Did you know that approximately 95% of your body’s total serotonin – that magical neurotransmitter that helps us feel more focused, more emotionally stable and happier – is made in your gut? This means, essentially, that the health of your gut microbiome has a direct impact on your mental wellbeing.
‘Serotonin is primarily produced in specialised cells in the gastrointestinal tract,’ says Nicola Mostert, a clinical dietician with a special interest in the low-carb lifestyle and ketogenic diets, and director of 4Life Living. These cells use the amino acid tryptophan to synthesise serotonin, Nicola says. Gut microbes aid in this process by metabolising tryptophan into various metabolites (which help to break down food, chemicals, etc, inside the body), some of which can serve as precursors for serotonin synthesis. Additionally, gut microbes can influence the expression of genes involved in serotonin production.
Imbalances in gut microbiota composition have been linked to mood disorders such as anxiety and depression, highlighting the importance of the gut-brain axis in mental health. So maintaining a healthy balance
