Microbiota intestinal y trastorno del estado de ánimo: una revisión desde la nutrición

Mood disorders, such as depression and anxiety, represent a growing public health problem and have historically been addressed from a neurochemical perspective, overlooking the role of nutrition and the intestinal ecosystem. In this regard, current scientific evidence supports that the gut microbiota may be involved in emotional regulation through the gut–brain axis. This study corresponds to a bibliographic review with a qualitative approach and descriptive design, in which a systematic search was conducted in scientific databases such as PubMed, Scopus, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. Original articles, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses published within the last five years addressing gut microbiota, nutrition, and mental health were selected. The findings demonstrated that the gut microbiota plays a key role in regulating the gut–brain axis by participating in the production of neurotransmitters such as serotonin and gamma-aminobutyric acid, as well as in immunological and inflammatory processes. In addition, dysbiosis (microbial imbalance) was found to be associated with depressive and anxiety symptoms. Finally, healthy dietary patterns, such as the Mediterranean diet, along with probiotic and prebiotic supplementation, were shown to positively influence mental health through the modulation of the intestinal microbiome. In conclusion, a balanced diet may be considered a complementary therapeutic strategy to improve emotional well-being through the maintenance of a healthy gut microbiota.