ZOE Science & Nutrition Recap: How your gut fuels your brain and mood | Prof. John Cryan
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Jul 29, 2025 In this engaging discussion, Professor John Cryan, a world-leading expert in the gut-brain axis, reveals how our gut acts as a 'second brain.' He highlights the profound impact of gut microbes on mood, memory, and neurological health. The conversation explores how diet influences brain function and emotional well-being, emphasizing the importance of nurturing the microbiome across various life stages. Professor Cryan also shares insights on how Mediterranean diets can enhance cognitive function, making a compelling case for gut health's role in overall brain wellness.
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Gut Microbes Influence Brain Development
- The gut microbiome influences brain development, function, and behavior significantly.
- Germ-free mice studies reveal abnormal brain development and stress responses linked to absence of gut microbes.
Microbes as Key Brain Communicators
- The microbiome-gut-brain axis involves microbes as key players in communication from gut to brain.
- Microbial signals have co-evolved with human brains and guts, making microbes vital to brain and physiological function.
Vagus Nerve Connects Gut and Brain
- The vagus nerve acts as a critical communication highway linking gut microbes and the brain.
- Cutting the vagus nerve in mice abolishes behavioral effects of certain gut bacteria, showing direct microbial influence on brain.