CAN BACTERIA TALK TO THE BRAIN?

 Did you know that new research shows that what we eat may influence how happy or anxious we feel?

Scientists aren’t quite sure how, but have established that gut flora affects brain chemistry, theorizing that the bacteria enter pathways along the vagus nerve, the main thoroughfare in the nervous system that links the brain to the gut. A second theory is that the bacteria influences the immune system, releasing chemicals that affect conditions like sadness, depression, hopelessness. And finally, researchers believe that bacteria produces or affects the metabolism of chemicals like serotonin or dopamine, which alter brain function.

For a very interesting article on this subject go to Reader’s Digest Magazine, March 2014.