The gut-brain axis refers to the bidirectional communication between the gut microbiota and the brain, influencing both neurological and immune functions. Disruptions in this axis can contribute to the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases by altering immune responses and promoting inflammation. Emerging research suggests that restoring gut health through dietary changes and probiotics may have therapeutic potential for managing autoimmune conditions by enhancing immune regulation and reducing systemic inflammation.
The Gut-Brain Axis and the Microbiome: Mechanisms and Clinical Implications
Conclusion:
“Well-characterized bidirectional communication channels, involving neural, endocrine, and inflammatory mechanisms, exist between the gut and the brain. Communication through these channels may be modulated by variations in the permeability of the intestinal wall and the blood-brain barrier. Brain gut microbiome interactions are programmed during the first 3 years of life, including the prenatal period, but can be modulated by diet, medications, and stress throughout life. Based on correlational studies, alterations in these interactions have been implicated in the regulation of food intake, obesity, and in irritable bowel syndrome, even though causality remains to be established.”
