals]
Year: 2022
