A recent study published in the journal Nature showed emulsifiers are alarming. Carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) and polysorbate-80 alter the composition of the intestinal microflora, causing mild chronic intestinal inflammation. Scientists believe that the widespread use of emulsifiers can explain the growth of mental disorders in society.
How are nutritional supplements and psyche related?
The idea that the intestine affects the human psyche has existed for over 100 years. However, recent studies show that microflora can cause anxiety and depression.
There is a strong connection between gastrointestinal and mental illness.
The new focus in the brain-intestine relationship is the intestinal microflora. A diverse community of germs living in the gut affects the behavior of mice.
Mice grown under sterile conditions have a lower degree of anxiety. In mice without germs, a decrease in social behavior is observed. Exposure to antibiotics at a young age also affects behavior.
An increase in the number of "harmful" bacteria increases the power of intestinal inflammation. According to a study, inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract increases the risk of depression and anxiety. Some anti-inflammatory probiotics reduce anxiety and depressive mood.
One of the potential mechanisms of action on the intestines and inflammatory condition is diet. The Western diet is rich in sugar, fats, red meat, refined grains, and processed foods. Carboxymethyl cellulose or polysorbate-80 is added universally to foods.
In mice, the addition of emulsifiers causes general inflammation, obesity and diseases of the internal organs. Antibiotics also contribute to the penetration of microbes into the intestinal mucosa.
What conclusion did the researchers make?
In the study, scientists studied the effects of emulsifier use on the brain and behavior. They found that the administration of these substances caused disturbing and social behavior based on gender.
The results demonstrate the potential of nutritional supplements to alter the intestinal environment and have a wide impact on human behavior.
An increase in the number of anxiety-related disorders has led to the belief that substances can affect brain function.
Such substances should not have direct contact with the brain. Dietary emulsifiers act on the intestinal microflora, causing mild inflammation and disrupting metabolism.
Why do emulsifiers affect women and men differently?
Sexual characteristics in the brain and behavior were somewhat related to differences in reaction to emulsifiers. They clearly contribute to obesity in male and female mice. However, an increase in total weight was more often observed in males than in females.
Sexual changes in the weight of the spleen and colon after using the emulsifier may be the result of changes in the composition of the intestinal microflora. The study revealed gender differences in the microflora of the mucous membranes of mice receiving emulsifiers.
Scientists also observed specific sexual changes in the microflora of mice treated with emulsifiers. This suggests that some of the gender differences observed in behavior may occur as a result of microflora composition.
What changes occur in the brain of a person taking emulsifiers?
It was shown that when emulsifiers were used, the concentration of the Iba1-IR microglia marker was doubled. High doses of Iba1-IR increase inflammation of the nervous tissue, causing serious mental disorders. Other inflammatory markers, such as interleukin-6, also increase after using emulsifiers.
Determining the extent to which mouse studies are relevant to humans is inherently difficult.
Therefore, research data confirm only a general idea of the effect of food additives on behavior.
New data can explain the growing prevalence in society of a wide range of diseases associated with inflammation. Dietary emulsifiers can be one of the specific "pests" of the intestines and brain that contribute to the development of diseases.
