GABA and the gut-brain-axis

​ In recent studies the human gut microbiota, which is the trillions of microorganisms, including bacteria, archaea, fungi, and viruses, have been connected to many components of health and disease. Incredibly, not only has the gut microbiota been found to be essential for maintaining metabolic and immune health, but there is also a lot of evidence suggesting that the gut microbiota influences brain development. The gut microbiota has been found to not only be an essential component immune and metabolic health, but also seems to influence development and diseases of the enteric and central nervous system, including motility disorders, behavioral disorders, neurodegenerative disease, cerebrovascular accidents, and neuro immune-mediated disorders. Bacteria have been shown to produce and/or consume a wide range of mammalian neurotransmitters, including dopamine, norepinephrine, serotonin, or gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). Accumulating evidence in animals suggests that manipulation of these neurotransmitters by bacteria may have an impact in host physiology, and preliminary human studies are showing that microbiota-based interventions can also alter neurotransmitter levels, neurogenesis and interacts with the enteric and central nervous systems via communication along the ‘gut-brain-axis”. GABA is the major inhibitory neurotransmitter of the central nervous system, and it and its receptors are widely distributed throughout us. Substantial literature supports the link between altered GABAergic neurotransmission and numerous CNS disorders, including behavioral disorders, pain and sleep. As well in the disruption of important functions of the ENS, such as intestinal motility, gastric emptying, nociception, and acid secretion. Bacteria in the gut have been known to be able to consume or produce GABA for decades. Secretion of GABA serves as a mechanism to decrease intracellular pH via the glutamate acid resistance system. The microbiota seems to influence circulating GABA levels, as in a study done by Strandwitz in 2018, they eliminated the microbiome of animals and in these animals they showed they have substantially reduced luminal and serum levels of GABA. Therefore affecting our brains and nervous systems. So if our gut is on fire, then the whole body is on fire. As our gut is what delivers the nutrients to our bodies. So get your gut checked for imbalances!

​Reference: Strandwitz P. (2018). Neurotransmitter modulation by the gut microbiota. Brain research, 1693(Pt B), 128–133. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brainres.2018.03.015