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Over the years, experts have been consistently looking into the relationship between mental and physical health. In a recently published study, researchers found evidence that supports the association between mental health and the gut-brain axis. 

In the study, the researchers focused on inflammatory bowel disease or IBD, which covers several conditions including Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, and indeterminate colitis inflammatory bowel disease. They analyzed data from 28 randomized controlled trials involving 1,789 participants and found that improving depression and anxiety symptoms in individuals with IBD significantly reduces the severity of the condition. The researchers focused on biomarkers, specifically calprotectin and C-reactive protein or CRP, to objectively assess IBD inflammation instead of relying on self-reported symptoms.

Therapy, antidepressants, and exercise to combat IBD

The study indicates that psychological interventions, particularly mental health therapy, were most effective at alleviating inflammation associated with IBD. That was when compared with the results from antidepressants and exercise.

This supports a study from 2021, which revealed high rates of clinical depression at 25% and anxiety at 32% in people with IBD. These rates increased to 39% and 58%, respectively, during active disease states with higher inflammation levels.

One of the researchers, Natasha Seaton said that psychological therapies, including cognitive-behavioral techniques and mindfulness practices, were found to be particularly beneficial in managing IBD symptoms. The study indicates that improving mental health can strengthen the immune system, enabling individuals with IBD to better manage their physical health through factors like exercise, diet, and sleep quality. 

Fecal calprotectin and CRP were tracked as biomarkers to objectively assess intestinal and systemic inflammation, providing valuable indicators of disease activity and treatment effectiveness.

What experts are saying

The research suggests that the brain-gut axis plays a crucial role in the bidirectional relationship between mental health and intestinal inflammation. In a report, experts weighed in and explained this relationship.

IBD expert Dr. Tine Jess highlighted mechanistic links such as vagal nerve signaling, systemic inflammatory markers, and the gut microbiome. Gastroenterologist Dr. Rudolph Bedford emphasized that a poor psychological state can increase pro-inflammatory cytokines, affecting the signaling between the brain and inflammatory responses.