THE GUT-BRAIN AXIS: EXPLORING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN MICROBIOTA AND MENTAL HEALTH
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Abstract
Gut-brain axis is a crucial two-way communication it links gastrointestinal tract and the central nervous system. This research study examined this relationship of gut brain axis and mental health in Pakistan's distinct sociocultural and dietary environment, where dietary changes and urbanization have drastically changed the variety of gut microbiota. We have investigated the complex association between gut microbiota and mental health. A qualitative and quantitative methods were used, a survey data was collected from the 500 patients, and a qualitative data was collected from the ten (10) medical field related (gestor and mental health) professionals, such as psychiatrists, gastroenterologists, and nutritionists. Validated instruments including the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and General Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) were used to examine and measure the mental health, and food patterns were examined to determine how they affected microbial diversity among gestor and mental health patients. The results/findings show that increased gut microbial diversity and better mental health outcomes are positively correlated with traditional high-fiber diets augmented with vegetables, lentils, and fermented foods. On the other hand, microbial diversity is decreased and mental health issues are elevated in urban areas where processed and low-fiber meals are common. Furthermore, medical practitioners acknowledge the therapeutic potential of treatments that focus on the microbiota but point out that they are not being employed in clinical settings. The results open the door for more culturally study highlighting the crucial role that dietary habits play in regulating psychological well-being and highlighting the importance of the gut-brain axis in mental health.
JEL Classification Codes: L65, Q53.
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