Does the Gut Microbiome Affect Quality of Life and Depression?

The microbiome of the gut produces molecules that are directly neuroactive as well as molecules that influence human cells to produce neuroactive agents. So, the gut microbiome could influence psychiatric diseases and a sense of “wellness.” In this study, a European team sequenced the entire genomes of all gut bacteria from the feces of more than 1000 people in whom functional status had been measured by the RAND-36 instrument and whose depression had been assessed by physicians. Associations identified in this derivation group were tested on a second independent sample of more than 1000 people.

Higher numbers of Coprococcus and Faealibacterium, and lower numbers of Flavonifractor, were associated with better functional status. Lower numbers…